Jonah choose to sacrifice his life in order to save the crew and the ship as we see in our story today.
10 The sailors were terrified when they heard this, for he had already told them he was running away from the Lord. “Oh, why did you do it?” they groaned. 11 And since the storm was getting worse all the time, they asked him, “What should we do to you to stop this storm?” 12 “Throw me into the sea,” Jonah said, “and it will become calm again. I know that this terrible storm is all my fault.” 13 Instead, the sailors rowed even harder to get the ship to the land. But the stormy sea was too violent for them, and they couldn’t make it. 14 Then they cried out to the Lord, Jonah’s God. “O Lord,” they pleaded, “don’t make us die for this man’s sin. And don’t hold us responsible for his death. O Lord, you have sent this storm upon him for your own good reasons.” 15 Then the sailors picked Jonah up and threw him into the raging sea, and the storm stopped at once! 16 The sailors were awestruck by the Lord’s great power, and they offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve him. Jonah 1:10-16
He wasn’t willing to repent or pray, but he was willing to die so that the crew and ship would be saved. This kind of action reminds us of what Jesus did for us on the cross. Unlike Jonah, Jesus willingly and intentionally offered Himself on the cross to pay the price for our sins. Jonah wouldn’t pray, but Jesus prayed for us before His death and continues to intercede for us as He sits on the throne.
Jesus’ actions allow us to come before God’s face as forgiven believers. We only need to trust and believe in Jesus to begin this restoration. When we do that, we can not only be assured of eternity with Jesus but begin to experience His grace and love which is the real thing. It’s not the corrupted version of our culture. As we come to know our Savior better, we begin to have real purpose for our lives: a purpose that He gives us. Granted, this may come in surprising and unexpected ways, but believe me, our walk with Jesus is an adventure. As we follow Jesus, our actions and decisions change and can bring blessings to others instead of chaos and pain. With Jesus our life is different and can affect others in a positive way.
Paul writes in Romans 12:2, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.“
To hear more about Jonah: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/series/journey-with-jonah-1/jonah-runs-away
Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Jon 1:10–16, Romans 12:2). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.