Jesus is the true and better Jonah.

Both from a nation of people who were terrorized by enemies who enjoyed evil. Jonah had the Ninevites and Jesus had the Romans.

Both tasked with Saving the enemy, they were sent to preach salvation to the world and tasked with reconciling a people who opposed the messenger.

While Jonah was frustrated and refused to submit to the Father’s will, Jesus not only saved His enemy, but gave up His very own life in their OUR place.

Jonah had a tough time humbling himself down to go and preach to Nineveh.

Yet Jesus, “though He was God, did not think of equality with God as something to cling to… and being found in appearance as a man, humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:6, 8)

The Ninevites were a people who had a god of the fish. He had a name and they had created a visual for him.

Today, we have many gods and idols. All with names, but some without visuals. Most hard to see even in our own lives.

Jonah loved the vine that grew on the outskirts of Nineveh that provided shade for him but complained to God when it was eaten up by a caterpillar.

Jesus is the true and better vine. While the vines of this world wither and fade away, Jesus will stay the same. He provides comfort to those who are weary. (Matthew 28:11)

Jesus is the true and better Jonah. Both on a boat in the midst of a storm, yet Jesus commanded peace from it. And the storm obeyed. Jonah realized the only way to save those on the boat was to take on God’s judgment and wrath.

The men on the boat shouted a prayer to God, “O Jehovah, don’t make us die for this man’s sin” as they heaved him into the sea according what Jonah had told them.

He was swallowed by a great big fish and was re-oriented on his journey to save the Ninevites while Jesus was swallowed by death itself on His journey to save the world. Three days were spent by each in the lot God had for them – Jonah in the belly of the fish and Jesus in the tomb.

Jesus got what Jonah deserved. Jesus did die for this man’s sin and for every person’s sin. Jesus got the tomb so we could get a new and better life only found in Him and share it with those around us.

By the grace of God, Jonah saved a nation and Jesus’s resurrection will lead to the saving of people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. (Revelation 7:9)

Jonah went to Nineveh at the risk of his life. But that wasn’t Jesus’ case. Jesus came down from Heaven at the cost of His life. And because of that beautiful truth, we get to live in freedom, joy, and gratitude for a Savior for who forsook all the comforts of Heaven in order to reconcile us to Him.

Thank God for Gospel.

-JW

“The New Testament is concealed in the Old Testament.
And the Old Testament is revealed in the New Testament.”
– St. Augustine