“Please Mr. Custer”[1]

Jonah 1:1-3 (KJV)
   Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,
   Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.
   But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD,

 

Teaching Aid: Album “Tunes to Tickle the Funny Bone” or Just a Record of some type.

 

Hold up record.  How many of you like novelty tunes. Novelty tunes are funny songs.  They were very popular when I was a teenager.  We listen to such tunes as the “One Eyed Purple People Eater”, and  “The Pokka Dot Bikini.  But one of my favorites was about a soldier ordered into the Little Big Horn by Custer but he did not want to go.  I am sure many of you remember what happened to Custer’s Seventh Calvary at the Little Big Horn.  The young man had some idea what was going to happen. He kept saying, “Please Mr. Custer I don’t want to go.” [2]

 

This kind of reminds me of the story of Jonah.   Custer’s presence in the Little Big Horn is questionable but God ordered Jonah to Nineveh.  There is therefore no question about what Jonah should do.  However Jonah did not like the Assyrians.  He wanted judgment to fall upon them, so he went the other way.

 

What happen to Jonah?  That is right a storm came up.  The sailors had to throw Jonah overboard and a big fish swallowed him.  Jonah was in the belly of the Fish three days and three nights.

 

Jesus likewise wished the cup to pass but he obeyed the Father.  He was in the tomb for three days.  Jesus gave himself willingly, but Jonah like us had to be convinced.

 

As disciples which example should we try to follow in obeying the commands of God?  Do you think any success we have is very depended of the closeness of our relationship with the Father.  Is that why Jesus Prayed?

 

Prayer: May we start each day by saying I am willing.  Use me.  Send me.  Amen