Jonah 3
This is the third sermon dealing with God’s acceptance of those beyond Israel. Human conflict is often fueled by a fear of “the other.” And it was easy for the ancient Israelites to assume that God approved only of them. Yet, over and over again, God breaks the barriers down that keep God’s love and God’s grace from reaching those that are not, in our opinion, worthy of God’s love.
Jonah’s experience again is another challenge to God’s intention to send his grace to those beyond the pale of God’s light. First, he refuses to go, then he gets mad when he is successful, then he has to be taught a lesson by God in the end. Then we are not told if the prophet changed his mind about God.
Again, our church’s decision to be Open and Affirming is a difficult position. Not because it conflicts with the gospel (which it doesn’t), but because we must be continually searching our heart to root out any prejudices against someone different from us. This is the hardest position for us to live up with: because it requires us to continually to be humble. Humility is a character of Christ that we are invited to also take upon ourselves. Matthew 11:28-30:
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Pastor Greg
