Word to the Wise
Wednesday, March 4, 2009 - Wednesday in the First Week of Lent
[Jonah 3:1-10 and Luke 11:29-32]This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonash became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.
Jonah was one colorful character! He could be a "sign" to a lot of different folks! First of all, he tried to run away from God's call! It didn't work and he almost sank the getaway ship before the other folks threw him overboard to the "whale." Finally, he "gets it" and goes to preach to the Ninevites. To his astonishment, they listen to him and actually repent. So God doesn't destroy them! This disappoints Jonah, who apparently was looking forward to the big fire! He sulks and God reminds him who the boss is, anyhow! There are many possibilities of "signs" here. In today's gospel scripture, it is Jonah the prophetic preacher - the only successful one in the Old Testament - who calls Nineveh to repentance. Jesus points out that he's doing the same thing and having a hard time convincing people. The Ninevites were better than his listeners! In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus adds a line about being a sign like Jonah being in the belly of the whale for three days and three nights! It appears that Luke and Matthew each had a different view of Jonah! We could ask ourselves some questions. Do I try to run away from God? Am I reluctant to admit to others that I am a person of faith? If I do admit it, do I have grandiose expectations about what God will accomplish through me? Am I disappointed when God doesn't act according to those expectations? Am I astonished at what God DOES accomplish through my obedient (even if initially reluctant) response to the call? Get out that Bible and read the story! You'll never meet a more colorful spiritual character! In fact, you might just become a Ninevite and repent! AMEN
config
view
logs
4096.0 KB
68 ms
4
