Pentecost 13
Reformation, Media
Larry V. Smoose
It was a reaction that startled the world – newsworthy in its astounding display of grace! I’m talking about the terrible tragedy of the murder of Amish children on October 2 at Nickel Mines, PA by Charles Carl Roberts. And, while the shooting itself received the initial news coverage, as we would expect, with all of the shock and horror of that moment, it was the response of the families and friends of the victims that startled the world.
CNN reported a grandfather of one of the murdered Amish girls said of the killer on the day of the murder: "We must not think evil of this man."
Jack Meyer, a member of the Brethren community living near the Amish in Lancaster County, explained: "I don't think there's anybody here that wants to do anything but forgive and not only reach out to those who have suffered a loss in that way but to reach out to the family of the man who committed these acts," he told CNN.[31]
The Amish have reached out to Roberts' family. Dwight Lefever, a Roberts family spokesman said an Amish neighbor comforted the Roberts family hours after the shooting and extended forgiveness to them.
An article in a Canadian newspaper the National Post stated that the Amish have set up a charitable fund for the family of the shooter.
The Amish do not normally accept charity, but due to the extreme nature of the tragedy, donations were being accepted. Richie Lauer, director of the Anabaptist Foundation, said the Amish community, whose religious beliefs prohibit them from having health insurance, will likely use the donations to help pay the medical costs of the hospitalized children.[32]
Also amazing to some was that the fathers of the Amish girls who had been shot went to the killer's parents and asked what they could do to help them.
We don’t very often see reports of such astonishing grace and forgiveness, in fact, it is more likely that we will see just the opposite – acts of or desire for revenge, attitudes of bitterness and anger, and holding grudges. What’s the old phrase, “I don’t get mad, I get even.” These are the ingredients of what I call “The Jonah Syndrome.” And it is far too common in our world.
Let’s review what has happened in these past three weeks so that we can appreciate just how petty this attitude can be and how unaware and ungrateful Jonah is. The first week, Jonah had his call from the Lord and tried to runaway from that responsibility. He did not want to change his attitude about the Ninevites and he did not want to go and warn them about possible destruction. Jonah’s flagrant disobedience creates an intense life-threatening storm and we were able to see the surprising contrast between the response of the sailors and that of Jonah. If Jonah is us, the question became what kind of witness do we provide, because We (like the Amish) represent the Christian community to those who encounter us.
In week two, we see Jonah at his lowest point in life – with his last breath of air, as he sinks to the depth of the sea, he prays to God, who hears his prayer and through the gulp of a fish, rescues Jonah. Jonah is so overwhelmed by his rescue that from the belly of the whale he sings God’s praise – In this moment he knows that he is a recipient of the grace of God and has been given a second chance.
Last week, we observed that Jonah’s exuberance and thanksgiving were short-lived. He still has a job to do, he still does not like the Ninevites, and so without enthusiasm, inspiration or energy, Jonah does the minimum amount required to fulfill God’s command. What was surprising was the response of the Ninevites. We were able to appreciate how hungry those we consider outsiders are for a word or an example of God’s grace and hope and to contrast that with the stereo-types and fears that often prevent God’s people from being vehicles of that Word.
In this final scene, the main characters are again front and center – they are Jonah and ____ (The Lord). Jonah is still consumed by his anger and frustration. The very thing he feared would happen has happened – God called off the destruction. He is pouting, with his poor me attitude, detached and emotionally unavailable. God tries to help Jonah understand that the qualities which Jonah is so familiar with – gracious, merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, which Jonah has personally experienced with his second chance, are for all people – even the Ninevites. But Jonah won’t listen.
This Jonah Syndrome is amazingly strong. It is the attitude of the older brother, in the story of the Prodigal Son – he is so upset and sulking that the father is having a big party and feast for his wayward brother! It is the attitude of the workers in the vineyard when they discover that those who only worked a few hours are getting the same wage as those who worked all day. And the final line of that story summarizes the key issue in the Jonah Syndrome – Do you begrudge my generosity? Are we resentful when God’s grace extends to Ninevites? Jonah never seems to get it.
In fact, the great contrast is between God’s actions and Jonah’s actions – even to the end – gracious and merciful, slow to anger (planting the bush to protect Jonah, trying to reason with Jonah) abounding in steadfast love. While Jonah is quick to anger, slow to forgive, not ready to be merciful. And apparently, those of us in the church are too much like Jonah – because when we see the contrast, when we see people who actually reflect God’s love and presence in their lives—like the Amish – it makes the news. Our challenge is to create a culture in the church that actively works to overcome the Jonah Syndrome and create a community that is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in God’s love. Where such a community is evident, it is a light to the world, a witness to the power of God at work in our lives.
And God does not give up on us. The God of the second and the third chance, the God who loves the Ninevites of the world also loves the Jonah’s of the world, and keeps trying to get the message across. – Sometimes in new and different ways. The fifth chapter of Jonah, a manuscript just recently found, reveals God’s final words of hope for Jonah to quit sulking, to quit avoiding his call and to embrace God’s call of ministry to the Ninevites. It’s called the Ninevites response.
THE NINEVITES RESPONSE – THE HIP HOP VERSION
Don’t ya hear what we’re sayin’
Don’t ya known that we’re prayin’
Cause the ghetto’s where we’re stayin’
While you’re out there a playin’
In the mountains
At the beach
Doesn’t matter what you preach
Cause you don’t think we matter
And our song is worthless chatter
While our lives are being tattered
By the violence that has splattered
Kids and families around us
Friends from school that surround us
Doesn’t matter what you preach
Cause when we try to cry out
The Gun lobbyists will buy out
All the votes we need to fix it
And not caring - you won’t nix it
So we die on the sidewalk
And we fear so we don’t talk
Doesn’t matter what you preach
And the schools give excuses
While too many Dad’s abuse us
And all of you accuse us
As not worth the work to change things
Or not caring what our plight brings
So our hope takes flight on its wings
Doesn’t matter what you preach
But the truth won’t be denied
When our Lord looked down he cried
And with words He said, “I’ll try,”
Words to Jonah to have pity
As he looked upon our city
And God started his own ditty
Cause it mattered what he preached
“They are loved like all my children
So I’ll send someone to help ‘em
To restore my word of hope, and
To show mercy, With a care plan”
Cause it matters what you preach
“I’ll send a willing Jonah fig’ger
Whose ‘tude will be much bigger,
To put the safety on the trigger
And stop that old grave digger
With the message that God cares
And to work for all that’s fair
Cause it matters what you preach
So, who will take God’s Word to heart?
And will really do their part?
Who will know it is their place,
To show God’s amazing grace?
So that when these words are through
They hear God say “I send you!”
Cause it matters what you preach!