Simple Thoughts Simple Prayers
Thoughts, Reflections, Inspirations, and Prayers
Simple Thoughts Simple Prayers
The Sign of Jonah: Overcoming Prejudice and Sharing God's Message
In this episode, Walt explores the powerful message of Matthew 12:38-42 and the story of Jonah. He delves into Matthew's background as a tax collector and how his Gospel offers a fresh perspective on Jesus' teachings. Walt shares his personal journey of overcoming prejudice and learning to love all people, regardless of their religious affiliation.
The episode draws parallels between Jonah's reluctance to preach to Nineveh and our own hesitations in sharing God's message with those outside our comfort zones. Walt uses humor and relatable analogies to bring the ancient story to life, comparing Jonah's experience in the whale to an "ultimate escape room challenge."
Listeners will gain insights into the spiritual metaphors within Jonah's story and how it foreshadows Jesus' own journey. Walt emphasizes the importance of being willing to share the gospel with all people, regardless of their background or beliefs.
The episode concludes with a powerful benediction and the Lord's Prayer, reminding us of the greatest commandments: to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
My brothers and sisters, walt, here with simple thoughts and simple prayers. Today we'll be covering the passage of Matthew 12, 38-42,. The Sign of Jonah. Matthew, a Jewish outcast living in the first century, worked for the Roman government as a tax collector, a profession despised by his fellow Jews. Yet he felt compelled to write his gospel, aiming to convince his people that Jesus was indeed the Son of God. His account, filled with dramatic flair, highlights Jesus' transformative sermon on the mount. The Beatitudes, the sermon's opening, were a game changer, challenging traditional Jewish notions of blessedness. Matthew's gospel, a masterpiece Of spiritual conviction Off offers a fresh perspective on the life and the teachings of Jesus. Matthew, again a tax collector likely faced scrutiny from his fellow Jewish brethren due to his profession. They probably felt betrayed by his association with the Roman occupiers.
Speaker 1:Have you ever prejudged someone based solely on their religious affiliation? Before I fully understood the importance of loving my neighbors and even my enemies, as Jesus taught about judgment in Matthew 7, 1-6, I was guilty of this. I often looked down on other denominations outside of Baptists. I thought I had it all figured out, like the man Jesus described in Matthew 12. It's clear I had a log in my own eye. Over time I learned that God loves everyone. I learned his grace isn't exclusive. Everyone needs his love. Thank goodness, faith isn't measured by time. You and I are not the first ones to struggle with delivering God's message to people outside our own circle.
Speaker 1:Jonah, the guy who everyone seems to remember as the rebel without a cause, had a golden opportunity. Physically, he survived a whale-sized adventure, and 2 Kings 14 paints another picture of Jonah a messenger of hope. He was tasked to share God's message of repentance with the people of Nineveh, and Jonah didn't like Nineveh. I used to be a lot like Jonah when it came to sharing the gospel. I was comfortable preaching to my friends and family, but the idea of spreading the word to my enemies was a hard swallow. Nineveh, a city of ruthless, brutal pagans no thanks. I had tunnel vision, just like Jonah. I could understand why he wanted to take the easy way out.
Speaker 1:Jonah's mistake was staying in his comfort zone and avoiding the hard work of sharing God's message when it wasn't convenient. Sometimes the most rewarding journeys are the ones that take us outside of our comfort zone. So Jonah's got a problem. He's been tasked with the divine delivery, but he's got a case of I'm too good for this. He's like the teenager who's told to clean their room but decides to go on a road trip instead. Jonah's rebel spirit lands him in a fishy situation. Literally, he's swallowed by a whale, a seafaring uber that's surprisingly punctual. Now imagine being inside a whale for three days and three nights. It's a humbling experience, to say the least. And Jonah, being a smart guy, eventually realized his error. He prays and God, being a gracious and patient, loving father, decides to let him off the hook or out of the well.
Speaker 1:Rather, jonah's story isn't just about a guy who got swallowed by a whale. It's a parable, a spiritual metaphor. The story also foreshadows Jesus' own journey. Just as Jonah was preserved in the belly of the beast, jesus was preserved in the tomb. It's like a cosmic plot twist, the ultimate escape room challenge. Jesus also uses this illustration to point, even when we're running from God, god's grace is always waiting for us. It's like your mother saying I told you so, but in a loving, forgiving way.
Speaker 1:Let's not forget the real message here Even the most unlikely people can turn to God. Nineveh, a city known for its wickedness, repented after Jonah's preaching. As well as believers, we should have this same mindset as Christ, to be willing to share the gospel and point people back to Jesus, regardless of their denomination, ethnicity and background. With that I leave you a benediction. Matthew 22, 36-40.
Speaker 1:The rich young ruler asked Rabbi, which is the great commandment in the law? And Jesus answered him you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment, and the second is like it you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets. Let us pray Our Father who art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not to temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.