We read in Jonah 1:5, Then the seamen were afraid, and each man cried to his god. (AFV)
As we continue this series on how the life of Jonah can be related to the church today, I believe that many of you are blessed through these meditations. The seamen on the ship were filled with dread when the sea grew furiously tumultuous. When they commenced on that voyage they probably did so with the hopes of having a safe and uneventful journey to their destination. However, in the middle they were struck with such a terrible storm, which they initially thought they could manage. They ventured together to somehow try and get the ship to the required harbor, but to no avail. All their efforts proved futile, and when the storm grew unmanageable with the ship almost being broken, they were at their wit’s end and were filled with alarm. They must have thought that this was the end of their lives and that they would all lose their lives at sea. This was the situation that caused their hearts to be gripped with fear. These seamen might have been strong and courageous men, but when faced with death, they too were terrorized and grew faint at heart.
There are many at present who are also battling all kinds of fears in their lives, the biggest one being the fear of death. Nonetheless, to everyone who believes in the Holy God that the bible talks about, they will have not have an inkling of fear regards death.
Jesus is the resurrection and the life
In John 11:25, Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, (ESV)
These are the words of Jesus to Martha, when He explained to her that He was the resurrection and the life. The assurance that Jesus gave was that when one believes in Him, though they will die physically while here on earth, they will live eternally. Therefore, anyone who believed in the Lord Jesus did not fear death.
Paul’s dilemma between life and death
Paul says this in Philippians 1:21, For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Now if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor. But I do not know what I should choose. For I am hard pressed to choose between the two. I desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better…
(AFV)
If you are wondering how death can be beneficial to someone, Paul goes on to explain this in detail. Paul says that his life on earth was lived solely for the Lord, and it was his joy to serve the Lord while here on earth. However, he also knew that being with Christ away from this body would bring him far greater joy. Paul was therefore, tossed between the two desires to live on in the world or to depart and be with the Lord.
Our life on earth is purposeful if we are living it for the Lord, and fulfilling His plans for our lives. Nevertheless, the life that we will have with the Lord eternally will be far more glorious. Everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus, has no need to fear death.
Jesus embraced death to set us free from its pangs
We read in Hebrews 2:15, By embracing death Jesus sets free those who live their entire lives in bondage to the tormenting dread of death. (TPT)
The fear of death has kept many people in bondage. Especially after the recent pandemic, there is a constant fear of ill health and death that has gripped many. A few months ago people did not bother much about simple ailments, but in recent times even small health issues have become major concern to a lot of people as they fear it may result in death. Have you noticed how when all is going good, people will be fine, but when they are not well and have to visit the hospital, they are suddenly filled with fear?
Jesus came down to the earth, took on human form, experienced death and rose again the third day. The confidence Jesus gives to those who believe in Him is that He can set us free from the torment and the dread of death because He Himself triumphed over death.
The seamen on that ship feared that they would all die. As children of God we are encouraged to not be fearful of death, as Jesus overcame the sting of death by His death and resurrection. The Lord has ordained our days while here on earth, and no one can reduce it by one single day. Our days and our lives are in God’s hands. God has called us and given us a purpose, so that when we believe on Him we too can overcome the fear of death. David said this beautifully in Psalm 23:4, Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; (ESV) Things have changed so much these days and there is a fear of death all around us. As believers in the Lord Jesus we must set those fears aside and believe that the risen Lord is with us.
Each man must give an account for himself
Everyone on the ship were of one accord with the one thought that they do their best to get the ship to safety. When all of their efforts failed, they decided to call unto their gods individually. The reason for this individualism is that when it comes to the end of our lives, each man has to face it alone.
We read in Romans 14:12-13, Therefore, each one must answer for himself and give a personal account of his own life before God. So stop being critical and condemning of other believers, but instead determine to never deliberately cause a brother or sister to stumble and fall because of your actions. (TPT)
This is a very important point for us to note. On that day when we stand before the judgement seat of Christ, each one has to give account for their own life as individuals. Oftentimes children lean on parents who serve the Lord or parents take comfort that their children are in ministry. We will not stand before God as families or as a church, but as individuals to give an account of all that God has entrusted to us and the way we have put them to use.
We have no right to judge or condemn others
There is also another point that Paul is explaining in verse 13. The problem arises if we start finding fault with one another or blaming each other, instead of taking stock of our own lives. Everything that transpires in our lives as believers happens entirely with the Lord’s knowledge when we have given Him the controls. There is no place to criticize or condemn others simply because none of us knows everything about everyone. As human beings we have limited knowledge, and can never comprehend another person’s life or situations in its entirety. Oftentimes, when we say things that we are not fully aware of, this becomes a hindrance or a stumbling block to our brothers and sisters. There are those who pass judgement on others freely and most often behind that person. This has an adverse effect on the one who hears this and ruins relationships. Some people are constantly condemning others or are passing judgement on others as a habit. The only one who has this authority to judge is God, because He alone knows everything about everybody from the beginning to the end. That is why we are exhorted that by our words or our judgements we should not put a stumbling block that could make our fellow-believers fall out of their faith in Christ.
We can’t play the blame game
No one can therefore stand before God, and point a finger at someone else as the cause for their sinful living. This is what happened at the very beginning at the Garden of Eden. When God questioned Adam, he blamed Eve and when God confronted Eve, she blamed the serpent. Both of them were not willing to accept their blame. Their excuses did not exempt them from God’s curse and punishment on them. The Lord’s judgement fell on Adam, Eve and the Serpent and all of them had to pay the penalty for their sinfulness. Keeping this in mind let us stop blaming others and be ready to give an account to the Lord for our lives as individuals. When we are prepared this way, we be ready to stand before the Lord without any fear.
There was so much of confusion on the ship as the winds and waves were raging. In the midst of all the turmoil there was one man who was fast asleep oblivious to all that was happening around him. Jonah was asleep because he was disobedient to God’s word, while the entire ship of seamen were striving hard. Each one on that ship was crying out to their own god, only because the one who had received God’s word and should have been the voice for the living God was fast asleep. The only aim that Jonah had was to flee away from God’s command in complete disobedience. He thought God could not catch up with him if he fled in the opposite direction. If Jonah had a clue that God would certainly pursue him, I am sure he would not have ventured out on this rebellious journey.
This is so much like the church today. These are days when the church must work hard to fulfill God’s command. This is the time for the church to wake out of our slumber. The church too has missed the right direction, and is now beckoned by God to come back on course. If we do not set this right, no matter how many more years it takes, the millions outside will not come to know who this living God is. We must sincerely seek to do God’s will, and help the multitudes outside who are gripped with fear of death, who have no purpose for their lives, and are unaware of what their future holds. God has given us the answers, and instead of sharing this to those around, we have woefully chosen to continue in our lethargy and slumber.
Paul writing to the Ephesian Church says it this way, Ephesians 5:10-11, Try to learn what pleases the Lord. Have no part in the things that people in darkness do, which produce nothing good. Instead, tell everyone how wrong those things are. (GNB)
Again in Ephesians 5:14, Yes, everything is made clear by the light. This is why we say, "Wake up, you who are sleeping! Rise from death, and Christ will shine on you." (GNB)
Firstly, we have to assess if our words and actions to see if they are pleasing to the Lord. If Jonah had thought about this there would have been no trouble for those on that ship. There are many who want to please people, more than they seek to please God. Every one of us should truly desire to be people who are completely pleasing to God.
Secondly, we as children of God must have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness. We should on the other hand rebuke such behavior and have no part in it. This kind of rebuke is not an accepted thing these days. Disobeying God’s commands, backbiting or doing things that are pleasing to us we should shun from our lives. When we see other involved in such things, if we remain silent or mere spectators, unwilling to admonish those who are doing wrong, we too are guilty of being party to their sinful behavior.
Thirdly, God wants us to wake out of our slumber. Most of us think of sleeping as when we are asleep at home on our beds. However, the kind of sleep that Paul is talking about in Ephesians 5:14, is likened to a death-like slumber that can only be found in a cemetery. When someone looks at such a person they look more like a corpse. God wants to wake us up out of our deadness to live a life of fullness and fruitfulness.
How many of us call ourselves believers, but have no fruit to show forth in our lives. Let us let go of all the fruitless deeds of darkness. May we wake up out of our slumber, and decide to fulfill God’s plan for our lives. We must decide to accomplish all that God intended to do through us while we are here on this earth. When we arise up out of our slumber, the light of Christ will shine out gloriously through our lives. All the deadness will be gone and we will become alive and a great blessing to others. God grant us grace to accomplish His purposes as a church during these uncertain times, so we can expel fear and bring hope to the millions around us.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
