When we engage the Word of God we need to do so in such a way that it challenges us. It should spur within a desire to grow and change. Jonah is one of those stories that challenge the status quo and the stereotypes that we see in society. Jonah is not about a prophet that lived a long time ago but rather Jonah is about us! Jonah is a mirror into the soul of everything that is lacking within us. Jonah struggled with a God that loved the enemies of Israel despite the pain and suffering that they inflicted on the chosen. In Jonah’s frustration, we find disobedience, arrogance, false witness, apathy and more. If we were honest in our analysis of self what do we find deep within us? More often we are quick to critique everyone else to blind us from the frailness deep within. As we examine our final chapter in our Jonah: A Book of Opposite Stereotypes series we will find the prophet argue with God in a fit of insolence. Despite the blatant disrespect, we find a God that is full of love, patience, and redemption. We will see God interact with Jonah in such a way that He is trying to show the prophet what really matters. But Jonah doesn’t seem to get it. How does God engage us? Do we see the lessons God is trying to teach us? Are we willing to learn from God? Jonah makes us ask all these questions and so many more. As we wrap up this series I pray that we will keep engaging with the Word of God. Letting it disrupt the comforts of this life. May we engage the loving, patient and redemptive God of the universe. Grace and Peace, Geraldo
"Jonah: A Book of Opposite Stereotypes" Links
Jonah Blog 001: Link
Jonah Sermon Video 001: Link
Jonah Blog 002: Link
Jonah Sermon Video 002: Link
Jonah Blog 003: Link