Answering the Call

Well – for all his fits and starts Jonah turned out to be a whole lot better prophet than even he expected to be! Remember – we find him here – walking the streets of Nineveh – only AFTER his experience of running from God and winding up in the belly of the whale and then being ejected back out onto the beach. And God has come to him a second timeand made the same request – that he go to Nineveh and proclaim the message he originally gave him – that unless they repent the people will perish in forty days.

We also need to remember that Jonah didn’t want to go deliver this message in the first place because he is afraid that the people actually WILL repent, and wind up avoiding what he clearly believes would be their just punishment!  In other words – Jonah thinks God is wrong in offering forgiveness to such people. In his eyes they aren’t worth saving and should be made to suffer the consequences of their actions.

This is completely the opposite of Abraham’s response way back in Genesis when he repeatedly pleads and argues with God about saving 50 then 40 then 30 then 20 then finally just 10 good people if they happen to be found in Sodom and Gomorrah. Do you remember that?

In reality Jonah’s harsh judgment and unwillingness to forgive sounds pretty much like the argument Satan is said to have made against the whole of the human race – that in the end we’re “just not worth it.” Which, if we’re honest with ourselves, is uncomfortably close to the judgment we cast upon on our own brothers and sisters. For as human beings we want to see others “get what they have coming to them” don’t we . . .

“He deserves it – he cheated.” . . . “She’s a liar and has made her own bed, let her sleep in it.” . . .  “They deserve that and more for what they did to those people.”

But, of course, God’s response to us is so COMPLETELY different! God in his unfathomable love is willing to forgive us no matter what selfish, cruel or despicable acts we have committed. For there is NOTHING (No-Thing!) outside of the forgiveness of God! (Save the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit according to scripture.) So why can’t we be the same?

Well, the rabbit hole runs a little deeper doesn’t it? For while God sacrifices EVERYTHING for us, his forgiveness is dependent upon our willingness to receive it.  Scripture makes it clear that we are held accountable to God’s law – and there is the reality of required repentance. And it can’t just be “lip service repentance”– for God demands that we “re-turn” to Him and that we not only express sincere sorrow for our sins but that we take up a whole new way of living.

And that’s not always so easy to do is it? No less so than it is to sincerely forgive others – even when their sin is not against us. Just ask Jonah. For even after the people have responded to his call to repentance – even after his small efforts have saved 120,000 of them – Jonah is not at all happy about it. He leaves the town and sits on the outskirts and complains that “he knew this was going to happen” – that these dang people would repent – and horror of horrors HE was responsible for it. Talk about some mixed up priorities!

So in response God allows a plant to grow to give Jonah shade and then kills it in order to bring some perspective on what is really important in life. But by the end we are never really told whether Jonah gets it or not. God is just left asking the question: “Shouldn’t I be able to pity an entire city more than you pity that plant?”

Well, the Disciples certainly “get it” and they get it quick. Jesus comes walking along the shoreline and hails first Simon Peter and Andrew, saying: “Come with me and I will make you fishers of men!” And “immediately” the scripture tells us, “they threw down their nets and followed him.”

He then comes upon James and John and simply “calls to them” and they too drop what they are doing and they follow him – this man who up until that moment was a complete stranger to them.

But how did they know? Was it the timing of what he said? Or how he said it? Or was it completely a “Holy Ghost moment” wherein the peace and sense of truth and mystery of God’s presence in their hearts was so strong that they just couldn’t NOT follow him. My guess is that it was all of the above.

And that’s the power of what God has done in Jesus Christ, as gifted through the Spirit, if we are open to it! The people of Nineveh and the first Disciples are all able to respond to the call of God with an unwavering trust that He has everything in hand! And in the Disciple’s case that involves handing over not only the circumstances of THEIR lives but equally as important (and often far more difficult) the circumstances of the lives of those whom they love.

Did you notice whom the Zebedee brothers (James and John) had to leave to follow Jesus when they were called? Their FATHER of all people – the man who loved them and raised them and with whom they now worked and garnered their very livelihood. And whom was, it is safe to say, now being left very much in the lurch along with the hired men that worked for them. Remember a man’s sons were his inheritance – his livelihood – his life really.

“But what about me?” he surely asked. “Haven’t I always taken care of you and loved you and taught you everything you know? I am your father after all – doesn’t that count for something?” And what about your mother and the rest of your family? And these men we have hired together who were counting on you as well? They have families to feed. You can’t just leave . . .?”

“And who is this man you are choosing to follow? You know nothing of him. Simon and Andrew may say he is the Messiah of which the Prophet John foretold – but how do you know that? Don’t you at least want to take some time to fully consider the circumstances of all of this? Let’s go talk to the priest and work this out . . . He can give you some clarity. It’s your duty.”

And therein lies the beginning of the worldly trap. God has clearly spoken into the moment in a way that has convicted and convinced them that he really is at work in this simple man from Nazareth. But now they have a choice to make: Will they wrestle with all of the worldly questions and expectations – as well as the counsel of others? Many of whom certainly have their best interest in mind? Or will they trust the Truth that God has put into their hearts – the still small voice that whispers to the soul, “Listen to me – I am the WAY forward  . . . I am the TRUTH beneath all things . . . I am the Giver of LIFE to all who put their TRUST in me . . . Are you willing to believe there is more? Are you coming?”

It’s just so hard to follow him though isn’t it? Especially in the modern world with all of its easy distractions and shiny attractions . . . And yes, obligations – just like the first Disciples faced – to our jobs – and our friends – and yes, even our families. But if God calls you by name and shows you a path forward and says this is the road I have for you, then we must check everything at the door just as the disciples did. And the same DISCIPLINE (root word of disciple) is required . . . To live and do and BE His Will in the world we must TRUST Him with EVERYTHING – and yes that includes even and especially those we love the most.

Maybe the rhetorical question we need to ask ourselves is this: Does God’s eternal view of all things past, present and future trump our limited understanding in the here and now? That extends only as far as our poor imaginations might carry it? Compare that to the infinite set of circumstances that are possible in this world and the equally unlimited opportunities for both success and failure that go along with that . . . Do we really want to place ourselves in our own will and understanding?

Or do we want to rest in the Masters hands – as we walk with him into the future that, while no less unknown to us, is so fully known to him!

Well – there it is folks – yet another message of “Trust” in the capital “T” sense of the word. But know that it is offered in the little “t” sense of the word too. For it is in the everyday moments of our lives that we truly are “living out” and following him . . . Or not.

So give it ALL to him. That trip you’ve been thinking about taking – the children’s grades – the decision on whether to renovate . . . The possible career change – the new home –  going back to school maybe . . . and yes even those whom you love the most. Try leaving them a little more in God’s hands and  a little less in your own. It’s hard, I know (we all know that of course) but more importantly GOD knows – and if we will but trust that one simple fact, and answer His call accordingly – all will most assuredly (and most blessedly) be well.

– Stuart Revercomb