“Deliverance”
O LORD, we beseech thee, let us not perish. —Jonah 1:14
Read Jonah 1:13-17
“Take me up and cast me into the sea,” Jonah had commanded the crew of the ship. The tumultuous, raging sea would mean certain death for Jonah. But he realizes that his death would mean certain deliverance for the crew. Through his death, they would be spared.
Must our thoughts not involuntarily go to another Man, the greater than Jonah, the Lord Jesus Christ? He also laid down His life, not just to save some people from a watery grave, but to save many from eternal destruction. The Lord Jesus’ death and resurrection ensures our rising up unto newness of life, if we believe in Him. That’s what this is all about! “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life: but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36).
We can try to save ourselves just as the ship’s crew did (v.13). They did not want anyone to die for them. By nature we are no different; we want to save ourselves. But Christ says, “Whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it” (Luke 9:24).
We must give up all our own efforts and come to trust in the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. Whoever does will experience what we read in verse 15: “And the sea ceased from her raging.” What bliss is experienced when the storm of God’s wrath against sin has been turned away!
Why do we refer to Jonah as a type of Christ?