LOVE SENT
Children are sent to their rooms, young drivers are sent to the grocery store by their parents, aging adults are sent to specialists, and I contend that each of us can reference a time when we were sent somewhere to do something of significance. The reasons we are sent varies, as much as the places we are sent. Take a moment and reflect on where you have been sent, and for what reason(s)? What were your response(s) to being sent?
In the bible God said to His prophet Jonah,
“Arise and go to the great city of Nineveh, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before me.” (Jonah 1:2)
If you’re not familiar with this story, you might think that God’s judgement is about to fall on the Assyrian people of Nineveh, but that’s not what happens! God in His sovereign, loving plan for humanity ultimately redeems the entire city. He wants to rescue the Ninevites from their wicked ways. The same is true for all wickedness, for all of humanity. No matter what our sinfulness, you and I need God’s infinite, selfless love. This love is standing ready to rescue and to restore a repentant people.
Jonah’s response to being sent was one that might be shocking to some. His actions proved to be pointless to any on looker. He thought that he could avoid the purposes and the presence of God. What drove him to such lengths? Could it have been his hatred for the people of Nineveh that led Jonah away from God’s plan. I cannot say for sure! But, don’t be too hard on Jonah! How often can we say the similar thoughts plague our own minds?
The bible says,
“for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
As a consequence, we find Jonah on a boat heading to Tarshish, which is in the opposite direction of Nineveh. He was simply delaying the inevitable! After some serious turbulence we find Jonah in the Mediterranean Sea, inside the belly of a giant fish. Remember God’s infinite, selfless love is always there to rescue and restore our disobedience if only we repent. Despite the depths of our depravity, we can always cry out to God just as Jonah did from the belly of the fish. As an answer to Jonah’s cry, God caused the fish to release him on dry ground and he heard God a second time. Our Heavenly Father’s infinite, selfless love can reach deep, and that love offers us a second chance.
Just think for a moment; what if Jesus thought and felt as Jonah did? Didn’t He have the right to despise the wicked, degenerate people that turned their backs on Him? After all, He created us!
Ephesians 2 tells us,
“For we are God’s handiwork created in Christ Jesus for good works, which He prepared in advance.”
May each Christian possess and take the love of God the Father, the obedient sacrifice of God the Son, and comfort and hope of God the Spirit to a people that are in need of this Savior—You Are Sent!
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