Sleeping While the Ship Sinks – Jonah 1
There are interesting comparisons between Jonah and Jesus. Both slept in a boat. Both were buried for three days and three nights. Both came back from that burial to preach deliverance.
There are also many contrasts. Jesus cared. Jonah didn’t. Jesus calmed the wind and sea with His power. Jonah calmed it with His death. Jesus obeyed the Lord. Jonah didn’t.
As an example of what not to do, Jonah’s poor example of not caring for others is shocking. He slept while the ship was sinking. When the sailors, who were ignorance of Jonah’s running from the Lord and the Lord’s chastisement, woke him, they said, “What meanest thou, O sleeper? [wake up and] call upon [thy] God [so that we don’t die!]”
Just as Jonah ran from the Lord’s presence hoping the Ninevites would die, so he ignored the plight of the sailors unconcerned that they were going to die.
I see disobedient Christians in this story. I see me in this story. I see us when we are a sleep while the world perishes. I see Jonah and I am disgusted. But I see me and I’m disgusted. May God wake us up to the plight of the world around us so that we take the gospel to them.