Understanding Redemption

Read: Jonah 4:5-11

Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Jonah 4:11

IN WORD

God has filled His creation with order and wisdom. He has spoken His Word, and the Word has clothed Himself in human flesh and dwelt among us. We’ve been taught right from wrong and truth from error. The intricacies of creation speak of God’s design, and the vastness of the heavens speak of His grandeur. And the majority of people in this world don’t understand any of it.

Apparently, the ignorance of the godless masses didn’t grieve Jonah. Surprisingly, it doesn’t grieve many of God’s people today either. Our world is reeling, oblivious to the character and ways of its Creator, and few people shed tears over its ignorance. We’re bothered by the attitudes of the world against us more than its unawareness of God Himself. We have to wake up to the contradiction: On the one hand, billions of people have no idea which way is up; on the other hand, Jesus clearly told His followers to go and teach them.

The book of Jonah is about God’s heart for the world. It’s a missionary book, a preview of the Great Commission. In God’s poignant explanation to an angry prophet, the salient fact about the Ninevites was not their brutal attacks on Israel or their enormous, self-exalting pride. God preoccupied Himself with another problem: They didn’t know right from wrong, and they needed to. They needed to come face to face with Him—in His mercy.

IN DEED

It’s easy to get mad about all the injustices in the world. It’s natural to be outraged at those who abuse and terrorize innocent people. But does God tell us in Scripture always to do what’s easy and natural? No, He puts His Spirit within us so we’ll know His character and have His heart. He wants us to focus on redemption, not vengeance; on mercy, not judgment. Those aren’t easy goals, and they certainly aren’t natural. But they’re from God. He sees the devastation of the world as an opportunity to save. Seize that opportunity with Him.

ADDITIONAL READING: Matthew 28:18-20

The nearer we get to Christ, the more intensely missionary we become.

HENRY MARTYN