In the Book of Jonah, we find a powerful example of what not to do when God calls us to share His message with the world. Jonah’s story reveals the excuses and misconceptions that can keep us from fulfilling our role as a missionary for Christ. But it also shows God’s relentless pursuit of those who run from Him, and His desire to use us to reach the lost, no matter where He sends us.
Every believer, regardless of their location or circumstances, has been commissioned by God to spread the gospel. In this post, we’ll explore lessons from Jonah on how to overcome common barriers to living out this calling, and discover the incredible ways God can work through us when we obey His command to “go”.
Why Obedience to God’s Missionary Call is Not Optional
The first mistake Jonah made was believing that obeying God’s command to go to Nineveh was optional. When the word of the Lord came to Jonah, telling him to “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me,” Jonah chose to flee in the opposite direction (Jonah 1:1-3).
As followers of Jesus Christ, we don’t get to decide whether we will obey His commands. The Great Commission was not a suggestion. After declaring that all authority in heaven and on earth had been given to Him, Jesus commanded His disciples to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:18-20).
When the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of us, we will be His witnesses (Acts 1:8). Remaining silent about the gospel is not an option for a Spirit-filled believer. If we find ourselves consistently rationalizing disobedience to Christ’s command to share our faith, we need to examine whether we truly have a relationship with Him. A genuine encounter with Jesus will compel us to open our mouths and communicate His message.
Overcoming the Excuses for Not Sharing the Gospel
So why did Jonah run from God’s call to preach to the Ninevites? Let’s explore some possible excuses he may have made, and how they parallel the justifications Christians sometimes use today for not sharing the gospel:
1. “I’ve never done this before.”
Jonah was the only prophet in the Old Testament who was commanded to go directly to a pagan Gentile nation and call them to repentance. He had no blueprint for how to do this. Similarly, we may feel ill-equipped or inexperienced in communicating our faith to others, especially those who are hostile to the message.
But God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called. Whether you are the first or the last person to share the gospel in a particular setting, the command is the same – go! As pastors and church leaders, our role is to equip you with the tools to share your faith. But even if the task feels difficult, you are still responsible to obey. God will give you the courage and the words to say.
2. “It’s too difficult.”
Nineveh was 500 miles away from where Jonah lived. It would have taken him over a month to walk there, through war-torn lands where the Israelites were hated. And the Ninevites were a violent, immoral people. No wonder Jonah didn’t want to go!
Sharing the gospel may feel like a daunting journey for us as well, one that will take us far outside our comfort zone. Whether we’re reaching out to a neighbor or flying to the jungles of Africa, evangelism requires effort and sacrifice. But if Jesus could endure the cross for our salvation, can’t we endure a few awkward conversations or inconvenient circumstances to share the good news?
3. “I won’t be successful.”
Jonah previously had little success when he prophesied to the sinful northern kingdom of Israel. How much less impact would he have on Israel’s Gentile enemies? He couldn’t imagine the Ninevites responding to his message.
We may look at our past attempts to witness and conclude that we’re not good at it, so we should leave it to the “professionals.” But we are not responsible for the results of our witnessing, only for being faithful to share the message. Success is measured by our obedience, not by the number of people who get saved. God can bring an entire city to repentance through one unlikely messenger!
Overcoming Prejudice Against People and Places
A deeper reason Jonah didn’t want to preach to the Ninevites was that he hated them and didn’t think they deserved God’s mercy. He wanted them to experience God’s judgment, not His forgiveness.
If we’re honest, we may harbor similar prejudices toward certain people groups or geographical locations. We may deem them too far gone for the gospel. But the ground is level at the foot of the cross. God’s offer of salvation extends to people from every tribe, tongue, and nation (Revelation 7:9). We don’t get to determine who is worthy; our job is to share the good news with everyone.
Whether it’s people of a different race or economic status, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, or residents of a dangerous inner city, every human being needs to hear about Jesus. We may not affirm their lifestyle, but we must welcome them to hear the gospel.
Just as Jonah could not escape the presence of God by sailing away from Israel, so there is no place or people group that is off-limits to His saving power. We must reject the secular mindset that falsely compartmentalizes the world into sacred and non-sacred spaces. If you are present in a particular setting, whether it’s your home, classroom, workplace or community, God is there too, and He wants to use you to spread His gospel in that place.
Seeing God’s Punishment as Provision
When Jonah chose to flee from God’s presence, the Lord did not let him go easily. He hurled a violent storm at the ship Jonah was on, causing the pagan sailors to fear for their lives. They quickly realized that Jonah and his disobedience were the source of their troubles. In a act of sacrificial love foreshadowing the work of Christ, Jonah told the sailors to throw him overboard in order to save themselves. As soon as they did, the storm stopped.
But the story doesn’t end there. The Bible tells us that “the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah” (Jonah 1:17). For three days and three nights, Jonah sat in the belly of that fish. It seemed like a punishment, and indeed, it was the consequence of Jonah’s disobedience. But it was also God’s provision to turn Jonah back to the right path.
In the fish, Jonah had a change of heart. He stopped seeing the fish as a curse and started thanking God for providing a refuge from downing. He recognized that the storm was from the Lord, and he worshiped God as the one to whom he owed his allegiance. By the time the fish vomited Jonah onto dry land, he was ready to obey God’s command.
In the same way, God may allow storms, trials, and consequences into our lives when we choose to disobey Him. But His discipline is always an expression of His love (Hebrews 12:6). If you are running from God today, know that He is pursuing you. Though you may feel like you’re in the midst of a terrible circumstance, it just may be the tool God is using to bring you to a place of surrender. Don’t let your failures keep you from God’s plan. He can turn your mistakes into a message and your mess into a ministry for His glory.
Recognizing Jesus as Our Substitute
Jonah’s story is not just an example for us, but also a beautiful picture of the gospel. When the sailors threw Jonah overboard, he essentially died in their place as a substitute so that they might live. But after three days, God raised Jonah out of the depths as a sign of resurrection power.
Jesus said that the only sign He would give to a wicked generation was “the sign of Jonah.” “For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:39-40). Jesus, the only truly righteous man, was thrown into the storm of God’s wrath against sin, so that we could be saved. He died as our substitute and was raised on the third day so that we might have eternal life.
Will you accept Jesus as your Jonah today? If you have never called on Him to save you from your sins, pray this prayer:
“Dear Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner worthy of death. I have run from You and have not lived according to Your ways. But today, I repent. I recognize that You love me and have been pursuing me. You sent Your Son to die on the cross in my place and You raised Him from the dead. I believe in You and trust in You alone for the forgiveness of my sins. Make me a new creation in Christ. Amen.”
If you prayed that prayer, you have been given a new mission – to spread the good news of Jesus wherever God sends you. May you walk in joyful obedience to His call.
You Are a Missionary
The story of Jonah is a wake-up call for every Christian. We cannot hide from God’s presence or escape His call to be His messengers to the world. We must examine our hearts for signs of disobedience, prejudice, and excuses that are keeping us from fulfilling the Great Commission. And we must remember that even when we fail, God’s discipline is an expression of His love that can lead us to repentance and restoration.
Most importantly, we must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, our true and better Jonah. He is the one who became our substitute so that we might be saved. And He is the one who gives us the power and boldness to be His witnesses, even to the ends of the earth.
So today, where is God calling you to go and share the gospel? Is it across the street or across the globe? Is it to your family member or your sworn enemy? Wherever He sends you, you can trust that He goes with you. Let’s not miss out on the adventure of being used by God to reach the lost. Let’s embrace our calling as a missionary for Christ, and watch Him do immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine for His glory!
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