We’re partway through a journey here at Calvin Church - a journey that explores the least read and little understood books of the Old Testament, the Minor Prophets. Part of our project is to learn their names. As we did last time, let’s recite the list of these prophets together:
 
 

 
Tonight we line up for what some may call a tall fisherman’s tale - the story of the one who almost got away.... prophet, though. Not fish. Jonah - the prodigal prophet. The basic storyline is well known, taught in Sunday School classes at even the youngest ages. It’s a colourful tale with some real twists in the plot - prophets running away, storms, whale, preaching, repentance, tree dying. No lack of action.
        By the way, speaking of colour, did you hear what Jonah’s wife said when he walked in the door after the fish thing? "All right. Three days late. Smelling like fish. What’s your excuse this time?"
        Jonah and the whale. That’s what the book is about. We say.

But really - is it?
I want you to notice who speaks the first words in the prophecy.
And then go to the end - 4.11. Notice who has the last word.
        Who’s the book about?
        From beginning to end the prophecy of Jonah is God’s word to His people. The events are about God : His will, His action, His judgement, His promise. Yes, Jonah is a significant actor. But he remains a tool in the Lord’s hands; a prop on the stage to get across the message which God wants Israel to hear and understand. And not just Israel – the message remains and speaks in a most relevant way to us, too, as we approach Good Friday and Easter; it speaks a strong Word to Christians living in the pagan nation of Canada.

"The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: "Go to Nineveh...."

Nineveh was capital of the Assyrian Empire, a brutal regime, feared by all surrounding nations. "Assyrian ethics" was an oxymoron. Think of the Nazi era, or Stalanist Russia and their brutal murder of 20 million Ukrainians and you’ll have some idea of how the Assyrians kept the reins in on their empire.

"Go to Nineveh and preach...."
 
 
 
 

Not a word is said in reply. Perhaps because Jonah can’t speak. He is thoroughly revolted by the idea of having to bring a holy word to these unholy oppressive people. So he runs, hard, in exactly the opposite direction. 4000 km to the west towards Tarshish in Spain.... rather than 1000 km east to the Assyrian capital. Or, at least that’s the plan.

We’ll read the story together in it’s entirety.
But just before we do, we need to ask, "to whom is it written?" What was going on in Israel at that time? Key to understanding the Word of the Lord is to understand the life situation of those to whom it was first written. That gives us solid interpretive ground on which to stand.

Jonah ministered around 800-750 B.C. It was a time of political and economic glory in Israel. After the split in Israel between the northern and southern kingdoms, economic and social rot set in. The Syrian army swooped down from the north and pushed back the borders. They also made Israel a semi-slave state – holding veto power over what went on among the Hebrews.

During that season of pressure Elisha prophecied about a day of victory (2 Ki 13) over Damascus. Jonah was also sent by God with a similar message (2 Ki 14). It happened soon after – Israel regained the full extent of her former northern borders after the Syrians were beaten up by the Assyrians.

And like a hockey team which has spent most of the season in the cellar but suddenly wins a few games in a row, Israelites began to think that they were pretty good. Really good, actually. Sure, we’ve been down. But look how we bounced back! Besides, didn’t the prophet say this would happen? God is on our side. He’s our God. Look out world! Here we come.

There was a strong sense that they were "in", and all their neighbour nations were "out." They mattered to God. Had value. Special. Other nations were only there to serve the better cause of Israel. They would be pushed down, while Israel would use them as a stepladder on their way to the top.

It is to those people, carrying that kind of attitude, that God directs a word through His reluctant mouthpiece, Jonah. Let us hear Him speak.

Why is it that when human being reach a certain level of blessing or comfort, they somehow instinctively begin to look down on those who haven’t quite hit that point? It happens economically, socially...... and spiritually.
        We’re in. We’ve got it.
        They don’t. Stay away from them.
                That may happen actively, or it may show as a quiet separation.

Israel was "in" with God. They knew it. The prophets had said it. Political victories showed it was so. Hah!
        Why did they suddenly feel that their souls were the only ones on the whole face of the earth that mattered to the Lord? Even some lousy plant counts for more!
        Did the fact that they were elect make them think that God’s love could only be channelled in their direction? Did the fact that God loved them, make them convinced that He had no desire or capacity to love or yearn for other human souls?
        Is there any reason why it should be so?

The question is left dangling at the end of the book for Jonah to consider.
Jonah – and the people whom he represents in the story, Israel.

As Jonah receives God’s command, and as Jonah stubbornly refuses, and as Jonah ultimately is brought to heel under the will of the Lord — so it is for God’s special elect people.
        They are the ones left to consider the question.

They are the ones who need to have it drilled into their heads that the love of God is not a privilege to grasp and clutch for themselves. Holy love is given in order to be passed along! When someone becomes a recipient of God’s saving work, that person automatically also receives a call to become part of God’s mission to the lost world.... even when that world doesn’t look or behave in a particularly pleasant manner.
        And if God’s elect don’t do the job..... the job still will get done! The Sovereign King will find another way to do it.

Elected, chosen, into God’s love and service. There is a wonder and a love and a bliss that comes with that. There is also a cost. A huge cost. Just ask this prophet as he rubs sand out of his eyes, and tries to scrub away the fish smell. You got to wonder how often he woke up in a cold sweat with reoccuring nightmares about the storm, the waves, the mouth closing around him. He was as good as dead. And then — in a supernatural way it was as if he was reborn.

He died a rebellious sinner. He was born again as an repentant, obedient servant. One who still fumbled the ball – but at would listen and go. One who ultimately understood that his position in life, and in eternity, really had absolutely nothing to do with how good he was, or obedient..... or Jewish!
        Hear the key words of Jonah:
                "Salvation comes from the Lord." (2.9)

This prophet finally got it through his head that except someone die to their old sinfulness and rise again to new obedience they cannot serve God’s purposes in the world. They have to fully "let go and let God," as the folks in A.A. would say.

Jonah, the one who represents Israel in this story, finally got it.
We’re never really told, though, whether the nation of Israel got it.

What we do know is that years later there was another representative of Israel.
The people, at one point, picked palm branches and shouted, "Hosanna to the King of Israel" (Jn 12.13). Nathaniel, a fellow who became one of his disciples declared, "Master, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." (Jn 1.49). Others shouted it in derision, without believing it, shouted it while he was dying, "He is the king of Israel." (Mt 27.42)
        This representative in Israel came up out of Egypt, like Israel. He spent 40 days in the desert with much temptation, like Israel spending 40 hard years in the desert. He went down into the Jordan river, and came up to ministry - just as Israel went through the Jordan river into their life in the Promised Land. He gathered 12 disciples around him, founders of the new community just as there were the 12 tribes of Israel. He came to fulfill the Law given to Israel (Mt 5.17).

He is Jesus.

He, the Son of God, had all the love and the care and the power of God the Father at His holy disposal. All the service of the angels. All the glory of Heaven. It was His.
        But then the inexplicable happened.
        Why?
        Ultimately why - we’ll never know. Until we see Him face to face we’ll never fully understand the depth and the passion of "why.".......
        ..... why He didn’t grab onto that power and glory and love and keep it all for Himself, relishing and enjoying it for every ounce that it was worth.
        .....why, instead of grasping it (Phil 2.6) He let it completely go and entered the storm of human life, enduring the violence of the cross, sinking all the way into the waters of death, into the grave.
        ..... why He, who had no sin, became in God’s eyes the very essence of sin – doing it on our behalf (2 Cor 5.21); taking the full blow of God’s wrath and punishment for sin
        ...... why?

        ......why when we were yet ungrateful sinners, He died for us (Rom 5.8)

Died — and then, miracle of miracles, was scooped up by God’s power out of the dark depths of death and, as it were, bodily reborn. He rose from the grave to eternal life.

Jesus said before His death that He would be "the sign of Jonah" (Matthew 16.4; Luke 11.29) for the people. The sign that life is found not by grabbing, but by giving it up. Not by saying, "I want it my way." But by saying, "Have your way with me, Lord - whatever you want. I’m yours."
        The sign that when we surrender, it is not a surrender to chaos and death – even though it may well look that way before hand. I mean: who wants to jump out of a boat into rough water..... especially when you know you can’t swim??!!
        When we surrender, the power of God picks us up, rescues us, and gives us new life. We get........
                ..... reborn!!

Like Jonah said:

"Salvation comes from the Lord." (2.9)

Again - like with the people of Israel, there is no answer. For the response has to come from we, the listener.

And so as you contemplate your response, the posture you will take, whether you’re willing to jump out of the boat and let everything die for the Lord......
        As you hear the exhortation of Philippians 2.5 "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus"... and wonder if you’ll respond.....

As you contemplate that, I want to bring this time to a close by having us contemplate Jesus. Look to His suffering. Look to the cross. His dying and rising for us. As you consider whether and why you should let go and surrender all....... just ask "why"......
..... why did He do it?

The answer to that question - "why" - will probably direct us as we figure out where to go from here.

[move into sacred dance with the following song]
 
 

WHY

Why did it have to be a friend
who chose to betray the Lord
And why did He use a kiss to show them
That’s not what a kiss is for
Only a friend can betray a friend,
a stranger has nothing to gain
And only a friend comes close enough
to ever cause so much pain.

And why did there have to be
a thorny crown pressed upon His head
It should have been a royal one
made of jewels and gold instead
It had to be a crown of thorns,
because in this life that we live
All who would seek to love
a thorn is all that this world can give

And why did it have to be a heavy cross
He was made to bear
And why did they nail His feet and hands,
His love would have held Him there.
It was a cross, for upon a cross
A thief was supposed to pay
And Jesus had come into this world
to steal every heart away
Jesus had come into this world
to steal every heart away.