https://esv.literalword.com/?q=jonah+3%3B+john+18
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Friday, 24 November 2023:
Jonah 3:1 — Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time….
We are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8), but our spiritual growth and fruitfulness depends on our obedience to God’s word and convictions of the Holy Spirit. Though I love all my children equally, there are some places I can only take my more mature children because I know they can be trusted with the experience. Likewise, God will not take you to new spiritual heights until you are ready, having demonstrated your faithfulness what you have already received; He won’t reveal greater truth to you until you can rightly handle the truth you have already received – You must first be faithful with little before you can be given much. (Matthew 25:21)
Jonah had stalled in his calling and purpose at the point of his disobedience to God. What God said to Jonah the second time was the same as what God said to Jonah the first time because Jonah was stuck in disobedience (not to mention being stuck in a large fish for a time). In contrast, when God spoke to the prophet Jeremiah a second time, he gave Jeremiah a fuller revelation because Jeremiah accepted God’s word the first time. (Jeremiah 33:1-3)
If you feel stale, stalled, stagnant or stymied in your faith and spiritual growth, check your obedience. What did you do with the last word and conviction God gave you? Is the Lord still waiting for your obedience? Be faithful to the word God has given you already so you can be given more and experience all the God has intended for you through Him.
From Henry T. Blackaby – “Jonah didn’t like the assignment God gave him. God directed him to leave his homeland and go to the enemy city of Nineveh, a hostile and evil center of idol worship. There Jonah was to warn the people of God’s impending judgment and urge them to repent. The Hebrews hated the people of Nineveh, so the rebellious prophet fled in the opposite direction, hoping for a different word from God that was more to his liking. Instead, God was determined that his word to Jonah would be obeyed (Isa. 55:11). He spoke to Jonah again. His second message was the same as the first. However, during the interval, Jonah had been buffeted by storms and had traveled in the stomach of a fish for three days. This time, he was prepared to hear God again and do His bidding.
What God says to us next will depend on how we responded to His previous word to us. If, like Jonah, we disobeyed His earlier instructions, God will give them a second time. If we obeyed His first directive, as Jeremiah did, He will give us a fresh and deeper expression of His will (Matt. 25:23).
If you have not received a fresh word from God, return to the last thing God told you and examine your obedience. Is the Lord still waiting for your obedience? Seek to be like Jeremiah, and properly respond to your Lord’s instructions the first time.”
Jonah 3:5-9 — And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.”
God wants all to come to repentance and wants none to perish. God is ready to forgive any who will humble themselves, repent, and have faith in His Son, Jesus.
Leaders should lead the way in humility, repentance, and submission to God. The strongest and greatest leaders are the humblest before the Lord.
Religious awakening stirred Nineveh when they believed God’s word, expressed sorrow openly, prayed, and changed their way of life. Jesus said it: “Repent, and sin no more.” Notice that Nineveh did not presumptuously take God’s mercy and grace for granted.
Fasting is a great way to humble yourself, to force your body into submission, and to focus your mind on prayer.
Jonah 3:10 – When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.
God changed His announced plans when Nineveh repented.
John 18:10, 11 — Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”
Many have used the story of Peter’s sword wielding to preach pacifism, but bear in mind that Peter had a sword, and Jesus knew it. Peter seeking to defend Jesus with his sword wasn’t the issue, it was that Peter sought to defend Jesus at the wrong time, against the will of God at the moment. In fact, In Luke 22:35-38, Jesus tells His disciples that if they lack swords they should buy them. Self-defense is a God-given right and responsibility which can’t be abrogated.
John 18:14 – It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.
God’s way included Christ’s death for the sins of the people. God used ungodly people to fulfill His plan, and from a human perspective, it would appear that Caiaphas had all the power and Jesus had none.
John 18:15-18 – Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.
Pride and fear are opposite sides of the same coin. Peter was willing to fight in garden when it wasn’t appropriate but not willing to stand up for Jesus in the courtyard when it was appropriate.
Disciples of Christ must be ready to deny self, take up their crosses, and follow Jesus. (Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23, Luke 14:27) Jesus had previously warned overconfident Peter that he wasn’t there yet, but Peter did not believe Him. Here Peter faces the truth of himself which has been exposed, not by an attacking army but rather by a mere servant girl sitting at a campfire. It is in the little, seemingly insignificant moments that we reveal what we really believe about Jesus, in our conversations with others around ‘campfires,’ in our homes, in our workplaces, in the marketplace, in social settings, and on social media. While it may be true that actions often speak louder than words, don’t believe the popular lie that words are secondary. The true test of your courage is in how, as an ambassador for Christ, you purely proclaim the Gospel to others right where you are. Those of us who have failed to proclaim the Name of Jesus to others when we should have can find hope in the story of Peter who failed miserably but later went to the cross literally for Jesus.
John 18:27 – Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.
Remember Jesus had said to Peter, “‘Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.’ Peter said to him, ‘Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!’” (Matthew 26:34, 35) Peter’s reaction after he denied Jesus is described in Mark 14:72: “And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ And he broke down and wept.”
Have you ever felt the guilt of failing Jesus? Remember, Jesus knows your weaknesses better than you do. Your failures are not a surprise to Him. When you are tested, it is not so that God can see the truth of your sinful heart, it is so you can see it and recognize your dependence on God’s grace. God’s will in your failures is to bring you to humble repentance, to draw you closer to Him, to sanctify you, to conform you to the image of His Son, and to prepare you for greater faithful service in love. His goal is not to condemn you but to complete you – “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)
– 1 Thessalonians 5:23 — Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Failure is a time to humbly and trustfully draw closer to Jesus, not further away in pride, shame or fear. Judas denied Jesus, couldn’t bring Himself to repent and accept the forgiveness of God, and killed himself. Conversely, Peter repented, accepted forgiveness, and was used mightily by God. Paul, formerly Saul who had made a career of persecuting Christians, repented and went to his death boldly proclaiming Christ and glorifying Him. Have confidence in grace and glorify God boldly.
John 18:33-37 – Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?”
Most people, including Christians, prefer the earthly kingdoms they can see over the Kingdom of God they cannot see. Someone once said, “In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is.” In church, Christians often proclaim their ultimate allegiance to the KING of Kings and the Kingdom of God, but daily, in practical ways, the fear of man prevails in their lives. What has the greatest influence over you at the moment of decision? Every day, perhaps in seemingly small ways, we will take a side. And remember, silence is consent. When you choose to say or do nothing where sin is present, you have made a choice to capitulate.
Jesus’ kingdom does not depend upon politicians, political organizations, or political power.
John 18:37, 38 — “In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me”. “What is truth?” Pilate asked.
The truth is revealed through Jesus and Jesus alone. In fact, Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Those who listen to Christ understand truth. Those outside of Christ, like Pilate, have no way to determine truth or to truly know God. Regardless their intellect or religiosity, they navigate without map and compass on a journey to nowhere. Jesus said that He came to testify to the truth. Jesus stayed true to the mission God gave Him until the end. Now that mission has been given to you. How are you doing? Don’t lose sight of the fact that your message is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not a message of ethics, morality, or better living. If the “truth” or “salvation” message you are proclaiming to others is about fixing their earthly problems rather than saving their souls, and if your message doesn’t start and end with Jesus, you are likely leading others astray. The B Bible says you are an Ambassador for Jesus, a Priest, and a Saint for the LORD on this earth. That is your purpose, your vocation, and your profession. So, how many times will you say the Name, Jesus to others today?
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 24 November 2023: Listen to God and obey Him the first time today. When the Holy Spirit convicts you today, respond faithfully without delay. Walk confidently in God’s grace today, and strive to glorify Him in all you say and do.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 