We read in Jonah 1:4, “Then the LORD sent a great wind over the sea, and a severe storm broke out. It seemed as if the ship were about to break up.” (ISV)
As we continue these studies on the life of Jonah, we will be pleasantly surprised to know that there is a lot that we as a church can learn from the life of this prophet. God had called Jonah and given him the specific task to go to Nineveh, to preach against their sin and wickedness. The message that Jonah was to preach was one of judgement and punishment. Nonetheless, Jonah decided that he would not heed God’s call and made plans to go in the opposite direction to Tarshish. Jonah paid the fare, and got into a ship that would take him to his desired destination. As the ship commenced on its voyage, there was a severe storm that broke out, and buffeted the ship.
God sent a great wind over the sea
The main point to note is that God Himself sent a furious wind over the sea. We may wonder as to what made Jonah decide to take this rebellious route, and flee from God’s call on his life. Jonah had a good understanding of who God really was. He knew that God was merciful, gracious and a loving God. So Jonah perceived that if he went and preached against Nineveh, the people of Nineveh would repent and if they did so, God would relent and graciously forgive them. God trusted Jonah with this call and His word, but Jonah chose to walk out in rebellion and disobedience to God. Jonah had a fine perception of who God really was, and also the power of God’s word.
All of us hear the word preached from various sources, but we should be sure that the message has its foundation based on the word of God. There are many who know who God is, but like Jonah are continuing in sin and rebellion. If that is the case, we need to repent, and ask God to pardon us.
One of the other reasons why Jonah was running away from the call of God was he was more concerned about what people thought of him, rather than God’s opinion of him. His thinking was that if he obeyed God, and preached to the people of Nineveh, they would repent. The outcome would be that God would be gracious, forgive them and not send down His punishment on the people, which Jonah thought would make him look absurd in the sight of the people.
Like Jonah many of us are people pleasers, and are more concerned about people’s impressions of us rather than God’s opinion of us. I hope that by the end of this message we will have come to a decision that we will seek to please God only, and not be concerned about people’s assessment of us.
• The people pleaser
We read in 1 Samuel 15:30, Then he said, “I have sinned; yet honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, that I may bow before the LORD your God.” (ESV)
When Saul was an ordinary man, God chose him and exalted him to be the king of Israel. However, Saul opted to disobey God’s command. God revealed this to the prophet Samuel and when Samuel confronted Saul on this matter, the above are the words of King Saul to Samuel the prophet of God. Saul accepted the fact that he had sinned, but instead of being concerned about God’s approval, all that he wanted was to be honored before the elders and the people of Israel.
We need to remember that whenever God elevates someone, He desires that the person should fulfill God’s will through their position. God has also called each one of us as a church to do His will in our lives. God has saved us and made us part of His body, the church, so that we will heed His word and live in obedience to Him. Like Saul we too are often more bothered about people’s opinions and care very little about what God thinks of us. The question is whom are we trying to please, God or men?
• The secret seeker
We read in John 3:1-2, Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” (ESV)
This man named Nicodemus who came to meet Jesus by night, was a Pharisee, a member of the Sanhedrin and a ruler among the Jews. Though Nicodemus was himself a teacher, he had somehow heard about the teachings of Jesus. The teachings of Jesus were different and the way He taught, the parables that He used, were totally new to the Jewish teachers. Moreover, whenever the multitudes gathered to hear the teachings of Jesus, they also experienced so many miracles, signs and healings of various infirmities and sickness. Nicodemus therefore must have been eager to meet Jesus to find out who He really was.
Nicodemus decided to meet Jesus at night, probably because he did not want to jeopardize his position as a leader of the Jewish Council. It he came in the morning, people might take note of it and therefore, he probably slipped in at night to have this meeting with Jesus undisclosed to others. This meeting that Nicodemus had with Jesus happened at the commencement of Jesus’ ministry. Nonetheless, Nicodemus actually did reveal his faith as a follower of Jesus, only after Jesus was crucified. It was this Nicodemus who organized for the burial of Jesus along with Joseph of Arimathea. Nicodemus who was filled with fear initially, was now courageous enough to take the body of Jesus, and gave Him a burial that was fit for royalty.
Though Nicodemus had an amazing encounter with Jesus, the Son of God, he kept his faith hidden until the death of Jesus, simply because he counted the approval of men of far greater importance than the approval of God.
Let none of us think that we could be secret believers of the Lord Jesus. Remember that Jesus did not die secretly, but He was openly shamed and crucified for the sins of all mankind and His blood was shed openly for the redemption of all. Isn’t is a sad thought that there are still many who having received this gift of salvation from the Lord Jesus, chose to keep their faith a private matter, not revealing who they are to anyone. Think about how many of us are willing to take a stand and share our faith with those around us, be it at school, university, work place, with neighbors or with everyone we move with in society. Let us always keep in mind that if we seek to please people all the time, we will end up displeasing and grieving the Lord in many ways.
• The fearful few
We read in John 12:42-43, Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. (ESV)
There were many men who held positions of authority, who believed in Jesus, but were unwilling to confess the same. Strangely, the reason for their reluctance was the fear that they would be put out of the synagogue. They were prominent members who did not want to lose out on their standing before men. Moreover, they considered the honor of men of far greater importance than the glory that comes from God.
Sadly, even today people are hesitant to question anything that seems contrary to God and His word, because they too fear the threat of expulsion from the church. Also many are more concerned about pleasing their family and relations far above seeking God’s approval. Observe the life of Jesus, while He lived here on earth. There was nothing that He possessed or called His own, however after His death, He was buried in a rich man’s tomb, and was given all the honor due to Him. When we choose to please the Lord, there will be nothing that will be lacking in our lives, so be certain to always determine to please God over pleasing anyone else in our lives.
Oftentimes we are trying so hard to be accepted, loved and approved by people. If it’s a question of pleasing God or men, whom will we choose to please? Many young people are addicted to many harmful habits, simply because they want to please their friends and do not desire to please God. The need to be wanted and accepted by their peers has often led many young people to be entangled in sinful habits. This begins often in college or university and continues on to the very end of their lives.
We read in John 19:38, After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. (ESV)
Joseph of Arimathea was a secret believer, who had good influence with those in authority. He too was reluctant to express his faith in Jesus and was content to keep his faith secretive.
Let us ponder for a moment and analyze ourselves. Are we prepared to let others know that we belong to Jesus, that we are His redeemed ones and that we are not ashamed to proclaim our faith in Him? This should be made know to our family, relations, friends, colleagues and everyone we meet in society. We should always be open about our faith and not try to be a secret believer like Joseph of Arimathea.
The pretentious preacher
God trusted Jonah and called him to go as a prophet and preacher to the people of Nineveh. Usually we give a job to someone whom we trust and believe that they will be able to complete what has been entrusted to them. Instead of going out in obedience, Jonah took an opposite direction, went into a ship, forgot that he was a prophet of God who worshipped the living God and that God had given him a task to fulfill. He entered the ship casually and tried to blend in with all other passengers on that ship, as though he too was one of them going on a regular voyage for some usual work.
The disciple who denied
We read of yet another person who tried to stay in hiding in Matthew 26:69-70, Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” (ESV)
Peter was a special disciple of Jesus. Not only had he spent three and a half years with Jesus, He had many awesome experiences like walking on the water, just like Jesus did. He had also experienced the prayer life of Jesus, observed His holiness, His miracles and had also been part of the time when Jesus was transfigured. Nonetheless, as Jesus was taken to be tried, Peter who followed at a distance sat at the entrance of the courtyard. The man who gave up his all to follow Jesus, was in a quandary when a simple servant girl identified him as a disciple of Jesus. Peter’s response astounds us, as he categorically denied that he did not know who Jesus and that too before the entire group of people who were there.
How often have we too compromised with the world, and not let anyone know that we are a disciple of Jesus? We have done things that everyone else does, been secretive and not taken a stand to be different. Let us be courageous enough to let others know that we are children of God, who have been redeemed by His precious blood. We may have a personal relationship with Jesus, our quiet time of prayer and bible reading too, but if we do not live out our faith and declare to those around us that we belong to Jesus our faith is of no use.
We as the church must take a moment to do a check to see if we are pleasing God or pleasing men. The purpose of the church must be fully comprehended and understood. The purpose of the church is mainly for fellowship, our spiritual growth, to help bear one another’s burden, to share the good news with those outside and make disciples of the Lord. Often we have sought man’s glory and not the honor that comes from God. Let us therefore pray, repent and come back to God.
In conclusion let me quote Jonah 1: 4, Then the LORD sent a great wind over the sea, and a severe storm broke out. It seemed as if the ship were about to break up. (ISV) When the church of God fails to obey the commands of God, God will not remain silent. The church at present is in such a stormy turmoil caused by the pandemic and we need to recognize it and repent. Let us decide to be God pleasers and those who honor God in all we do, so that the will of God and His purposes will be fulfilled in our lives.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
