You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23:5-6
Jonah, the famous prophet, is specifically mentioned by the Lord Jesus. Jesus told the scribes and Pharisees who requested a sign that they would only be given “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.” Jesus claimed “something greater than Jonah is here.” (Matthew 12:38-41 ESV) In contrast with Jesus, Jonah was disobedient; God sent him east on a mission, Jonah boarded a ship going west. Jesus is “the name that is above every name” because He was obedient to the Father’s will; obedient unto a tortuous and humiliating death on a cross. (Philippians 2:8-9) Salvation is found in Jesus’ perfect obedience. God has forgiven our disobedience because of Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. Jonah jeopardized the lives of many people including small children because he felt his judgment of his enemies was more righteous than that of God. Jonah used his God-given talents and abilities in opposition to his Provider’s desire to extend forgiveness to his enemies. Jonah was commanded and equipped to speak to the Ninevites on God’s behalf as His prophet. God, in His almighty power, ultimately uses even the disobedience and opposition of His opponents to accomplish rather than thwart His designs. Our Good Shepherd leads us to where our “cup” will eternally overflow as we dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:5-6) We must trust God and not second-guess Him with our faulty earthly reasoning. Jesus lived by what He taught. He called people to love and forgive, depending upon God, and to encourage and promote the same in others. Jesus’ model prayer exclaims “Thy [God’s] will be done.” Jesus exhorts us all – “Follow Me!”
Rev. Robert Dargatz
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Orange, CA