The Heart of Compassion: Lessons from Jonah 4:9-10
Introduction:
Today, we delve into a passage from the book of Jonah that reveals the heart of God and challenges us to examine our own hearts. We'll focus on Jonah 4:9-10 and explore Jonah’s displeasure at the death of a plant compared to his lack of concern for the fate of Nineveh's 120,000 inhabitants.
Jonah 4:9-10 (NLT): "Then God said to Jonah, 'Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?' 'Yes,' Jonah retorted, 'even angry enough to die!' 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?'"
1. The Heart of Compassion vs. the Heart of Self-Interest
Jonah's anger over the plant reveals his self-centered nature. He mourns a plant that provided him shade, yet he is indifferent to the lives of the people of Nineveh. This contrast exposes a heart condition that prioritizes personal comfort over compassion for others.
Matthew 9:36 (NLT): "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."
In Matthew 9:36, we see a profound demonstration of Jesus' heart of compassion. When Jesus looked at the crowds, He didn't see a burden or an inconvenience; He saw people in desperate need of guidance and care. They were "confused and helpless," wandering without direction or protection, much like sheep without a shepherd.
Jesus' reaction here serves as a model for us. He didn’t just feel sorry for the people; He was moved to action by His compassion. The term "compassion" in this context goes beyond mere sympathy—it implies a deep, gut-wrenching empathy that drives one to help. As Christians, we are called to have the same compassionate heart, seeing the needs of those around us and being moved to act in love and kindness.
Consider the story of Dr. Helen Roseveare, a missionary doctor in Congo. She once shared how her compassion for the suffering people led her to serve tirelessly despite personal risk and discomfort. Her life reflects the heart of Jesus, who always showed compassion, even when it was inconvenient.
John Piper once said, "Missions exists because worship doesn't." We need to cultivate hearts that ache for those who are far from God, just as God's heart ached for Nineveh.
John Stott once said, "Compassion is a human disposition that fuels acts of kindness and mercy. It is a form of love that is aroused within us when we are confronted with those who suffer or are vulnerable."
2. The Value of Lives Over Material Comfort
Jonah valued the plant because it served his needs. God, however, values people – the 120,000 in Nineveh – because they are His creation, each life precious to Him. This teaches us that God's priorities are different from ours. We must learn to value what God values.
Luke 12:15 (NLT): "Then he said, 'Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.'"
In Luke 12:15, Jesus warns against the dangers of greed, emphasizing that true life is not found in the abundance of possessions. This teaching comes in the context of a parable about a rich fool who hoarded wealth without consideration for his own mortality or God's kingdom.
Jesus is cautioning us to be vigilant against the seductive nature of materialism. It's a reminder that our worth and purpose are not tied to our material wealth. Instead, we should seek to be rich in the things that matter to God—love, generosity, and spiritual growth. This perspective shifts our focus from accumulating possessions to cultivating a life of meaning and purpose grounded in God’s values.
Imagine a man who spends his entire life amassing a fortune but never finds joy or peace. Contrast this with a humble missionary who has little in terms of worldly wealth but lives a life full of joy, purpose, and spiritual richness. The latter person understands the true value of life as Jesus taught.
Randy Alcorn, in his book The Treasure Principle, states, "You can’t take it with you—but you can send it on ahead." This reinforces the idea that investing in God's kingdom has eternal value far beyond earthly wealth.
Imagine a firefighter risking his life to save people trapped in a burning building. His focus isn’t on the building or his own safety but on the lives he can save. This is how we should view our mission to reach the lost – valuing souls over our comfort or material gain.
Rick Warren writes, "The way you store up treasure in heaven is by investing in getting people there." Our investments should reflect God's heart for people.
3. Embracing God’s Perspective of Mercy
God’s response to Jonah underscores His mercy and love for all people, even those who are lost and sinful. Jonah’s lack of mercy contrasts sharply with God’s abundant mercy. We are called to embrace God's perspective and extend mercy as He does.
James 2:13 (NLT): "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."
James 2:13 highlights the reciprocal nature of mercy in God's kingdom. This verse teaches that our willingness to show mercy to others directly influences the mercy we receive from God.
Mercy, in the biblical sense, involves showing kindness and forgiveness to those who might not deserve it. This verse underscores a vital principle: our actions reflect our understanding and reception of God's mercy. If we truly grasp the depth of God's mercy towards us, it should naturally overflow into our interactions with others. Conversely, a lack of mercy towards others indicates a disconnect from the mercy we claim to have received from God.
Corrie ten Boom, who forgave a former Nazi guard who tormented her during the Holocaust, exemplifies this perspective. She extended the same mercy God showed her, demonstrating how powerful and transformative God's mercy can be. Her ability to show mercy in such extreme circumstances is a powerful testament to the transformative power of God's mercy in our lives.
Tim Keller aptly notes,, "Mercy and forgiveness must be free and unmerited to the wrongdoer. If the wrongdoer has to do something to merit it, then it isn't mercy."
This aligns with the biblical teaching that our mercy should be freely given, as God freely gives His mercy to us. We need to show mercy without expecting anything in return, just as God does.
Application and Call to Action:
As we reflect on Jonah’s story, let’s examine our hearts.
Are we more concerned with our comfort than with the lost souls around us?
Do we value material things over the lives God has placed in our path?
And most importantly, do we embrace and extend God’s mercy to others?
Conclusion:
In light of these scriptures, let’s strive to embody the compassion, value system, and mercy that Jesus teaches. Let’s be moved by compassion to help those in need, guard our hearts against greed, and extend mercy generously.
Call to Action:
This week, identify ways to practice these principles in your daily life—whether through acts of kindness, prioritising spiritual growth over material gain, or extending forgiveness to someone who has wronged you.
In doing so, we reflect the heart of God and grow closer to Him.
May I challenge you to identify someone in your life who needs to experience God's love and mercy. Reach out to them with an act of kindness, share your testimony, or simply offer a listening ear. Let’s become a church that reflects God’s heart of compassion, valuing people over possessions, and extending mercy generously.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your boundless compassion and mercy. Help us to reflect Your heart in our lives. Teach us to value people as You do and to extend Your mercy to everyone we encounter. Transform our hearts and make us instruments of Your love and grace. In Jesus' name, Amen.
May we go forth transformed by truth, carrying the heart of compassion God has shown us. Amen.
