Mark 10:15 (MSG)

(Jesus) Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in.

My God Forgives

Forgiveness in a Wounded World: Jonah’s Dilemma

Janet Howe Gaines

“Without God’s forgiveness human beings would remain in a broken state, and without forgiving our fellow human beings we remain locked in a metaphorical prison.”

Jonah’s Assignment

Jonah 1:1-2 (NIV)

The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”

Jonah’s Rebellion

Jonah 1:3 (NIV)

But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.

Jonah 1:14 (NIV)

Then they cried out to the Lord, “Please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased.”

Sailors are Forgiven(1)

Jonah 1:15 (NIV)

Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm.

Jonah is Shown Mercy

Jonah 1:17 (NIV)

Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Jonah 2:9 (NIV)

But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’”

Jonah is Forgiven (2)

Jonah 2:10 (NIV)

And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

Forgiveness in a Wounded World: Jonah’s Dilemma

Janet Howe Gaines

“Forgiveness is love as it is practiced among people who do not behave perfectly.”

Jonah 3:1-2 (NIV)

Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”

Nineveh is Forgiven (3)

Jonah 3:10 (NIV)

When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.

Jonah’s Reaction

Jonah 4:1 (NIV)

But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry.

Jonah 4:2-3 (NIV)

He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish.

Jonah 4:2-3 (NIV)

I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.”

God’s Question (1)

Jonah 4:4 (NIV)

But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?”

God’s Teaching to Jonah

Jonah 4:6 (NIV)

Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant.

John 16:33 (NIV)

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

God’s Question (2)

Jonah 4:9a (NIV)

But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”

Jonah 4:9b (NIV)

“It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.”

Forgiveness in a Wounded World: Jonah’s Dilemma

Janet Howe Gaines

“When we forgive those who have damaged us personally, we imitate God and thus participate in the mystery of divine love.”

God’s Question (3)

Jonah 4:10-11a (NIV)

But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh?”

My God Forgives