“Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.” But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.” (Jonah 1:1-3)

There is something deeply unsettling about the story of Jonah. It is not because it is unfamiliar, but rather because it is all too familiar. We can relate with Jonah in more ways than we would like to admit. In the beginning of the book of Jonah we see three key events; God calls, Jonah hears, Jonah runs. If we are being honest, so do we.

The calling God gave to Jonah was to go to Nineveh and call them to repentance. The LORD’s calling was not vague, optional, nor was it open for reinterpretation. It was a divine commission. 

In much the same way, the child of God is not left guessing about their calling. After all, Christ has given all His disciples what we call the Great Commission: to go and make disciples of all people, tribes, tongues, and nations. We are called to proclaim the gospel, to call sinners to repentance and faith in Christ. It is the LORD who has made us ministers of reconciliation to declare to sinners the message of reconciliation to God through repentance and faith in Christ Jesus our Lord.

“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-21)

The Great Commission was given to Jesus’ disciples after His resurrection, right before His ascension. “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

This great divine commission given us by the LORD is not reserved only for pastors, missionaries, or the especially bold. It is the calling for all of Christ’s people. If you belong to Christ, then you have been sent by Christ. Yet, we like Jonah, tend to hesitate.

Jonah did not simply delay, he fled in the opposite direction. His disobedience was intentional and costly. Our running may look more subtle, but it is no less real. We tend to remain silent when we should speak. We avoid the difficult conversations about sin and salvation. We even convince ourselves that someone else will share the gospel. In the end we prioritize comfort over obedience. 

We can at times even try to cloak our disobedience in spiritual language. This may look like, “I am waiting for the right moment.” Or maybe it is, “I don’t feel led.” However, in reality all we are doing is using polished excuses to mask a resistant heart. Running from God is not merely a fear of man, but a failure to trust Him. 

So, why is it that Jonah ran? Nineveh was known for its wickedness, yes, but more than that, Jonah knew God to be merciful. His fear was that God actually would save them. It is important though to recognize, it was not simply about Jonah’s fear, it was his misaligned affections. 

What about us? Is it that we are afraid of rejection? Maybe fearing that we will be seen as intolerant? Are we scared that we might lose relationships? Or maybe, we are fearful that we won’t have all the answers. Underneath all these fears lies a deeper issue, and that is that we forget who God is. 

We tend to forget that God is sovereign, it is He that saves sinners. Not only this, but we forget His authority, His Lordship, that He commands our obedience. Lastly, we forget His grace, that He delights to use weak vessels like us. 

One of the most comforting truths in the story of Jonah is that God did not abandon His runaway prophet. “Then the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship was in danger of breaking apart.” (Jonah 1:4) God pursued Jonah, not to destroy him, but to restore him. 

If you see yourself in Jonah, take heart. The God who pursed Jonah during his running and disobedience, is the God who still pursues His children today. He disciplines those He loves. “For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” (Hebrews 12:6) He interrupts our rebellion and He brings us back. You may be running this very day, perhaps this very moment, but you are never beyond His reach. 

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” even the night shall be light about me; indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You.” (Psalm 139:7-12)

There is no outrunning God. There is no sheep of His that He allows to run wild.  “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:4-7)

Yet, in all of this, Jonah points us to a greater reality. Where Jonah fled from God’s calling, Jesus perfectly obeyed it. Where Jonah resisted going to sinners, Jesus moved toward them. And where Jonah deserved judgment, Christ took that judgment upon Himself. Jesus never ran from His Father’s will, He embraced it. Even to the point of death on a cross. 

This is our hope, not that we have obeyed perfectly; but that Christ has. It is from that place of grace, we are once again sent forth by God. And so the question is not whether God is calling. He is. The question is: will you obey, or will you run? 

“And He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:46-47)

“I did not shrink back from declaring anything that was helpful to you as I taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews and Greeks alike about repentance to God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me. But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:20-24)

The call to repentance and faith are most necessary. And there are “Ninevehs” all around you: your neighbors, your coworkers, your friends, and your family members, these are all people who need to hear the glorious gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. You do not need perfect words, nor complete confidence, He simply calls you to be faithful in His calling over you. So stop running, turn back, and speak of the great Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! And remember that the God who has called you, is the God who goes with you. 

In closing, I want to leave you with some questions to reflect upon in your own heart: 

Who is one person you can intentionally speak to about Christ this week?

In what specific ways are you avoiding God’s call to share the gospel?

What fears are driving your reluctance?

How does the grace of Christ free you to obey?