See Jonah 1 “The captain went to him and said, ‘How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god!’”
Personally, I typically do not enjoy re-reading books or watching a movie. It just seems less interesting to me because I already know how the story will turn out. (Unless of course it is The Lord of the Rings or has a lightsaber in it.)
But the fact that I can read and re-read scripture for years and keep uncovering new things attests to its divine authorship. Have you had the experience that you can read a scripture many times and then suddenly a “Holy Spirit light bulb” goes off – and you see something you have never seen before? Or a new connection is made?
Take the familiar Jonah in 1:4-16:
The boat is in a furious storm. How someone could possibly sleep when the boat is showing signs of sinking is very provocative. Yet, there it is. And while he is asleep, everyone else on board is panicked. The situation is so dire that the only solution is divine intervention.
Yet, he knows just what to do to calm the waters: he speaks a command from the Lord. The raging waters calm. The change is so stunning that everyone is absolutely terrified.
What does that make you think of?
…How about Luke 8:22-25? Just think of Jesus instead of Jonah:
The boat is in a furious storm. How someone could possibly sleep when the boat is showing signs of sinking is very provocative. Yet, there it is. And while he is asleep, everyone else on board is panicked. The situation is so dire that the only solution is divine intervention.
Yet, he knows just what to do to calm the waters: he speaks a command from the Lord. The raging waters calm. The change is so stunning that everyone is absolutely terrified.
So, what might this mean? Is it pure coincidence that two passages are so similar? When I read Jonah in light of Luke, I wonder if it is saying that somehow, even amidst our brokenness, others might just see a glimpse of the imitation of Christ in us.
Or perhaps even better than me suggesting an “answer,” remember this: never be afraid to ask God your questions. Or tell Him your doubts. Or fears. Then, as you listen to Him, sooner or later your own Holy Spirit lightbulb will go off. And then you will be the one who is joyfully surprised at the work of God.
