When he was at table with them, he took the bread. He blessed the bread, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him!(Luke 24:13-35)

Tuesday, March 8, 2022

God....repented!

 

We’re a week into Lent and I’m still undecided on what my Lenten sacrifice should be this year.  The sacrifice we choose should be something that brings us closer to God.  As is my custom, I turned to the Word of God (the Bible), to help me discern.  One verse in particular has given me something to consider.

"When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do them; he did not carry it out." [Jonah 3:10]

I know I’m getting old and sometimes my mind wanders, but did I read that verse correctly and in context?

God . . . repented!

It boggles my mind to think of God repentant.  I always associated repentance with one in need of God's forgiveness and grace.  The notion of God considering His love for the Ninevites, their response to Jonah and deciding that no, after all, He wouldn’t punish them somehow brings me closer to the Lord [Jonah 3:1-10].

Jonah's story speaks to me of God's deep love for all of us.  Nothing but deep love is so swift to recognize sincere repentance, so quick to turn anger aside and embrace reconciliation.  How apt this story is for the season of Lent!

In a passage from Luke, Jesus castigates an "evil generation" because it demands a sign, a show, a proof.  He compares the generation unfavorably with the Ninevites, who heard the word of God through Jonah and accepted it instantly [Luke 11:29-32].

How many times have I demanded some sign, some proof, not only from God, but from friends, family members, people I love?  Why does God, or anyone else, have to prove anything to me?

Yet, like Jonah, sometimes I’m unwilling to give God a break.  Sometimes I’m unwilling to give anyone a break, including myself.

Maybe I could avoid this kind of harshness, for Lent at least.  It might just bring me closer to God.

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