Jonah 1:13-16  Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. Then they cried out to the Lord, “Please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased.” Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him. (NIV)

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Jonah wanted God to hate everyone he did. 

God wanted Jonah to love everyone he did. 

Guess who won? 

We did. 

God loves everyone, including you and me, and wants everyone to know and experience him in a deep and abiding relationship that is truly loving. 

Jonah wanted God to love only Jewish people like him. He didn’t want God to love pagan outsiders. He didn’t want God to love the Ninevites, or the sailors, or anyone who was different. Racism and xenophobia have been with us forever, haven’t they? 

If God hates everyone you do, that’s not the God of the Bible. 

If you are quick to call for the death of those who are different from you, God didn’t give you that idea. 

God wants us to run to the people who are different from us, who don’t know him as we do. He wants us to take his Good News to everyone. 

Once upon a time, the Apostle Paul hated everyone who wasn’t like him, just like Jonah did. Then God put him flat on his back and blinded him with his brilliant glory. Paul didn’t regain his sight until he heard and accepted God’s message of how he loved everyone and wanted him to take that Good News to everyone everywhere. (See Acts 9:1-19.)

Here’s a quiz: Today, are you more like Jonah or Paul? 

If your answer is Jonah, please know there’s no place you can run and hide from God’s grace, mercy, and love for all people everywhere. 

If your answer is Paul, ask God to fill you afresh with his Spirit, empowering you to clearly communicate God’s gift of love and life. 

It’s been said so often that sometimes we lose the impact of the truth, but here it is again: God loves everyone, and so should we. God loves everyone, and he wants us to take that Good News to everyone we meet. 

One other thing. Running away from God always leads us smack dab into direct contact with God. There’s no place we can go from His presence. There’s no way we can escape His love, mercy, and grace. We can refuse to accept it, but He’s going to keep drawing us with His goodness, grace, mercy, and kindness. 

Of course, becoming fish food is an option. Just a thought.

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I will love everyone God loves. 

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Our Father, thank you for loving everyone, including me. Thank you for wanting your highest and best for all people. Thank you that people in other religions are not an offense to you. They’re people you want to know you and experience you as true Christians do. You are actively drawing them to yourself right now in ways we cannot begin to comprehend. Use us in whatever manner you see fit, that we may join you in this good work. Amen.