Old Testament Reading: Jonah 2
In Jonah 2, a reluctant preacher has been swallowed by a fish and finds himself nearing death and Sheol (place of the dead). In Luke 12:16-21, a rich business man is also nearing death and the requiring of his soul by God. Both men have led selfish lives. The reluctant preacher has disobeyed God's call to tell others about his love and mercy. The rich businessman has hoarded his great wealth for himself to feast on pleasures. One dies. The other is given another chance. What is the difference between these two men?
On his way to certain death, Jonah calls out to the Lord. The rich fool never does. The difference between life and death, between heaven and hell is one cry. A cry for salvation to the God of Israel, the Messiah of the nations - Jesus Christ. We must not wait to ask for salvation from the only man who died to save us from sin, death, and hell. As Jesus' story of the rich fool illustrates, we never know when our ability to breathe and thus cry out will be taken from us.
"When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple... Salvation belongs to the Lord!" (Jonah 2:7,9b)
"And it shall come to past that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
(Acts 2:21)
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