Reluctant to Save
READ: Book of Jonah
Jason’s neighbors just moved in next door, and already were causing trouble. They would party all night long and the police were called to their place on a number of occasions already. Jason knew they did drugs too, because they offered him some already. “They need to hear what God says about this,” Jason would say to himself, but he could never bring himself to confront them with God’s Word, because he was afraid of what they might do to him.
So, he just tried to ignore the problem, even though he knew that God wants him to preach His Word. The next night, Jason’s neighbors were holding another party, and one of his neighbors left for the store to buy some more alcohol. On the way to the store, the person got into an accident. No one was hurt, but it showed Jason that he needed to show his neighbors God’s love and could not wait any longer.
We could relate Jason to Jonah in a way. Jonah was told by God to show the people of Nineveh His love and mercy, and to show them their wrong doings. But, Jonah, like Jason, was reluctant to try and save them for the fear of what might be done to him. We should not be afraid of what others might do to us or think of us, just because we show our faith. Jesus shows us this in Matthew 8:26 when He scolds His disciples for their lack of faith saying, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?”
We should know by now that God wants all people to be saved, and just because we do not like or are afraid of someone, does not mean that we should keep God's message of love and salvation from them.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: How was Jason like Jonah? Why was Jonah afraid to preach to the people of Nineveh? What does God want us to do when we come across people like Jason’s neighbors and the people of Nineveh?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS: Ask God to be with us when we feel afraid. Ask for the words we need to preach His Word. Thank God for saving us.