Mark Sorensen Does anyone remember back in the day when television shows had cliffhangers? Sometimes we would have to wait six days to see if our favorite television show character would survive some perilous situation they found themselves in (Anyone remember Fonzie in Happy Days waterski jumping over sharks?) Or, even worse, having to wait an entire summer hiatus just to get the answer to a burning question we all had like, “Who shot J.R.?”
The thing about cliffhangers was this – they were only temporary. We would eventually get the answer. (Spoiler alert: Fonzie successfully jumped over the tank of sharks – in his leather jacket, no less – and Kristin took that shot at J.R. Ewing.)
We love a cliffhanger but, even better, we love the answer to the questions we have.
But what happens when we don’t get the answer?
Welcome to Jonah’s story. Come to find out, the entire book isn’t really about the Ninevites and their wickedness. Instead, it‘s more about God working on the hardness of Jonah’s heart dealing with a people that he believed didn’t deserve God’s grace and forgiveness. As the book of Jonah closes, God simply asks Jonah what’s more important: the plant that provided him shade and comfort, or 120,000 people created in God’s image who had turned from their sin and repented?
Jonah’s answer? We don’t have it. That’s the cliffhanger in Jonah’s story.
We may not know Jonah’s answer, but if we apply this to ourselves, it leads to some good questions as to how we view forgiveness and mercy in our own lives. Where Jonah may have gotten things wrong, in Christ, we’re shown everything that’s right.
Think about the contrast between Jonah and Jesus for a moment. Where Jonah left his home kicking and screaming when God called him to spread the Good News of His mercy, Jesus left heaven willingly and through love, and came to show compassion to us all. With his hardness of heart, Jonah clearly stood in need of salvation in his life. Jesus, however, gave His life so that we might be free. Jonah believed God’s grace was only for a certain people, while Jesus showed us just the opposite: that His grace was for all people! Lastly, Jonah was ready to die because of his anger toward God. Jesus? He was ready to die to show God’s love toward all of humanity, not just for a select few.
So on this new day, take heart: His mercies are new each and every single day. You are loved, you are seen, and we are called to reflect the love extended to us all. May we all reflect Jesus well.
