We read in Jonah 1:11-14, The storm was getting worse all the time, so the sailors asked him, “What should we do to you to stop the storm?” Jonah answered, “Throw me into the sea, and it will calm down. I know it is my fault that you are caught in this violent storm.” Instead, the sailors tried to get the ship to shore, rowing with all their might. But the storm was getting worse and worse, and they got nowhere. So they cried out to the LORD, “O LORD, we pray, don't punish us with death for taking this man's life! You, O LORD, are responsible for all this; it is your doing.” (GNB)
It is a fact that whenever someone chooses to walk in disobedience to God, those associated with them will also lose out on the security that God provides, and that’s exactly what happened to those on the ship that Jonah voyaged on.
Consequences of disobedience and obedience
Eve is an example of someone who chose to disobey God. Her act of disobedience had lasting consequences on her, on Adam, the serpent and all of creation. So also when there is one person who is willing to walk in obedience to God, there will protection over him, and all those who are connected with that person. Noah is the perfect example of a righteous man, who walked in total obedience to God. When God called Noah and instructed him to build an ark, Noah obeyed implicitly. The result of his obedience was that Noah, his wife, three sons and daughters in law were kept safe, while the floods devastated the entire world. It is therefore good to ask ourselves as to how obedient we are to God and His word.
Compassion for the lost
Jonah disobeyed God, and thereby put the lives of all the people on that ship in jeopardy. When questioned as to what should be done to calm the sea, Jonah himself gave the solution, and asked that he be thrown into the sea. The mariners on that ship were so kind, that they did not want to dump Jonah into the sea and therefore, strived and rowed hard to get the ship to shore. We see that these men were so compassionate towards Jonah. These men had such noble intentions that they did not wish anyone on their ship to be put in harm’s way.
We as a church know who Jesus is, have experienced the salvation that He offers us, but so often we don’t bother about those around us, who have not yet come into the fold. The men on that ship that Jonah voyaged on probably sensed that their casting Jonah into the sea would save all of them. Yet, they were hesitant, and did not consider their lives to be of greater value than that of Jonah’s. Instead they tried their best to tide over the storm to get the ship to safety.
It is good to ask ourselves if we have such a heart of compassion for those who are lost without Jesus. Those of us who are saved, have the assurance that our sins are forgiven, that there is hope beyond the grave, and that we will enjoy eternal life with the Lord Jesus. Sadly, we have failed to extend this concern for those around us. We have not prayed enough, and looked for opportunities to share this good news in every possible way, so that they too could enjoy this gift of salvation that Jesus offers to everyone.
In that ship that Jonah travelled, he was the only one who knew the Lord. However, Jonah did not care for the people on that ship, but the mariners on that ship who did not know the Lord, were more concerned about Jonah and his life.
The four men who made a difference
As I read this part of the story of Jonah, an incident came to my mind. This incident is recorded in Mark 2:1-12. Jesus was teaching in a house which was filled, and overflowing with people who had come to listen to Him. At this time four men carried on a mat a man who was paralyzed, and came to the house with the hope that Jesus would heal him. We have no idea as to how far they came from, or how long they had to carry this man to get him to that place where Jesus was. However, when they came to the place, there was no way they could enter the house because of the crowds. These men had faith to believe that if they could place this paralyzed man before Jesus, he would certainly be healed. When all their efforts to get to Jesus seemed futile, they carried the man to the roof, removed the tiles and let him down, right in front of Jesus. Jesus honored their faith and healed the paralyzed man, who walked out of that house with great rejoicing. Their faith and combined efforts brought healing to that man who was paralyzed and helpless.
I wonder how many of us desire to be like the four men who helped that man who was paralyzed. Generally, we live in a time when people find it really hard to spend time for others. Often people want to help others only if there is some sort of benefit in it for themselves. As children of God we have been called and saved not for ourselves, but we are chosen to be those who will have the same burden for those around us who do not know the Lord, that they too may be saved. We too should be motivated to bring many into the presence of the Lord, so that they too can receive forgiveness of sins, and healing from all their infirmities.
The mariners called out to the Lord
As the mariners rowed hard, there was nothing much they could do, as they made no headway.
We read in Jonah 1:14, Then they cried out to the LORD, Jonah’s God. “O LORD,” they pleaded, “don’t make us die for this man’s sin. And don’t hold us responsible for his death. O LORD, you have sent this storm upon him for your own good reasons.” (NLT)
Finally in desperation they all began to cry out to the Lord. This was an astounding response, as the men on the ship were calling out to Jonah’s God.
There are many who are struggling and striving hard in life, but feel like they are getting nowhere. Everything seems to fail, and there is no progress in any of their endeavors. If this is your situation, let me encourage you to call on the Lord and pray fervently. In a world that is so demanding, many people are so busy throughout the day, they have no time to pray. I know friends who make plans for a year, but at the end of it have not achieved much, simply because they tried with their own efforts. The bible reminds us that God is ready to hear us when we call on Him, will certainly intervene and help us out of every difficulty and hardship.
The Lord intervened for the Israelites
One of my favorite bible verses in Exodus 3:7, Then the LORD said, "I have seen how cruelly my people are being treated in Egypt; I have heard them cry out to be rescued from their slave drivers. I know all about their sufferings, (GNB)
The situation that the people of Israel faced was a gruesome one. They were in cruel bondage to Pharaoh and the Egyptians. This continued for more than four hundred years, and there seemed to be no way out for them. It was in such a crisis that they called unto God, and He intervened in a most miraculous way to deliver them to freedom. Pharaoh’s kingdom and his armies were mighty, but they could never prevail when God chose to fight on behalf of His people who called out to Him.
There are three aspects that are mentioned. God sees everything that we go through, He hears our cries and prayers that we render unto Him, and He also knows all about our sufferings. Therefore, if we call on the Lord, He will most certainly give heed, come down to answer, and deliver us from all our troubles. Often we don’t receive answers to our prayers because we do not ask, and also when we ask, we do not have faith to believe. Let us pray with faith, and we will find God will bring changes in our family, our children’s lives, at work, in our business and in every area of our lives. If we allow the Lord to take over, He can transform any of our circumstances no matter how impossible they may seem to us.
Two reasons why the mariners prayed
The mariners called out to the Lord firstly, because they realized that God was Lord over all, and one who ruled over heaven and earth. Those men understood that a God who could send such a fierce storm, would surely have to be an awesome God. Secondly, they realized that this Almighty God was not just concerned about the world in general, but was actually mindful of one man Jonah. Even without knowing it, Jonah had revealed to the people on that ship who this true and living God was. They not only believed in God, but also called out to Him with faith.
When I thought about how this was a possibility, I was reminded of this verse from Romans 11:29, “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (ESV)
Though Jonah who was a prophet of God, had disobeyed, and was in a ship headed in an opposite direction, even there God’s call was on him. This was an unnecessary move that Jonah made, and by so doing he put so many lives in danger, and caused the loss of much cargo from that ship.
God’s calling and gifts on our lives will never change, but we must be obedient to fulfill His will and purposes in our lives. When we do so, not only will we be blessed, but so will everyone associated with us, and we will have peace all the way.
The mariners decide to cast Jonah into the sea
Let’s look at the prayer in in Jonah 1:14, Then they cried out to the LORD, Jonah’s God. “O LORD,” they pleaded, “don’t make us die for this man’s sin. And don’t hold us responsible for his death. O LORD, you have sent this storm upon him for your own good reasons.” (NLT)
Finally the mariners came to the point in their journey where they felt they have no other way, but to throw Jonah into the sea. Observe their prayers that they rendered to the Lord. They realized that if they cast Jonah into the sea, he would not survive, however, they wanted to be sure that by so doing they wouldn’t become victims of God’s anger against them. These men comprehended that God was just and righteous.
There are many believers who are unable to comprehend that God is just and righteous, and therefore end up living life any way they want.
We reap what we sow
We read in Galatians 6:7, Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (ERV)
This verse starts off with a warning that we should not be deceived. If you are wondering as to what are the things that can deceive us, here’s one where people say, ‘You can do anything you want and get away with it.’ Many are involved in all sorts of evil practices, and think all will go well with them. This is not so, and we must bear in mind that God is just, and He will repay each one according to their deeds. We also cannot mock God, and think we can get away with it. Jonah was in a way scorning God, when he walked out in rebellion, in the opposite direction, disobeying the call of God.
We use to share a humorous illustration in our town. Since we live in a hill station, agriculture is the main livelihood, and people often grow vegetables in their fields. For instance, let’s say a man wants to plant beetroot in his field, and goes to the market to purchase seeds for the same. However, on enquiring at the market, he is told that carrot seeds are far cheaper than beetroot seeds. He then goes ahead and purchases carrot seed, and plants them in his field. Wouldn’t it be considered ridiculous, if he expectantly prayed and hoped that the seeds he planted would turn out to be beetroots, so he could then get a better gain? The fact remains that one will have to reap exactly what they sow. Isn’t it therefore strange that many sow evil, but expect that they will get good in return?
I have observed some families where the children are disobedient to their parents. They rebel and refuse to listen to their parents. Often, I have noticed that this rebellion will also be evident in their parents, who will not be submissive to those in authority at their work place or church, and will be in constant rebellion wherever they are. They won’t respect any person in authority. Sadly, the children will reflect the same behavior, and what the parents fail to understand is that what they sow outside, they are in a way reaping inside their home. Let us therefore be cautious about what we sow in our lives, especially keeping a check on every word we speak and every deed that we do, knowing that these could someday recoil back on us.
The mariners prayed God will not hold this sin against them
The next thing that the mariners prayed was that God should not charge them for the death of Jonah. There was another man in the bible who said a similar thing.
Pilate washed his hands of innocent blood
We read in Matthew 27:24, Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. The responsibility is yours!”(NLT)
When Jesus was brought to trial before Pilate who was the Governor then, he knew that Jesus was innocent. Nonetheless, Pilate was afraid of a riot which could endanger his position, and so with much hesitation he handed Jesus over to them. It was at this point that Pilate washed his hands in full view of the crowds, and declared that he was innocent of the blood of Jesus, and that the blood of Jesus would rest on the crowds that gathered there that day.
Let me conclude by comparing the incident of the Jonah and that of Pilate. The ship that was caught in turmoil is a representation of how our world is today. No human effort could save the ship, though the ship had Jonah who believed in God, and the rest of the men who did not. This can be compared to the way people take numerous efforts to try and make it into the kingdom of God. They hope that by their endeavors they will somehow gain entry into the heavenly kingdom. These efforts can be compared to the efforts the mariners took to row hard, and somehow try to get the ship ashore. In order for the ship to continue safely, Jonah decided to give up his life so the rest of the people on that ship could be kept safe. This can be compared to Jesus who came down to the earth, and gave His life up as a ransom for the sins of all mankind. They prayed to the Lord about Jonah that they did not want God to charge them of his innocent blood on them and punish them. This was the exact same words of Pilate, as he washed his hands and declared that he did not want the blood of innocent Jesus laid on him.
None of us as human beings can by any of our good deeds or efforts find a way to be accepted by a holy God, for none of us are worthy of it. We can give all the offerings and sacrifice anything we want, and none of them will be good enough to save us. This was why God the Father sent His only begotten son Jesus into this world, who lived a sinless life and died as a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. Those who have not understood this truth are still trying hard to do all they can to win God’s favor. However, to anyone who believes in the Lord Jesus, and receives Him as the Lord of their life, and confess this with their mouth that Jesus indeed died for their sins, was buried and rose again, their lives will be filled with peace that passes all understanding. Jesus has promised in John 14:27, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (ESV)
Jesus said in John 11:25, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, (ESV) Jesus also said in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” (ESV) If we accept this salvation that Jesus offers and put our trust in Him, our life’s boat will be secure, and the Lord will take us safely to the heavenly shore. Once we become God’s children we have the responsibility to lead others into the kingdom of God. We must keep in mind that we will certainly reap what we sow, and therefore we must be cautious about all that we say and do. Finally, Jesus has made a way for us to enter into the kingdom of heaven, so may we accept this gift, and allow Jesus to change all the troublesome situations in our lives, and fill us with His perfect peace.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
