Comparing Jonah And Jesus

     THE WIND WAS CONTRARY BECAUSE OF JONAH

THE WIND CEASED BECAUSE OF JESUS

     For today's lesson let's compare Jonah and Jesus. Jesus is greater than Jonah. Matthew 12:41 tells us The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and behold, a greater than Jonas (Jesus) is here. The people of Nineveh will condemn unbelievers who did not get saved and failed to repent, stop sinning, confess that Jesus is God, and believe the gospel that Jesus died for them on the cross, was buried, and rose again. The Ninevites will tell condemned unbelievers going to hell at the great white throne judgment, we believed the preaching of Jonah who hated us and you failed to believe the preaching of Jesus who loved you and is greater than Jonah. 

     Friend reading this anywhere, don't let a Ninevite tell you some day Why didn't you get saved like us and repent at the loving preaching of Jesus that was greater than the hateful preaching of Jonah? Every Ninevite from the king to the poorest beggar got saved after they heard a hateful 8 word sermon from Jonah (Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be overthrown); Why can't you get saved, repent, stop sinning, confess that Jesus is God, and believe the gospel that Jesus died for you on the cross, was buried, and rose again after you hear the loving preaching of a greater one named Jesus who says Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28)?

     Alright, let's look at the many ways that Jesus is greater than Jonah. There is no excuse for anyone today not to be saved because Jesus is greater than Jonah. First pictured above notice that the wind was contrary because of Jonah; but the wind ceased because of Jesus. Jonah hated the Ninevites and refused to preach salvation to them; Jonah 1:3 tells us But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea (the wind was contrary because Jonah disobeyed God's command to preach to Nineveh), and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.

       Unlike Jonah, the wind ceased because of Jesus. Mark 4:39 says And He (Jesus) arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Friends, when we get saved, Jesus lives in our bodies that are the temples of God and says to any storm Peace be still, giving us a great calm. Get saved today friends; Jesus is so much greater than Jonah and wants to calm your storms and give you peace that passeth all understanding. Jesus promised at John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  

  

     JONAH DISOBEYED AND REFUSED TO PREACH SALVATION

JESUS OBEYED AND DIED ON THE CROSS TO SAVE LOST SINNERS

     Jonah disobeyed God's command to preach salvation to the Ninevites; Jesus is greater and obeyed God's command to die on the cross to save lost sinners. Jonah disobeyed; Jesus obeyed. Jesus told us at John 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself, I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.  And Philippians 2:8 tells us that Jesus fully obeyed this commandment from the Father for Him to die on the cross to save lost sinners saying And being found in fashion as a man, He (Jesus) humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

     Jonah did his own will and refused to preach to the Ninevites; Jesus was greater and didn't do his own will, but the will of the Father. Jesus said at John 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me. (Rejoice when you read John 6:39 and the Father's will that Jesus did for you my friends all over this earth) And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which He hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of Him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. 

    JONAH PREACHED CONDEMNATION, JUDGMENT'S COMING

JESUS PREACHED REDEMPTION, SALVATION'S COMING

     After Jonah disobeyed and refused to preach to the Ninevites, a great whale swallowed him up. Jonah repented in the belly of the whale saying at Jonah 2:9 But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord. Because Jonah repented, the whale released Jonah who went to Nineveh preaching 8 words Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be overthrown. Jonah hated the Ninevites and wanted them to be destroyed in judgment. Jonah sat on a hill waiting for God to destroy Nineveh. 

     But the people of Nineveh repented at Jonah's 8 word hateful sermon. And God blessed every Ninevite for repenting and did not destroy Nineveh. Therefore note the following summary of the book of Jonah: Jonah 1 is about a disobedient prophet running from God. Jonah 2 is about a disciplined prophet running towards God. Jonah 3 is about a dynamic prophet running with God. Finally Jonah 4 is about a disappointed prophet running ahead of God.

     Jonah preached condemnation, judgment's coming; But Jesus is greater and preached redemption, salvation's coming. Jesus said at John 3:17 pictured above For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. Jonah hated the sinners that got saved in Nineveh and grumbled; Jesus loves sinners that get saved and rejoices with the angels in heaven over one lost sinner that repents. Jesus said at Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God (Jesus rejoices) over one sinner that repenteth. 

JONAH HAD NO COMPASSION

JESUS HAD COMPASSION

     Jonah had no compassion and wanted to see God destroy his Ninevite enemies. Jonah was more concerned about a gourd giving him shade on a hill than the 120000 Ninevites that God saved and blessed. Because Jonah grumbled Jonah 4:7 says But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered, And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.

     Wow, God prepared four things; a great fish, a gourd, a worm, and a vehement east wind to try to straighten Jonah out. But Jonah remained hateful and did not rejoice that the Ninevites got saved and blessed. Jonah chose to be a pouter instead of a shouter. Today in most churches there are also two powder or pouter rooms (one for the ladies and one for the crybabies). But friends rejoice and don't worry about your enemies like Jonah who don't want God to bless you; Jesus will make your enemies see you blessed and prevent them from harming you. Neighbor, God promises you that with Jesus your enemies will be your footstool; Psalm 23:5 promises that God preparest a (blessed) table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 

     But, Jesus unlike Jonah is greater and has compassion on lost sinners. Matthew 14:14 tells us And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick. Jonah suffered for his own sins; Jesus suffered for our sins. 1 Peter 3:18 says For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit. Truly Jesus is greater than Jonah and we all need to repent at the preaching of Jesus and get saved today. Remember the words of 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

     I pray in Jesus name that this sermon blesses multitudes all over this earth with great joy, peace, and strength. Feel free to email Brother Bob anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin, 2233 Pinetree Lane, Apt. N., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 604-7133. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name.