TEXT: Jonah 3:1-4 (CSB) – “The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: “Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach the message that I tell you.” Jonah got up and went to Nineveh according to the Lord’s command. Now Nineveh was an extremely great city, a three-day walk. Jonah set out on the first day of his walk in the city and proclaimed, “In forty days Nineveh will be demolished!”
Have you ever been in a situation when you really needed a second chance? If you were dealing with someone who shows compassion they might have given you that second chance. How about the reverse situation ... have you ever been in the position where someone needed a second chance from you? It is much easier to grant it to someone else when you yourself have been the recipient.
God is a God of second chances. When Adam and Eve blew it in the garden which affected all humanity God had a backup plan that would give us the second chance to enjoy Him for eternity
His name was Jesus!
Paul discovered what it was like getting a second chance and giving someone named John Mark a second chance! Paul has previously been a murderer, and John Mark had been a quitter! Both got second chances!
However, second chances have to be accepted to be of any good! I read the following story ---
During the presidency of Andrew Jackson, George Wilson, a postal clerk, robbed a federal payroll from a train and in the process killed a guard. The court convicted him and sentenced him to hang. Because of public sentiment against capital punishment, however, a movement began to secure a presidential pardon for Wilson (first offense), and eventually, Jackson intervened with a pardon.
Amazingly, Wilson refused it. Since this had never happened before, the Supreme Court was asked to rule on whether someone could indeed refuse a presidential pardon.
Chief Justice John Marshall handed down the court's decision:
"A pardon is a parchment whose only value must be determined by the receiver of the pardon. It has no value apart from that which the receiver gives to it. George Wilson has refused to accept the pardon. We cannot conceive why he would do so, but he has. Therefore, George Wilson must die."
George Wilson, as punishment for his crime, was hanged. Pardon, declared the Supreme Court, must not only be granted, but it must also be accepted.
God is a great God of great mercy and forgiveness, He delights in forgiving the sincere heart that is seeking for a chance at God's grace ... He even delights in giving us second chances! He is longsuffering and patient toward those who have repentant hearts!
The only condition is that we have to receive it.
We are going to see that Jonah did accept the pardon – and we are shown what he did with it. Tomorrow we will consider Jonah’s Preaching – The Sign of Restoration.
Quick thought – have you received the Pardon (gives offers to all) and have you accepted it?
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