Then the Lord said, “You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there. It came quickly and died quickly. But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?” Jonah 4: 10 -11 (NLT)
I like rules and I like abiding by them. For me knowing where the boundaries are, I can operate freely within them. Also, as a teacher rules are in place to help and support my students and they know there are consequences when the rules are not adhered to. Likewise, parents put down rules to ensure the daily smooth running of the family. And when one of the rules are broken, they know what to do, to discourage it from being done again, either by the same person or others.
However, sometimes I find that because I’m rule-abiding, I expect the same from others. And when they are not, I expect them to bear the consequences of their actions. Surprisingly and shamefully, I must say, I’m not happy when such a person is pardoned, shown mercy or plainly, gets away with it.
This is similar to how Jonah felt about Nineveh. He must have known how ungodly and wicked they were as a nation and his only conclusion was – they deserved to be punished.
The elder brother to the prodigal son had the same feeling. His brother had the audacity to demand his inheritance (an action that is unheard of), left home and squandered everything he was given. Leaving him (the elder brother) to handle their father’s businesses and affairs alone. He returns home in shame and instead of being punished for his actions, he is celebrated and restored as if nothing happened. He might have even wondered how his brother’s return would affect his inheritance!
Even the Pharisees were no better. They were furious that Jesus broke the law by healing someone on the Sabbath and it didn’t matter that He was helping a suffering person. “But the Lord replied, ‘You hypocrites! Each of you works on the Sabbath day! Don’t you untie your ox or your donkey from its stall on the Sabbath and lead it out for water? This dear woman, a daughter of Abraham, has been held in bondage by Satan for eighteen years. Isn’t it right that she be released, even on the Sabbath?’” Luke 13:15-16 (NLT)
We now have a society that has more compassion for their pets and animals than for their neighbours. Just as Jonah had more feelings for the plant that provided him with a shade in the heat than for the people of Nineveh. And God pointed it out to him as we see in today’s passage.
One thing we tend to forget is that we all deserve punishment too, but God has shown us mercy through Jesus Christ. Just like He showed the woman accused of being caught in the act of adultery. “Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, ‘Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?’ ‘No, Lord,’ she said. And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I. Go and sin no more.’” John 8:10-11 (NLT)
James 2:13 (NLT) says, “There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when He judges you.”
Jesus also said, “God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7 (NLT)
So, let’s not be a Jonah but be a true disciple of Jesus, showing mercy and compassion to others.
Stay blessed,
Lara
Hills and Valleys 