“And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh?” Jonah 4:11
An Unanswered Question
A good plot reveals a problem that needs a solution. Then, the rest of the story resolves that problem. Maybe you’ve watched a movie that doesn’t work that way. The final credits roll, and the plot seems unresolved. The problem remains, or the answer doesn’t seem complete.
The question in todays’ Bible reading is from the last verse in the book of Jonah. God is speaking to his messenger Jonah. Jonah has complained that God is unfair for not destroying the wicked city of Nineveh. And he’s complained that God is unfair for letting a worm kill a vine that shaded Jonah’s head. For selfish reasons, Jonah cares about the vine, but he doesn’t care about a whole city of people in danger of being destroyed by God.
God asks him this searching question, “Shouldn’t I be concerned about this great city filled with people who need my love?” We don’t hear Jonah’s answer.
How would we answer? We might say, “Of course, God should be concerned about these people.” But are we? Do our lives ever reveal that we are more concerned about our own comfort than about telling people about Jesus? Do we let the differences that separate us from others keep us from sharing with them the news of the Savior who is for all? Do we let our lives get so filled up with our own busyness that we don’t have time to make sure our children are hearing God’s Word? God’s question for Jonah confronts us too.
Let’s rejoice that God was concerned not only for the great city of Nineveh but for a world of sinners in every century and millennium in need of his mercy. His concern wouldn’t let him sit idly by. It caused him to send his Son, Jesus, to seek and save the lost, suffering and dying for sinners—for you, for me, for all. Because he did, we don’t have to fear death and hell. What amazing grace! May God’s love move us to act in loving concern for a world of people like us who need his amazing grace, too.
Prayer:
Lord, forgive me for my selfishness with your amazing grace. Give me a heart like yours that wants all to be saved. Amen.
“And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?” Jonah 4:11
Amazing Grace for All
Every day we get to choose how we will spend our time, our money, and our energy. Good time and money management often means deciding what matters most and putting those things first. When God asks, “Should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people…?” it may seem like he is saying that, because Nineveh is a big city, it is worthy of my time and attention.
But what if you don’t live in a big city? Or even if you do, how do you know if God is concerned about you? How do you know if God loves you?
Listen to the rest of God’s question: “Should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?” You see, God is concerned for the lowest of the low, with no qualities that make them worth saving and no ability to help themselves. And that’s exactly whom God loves.
God is concerned about the young and old, rich and poor, the strong and the disabled, people of every culture and language. That’s good news, because it means he is concerned about you, no matter how small or insignificant you may feel.
His concern for you led him to make you his top priority. He gave everything for you, including his only Son, so that, no matter who you are, you can know that you are loved, forgiven, and cherished. You can live confidently in that love and be sure that nothing will take his amazing grace away from you.
Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for loving me, no matter how small I feel. Amen.
[Jonah] prayed to the LORD, “Isn’t this what I said, LORD, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, LORD, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” Jonah 4:2-3
Too Much Grace
Jonah was a messenger God sent to Nineveh, a city known for its wickedness, cruelty, and immorality. Jonah’s message was, “God is going to destroy Nineveh because of your wickedness.”
Jonah was from Israel, a nation that witnessed that wickedness firsthand. You would think he would be eager to go and tell them that God was going to destroy them. But instead, he ran the other way.
After Jonah fled, was swallowed by a fish, and was spit out on the shore, he finally went where God told him to. And when he preached, something amazing happened. The people were sorry for what they did and prayed for God’s mercy.
When he saw this, God decided not to destroy them. Instead, he had mercy on them. And Jonah’s reaction? “It’s not fair. I knew you weren’t going to punish them. That’s just the kind of gracious, compassionate God you are. You show too much grace.”
Do we ever think like that? Wickedness spreads like an unstoppable virus. It infects our schools, our communities, even our families. We experience hatred and hurt from other people. And hatred grows in our hearts against them. We don’t want to forgive, and we don’t think God should either.
But if God’s grace had limits, if there are things God won’t or can’t forgive, will he forgive me for holding a grudge or harboring hatred in my heart? Will his grace reach the selfish corners of my heart that only God can see?
Praise God that his grace is for all! It is never too much. It is just what we need. Because of God’s grace, we are forgiven. That’s great news to hear and to share!
Prayer:
God, thank you for loving and forgiving me in your amazing grace. Amen.
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25 If we live by the spirit, let us also walk in step with it. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another and envying one another.
Bear One Another’s Burdens
Galatians 6
1 Brothers, if a person is caught in some trespass, you who are spiritual should restore such a person in a spirit of humility, carefully watching yourself so that you are not also tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way fulfill [1] the law of Christ. 3 For if someone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Let each person test his own work, and then he will take pride in regard to himself and not his neighbor. 5 For each man will bear his own burden.
6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with his teacher.
7 Do not be deceived. God is not mocked. To be sure, whatever a man sows, he will also reap. 8 Indeed, the one who sows for his own sinful flesh will reap destruction from the sinful flesh. But the one who sows for the spirit will reap eternal life from the spirit. 9 Let us not become weary of doing good, because at the appointed time we will reap, if we do not give up. [2]10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the household of faith.
What Matters: A New Creation, Not Circumcision
11 See what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 12 Those who want to look good in the flesh are the ones who are trying to compel you to be circumcised. Their only reason is so that they are not persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 As a matter of fact, those who are circumcised do not keep the law themselves. But they want to have you circumcised, so that they can boast about your flesh.
14 But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. 15 In fact, in Christ Jesus [3] circumcision or uncircumcision does not matter. What matters is being a new creation. 16 Peace and mercy on those who follow this rule, namely, on the Israel of God.
17 Finally, let no one cause me any trouble, because I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus on my body.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
Footnotes
Galatians 6:2 Some witnesses to the text read in this way you will fulfill.
Galatians 6:9 Or reap without ever getting tired, or reap without ceasing
Galatians 6:15 Some witnesses to the text omit in Christ Jesus.
2 Look, I, Paul, tell you that if you allow yourselves to be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 I testify again to every man who allows himself to be circumcised that he is obligated to do the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be declared righteous by the law are completely separated from Christ. You have fallen from grace.
5 Indeed, through the Spirit, we by faith are eagerly waiting for the sure hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision matters. Rather, it is faith working through love that matters. 7 You were running well! Who cut in on you, so that you are no longer persuaded by the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from the one who calls you. 9 A little yeast works through the whole batch. 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will have no other opinion than this. But the one who is trying to disturb you will pay the penalty, whoever he is.
11 Brothers, [1] if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? Then the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 If only those who are upsetting you would also cut themselves off! [2]
13 After all, brothers, you were called to freedom. Only do not use your freedom as a starting point for your sinful flesh. Rather, serve one another through love. 14 In fact, the whole law is summed up in this one statement: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” [3]15 But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
Flesh Opposes Spirit
16 What I am saying is this: Walk by the spirit, [4] and you will not carry out what the sinful flesh desires. 17 For the sinful flesh desires what is contrary to the spirit, and the spirit what is contrary to the sinful flesh. In fact, these two continually oppose one another, so that you do not continue to do these things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the spirit, you are not under the control of the law.
19 Now the works of the sinful flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, complete lack of restraint, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, discord, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, [5] drunkenness, orgies, and things similar to these. I warn you, just as I also warned you before, that those who continue to do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the spirit [6] is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful flesh with its passions and desires.
Footnotes
Galatians 5:11 When context indicates it, the Greek word for brothers may refer to all fellow believers, male and female.
Galatians 5:12 Using sarcasm, Paul sharply implies that if the Judaizers were so interested in circumcision, castration might be even better for them. See what Jesus said about false teachers in Matthew 18:6.
Galatians 5:14 Leviticus 19:18
Galatians 5:16 In this section, the spirit refers to the new nature in contrast with the sinful flesh.
Galatians 5:21 A few witnesses to the text omit murders.
8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, why are you turning back again to the basic principles that are weak and miserable? Do you want to be enslaved by them all over again? 10 You carefully observe days, months, seasons, and years. 11 I am fearful about you, that somehow my labor for you was wasted.
12 I beg you, brothers, become like me, for I also became like you. You did me no harm. 13 You know that, because of a weakness of the flesh, I preached the gospel to you the first time. 14 And you did not despise or disdain the test my flesh gave you. Instead, you welcomed me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.
15 So where is this blessed attitude of yours now? Yes, I can say for a fact that, if it were possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. 16 So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 Those people are eager to win you over, but not in a good way. Rather, they want to alienate you, so that you will be eager for them. 18 But it is always a good thing to have someone eager in a good way—not just when I am present with you.
19 My children, I am suffering birth pains for you again until Christ is formed in you. 20 I wish I were present with you now and could change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.
An Illustration: Hagar and Sarah
21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you really listening to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman, and one by the free woman. 23 However, the son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through a promise. 24 These things can be used as an illustration; namely, the women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children into slavery. This is Hagar. 25 You see, [1] this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and she corresponds to present-day Jerusalem, because Jerusalem is in slavery along with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free. She is our mother. 27 For it is written:
Rejoice, barren woman who does not give birth. Break forth and shout for joy, woman who does not suffer birth pains, because the barren woman has more children than does the woman who has a husband. [2]
28 Now you, [3] brothers, like Isaac, are children of the promise. 29 But just as back then the one who was born according to the flesh persecuted the one who was born according to the Spirit, so this is also the case now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Throw out the slave woman and her son, because the son of the slave woman will certainly not receive the inheritance with the son of the free woman.” [4]31 For this same reason, brothers, we are not children of a slave woman, but of the free woman.
Christ Set Us Free
Galatians 5
1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not allow anyone to put the yoke of slavery on you again.
Footnotes
Galatians 4:25 Some witnesses to the text omit You see.
Galatians 4:27 Isaiah 54:1
Galatians 4:28 Some witnesses to the text read we.
19 Then what about the law? It was added for the purpose of revealing transgressions, until the Seed [1] to whom the promise referred had come. It was transmitted through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not needed for one party, but God is one.
21 Then is the law against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given that could give life, certainly righteousness would have been derived from the law. 22 But Scripture imprisoned all things under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ would be given to those who believe. 23 But before this faith came, we were held in custody under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was revealed. 24 So the law was our chaperone [2] until Christ, so that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a chaperone. [3]
Sons of God Through Faith
26 In fact, you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 Indeed, as many of you as were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ. 28 There is not Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female, for you are all one and the same in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants [4] and heirs according to the promise.
God Sent His Son
Galatians 4
1 What I am saying is this: As long as the heir is a young child, he is no different from a slave. Although he is owner of everything, 2 he is still under guardians and managers until the day set by his father. 3 So also, when we were younger children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world. 4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son to be born of a woman, so that he would be born under the law, 5 in order to redeem those under the law, so that we would be adopted as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts to shout, “Abba, Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son. And if you are a son, then you are also an heir of God through Christ. [5]
Footnotes
Galatians 3:19 Or Descendant; Genesis 12:7
Galatians 3:24 The Greek term for chaperone referred to a man who was to supervise, discipline, and watch out for a boy.
Galatians 3:25 Or custodian
Galatians 3:29 Or seed
Galatians 4:7 Some witnesses to the text read an heir through God.
1 O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I just want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? [1]
3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now trying to reach the goal by the flesh? 4 Did you experience so many things for nothing, if it were indeed for nothing? 5 So then, does the one who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the law? Or does he do it by your believing what you hear— 6 in the same way as Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness”? [2]
7 Understand, then, that those who believe are the children of Abraham. 8 Foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, Scripture proclaimed the gospel in advance to Abraham, saying, “In you, all nations will be blessed.” [3]9 So then, those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
The Difference Between Law and Gospel
10 In fact, those who rely on the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the book of the law.” [4]11 Clearly no one is declared righteous before God by the law, because “The righteous will live by faith.” [5]12 The law does not say “by faith.” Instead it says, “The one who does these things will live by them.” [6]
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. As it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.” [7]14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that we would receive the promised Spirit through faith.
The Promise Came First
15 Brothers, I am speaking in human terms. When someone has established a last will and testament, no one nullifies it or adds to it. 16 The promises God spoke referred to Abraham and to his seed. It doesn’t say, “And to seeds,” as if it were referring to many, but, as referring to one, “And to your seed,” [8] who is Christ. 17 What I am saying is this: The law, which came into being 430 years after the covenant established earlier by God in Christ, [9] does not annul that covenant, with the result that it invalidates the promise. 18 In fact, if the inheritance is by the law, it is no longer by the promise. But God graciously gave it to Abraham by a promise.
Footnotes
Galatians 3:2 Or by the message that creates faith?
Galatians 3:6 Genesis 15:6
Galatians 3:8 Genesis 12:3; 18:18
Galatians 3:10 Deuteronomy 27:26
Galatians 3:11 Habakkuk 2:4
Galatians 3:12 Leviticus 18:5
Galatians 3:13 Deuteronomy 21:23
Galatians 3:16 Or descendant. The literal seed is retained in the translation to help readers trace the line of the promised Savior from Eve through Abraham and David to Jesus, the promised Seed of the Woman. Genesis 12:7
Galatians 3:17 Some witnesses to the text omit in Christ.
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“Every minister of the gospel needs encouragement,” says Kevin Walker, director of staff ministry at Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn. “So a once-a-year conference provides the opportunity for […]
In late August, Daniel Kroll and Stephen Gerling and their families arrived in Dakar, Senegal. They are the first WELS missionaries to serve in this area. As WELS works to […]
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, God has entrusted the young people of our synod to the spiritual care of Christian parents, pastors, teachers, youth leaders, and fellow believers. At […]
Karl R. Gurgel, the tenth man to serve as president of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, was called home to heaven on September 13, surrounded by his wife, Barbara, (pictured […]
Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wis., is investing in a building project for blessings now that have impacts into eternity. Earle Treptow, seminary president, describes why this is the moment […]