Read more at my blog - https://nodachurch.com/all-blogs/2022/2/15/step-toward-the-world-a-lesson-from-jonah
God called Israel to mission, to be a great nation in order to bless the world (Gen 12). They were to be a Royal Priesthood and Holy Nation (Ex 19:6; echoed in 1 Peter 2:9). They rejected God as King and wanted to be like the nations (1 Samuel 8). The prophets came to call them back to mission, to be a light to the nations (Isaiah 48:6). The Gospels then present Jesus as the one who lived out the calling of Israel perfectly and Jesus calls us to follow him into the world to bring it redemption.
The story of Jonah is written as a comedy. It doesn't take long to read it so take a moment and look for what is funny. Jonah runs from God. Jonah converts a lot of people along the way despite himself. Sailors are paying to their gods while Jonah sleeps. There are other great moments! The other theme is one of "God providing." Pay attention to that rhetoric.
Finally, the focus of the story comes into view in chapter 4 (though we like to end with 3:10). Jonah speaks about the grace and mercy of God with contempt and then sits on a hill to watch everyone mess up and die. God provides shade and then takes it away. Jonah cares more about that shade than he does the people of Nineveh.
What are your vines in your life that bring you comfort that you'd rather die if you lost?
Who are your Ninevites that you'd rather sit on a hill and watch God destroy?
Our ability to step toward the world begins with letting go of our desire for the vines and begin to desire the people God desires.
