I used to think it was a simple story about God’s judgment… that if you didn’t do what God wants you are in danger of being swallowed by a sea creature.

I’m now convinced the theme of the story is grace.

True, because Jonah was running away to sea instead of going where he was sent, “the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea,” (1:4) and eventually the sailors threw him overboard. (1:15)

Adrift at sea Jonah “called out to the LORD … and he answered me.” (2:2) God’s answer was to appoint “a great fish to swallow up Jonah.” (1:17)

Jonah learned the learned the truth of what the Psalmist wrote when he said, “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?” (Psalm 139:7).

Though we run the opposite direction there is no place too remote from God’s grace. Even at the bottom of the sea as the, “waters closed in” (2:5) Jonah was not beyond God’s ability or determination to save him – and neither are we.

I have never been eaten by a fish… but I imagine it is unpleasant. Nevertheless, from the “belly of the fish” (2:1) Jonah prayed, “with the voice of thanksgiving [I] will sacrifice to you.” (2:9)

One good reason to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) is that, even if we feel like we’re stuck in fish guts, “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

God sent the fish not just to stop Jonah from running but to take him back where he wanted him. Then things started looking up… instead of fish food he became fish spew.

“The LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah upon the dry land.” (2:10) Jonah sensibly decided that he should do what God asked him and he went to be a missionary to a hated enemy.

Again we see God’s grace at work. When half-hearted Jonah preached to the Ninehvites they, “believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.” (3:5)

God’s grace was shown to the enemies of the people of God… again we learn that there’s nobody beyond God’s salvation.

And he showed his grace through a disobedient, whinging servant… if God could use him he can use us too.

His answer was: “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. (Matthew 13:11-13 ESV)

It confuses me because, people typically say that Jesus taught using examples that people identify with to help them understand his message.

Yet, Jesus’ response when his disciples asked him why he spoke in parables was so that the people, ‘seeing don’t see, hearing don’t hear, and do not understand.’ (v.13)

We often expect to have theological depth communicated in a slogan printed on t-shirts and key-rings. For some, our preferred teaching occurs in a twelve step program, with a book and supporting DVD.

But, God is not proven by rational argument and meaning isn’t obtained by science. The truth that changes peoples’ lives is given by revelation.

God gives to those he chooses, “to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven.” (v.11)

That’s the revelation which, like it did for the disciples, makes us come to Jesus, and as we establish a relationship with him, moves us to ask him what he meant.

The appeal of the verse for leaders is that, in the King James Version it says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

Simplistically, it appears the verse supports the popular business view that success depends on having a clearly articulated purpose.

Notwithstanding that I’m not convinced ‘success’ is the objective of faith, this verse tells us something more (or different) to the management application.

The English Standard Version translates the verse as, “Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint.”

The Old Testament tells the story of the repeated failures of the Israelites and God’s grace which continually returned them to faithfulness. The instrument at these turning points was a revelation from God through one of his prophets.

But as the era of each prophet passed the people once again ‘cast off restraint’ and did their own thing.

In that context, it is appropriate to talk about needing a fresh revelation from God. But some of us have developed a habit of not making decisions or actions until we ‘hear from God’. So, we stall waiting for a revelation about about what brand of teabag to buy.

Then I noticed the second half of verse 18: “but blessed is he who keeps the law.”

Rather than needing a fresh revelation from God, often what we need is to do what he has already told us.

However, it is clear that despite ever-increasing knowledge, life can still be meaningless.  The completion of a PhD does not guarantee a student any significant sense of purpose; in fact some discover at the end that they know lots about nothing in particular.

The wise writer of Ecclesiastes said, “The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.” (12:11-12)

God has revealed a wise way to live which, like the goads used to herd oxen along a path and nails which hold a structure firmly together, provide the framework for a purposeful, Godly life.  The preacher warns his readers about making any learning more important than God’s revelation.

Jesus said something similar: “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”  (Matthew 7:24-27)

We would be wise if, amongst any other books we might read, the Bible takes priority in our studies, occupies more of our thoughts and fills more of our hearts.

A battle for a sense of meaning is a significant symptom, if not cause, of this depression.

Queen sang that, “nothing really matters to me” (Bohemian Rhapsody). In the Bible, the preacher, whose thoughts are recorded in the book of Ecclesiastes, said something similar.

The book opens with the expression, “Meaningless! Meaningless!… Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2 NIV). 

The Hebrew word translated ‘meaningless’ here is ‘hebel’ which literally means vapour.

It’s a great word which goes beyond pointlessness to give a sense of being hard to grasp or pin down.  It also suggests the short and passing nature of life echoing James’ words, “What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” (James 4:14 ESV)

In the first couple of chapters the Preacher reflects that nothing he has tried to understand what, “God has given to the children of man to be busy with” have been effective. (1:13)

His great education, monumental achievements, art, power, pleasure and wealth have all failed to provide any substantial meaning to his life.

Famous and ordinary people alike find this to be true: the powerful discover the sad truth that they can reach the top only to find there’s nothing there.  Others find the relentless ordinariness of their life depressing.

The Preacher does not offer simple cures because life is complex.  However, Ecclesiastes concludes by saying, “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (12:13)

These two instructions give life purpose and meaning. 

As I commented in my last post, meaning comes primarily from relationship.  To acknowledge God’s ‘godness’ (ie. fear him) allows us to relate to Him.  We cannot relate to a deity of our own imagining… and a fantasy won’t help us anyway. 

Relating to God involves ascribing to him the Glory that he deserves and this in turn stretches our perspective from our own vapour-life to eternity.

And you can’t relate to God and then not do what he asks. To disobey God is to disregard his right to command us which, fundamentally is to deny his ‘godness’.  As Jesus said, “You are my friends if you do what I command.” (John 15:14 NIV)

The implication was, if you have knowledge you will no longer need God because you will be your own god. This is certainly true today with the view often espoused that because of our scientific knowledge we no longer need God.

Others, who take a modern gnostic approach, claim that spiritual and temporal fulfillment depends on the discovery of some secret knowledge.

Postmodernists argue for the redundancy of God because our knowledge is so great that we’re sure all knowledge is relative leaving no space for a cosmic absolute like a deity.

I worked for a while at a university where some of the academics talked about helping students to create their own meaning. It reminded me of a preacher who said, “we’re losing wisdom by degrees”.

That is the heart of the matter, knowledge itself is a fine thing, but wisdom is more important than what we know.

The Psalmist said, “O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.” (Psalm 131:1) He went on to say, “I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.” (v.2)

The Psalmist’s priority is not knowledge but an intimate and humble relationship with his God, resting in his loving arms.

As the wise man wrote, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10)

Back in the garden there were two trees – God invites us to eat from the tree of life (Genesis 3:22) and enjoy Him. Instead of our preoccupation with obtaining power through knowledge we are welcome to enter into relationship.

Pride, and particularly intellectual arrogance, keeps people from knowing God. Proud as we are, we are determined not to know or acknowledge anything greater than us. Psalm 131 contrasts with this pride and reinforces that humility is an essential part of faith.

The Psalm uses the wonderful image of a small child to illustrate humble faith… an image Jesus adopted when he said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3)

This is a vision of the intimacy of our relationship with God. Even though God is almighty he lives with us and cares for us like a parent. Through the Prophet Isaiah God said, “I dwell in the high and holy place,and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit.” (Isaiah 57:15)

It is a relationship of complete dependence. The child that is held in its mothers arms is too young to have placed itself there… it has been picked up. Similarly, we cannot elevate ourselves to God’s attention – he stoops to hold us.

Nothing settles a small child’s cares like a cuddle (or cuggle as my two-year old says). As God expresses his affection and happiness through his embrace the swirling turmoil of our hearts and minds is quieted.

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)

First, it reminds me that peace is always bought at a price. Sometimes battles must be fought before peace can be established. Isaiah 53:5 says of Jesus, “the punishment that brought us peace was upon him.” (NIV)

Second, watching columns of old men march – soldiers from generations past – I’m reminded that often the benefits we obtain require someone’s action on our behalf. Regarding the bigger spiritual conflict of life the Bible says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8 NIV)

Finally, as the commentary to the march mentioned successive conflicts from the First World War to current events in Afghanistan and Iraq I’m reminded that in our fallen world conflict is a sadly inevitable part of our world. The conflict is a living parable of the enmity which is between sinful man and a Holy God.

But the Bible says, “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:2, Galatians 1:3, 2 Corinthians 1:2, 1 Corinthians 1:3)

Church is something we are rather than something we attend. The Bible describes it as a body (Romans 12:5) and specifically Christ’s body (1 Corinthians 12:27); a dwelling or temple (Ephesians 2:21); a flock (1 Peter 5:2); and a family (1 Peter 4:17).

These images help us understand that we are united into one organism, community or structure. One day the current spiritual reality of this single assembly will be visible and we will see all the saints meeting around the throne in heaven (Hebrews 12:23).

Until then, in recognition of this singleness, Christians are drawn together into local assemblies. These gatherings of the true church are not necessarily the organisations which bear the sign ‘church’.

While circumstances prevent some people from participation, a fundamental principle is that Christianity must be lived in relationship to God and other people (Luke 10:27).

Private meditation, prayer and reflection are important disciplines; however they do not substitute for gathering with other Christians. Paul said explicitly that we should not neglect to meet together (Hebrews 10:25).

Christians gather:

• for encouragement (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
• for mutual accountability (Ephesians 5:21)
• for spiritual development (1 Corinthians 14:12,26)
• for service (Hebrews 10:24)
• as a witness (John 13:35)
• to express gratitude and praise including through song (Ephesians 5:19)
• to remember and proclaim Jesus through the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
• read scripture (1 Timothy 4:13)
• to hear apostolic teaching and pray (Acts 2:42)
• for fellowship (Romans 12:10)

Succinctly phrased, the objective of the church is that, “we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13 ESV)

Some people express their preference for meeting in small, home-based groups rather than traditional church attendance. The method of meeting is a secondary concern provided it emphasises the God-glorifying purposes of the church rather than personal comfort and indulgence.

With regard to this two observations might be helpful. First; in acknowledging that the church bridges denominational, social, cultural and every other distinction to draw believers together into Christ (Ephesians 2:14); any gathering which is too homogeneous has the potential to produce a distorted perspective of the Christian community.

This can happen in larger congregations as well, but in view of how small groups form it may be more likely in that context.

Secondly, it is possible that by limiting exposure to a small group of Christians, people could impoverish themselves through isolation from the wisdom and gifting that might be found in a broader congregation.

It is unrealistic to think any single structure or gathering will achieve all that is beneficial or desired. It would be wise for Christians to connect to one another in diverse ways to ensure we all attain to maturity… “to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”

Ultimately, our human desires will only ever be temporarily satisfied before our contentment is disrupted by nature, economics, politics, conflict or mortality.

One of Buddhism’s ‘four noble truths’ suggests the resolution of this dissatisfaction involves the relinquishment of the desire.

In contrast, the Christian perspective is that our present thirsts point toward our need for an all-satisfying passion for God.

CS Lewis wrote that, “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” (Mere Christianity)

The solution then is for our desires to be elevated from our present petty preoccupations and to focus on immortal concerns.

Paul wrote that we should, “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV)

God will satisfy our deepest desires because, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 NIV)