39. Jonah and the Whale: The Call to Repentance (Jonah 1-4)

God asked the prophet Jonah to go to the great city of Nineveh to tell the people to repent of their sins. But Jonah, instead of obeying, tried to flee from God by boarding a ship to Tarshish. During the voyage, a terrible storm broke out, and Jonah, recognizing his guilt, asked to be thrown into the sea. Then, a huge fish swallowed him, and he was in its belly for three days and three nights praying to God.

Finally, the fish spat him out onto the shore, and Jonah went to Nineveh to preach. To his surprise, the entire city, from the king to the smallest citizen, listened to the message and repented. Although Jonah was angry because God had mercy on those people whom he considered enemies, God gave him a lesson about His universal love: He does not want the death of the sinner, but that they turn back and live.

The story of Jonah reminds us that no one is excluded from God's mercy. Jesus Himself mentioned the "sign of Jonah" to speak about His own death and resurrection on the third day. Like Jonah, we often try to flee from what God asks of us when it seems difficult or uncomfortable, but His call is always a path of salvation, both for us and for those around us.