SALVATION
“Who knows, God may relent and forgive, and withhold his blazing wrath, so that we shall not perish.” Jonah 3:9
There are a lot of stories in scripture that leave me stopped and puzzled. While the story of Jonah is oft-told, the synthesis of the story does not usually capture some of the unique nuances of the story. Yes, Jonah went through the city calling for repentance. Yes, the citizens answered that called by donning sackcloths. Yes, even the king and his court heeded the warning to the point that it was an official decree. Despite all of these efforts, they did not feel that their salvation was guaranteed. The Ninevites believed that they would be saved but did not know for sure that it would come to fruition.
Faith is a funny thing. It is always a matter of hope that there is something that makes within the disorder. The most difficult aspect of faith is when hope does not pan out. The evils described at the end of the passage come to pass. How do we deal with such events?
Luke’s Gospel seems to provide solace amidst the looming darkness. Jesus declares that, while Jonah’s work was successful, it was temporary. The repentance that Jonah called for was ever shadowed by looming destruction. Something so much greater than Jonah and the Ninevites outshines any darkness. It still requires hope; it is an experience that can be a belief in the unseen, but the promise is so much more than what Jonah preached. There is solace in Jesus’s promise of a salvation that transcends any evil that may beset us. While I always struggle with faith, I also find peace in the anchor of that promise.
What have I encountered that has shaken my faith?
Where do I find peace amidst the chaos of my life?
Who or what helps to anchor me in my life?
Matthew Keppel