the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 5 of 5
Jonah 3:1-10
The "cry" of Jonah as he passes through Nineveh is, properly speaking, the only prophecy we may find in his book. And yet it is not fulfilled, for, at his preaching, the inhabitants of the wicked city, led by the king, fear God, believe His Word and repent. This response, in its turn, reaches heaven (v. 10; Jonah 1:2). God forgives (see Jeremiah 18:7-8). The men of Nineveh are held up as an example by the Lord Jesus to the Jews of His time, when they had in their midst one infinitely "greater than Jonas" (Matthew 12:40-41). Indeed, how much more responsible the Jews were than the pagan Ninevites. The Son of God was there Himself; come not to judge but to save the world (John 12:47).
The only way to escape eternal condemnation is by recognising oneself as a sinner and by accepting the Lord Jesus as Saviour. The warning of judgment is part of the Gospel: "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment," warns Holy Scripture (Hebrews 9:27). This "once" could happen in an instant for you, unconverted reader. How can you know if you will have the benefit of even 40 days’ warning (Luke 12:20)? "Therefore be ye also ready," says the Lord Jesus again (Matthew 24:44). Yes, now is the day of salvation.
