Back to (Sunday) School: Jonah + The Whale | Rev. Seann Duffin

God, thank you for your grace that God, thank you for your grace that saves, for your grace that comes to us saves, for your grace that comes to us saves, for your grace that comes to us in ways and through people and at times in ways and through people and at times in ways and through people and at times we never expected but oh so needed. God, we never expected but oh so needed. God, we never expected but oh so needed. God, may this be one of those moments where may this be one of those moments where may this be one of those moments where we encounter you in a way that changes we encounter you in a way that changes we encounter you in a way that changes the course of our lives. the course of our lives. the course of our lives. So God, may the words of my mouth and So God, may the words of my mouth and So God, may the words of my mouth and the thoughts of all of our hearts be the thoughts of all of our hearts be the thoughts of all of our hearts be acceptable and pleasing to you. For we acceptable and pleasing to you. For we acceptable and pleasing to you. For we know that you are our rock and our know that you are our rock and our know that you are our rock and our redeemer. Amen. Please be seated. redeemer. Amen. Please be seated. redeemer. Amen. Please be seated. We are continuing this morning our back We are continuing this morning our back We are continuing this morning our back to Sunday school worship series. And to Sunday school worship series. And to Sunday school worship series. And today's story is about Jonah and the today's story is about Jonah and the today's story is about Jonah and the whale. whale. whale. And if you ever want to be slightly And if you ever want to be slightly And if you ever want to be slightly annoying and technically correct, annoying and technically correct, annoying and technically correct, you can do with your friends and family you can do with your friends and family you can do with your friends and family um if they ever do what I just did and um if they ever do what I just did and um if they ever do what I just did and call this the story of Jonah and the call this the story of Jonah and the call this the story of Jonah and the whale, you can say, "Well, actually, whale, you can say, "Well, actually, whale, you can say, "Well, actually, that's a common mistake. A lot of people that's a common mistake. A lot of people that's a common mistake. A lot of people make it. It's no big deal, but it's not make it. It's no big deal, but it's not make it. It's no big deal, but it's not a whale. You see the Hebrew, it says big a whale. You see the Hebrew, it says big a whale. You see the Hebrew, it says big fish. My son, who's 13, pulled that on fish. My son, who's 13, pulled that on fish. My son, who's 13, pulled that on me a couple of years ago. Uh, and he, me a couple of years ago. Uh, and he, me a couple of years ago. Uh, and he, like me, is somebody who appreciates like me, is somebody who appreciates like me, is somebody who appreciates being slightly annoying and factually being slightly annoying and factually being slightly annoying and factually correct, so I use it every chance I get.

correct, so I use it every chance I get. correct, so I use it every chance I get. Uh, regardless, our story this morning Uh, regardless, our story this morning Uh, regardless, our story this morning is from the Old Testament book of Jonah. is from the Old Testament book of Jonah. is from the Old Testament book of Jonah. Here's what it says in chapter 1. Now Here's what it says in chapter 1. Now Here's what it says in chapter 1. Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah son the word of the Lord came to Jonah son the word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amati, saying, "Get up and call on of Amati, saying, "Get up and call on of Amati, saying, "Get up and call on Nineveh. Go to that great city and cry Nineveh. Go to that great city and cry Nineveh. Go to that great city and cry out against it, for their wickedness has out against it, for their wickedness has out against it, for their wickedness has come up before me." But Jonah set out to come up before me." But Jonah set out to come up before me." But Jonah set out to flee to Tarses from the presence of the flee to Tarses from the presence of the flee to Tarses from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Japa and found a Lord. He went down to Japa and found a Lord. He went down to Japa and found a ship going to Tarses. So he paid his ship going to Tarses. So he paid his ship going to Tarses. So he paid his fair and went on board to go with them fair and went on board to go with them fair and went on board to go with them to Tarses, away from the presence of the to Tarses, away from the presence of the to Tarses, away from the presence of the Lord. But the Lord hurled a great wind Lord. But the Lord hurled a great wind Lord. But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and such a mighty storm upon the sea, and such a mighty storm upon the sea, and such a mighty storm came upon the sea that the ship came upon the sea that the ship came upon the sea that the ship threatened to break up. Then the threatened to break up. Then the threatened to break up. Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried to mariners were afraid, and each cried to mariners were afraid, and each cried to his God. They threw the cargo that was his God. They threw the cargo that was his God. They threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it in the ship into the sea to lighten it in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. Jonah, meanwhile, had gone for them. Jonah, meanwhile, had gone for them. Jonah, meanwhile, had gone down into the hold of the ship and had down into the hold of the ship and had down into the hold of the ship and had laid down and was fast asleep. The laid down and was fast asleep. The laid down and was fast asleep. The captain came down and said to him, "What captain came down and said to him, "What captain came down and said to him, "What are you doing? Sound asleep? Get up and are you doing? Sound asleep? Get up and are you doing? Sound asleep? Get up and call on your God. Perhaps the God will call on your God. Perhaps the God will call on your God. Perhaps the God will spare us a thought so that we do not spare us a thought so that we do not spare us a thought so that we do not perish.

perish. perish. The sailors said to one another, "Come, The sailors said to one another, "Come, The sailors said to one another, "Come, let us cast lots so that we may know on let us cast lots so that we may know on let us cast lots so that we may know on whose account this calamity has come whose account this calamity has come whose account this calamity has come upon us." So they cast lots, and the lot upon us." So they cast lots, and the lot upon us." So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. And then they said to fell on Jonah. And then they said to fell on Jonah. And then they said to him, "Tell us why this calamity has come him, "Tell us why this calamity has come him, "Tell us why this calamity has come upon us. What's your occupation? Where upon us. What's your occupation? Where upon us. What's your occupation? Where do you come from? What's your country? do you come from? What's your country? do you come from? What's your country? And of what people are you?" "I'm a And of what people are you?" "I'm a And of what people are you?" "I'm a Hebrew," he replied. I worshiped the Hebrew," he replied. I worshiped the Hebrew," he replied. I worshiped the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land. Then the men were sea and the dry land. Then the men were sea and the dry land. Then the men were even more afraid and said to him,"What even more afraid and said to him,"What even more afraid and said to him,"What is this that you've done?" For the men is this that you've done?" For the men is this that you've done?" For the men knew he was fleeing from the presence of knew he was fleeing from the presence of knew he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord because he told them so. Then the Lord because he told them so. Then the Lord because he told them so. Then they said to him, "What shall we do to they said to him, "What shall we do to they said to him, "What shall we do to you that the sea may quiet down for us? you that the sea may quiet down for us? you that the sea may quiet down for us? For the sea was growing more and more For the sea was growing more and more For the sea was growing more and more tempestuous." He said to them, "Pick me tempestuous." He said to them, "Pick me tempestuous." He said to them, "Pick me up and throw me into the sea. Then the up and throw me into the sea. Then the up and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will quiet down for you. For I know sea will quiet down for you. For I know sea will quiet down for you. For I know it is because of me that this great it is because of me that this great it is because of me that this great storm has come upon you. Nevertheless, storm has come upon you. Nevertheless, storm has come upon you. Nevertheless, the men rode hard to bring the ship back the men rode hard to bring the ship back the men rode hard to bring the ship back to land, but they couldn't, for the sea to land, but they couldn't, for the sea to land, but they couldn't, for the sea grew more and more stormy against them.

grew more and more stormy against them. grew more and more stormy against them. Then they cried out to the Lord, Then they cried out to the Lord, Then they cried out to the Lord, "Please, O Lord, we pray, do not let us "Please, O Lord, we pray, do not let us "Please, O Lord, we pray, do not let us perish on account of this man's life. Do perish on account of this man's life. Do perish on account of this man's life. Do not make us guilty of innocent blood, not make us guilty of innocent blood, not make us guilty of innocent blood, for you, oh Lord, have done as it for you, oh Lord, have done as it for you, oh Lord, have done as it pleased you." So they picked Jonah up pleased you." So they picked Jonah up pleased you." So they picked Jonah up and threw him into the sea, and the sea and threw him into the sea, and the sea and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men ceased from its raging. Then the men ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the Lord even more, and they feared the Lord even more, and they feared the Lord even more, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows. But the Lord provided a large fish vows. But the Lord provided a large fish vows. But the Lord provided a large fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and the belly of the fish for three days and the belly of the fish for three days and three nights. This is the word of God three nights. This is the word of God three nights. This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. for the people of God. Thanks be to God. for the people of God. Thanks be to God. I have a theory that Jonah is an I have a theory that Jonah is an I have a theory that Jonah is an introvert. introvert. introvert. As an introvert myself, I recognize it As an introvert myself, I recognize it As an introvert myself, I recognize it immediately. He gets a job assignment immediately. He gets a job assignment immediately. He gets a job assignment that requires him to go talk to a bunch that requires him to go talk to a bunch that requires him to go talk to a bunch of people he doesn't know. And of people he doesn't know. And of people he doesn't know. And immediately he says, "Nope, I would immediately he says, "Nope, I would immediately he says, "Nope, I would rather die." And walks off in the other rather die." And walks off in the other rather die." And walks off in the other direction. And he gets on a boat to take direction. And he gets on a boat to take direction. And he gets on a boat to take him to a place far far away. And when he him to a place far far away. And when he him to a place far far away. And when he gets on the boat, he again does the gets on the boat, he again does the gets on the boat, he again does the classic introvert thing. He doesn't hang classic introvert thing. He doesn't hang classic introvert thing. He doesn't hang out on the deck with all the other out on the deck with all the other out on the deck with all the other sailors. He goes down below to take a sailors. He goes down below to take a sailors. He goes down below to take a nap by himself. Now, in some ways, nap by himself. Now, in some ways, nap by himself. Now, in some ways, Jonah, this whole book of the Bible is Jonah, this whole book of the Bible is Jonah, this whole book of the Bible is an enigma. Is the only prophetic book in an enigma. Is the only prophetic book in an enigma. Is the only prophetic book in the Bible that doesn't focus on the the Bible that doesn't focus on the the Bible that doesn't focus on the message of the prophet. Jonah's message, message of the prophet. Jonah's message, message of the prophet. Jonah's message, the thing he's been given by God to say, the thing he's been given by God to say, the thing he's been given by God to say, takes up only one sentence of the whole takes up only one sentence of the whole takes up only one sentence of the whole book. Jonah, the person, he's an enigma,

book. Jonah, the person, he's an enigma, book. Jonah, the person, he's an enigma, too. too. too. He's a prophet, so he's a man of God, He's a prophet, so he's a man of God, He's a prophet, so he's a man of God, someone we should be able to trust, someone we should be able to trust, someone we should be able to trust, someone whose faithfulness and holiness someone whose faithfulness and holiness someone whose faithfulness and holiness should be evident in his life. He's should be evident in his life. He's should be evident in his life. He's someone who should be able to lead us someone who should be able to lead us someone who should be able to lead us toward the Lord. But Jonah isn't any of toward the Lord. But Jonah isn't any of toward the Lord. But Jonah isn't any of that. He's not a hero. He's an that. He's not a hero. He's an that. He's not a hero. He's an anti-hero. He's a study in what not to anti-hero. He's a study in what not to anti-hero. He's a study in what not to do. When the story starts, God says to do. When the story starts, God says to do. When the story starts, God says to Jonah, "Get up and call on Nineveh. Go Jonah, "Get up and call on Nineveh. Go Jonah, "Get up and call on Nineveh. Go cry out against that great city because cry out against that great city because cry out against that great city because they are evil." God says, "Go." they are evil." God says, "Go." they are evil." God says, "Go." And Jonah does go. Only Jonah makes it And Jonah does go. Only Jonah makes it And Jonah does go. Only Jonah makes it clear that he will decide the direction. clear that he will decide the direction. clear that he will decide the direction. Have you ever fallen into that trap? Have you ever fallen into that trap? Have you ever fallen into that trap? It's tempting to want to try to take It's tempting to want to try to take It's tempting to want to try to take control of our lives, to make clear to control of our lives, to make clear to control of our lives, to make clear to somebody that we are in charge. Maybe somebody that we are in charge. Maybe somebody that we are in charge. Maybe even to tell God where we're going to go even to tell God where we're going to go even to tell God where we're going to go and what we're going to do. Even when and what we're going to do. Even when and what we're going to do. Even when God has been making it clear that God is God has been making it clear that God is God has been making it clear that God is preparing something for us, it's preparing something for us, it's preparing something for us, it's tempting still today to say, "Well, no, tempting still today to say, "Well, no, tempting still today to say, "Well, no, I'm going to do this instead."

I'm going to do this instead." I'm going to do this instead." Jonah didn't go to Nineveh. He went to Jonah didn't go to Nineveh. He went to Jonah didn't go to Nineveh. He went to Tarses. And the story makes it clear. It Tarses. And the story makes it clear. It Tarses. And the story makes it clear. It says this four times over and over says this four times over and over says this four times over and over reminding us Jonah goes the place he reminding us Jonah goes the place he reminding us Jonah goes the place he wasn't supposed to go. It's the exact wasn't supposed to go. It's the exact wasn't supposed to go. It's the exact opposite direction as far away as he opposite direction as far away as he opposite direction as far away as he could get from the presence of the Lord. could get from the presence of the Lord. could get from the presence of the Lord. And if we're making a list, this is And if we're making a list, this is And if we're making a list, this is Jonah's first what not to do. Anti-hero Jonah's first what not to do. Anti-hero Jonah's first what not to do. Anti-hero that he is. Jonah shows us very clearly that he is. Jonah shows us very clearly that he is. Jonah shows us very clearly that we shouldn't flee from the Lord. that we shouldn't flee from the Lord. that we shouldn't flee from the Lord. And to say that in church on a Sunday And to say that in church on a Sunday And to say that in church on a Sunday morning standing in a pulpit feels like morning standing in a pulpit feels like morning standing in a pulpit feels like a no-brainer. Of course, we shouldn't a no-brainer. Of course, we shouldn't a no-brainer. Of course, we shouldn't flee from the Lord. And yet, we do it flee from the Lord. And yet, we do it flee from the Lord. And yet, we do it relatively often, don't we? relatively often, don't we? relatively often, don't we? But here's the thing we can learn from But here's the thing we can learn from But here's the thing we can learn from Jonah. When we are tempted to flee from Jonah. When we are tempted to flee from Jonah. When we are tempted to flee from the Lord, whether that's from a thing we the Lord, whether that's from a thing we the Lord, whether that's from a thing we think God wants us to do or a change God think God wants us to do or a change God think God wants us to do or a change God wants us to make or a new faith practice wants us to make or a new faith practice wants us to make or a new faith practice that might make us more faithful. When that might make us more faithful. When that might make us more faithful. When we're tempted to flee from the Lord, the we're tempted to flee from the Lord, the we're tempted to flee from the Lord, the very best thing we can do is turn to very best thing we can do is turn to very best thing we can do is turn to face the Lord. Because when you turn and face the Lord. Because when you turn and face the Lord. Because when you turn and face the Lord, you'll be looking not at face the Lord, you'll be looking not at face the Lord, you'll be looking not at someone who's angry with you, not at someone who's angry with you, not at someone who's angry with you, not at someone who's deeply disappointed in someone who's deeply disappointed in someone who's deeply disappointed in you, not at someone who's saying, "How you, not at someone who's saying, "How you, not at someone who's saying, "How could you do that?" You'll be looking could you do that?" You'll be looking could you do that?" You'll be looking into the face of Jesus, the one who into the face of Jesus, the one who into the face of Jesus, the one who loves you more than you can imagine. If loves you more than you can imagine. If loves you more than you can imagine. If you are ever tempted to flee from the

you are ever tempted to flee from the you are ever tempted to flee from the Lord, the best thing you can do is turn Lord, the best thing you can do is turn Lord, the best thing you can do is turn and face the Lord. Because there, face and face the Lord. Because there, face and face the Lord. Because there, face to face with God, you will encounter to face with God, you will encounter to face with God, you will encounter love that passes understanding. love that passes understanding. love that passes understanding. But you'll also encounter power. But you'll also encounter power. But you'll also encounter power. power that enables you to avoid evil, power that enables you to avoid evil, power that enables you to avoid evil, that helps you put aside selfishness, that helps you put aside selfishness, that helps you put aside selfishness, that allows you to walk away from that allows you to walk away from that allows you to walk away from arrogance, power to make you new in the arrogance, power to make you new in the arrogance, power to make you new in the image of Christ. image of Christ. image of Christ. That of course is not what Jonah does. That of course is not what Jonah does. That of course is not what Jonah does. He flees from the presence of the Lord. He flees from the presence of the Lord. He flees from the presence of the Lord. Unwilling or uninterested in the plans Unwilling or uninterested in the plans Unwilling or uninterested in the plans that God has made, he runs. that God has made, he runs. that God has made, he runs. And it turns out terribly. The Lord And it turns out terribly. The Lord And it turns out terribly. The Lord hurls a great wind upon the sea and such hurls a great wind upon the sea and such hurls a great wind upon the sea and such a mighty storm comes up that the ship is a mighty storm comes up that the ship is a mighty storm comes up that the ship is about to break and the sailors panic. about to break and the sailors panic. about to break and the sailors panic. They throw up all these emergency They throw up all these emergency They throw up all these emergency prayers to every god they can think of prayers to every god they can think of prayers to every god they can think of and none of them work. They keep using and none of them work. They keep using and none of them work. They keep using their own wits, their own strength to their own wits, their own strength to their own wits, their own strength to try to save the ship. They throw the try to save the ship. They throw the try to save the ship. They throw the cargo overboard. Nothing works. And cargo overboard. Nothing works. And cargo overboard. Nothing works. And where's Jonah the whole time? sound where's Jonah the whole time? sound where's Jonah the whole time? sound asleep below deck, blissfully unaware of asleep below deck, blissfully unaware of asleep below deck, blissfully unaware of all the trouble he's caused, the ship's all the trouble he's caused, the ship's all the trouble he's caused, the ship's captain goes down and discovers him.

captain goes down and discovers him. captain goes down and discovers him. This is no time for rest. Get up and This is no time for rest. Get up and This is no time for rest. Get up and call, the captain says. It's call, the captain says. It's call, the captain says. It's interesting. It's the same thing that interesting. It's the same thing that interesting. It's the same thing that God says to no to Jonah at the beginning God says to no to Jonah at the beginning God says to no to Jonah at the beginning of the story. Get up and call. Jonah of the story. Get up and call. Jonah of the story. Get up and call. Jonah must have thought he was having a must have thought he was having a must have thought he was having a nightmare, but he sees through sleepy nightmare, but he sees through sleepy nightmare, but he sees through sleepy eyes that it's not an iate god standing eyes that it's not an iate god standing eyes that it's not an iate god standing over him, just the captain telling him over him, just the captain telling him over him, just the captain telling him to pray. to pray. to pray. But what do you think with what you know But what do you think with what you know But what do you think with what you know about Jonah so far? Do you think he's about Jonah so far? Do you think he's about Jonah so far? Do you think he's going to pray to the God from whom he going to pray to the God from whom he going to pray to the God from whom he runs? We're not surprised when he runs? We're not surprised when he runs? We're not surprised when he doesn't pray. doesn't pray. doesn't pray. But he does get found out. The sailors But he does get found out. The sailors But he does get found out. The sailors cast lots to see who it was that brought cast lots to see who it was that brought cast lots to see who it was that brought this trouble to them. And of course, this trouble to them. And of course, this trouble to them. And of course, Jonah loses the lottery. And as soon as Jonah loses the lottery. And as soon as Jonah loses the lottery. And as soon as he's singled out as the culprit, the he's singled out as the culprit, the he's singled out as the culprit, the questions begin. The crew wants to know, questions begin. The crew wants to know, questions begin. The crew wants to know, "Who are you? Where are you from? Who's "Who are you? Where are you from? Who's "Who are you? Where are you from? Who's your God?" And imagine their horror when your God?" And imagine their horror when your God?" And imagine their horror when Jonah says, "My God." Oh, my God is the Jonah says, "My God." Oh, my God is the Jonah says, "My God." Oh, my God is the God of heaven who made the sea and the God of heaven who made the sea and the God of heaven who made the sea and the dry land. And are you kidding me? You're dry land. And are you kidding me? You're dry land. And are you kidding me? You're running away from the God who made the running away from the God who made the running away from the God who made the sea by getting on our boat? What should sea by getting on our boat? What should sea by getting on our boat? What should we do with you? Jonah says, "The we do with you? Jonah says, "The we do with you? Jonah says, "The solution is simple. Throw me into the solution is simple. Throw me into the solution is simple. Throw me into the water." And the sailors, they don't want water." And the sailors, they don't want water." And the sailors, they don't want to do it. We should give them credit for to do it. We should give them credit for to do it. We should give them credit for that. It's a weighty thing to throw that. It's a weighty thing to throw that. It's a weighty thing to throw someone into the ocean. So, they give someone into the ocean. So, they give someone into the ocean. So, they give their own power one more try. They row their own power one more try. They row their own power one more try. They row and they row, but they can't get the and they row, but they can't get the and they row, but they can't get the boat to shore. In fact, the storm gets

boat to shore. In fact, the storm gets boat to shore. In fact, the storm gets worse. So, now they cry out. worse. So, now they cry out. worse. So, now they cry out. They call to Jonah's God and beg They call to Jonah's God and beg They call to Jonah's God and beg forgiveness for what they're about to forgiveness for what they're about to forgiveness for what they're about to do. And then they throw Jonah into the do. And then they throw Jonah into the do. And then they throw Jonah into the sea. And the result is dramatic. sea. And the result is dramatic. sea. And the result is dramatic. The storm switches off and the sea The storm switches off and the sea The storm switches off and the sea quiets and the sailors are relieved, but quiets and the sailors are relieved, but quiets and the sailors are relieved, but they're afraid. And so they worship and they're afraid. And so they worship and they're afraid. And so they worship and they sacrifice to Jonah's God. And they sacrifice to Jonah's God. And they sacrifice to Jonah's God. And meanwhile, this is the part we know, the meanwhile, this is the part we know, the meanwhile, this is the part we know, the Lord provides a large fish, not a whale, Lord provides a large fish, not a whale, Lord provides a large fish, not a whale, a large fish. And Jonah was in the belly a large fish. And Jonah was in the belly a large fish. And Jonah was in the belly of that fish for three days and three of that fish for three days and three of that fish for three days and three nights. And so what do we say about nights. And so what do we say about nights. And so what do we say about Jonah here today in 2026? What lesson is Jonah here today in 2026? What lesson is Jonah here today in 2026? What lesson is there for us? There's two, I think. The there for us? There's two, I think. The there for us? There's two, I think. The first is this. God is gracious to those first is this. God is gracious to those first is this. God is gracious to those who don't deserve it. God is gracious to who don't deserve it. God is gracious to who don't deserve it. God is gracious to those who don't deserve it. Even in his those who don't deserve it. Even in his those who don't deserve it. Even in his own mind, Jonah knew he deserved to die. own mind, Jonah knew he deserved to die. own mind, Jonah knew he deserved to die. The punishment punishment he had earned The punishment punishment he had earned The punishment punishment he had earned wasn't in question. He hadn't simply wasn't in question. He hadn't simply wasn't in question. He hadn't simply made a mistake. After all, he a made a mistake. After all, he a made a mistake. After all, he a messenger from God, sent by God, messenger from God, sent by God, messenger from God, sent by God, blatantly disobeyed a direct command blatantly disobeyed a direct command blatantly disobeyed a direct command from God. When the sailors ask him, from God. When the sailors ask him, from God. When the sailors ask him, "What should we do with you?" He's quick "What should we do with you?" He's quick "What should we do with you?" He's quick with an answer. Throw me in the water.

with an answer. Throw me in the water. with an answer. Throw me in the water. It's just a matter of time. Once I'm It's just a matter of time. Once I'm It's just a matter of time. Once I'm dead, justice will be done. The Lord dead, justice will be done. The Lord dead, justice will be done. The Lord will be satisfied. The seas will quit. will be satisfied. The seas will quit. will be satisfied. The seas will quit. But that's not what happens. But that's not what happens. But that's not what happens. Because God is gracious to Jonah, who Because God is gracious to Jonah, who Because God is gracious to Jonah, who doesn't deserve it. God doesn't abandon doesn't deserve it. God doesn't abandon doesn't deserve it. God doesn't abandon Jonah to this watery grave. And instead, Jonah to this watery grave. And instead, Jonah to this watery grave. And instead, God hatches this strange but miraculous God hatches this strange but miraculous God hatches this strange but miraculous rescue plan. an enormous fish placed the rescue plan. an enormous fish placed the rescue plan. an enormous fish placed the part of a submarine that goes down and part of a submarine that goes down and part of a submarine that goes down and rescues Jonah, keeps him safe, and then rescues Jonah, keeps him safe, and then rescues Jonah, keeps him safe, and then gives him a new opportunity at life. gives him a new opportunity at life. gives him a new opportunity at life. The fish, of course, is God's grace that The fish, of course, is God's grace that The fish, of course, is God's grace that comes down to where he was in the depths comes down to where he was in the depths comes down to where he was in the depths of the sea and lifts him to new life. of the sea and lifts him to new life. of the sea and lifts him to new life. Contrary to all expectations, Jonah Contrary to all expectations, Jonah Contrary to all expectations, Jonah doesn't die. doesn't die. doesn't die. We should see ourselves here. We are We should see ourselves here. We are We should see ourselves here. We are Jonah, imperfect, disobedient, unwilling Jonah, imperfect, disobedient, unwilling Jonah, imperfect, disobedient, unwilling to meet God's expectations, unwilling to to meet God's expectations, unwilling to to meet God's expectations, unwilling to follow God's commands. The Apostle Paul follow God's commands. The Apostle Paul follow God's commands. The Apostle Paul tells us later in the New Testament that tells us later in the New Testament that tells us later in the New Testament that all have sinned and fall short of the all have sinned and fall short of the all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. He tells us as well that glory of God. He tells us as well that glory of God. He tells us as well that that the wages of sin is death. The that the wages of sin is death. The that the wages of sin is death. The thing our sin earns is death. We are thing our sin earns is death. We are thing our sin earns is death. We are Jonah. We don't deserve God's grace. We Jonah. We don't deserve God's grace. We Jonah. We don't deserve God's grace. We haven't earned it either. And yet haven't earned it either. And yet haven't earned it either. And yet God is gracious God is gracious God is gracious to those who don't deserve it. God is to those who don't deserve it. God is to those who don't deserve it. God is merciful to those who haven't earned it.

merciful to those who haven't earned it. merciful to those who haven't earned it. That's us. That's us. That's us. In other words, there's no place you In other words, there's no place you In other words, there's no place you could be figuratively or literally. could be figuratively or literally. could be figuratively or literally. There's no depth to which you could sink There's no depth to which you could sink There's no depth to which you could sink where God's grace couldn't find you. where God's grace couldn't find you. where God's grace couldn't find you. Jonah was at the bottom of the ocean and Jonah was at the bottom of the ocean and Jonah was at the bottom of the ocean and God's grace came for him. There's no God's grace came for him. There's no God's grace came for him. There's no place you can go. There's nothing you place you can go. There's nothing you place you can go. There's nothing you can do to keep God's grace away. can do to keep God's grace away. can do to keep God's grace away. Jonah disobeyed. He ran. He hid. He gave Jonah disobeyed. He ran. He hid. He gave Jonah disobeyed. He ran. He hid. He gave up. And God's grace came for him. Again, up. And God's grace came for him. Again, up. And God's grace came for him. Again, Paul in the New Testament says it in a Paul in the New Testament says it in a Paul in the New Testament says it in a way we can remember, nothing, he says, way we can remember, nothing, he says, way we can remember, nothing, he says, nothing can separate us from the love of nothing can separate us from the love of nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. God in Christ Jesus. God in Christ Jesus. God is gracious to those who don't God is gracious to those who don't God is gracious to those who don't deserve it. And here's the second deserve it. And here's the second deserve it. And here's the second lesson. And it's a bit harder to swallow lesson. And it's a bit harder to swallow lesson. And it's a bit harder to swallow for Jonah and for us. God is gracious to for Jonah and for us. God is gracious to for Jonah and for us. God is gracious to those who we think don't deserve it. those who we think don't deserve it. those who we think don't deserve it. Jonah is the recipient of God's grace, Jonah is the recipient of God's grace, Jonah is the recipient of God's grace, of course. But do you know why Jonah of course. But do you know why Jonah of course. But do you know why Jonah refused to go to Nineveh in the first refused to go to Nineveh in the first refused to go to Nineveh in the first place? It wasn't because it was far place? It wasn't because it was far place? It wasn't because it was far away. It wasn't because they were away. It wasn't because they were away. It wasn't because they were foreigners he hated. Not just that, we foreigners he hated. Not just that, we foreigners he hated. Not just that, we find out at the very end of the book. At find out at the very end of the book. At find out at the very end of the book. At the end of the book, Jonah has finally the end of the book, Jonah has finally the end of the book, Jonah has finally gone to Nineveh. He's shared his one-s gone to Nineveh. He's shared his one-s gone to Nineveh. He's shared his one-s sentence message with them. The sentence message with them. The sentence message with them. The Ninevites have repented and God's grace Ninevites have repented and God's grace Ninevites have repented and God's grace has saved them. And Jonah gets angry and has saved them. And Jonah gets angry and has saved them. And Jonah gets angry and he calls out to God and he said, "I knew he calls out to God and he said, "I knew he calls out to God and he said, "I knew you would do it. I knew you would save you would do it. I knew you would save you would do it. I knew you would save them. I knew that you were full of love them. I knew that you were full of love them. I knew that you were full of love and slow to anger. I knew that you were

and slow to anger. I knew that you were and slow to anger. I knew that you were abounding in grace and mercy. And I abounding in grace and mercy. And I abounding in grace and mercy. And I didn't want the Ninevites to know." didn't want the Ninevites to know." didn't want the Ninevites to know." Jonah didn't think that they deserved Jonah didn't think that they deserved Jonah didn't think that they deserved God's mercy. Jonah didn't want his God's mercy. Jonah didn't want his God's mercy. Jonah didn't want his enemies to be changed by God's grace. enemies to be changed by God's grace. enemies to be changed by God's grace. But he knew. He knew that God is But he knew. He knew that God is But he knew. He knew that God is gracious. God is merciful even to those gracious. God is merciful even to those gracious. God is merciful even to those we think don't deserve it. we think don't deserve it. we think don't deserve it. Several years ago, I I remember it well. Several years ago, I I remember it well. Several years ago, I I remember it well. Our family went to Galveastston for Our family went to Galveastston for Our family went to Galveastston for spring break weekend and and we went to spring break weekend and and we went to spring break weekend and and we went to that big ice cream and candy shop that's that big ice cream and candy shop that's that big ice cream and candy shop that's on the Strand. Some of you will know it. on the Strand. Some of you will know it. on the Strand. Some of you will know it. And if you've ever been there, you know And if you've ever been there, you know And if you've ever been there, you know that there's just not enough seating. that there's just not enough seating. that there's just not enough seating. There's like five tables in the middle. There's like five tables in the middle. There's like five tables in the middle. They're always full. But but we were They're always full. But but we were They're always full. But but we were there and we got our ice cream and we there and we got our ice cream and we there and we got our ice cream and we got our kids and a table opened up and got our kids and a table opened up and got our kids and a table opened up and it had three chairs and there were four it had three chairs and there were four it had three chairs and there were four of us and Elizabeth sits down, James of us and Elizabeth sits down, James of us and Elizabeth sits down, James sits down, Sarah sits down and Sarah, sits down, Sarah sits down and Sarah, sits down, Sarah sits down and Sarah, she was like four at the time, so it was she was like four at the time, so it was she was like four at the time, so it was several years ago. And she looks at the several years ago. And she looks at the several years ago. And she looks at the table and she looks up at me and she table and she looks up at me and she table and she looks up at me and she looks at the table and she looks up at looks at the table and she looks up at looks at the table and she looks up at me and she says, "Well, daddy, you can't me and she says, "Well, daddy, you can't me and she says, "Well, daddy, you can't sit here." sit here." sit here." And she meant it in the completely like And she meant it in the completely like And she meant it in the completely like in a completely innocent little girl in a completely innocent little girl in a completely innocent little girl kind of way. There were three chairs, kind of way. There were three chairs, kind of way. There were three chairs, four of us. You can't sit here. But it four of us. You can't sit here. But it four of us. You can't sit here. But it made me laugh. It was like when Forest made me laugh. It was like when Forest made me laugh. It was like when Forest Gump gets on the bus, you can't sit Gump gets on the bus, you can't sit Gump gets on the bus, you can't sit here. And how often, I wonder, do we do here. And how often, I wonder, do we do here. And how often, I wonder, do we do that to others? Accidentally or on that to others? Accidentally or on that to others? Accidentally or on purpose in what we say or in what we do, purpose in what we say or in what we do, purpose in what we say or in what we do, subtly communicating you, you can't sit subtly communicating you, you can't sit subtly communicating you, you can't sit here. You're not you're not welcome here. You're not you're not welcome here. You're not you're not welcome here. You don't belong here because you here. You don't belong here because you here. You don't belong here because you act like that and not like this because act like that and not like this because act like that and not like this because you are that and not this because you're

you are that and not this because you're you are that and not this because you're from there and not from here. It comes from there and not from here. It comes from there and not from here. It comes from the same part of our heart that from the same part of our heart that from the same part of our heart that wants to tell God where we're going to wants to tell God where we're going to wants to tell God where we're going to go. go. go. We want to decide and then tell God. We We want to decide and then tell God. We We want to decide and then tell God. We want to decide and then tell God who's want to decide and then tell God who's want to decide and then tell God who's in and who's out, who's good and who's in and who's out, who's good and who's in and who's out, who's good and who's bad. But try as we may might, God is bad. But try as we may might, God is bad. But try as we may might, God is gracious and merciful even to those who gracious and merciful even to those who gracious and merciful even to those who we think don't deserve it. we think don't deserve it. we think don't deserve it. Now, we're all a little bit too polite, Now, we're all a little bit too polite, Now, we're all a little bit too polite, I think. I hope to ever say that someone I think. I hope to ever say that someone I think. I hope to ever say that someone doesn't deserve God's grace. We're too doesn't deserve God's grace. We're too doesn't deserve God's grace. We're too nice usually to say that someone can't nice usually to say that someone can't nice usually to say that someone can't sit at the table with us. sit at the table with us. sit at the table with us. But Jonah didn't come out and say it But Jonah didn't come out and say it But Jonah didn't come out and say it either. He just ran away from the work. either. He just ran away from the work. either. He just ran away from the work. God called him. God asked him to be a God called him. God asked him to be a God called him. God asked him to be a vessel of God's grace for someone else. vessel of God's grace for someone else. vessel of God's grace for someone else. A whole city actually. A whole city actually. A whole city actually. And Jonah got mad and wasn't going to do And Jonah got mad and wasn't going to do And Jonah got mad and wasn't going to do it because Jonah knew that God was so it because Jonah knew that God was so it because Jonah knew that God was so gracious and so merciful that even his gracious and so merciful that even his gracious and so merciful that even his enemies might be saved.

enemies might be saved. enemies might be saved. You, we are sinners saved by grace. You, we are sinners saved by grace. You, we are sinners saved by grace. If there's one thing to do this morning, If there's one thing to do this morning, If there's one thing to do this morning, it's to open yourself to that glorious it's to open yourself to that glorious it's to open yourself to that glorious truth. There's nothing you did or could truth. There's nothing you did or could truth. There's nothing you did or could ever do to make that happen. It's a gift ever do to make that happen. It's a gift ever do to make that happen. It's a gift from God. from God. from God. And then there's an even more glorious And then there's an even more glorious And then there's an even more glorious truth behind that that there's a truth behind that that there's a truth behind that that there's a wideness to God's mercy that we could wideness to God's mercy that we could wideness to God's mercy that we could never comprehend. never comprehend. never comprehend. So if this week or this month or So if this week or this month or So if this week or this month or sometime somewhere you find yourself sometime somewhere you find yourself sometime somewhere you find yourself wanting to avoid somebody or wanting to wanting to avoid somebody or wanting to wanting to avoid somebody or wanting to avoid a whole group of somebody's if avoid a whole group of somebody's if avoid a whole group of somebody's if you're certain that that you're right you're certain that that you're right you're certain that that you're right and they are wrong. and they are wrong. and they are wrong. Maybe that's one more way that we're Maybe that's one more way that we're Maybe that's one more way that we're like Jonah. like Jonah. like Jonah. And maybe that's God's way of giving you And maybe that's God's way of giving you And maybe that's God's way of giving you an assignment. an assignment. an assignment. Don't run away from that work. Walk Don't run away from that work. Walk Don't run away from that work. Walk right toward it. Because like Jonah, we right toward it. Because like Jonah, we right toward it. Because like Jonah, we worship the God of heaven who made the worship the God of heaven who made the worship the God of heaven who made the sea and the dry land. And our God is sea and the dry land. And our God is sea and the dry land. And our God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and gracious and merciful, slow to anger and gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. And maybe, abounding in steadfast love. And maybe, abounding in steadfast love. And maybe, just maybe, God has chosen you to be a just maybe, God has chosen you to be a just maybe, God has chosen you to be a vessel of that love for someone else, vessel of that love for someone else, vessel of that love for someone else, even somebody you never thought even somebody you never thought even somebody you never thought possible. In the name of the Father, the possible. In the name of the Father, the possible. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, let all God's Son, and the Holy Spirit, let all God's Son, and the Holy Spirit, let all God's people say, "Amen."