PODCAST
Half-Way Sorry
January 24th, 2024
Jonah 3:1-10
Sometimes my children annoy, frustrate, or upset each other. Someone says a hurtful word, or takes a toy, or excludes someone else. Tears might be involved. Definitely hurt feelings are a part of the situation. When this happens, we talk with those involved and eventually get to the point where an apology is necessary. Sometimes, those apologies come forth easily and with grace. Other times, not so much: The apology is forced and spoken without true conviction.
We know when someone says “Sorry” in such a way that they are not truly sorry for what they did. The words might be there, but the repentance—the change of heart—is not necessarily present.
The people of Nineveh were horrible. They did everything they were not supposed to do—and God called them out on it. Jonah was sure they would receive the worst of God’s punishment. So he was surprised (and weirdly angry) when the people of Nineveh not only said, “Sorry,” but also meant it. They repented, changed their ways, and followed God’s leading.
Author: Mark Hendrickson
