When Christ was Lifted up

     

    In the book of Jonah 1:13-17, we read about the prophet Jonah who was thrown into the sea to calm the raging storm that threatened the lives of the sailors. This act of lifting Jonah up and casting him into the depths provides a profound picture of Jesus Christ's own lifting up on the cross, as He foretold in John 12:32: "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."

    I want to share with you three things from my personal devotions on this subject that I believe will be a blessing for you today.

I:    The Wrath of God Satisfied

    Just as the storm ceased when Jonah was cast into the sea, the wrath of God was satisfied when Jesus was lifted up on the cross. The sailors, in their desperation, sought to save themselves by rowing harder, they prayed to there various false gods, but it was only through Jonah's sacrifice that they found peace. 

    Similarly, humanity's efforts to attain salvation by their own means are futile. It is through Christ's sacrificial death that God's righteous anger is appeased, bringing peace to our souls and forgiveness of our sins. 

II:    God Glorified

    In the act of lifting Jonah up, the sailors witnessed the power of God, leading them to worship Him. In Jonah's day this would have been unthinkable. The Jewish people viewed anyone who was not a descendent of Abraham as cast off from God. Yet here are these sailors who are now worshiping God and making vows and sacrifices to Him. They realized that God had saved them and they responded not only in faith, but in worship and adoration. 

     Likewise, when Jesus was lifted up on the cross, God's glory was displayed in the ultimate act of love and redemption. The cross is the fullest revelation of God's character—a blend of justice and mercy. Our response to this revelation should be one of awe and worship, acknowledging the greatness of our God.

III:    The Repentant Rectified

    Jonah's time in the belly of the fish led him to repentance and a renewed commitment to God's mission. When we look to the cross, we see the opportunity for our own repentance and rectification. 

    Not only was Jonah placed back on the right path, but these sailors were converted. These sailors were now worshiping the one true God. They were making vows and giving sacrifices to God. 

    Jesus' sacrifice not only pays the penalty for our sins but also calls us to a transformed life. Those who repent and turn to Christ are rectified, made new, and called into a deeper relationship with God.

Applying These Truths to Our Lives

As we reflect on these parallels, we are invited to apply these truths in practical ways:

·        Trust in Jesus' Sacrifice: Just as the sailors ceased their efforts and trusted that God would save by throwing Jonah overboard. We are called to cease striving for our own righteousness and trust wholly in the finished work of Christ. We are not called to save our selves, we are called to place our trust in Jesus Christ and be saved. 

·        Glorify God in Worship: Recognize the greatness of God's love demonstrated on the cross, and let it lead you to a life of worship and adoration, proclaiming His glory in all you do. Make worship more than what you do on a Sunday morning. Instead make worship what you do in response to the great love God has shown to you in Jesus Christ. 

·        Embrace Repentance: Allow the cross to be a mirror that reveals areas in need of repentance, and respond with a heart willing to be transformed and rectified by God's grace. We like Jonah sometimes mess up, but remember just like the story of Jonah, God is a God of second chances. 

    In conclusion, as we meditate on the lifting up of Jonah and Jesus, we are reminded of the profound truths of our faith. The storm of God's wrath is calmed, His glory is revealed, and the repentant are made new. May these truths compel us to live lives that reflect the depth of Christ's love and the power of His sacrifice.