When we think of Jonah, most people immediately recall the miracle of him being swallowed by a fish. But that’s not the true miracle of this powerful biblical story. The greatest miracle in Jonah is God’s relentless pursuit of people – both a reluctant prophet and a pagan city destined for destruction.
In Jonah chapter 3, we witness the incredible transformation that occurs when a person finally aligns with God’s purpose.
God’s Second Chance to Jonah
“The word of the Lord came unto Jonah a second time, saying, arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city and preach unto it, the preaching that I tell you.” (Jonah 3:1-2)
The miracle begins with God’s grace in giving Jonah a second chance. After running away and experiencing God’s discipline in the belly of the fish, Jonah now receives the same call again. This time, God adds specific instructions: “preach unto it the preaching that I tell you.”
God wasn’t just sending Jonah on a mission; He was sending him with a specific message. This highlights an important truth about authentic ministry – it’s not about our clever words or personal opinions, but delivering God’s unaltered message.
What Makes Preaching Effective?
True biblical preaching has three essential components:
· Proclaiming Christ – In Colossians 1:28, Paul states, “It is Him that we proclaim.” The center of all effective preaching is Jesus Christ. Even in the Old Testament, Jesus is the focus. In Luke 24:27, Jesus himself “expounded unto them beginning with Moses…things concerning himself.” All Scripture points to Him.
· Perfecting Saints – Effective preaching matures believers, helping them grow from spiritual infancy to maturity. It challenges comfort zones and addresses areas needing transformation.
· Propositioning the World – Biblical preaching presents the gospel as a life-saving proposition to those who are perishing without Christ.
The Anointing That Comes Through Suffering
Jonah’s effectiveness came after his experience in the fish’s belly. His suffering produced an anointing that gave power to his simple message. When he finally entered Nineveh, he didn’t deliver an eloquent sermon with clever introductions. He simply proclaimed: “Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be overthrown.”
This brief message, delivered by a man who had been broken and restored, carried supernatural power. It wasn’t Jonah’s eloquence but God’s Spirit working through his obedience that brought results.
What Happens When People Truly Repent?
The response of Nineveh demonstrates genuine repentance:
“So the people of Nineveh believed God and proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth from the greatest of them, even to the least of them.” (Jonah 3:5)
Their repentance wasn’t just internal – it manifested in visible actions. They exchanged their comfortable clothing for uncomfortable sackcloth (similar to burlap). Even the king removed his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
True repentance always produces external evidence. When God breathes life into dead hearts, change becomes visible. The Ninevites didn’t just feel sorry; they turned from their evil ways.
The Miracle of God’s Mercy
“And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way. And God repented of the evil that he had said that he would do unto them, and he did it not.” (Jonah 3:10)
The greatest miracle in this story is God’s mercy toward a wicked city. When the people genuinely repented, God withheld the judgment He had planned. This reveals God’s heart – He desires to show mercy more than execute judgment.
The Ninevites understood something profound when they said, “Who can tell if God will turn and repent and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?” They recognized that salvation comes through God’s mercy, not human merit.
Life Application
The story of Jonah challenges us on multiple levels:
· Are you running from your “Nineveh”? God has placed each of us in specific environments where we can be most effective for His kingdom. Your Nineveh might be your workplace, school, or family – places where God wants to use you despite your reluctance.
· Have you experienced the transformative power of God’s discipline? Like Jonah in the fish’s belly, sometimes God uses difficult circumstances to prepare us for greater effectiveness. The “anointing” often comes through suffering.
· Are you delivering God’s message or your own? True spiritual impact comes when we faithfully deliver God’s Word without adding or subtracting based on our preferences.
· Has your repentance produced visible change? The Ninevites demonstrated their internal change through external actions. Has your encounter with God changed how you live?
· Do you believe in God’s desire to show mercy? The Ninevites hoped in God’s mercy despite their wickedness. Do you trust that God desires to show mercy to you and to others who seem beyond redemption?
This week, identify your “Nineveh” – that place or relationship where God is calling you to be His messenger. Then ask yourself: Am I willing to go where God sends me and say what God tells me to say, trusting in His power rather than my own abilities?
