What we miss about the prophet Jonah and the apostle Thomas.
Jonah gets criticized because he ran from God’s call. However God did not punish him or abandon him because of this, why?
Though Jonah ran from the Lords call initially, true, he should be recognized as a very zealous character and prophet. For one, the reason Jonah ran, which becomes evident in the latter part of scripture was because he had zero doubt; zero doubts as to what the Lords resolution would be. He knew that if he was being called to warn the people of Nineveh then that could only mean that the Lord was intending to forgive them, and this disturbed him. It may be said that he was grieved by how the people mistreated Gods patience and he personally had no more grace or compassion for these people. How telling that even when man is fed up, God persists.
Another portion of Jonah’s account that reveals his zeal is that when it was discovered that the Lord was troubling the storm, Jonah not only gave himself up as the reason for the tempest but urged the men, URGED them to throw him overboard. Jonah gave himself up, because who can fight against God, it is better I go quietly. Jonah died in the boat, having given himself up to the sea, and conceding his life. Consider how devoted, and convinced of God’s power one must be to throw themselves into a raging sea. Some of us would cling to the other men just because they were the only other ones near us. Jonah said in not so many words “[If I die in the sea, then it is still right that I die.]”
So as to not fight with God, and perhaps also for the sake of the other men in the boat. The fish that swallowed him was actually the grace of God, not his punishment.
Another particular portion of Jonah’s story is that he commanded the men with him to throw him over and they did so, with scruples. Jonah could have merely jumped but he didn’t, he commanded them to throw him over. This shows an adherence to God’s word, Jonah absolving the men of any blood (the converse is they may have attacked him, yet in spite of knowing his effect, still did not think to rid themselves of him), and the men obeying the word of a prophet of God.
Thomas of the new testament also gets a bad wrap in todays world for not believing the things which he did not see. Yet this Thomas is the same one that says in John 11:16 “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.” This he said, not only submitting himself but encouraging his fellow workers to do the same. Walking with Jesus he was ready to die. Yet after Jesus resurrection and while still dealing with the stress of watching his Master crucified, he was no less committed, just appalled and simply incapable of conceiving the idea of Jesus coming back. Perhaps, having seen Jesus crucified he was even preparing for death again. Yet again Jesus accommodates the weakness of the believer and shows Thomas His scars.
This is not merely to vindicate the names of Jonah and Thomas but to show us in todays world that we very well fall short of the sort of zeal and devotion Jonah and Thomas possessed. Jonah did not lack devotion but was actually, and provenly, obsessed with it. He journeyed seas- seas- to preach God’s word. Perhaps this is one reason Jesus uses Jonah as a sign of His own death. Thomas was equipped and prepared to die with his Master. Help us to find the favor and approval of God.