Gospel at Sea – Jonah 1:7-16

Let us notice first of all a surprising twist in the context of our passage today. The storm was threatening to destroy this vessel on account of Jonah's unfaithfulness, not the flagrant idolatry of his shipmates! Consider this circumstance and principle applied in our day. Jonah’s experience leads us to ask: how much of the tumult of judgement we experience as a people is the direct result of the unfaithfulness of the people of God running from their call to proclaim the Word of God to the unbelieving/pagan culture? This could be the case indeed – rather than what we may be more likely to assume, namely, that calamities around us are due consequences of the idolatry of our unbelieving neighbors. I Peter 4:16-19 reiterates this principle calling us to suffer as Christians reminding us that judgement often begins at the household of God. Abiding in His presence involves presenting ourselves as living sacrifices embracing the faithful obedience worthy of His name. If we have been guilty of fleeing from kingdom responsibilities, or of cowering in crisis... Jonah provides an example of repentance. We can start by answering common questions raised by the lost in times like these...