Lectionary Reading Epiphany 3
After John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God and saying: ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is upon you. Repent and believe in the good news.’ Mark 1:14
Read. Jonah 3:1-5, 10 In this passage Jonah goes to Nineveh and preaches the message to warn the people of the judgement of God. Nineveh is thought to be today’s city of Mosul. Then it was the home of Sennacherib, King of the Assyrians. Sennacherib has attacked Jerusalem and laid siege to that city causing great distress. Thus, at least part of the story is that there was no love lost between the people of Israel and Nineveh. Nahum describes it as a city of sin, full of wicked lawlessness. (Na. 3:1)
Jonah’s call to preach repentance and peace to the people of Nineveh is well known. This passage comes after Jonah, trying to resist the call of God ended up in the “great fish”. That is an interesting theme in itself. The city of Nineveh is described as huge, requiring a three day walk to cross, so it is not hard to imagine that Nineveh contained a great throng of people. Finally, Jonah reluctantly obeys God’s call and preaches to the people of Nineveh. On hearing of the cities impending destruction the people under the leadership of the king, repent and “turn from their evil ways”. As a result God brings about the change that was wanted and the calamity is averted.
Jonah illustrates to us that our ways are not God’s ways. Jonah considered the people of Nineveh unworthy of forgiveness. He did not want to give them a second chance. The passage reminds us that making a judgement about who is and who is not deserving of God’s love and forgiveness is a dangerous venture. Paul in Romans 3: 23, reminds us that “all have sinned and fallen short”. None of us measures up to the standard that God requires.
The animosity between Israel and Nineveh was a barrier that Jonah found very difficult to overcome. Following on from that, Jonah who knew God also knew of God’s love and forgiveness. He knew God’s nature was inclined to renew not destroy. While accepting God’s grace for his nation and himself he had no desire to see that benefit made available to people he supposed were his enemies. No wonder Jesus called on his followers to turn enemies into friends and to pray for them. (Luke 6:27)
The passage reminds us that God is sovereign and nothing will get in the way of fulfilling his plan and purpose. More than that it reminds us that God is merciful.
For the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him.” 2 Chronicles 30:9 (NRSV)
Prayer. Almighty God, another hour, another day and another opportunity to draw close to you: Another time to remember that you are ever present in our lives: Another time to lift up our hands and hearts and bring the praise of those who remember you great love for all humanity. We give you due reverence and praise you for sending your Son to be the Redeemer who brings all things under your authority. We thank you that he is reining with you. You are the Everlasting God, the great Creator, before you all creation will bow. We continue to thank and praise you for all that you have done and look for that time when Jesus will return to gather together all who love and serve him. This we pray in his Name. Amen
For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.” Romans 14:11 (NRSV)
Read. Psalm 62:5-12 Some think that this psalm was written by David during the struggle between himself and the followers of his son Absalom. Whether that is true or not what we can say is that this psalm reminds us that when trouble strikes it is important to turn to God: but it is turning with a view to finding strength rather than simply calling out for help. Often when we do call out for help we are inclined to also seek to direct God. Our cry for help in part contains what we think should happen to alleviate the situation. This psalm presents a quite different approach. For God alone, my soul waits in silence. This really says it all. When Job experienced a series of catastrophes this is the descriptive phrase used for the action of a righteous person, “he (Job) sat among the ashes” (Job 2:7) When life has turned into a bit of a train wreck the remedy to rebuilding your life is to sit alone with God and wait. It is as we take stock of who God is and what God has done that hope begins to be reborn. It may not be an instant answer for waiting denotes a time delay. Still the promise within the psalm is that it is the Lord who resets the pathway into a new situation. “On God rests my deliverance”. So often in life we try every avenue of restoration because we want the matter to be resolved, and quickly. When all alternatives have failed it is then we turn to God. The psalm reminds us that as those who profess a trust in God, then God should be our first avenue of restoration. Maybe if we took the verses of this psalm and committed them to memory before we experience a disaster, then when the need arose, we would by instinct turn first God. Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord. For you repay to all according to their work. Psalm 62:11-12(NRSV). Meditating on this a psalm is truly worthwhile!
Prayer. Almighty God, you are the one in whom we can trust, the one who will never let us down. Your constancy is everlasting and your power to save unending. Forgive us when we turn to lesser helps, choosing to go our own way and forgetting the truths that are revealed in your word. Refresh us in body, mind and spirit, that our whole life being set on your way, will give to you the perfect praise that is yours by right. In sickness and in health; in joy and in sorrow, grant that we may always find ourselves trusting in you alone. Through your comfort may we be equipped to be true servants of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord: Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit; One God for ever more. Amen
Collect. Loving God, through your Son you have called us to repent of our sin, to believe the good news, and to celebrate the coming of your kingdom. Grant that we, like Christ’s first apostles, may hear his call to discipleship; and, gladly forsaking our old ways, may proclaim to a waiting world the gospel of new life through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
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