The story of Jonah is about a servant of God who may have thought of himself as insignificant when entrusted with the noble task of proclaiming God’s judgment upon the city of Nineveh. He tried to run away from this responsibility. From our perspective as fragile human beings, we often feel “intimidated” when faced with the call to ministry—especially when the mission involves a great city, a powerful king, and prosperous people who lack nothing, living in abundance. Would such people ever listen to the words that were to be spoken to them?
Yet Scripture often reveals the unexpected—that God provides means which appear weak to overthrow the proud. Take David the shepherd, for example. He had no military training, just a small boy who looked almost ridiculous when he stood before Goliath. And yet, we know how that story ended.
In the same way, Peter healed a man who had been lame from birth, so that he leapt like a deer, praising and glorifying the name of God! Neither the chief priests nor the teachers of the law could silence Peter. His words struck with piercing clarity:
“Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to Him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
— Acts 4:19–20
So also with Jesus: standing alone before Pilate and the crowd. His death and resurrection transformed everything—the order of law and salvation that once depended on ritual is now fulfilled simply through faith in His name.
Paul makes an astonishing statement—that what is despised and considered nothing by men is precisely what God chooses as His instrument to nullify what is regarded as great and significant:
“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him.”
— 1 Corinthians 1:27–29
When Jesus sends us out as His disciples, the challenge is real—we are like sheep in the midst of ravenous wolves. Yet His promise is far greater than what Jonah received. For the authority we carry is none other than His own:
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”
— Matthew 28:18–20
Yes, when we look at ourselves, we may seem weak and insignificant. But when we turn to His power, everything changes.
Therefore, the stories of Jonah, David, Peter, and even Paul remind us of this unshakable truth: God delights in working through what the world considers weak and insignificant, so that His power alone is revealed. When Christ commissions us, He does not send us in our own strength, but in His authority—the same authority that overcame sin, death, and the grave.
So let us no longer shrink back or think of ourselves as too small when entrusted with His mission. Yet, at the same time, let us not move carelessly or presumptuously. The call is not to rush ahead in our own plans, but to walk in step with the Spirit, under His clear sending and guidance.
For when we go where He sends, with His word in our mouth and His power in our lives, even the mightiest walls can fall, and the hardest hearts can turn. The mission is His, the strength is His, and to Him belongs all the glory.
Quotes
“When we look at ourselves, we may seem weak and insignificant. But when we turn to His power, everything changes.”
“Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done.”
— C.S. Lewis
Leave a comment