Jonah Week 5: The Mirror

Hello there! 

This week we continued our sermon series study of the book of Jonah. (If you were absent, click here to watch the sermon back--you won’t want to miss it!) 

In 2025, we want to focus in on finding purpose. Lent is a season of self-examination and our need for God’s redemption. The story of Jonah invites us to consider God’s mission to redeem all of creation, and what hinders us from participating in that mission.

Jonah is a tough book to read sometimes. It can be a little like holding up a mirror of our own flaws. Particularly in this season of Lent, we want to encourage you to not only engage with this message on Sundays, but to take it with you throughout the week. With that in mind, here are some resources we’ve curated for you based on the Scripture passage we read and the message from Sunday. 

1 This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. 2 So he complained to the Lord about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. 3 Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.”

4 The Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?”

5 Then Jonah went out to the east side of the city and made a shelter to sit under as he waited to see what would happen to the city. 6 And the Lord God arranged for a leafy plant to grow there, and soon it spread its broad leaves over Jonah’s head, shading him from the sun. This eased his discomfort, and Jonah was very grateful for the plant.

7 But God also arranged for a worm! The next morning at dawn the worm ate through the stem of the plant so that it withered away. 8 And as the sun grew hot, God arranged for a scorching east wind to blow on Jonah. The sun beat down on his head until he grew faint and wished to die. “Death is certainly better than living like this!” he exclaimed.

9 Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?”

“Yes,” Jonah retorted, “even angry enough to die!”

10 Then the Lord said, “You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there. It came quickly and died quickly. 11 But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness,[a] not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?”

Bible Project video: If you want a brief overview of these verses, check out this video from our friends over at the Bible Project! 

Tim Mackie archives: For a deeper dive, watch this video from the archives to hear what Tim Mackie have to say on this excerpt! 

BONUS article: If you want to nerd out with me this week, here is the article that was consulted during the preparation of this week’s sermon. 

Finally, here are some questions that you can use in your personal study to reflect on, whether in journaling, prayer, or conversation. 

What is the narrative of Jonah revealing in my life that I need to confess and surrender?

How can I demonstrate obedience to God and trust in His plan this week?   

Know that you are deeply loved and called to share that love with others. We hope to see you next week as we continue to learn and grow alongside you! 

Grace and Peace, 

Community Cup staff