Thoughts Along the Journey

"...at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here." Luke 11:32b What does it mean to repent? Many people think that by saying they're sorry, the issue should be closed. I said it, so that should end it. Not exactly. Because sometimes we say we're sorry for the wrong reasons. We got caught. We don't want someone to think poorly of us. We want the "bad" situation to be done and over with, so just say "sorry". To try to lessen the uncomfortable feelings that come with whatever we have said or done. The right reason--and true repentance--is saying, "I'm sorry" with a heart that longs to change. To have a true desire to never do the wrong again. To undo the damage as best we can...to make amends. To restore relationship. The story of Jonah is full of comparisons between Jonah and the people of Ninevah. Most people know the story: God called Jonah to preach in Ninevah. Jonah ran the other way. F...

"...at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here." (Luke 11:32b) The background: Jonah was a prophet. Jonah was called of God to go to Ninevah and preach repentance to the people there. Jonah resisted. Jonah took a ship in the opposite direction of Ninevah. A storm arose. The ship's crew cast lots to see whose fault the storm could be...and the lot fell to Jonah. Jonah told the crew to throw him in the water. The storm ceased. A huge fish swallowed him. Jonah had three days to re-think his decision. He repented. The fish spit him out on the shore. Jonah headed to Ninevah, and finally preached the message God had sent him to preach. The king of Ninevah called his entire city to repentance. They responded by putting on sackcloth and ashes (remember Ash Wednesday?). They were truly sorry for their sins. Jump to the time of the verse. Here was Jesus, the Creator of the universe, Lord of lords, Son of God, and yet they remained in...