Evangelism and the Heart of Jonah
A Cautionary Example
The book of Jonah is more than a story about a reluctant prophet and a big fish—it’s a mirror that challenges us to reflect on our own hearts toward evangelism. Jonah's resistance to God's command to preach to Nineveh wasn’t due to fear of failure—it was rooted in his personal judgments about who deserved mercy. His story can serve as a powerful lesson for us today when it comes to sharing the gospel.
Jonah's Reluctance: Was It About Fear or Pride?
Jonah was sent by God to Nineveh, a city known for its wickedness (Jonah 1:2). Instead of obeying, he fled in the opposite direction.
“But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.” — Jonah 1:3 NKJV
Why would a prophet of God do this? Later, Jonah reveals the root of his disobedience: he knew God was merciful and didn't want Nineveh to receive that mercy.
“Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness…” — Jonah 4:2 NKJV
Jonah didn’t run because he feared failure—he ran because he didn’t want Nineveh to be spared. Sometimes, we may avoid sharing the gospel because deep down, we feel certain people don’t deserve it. We might justify it by thinking, “They’d never listen anyway” or “They’re too far gone.” But Jonah’s story shows us that this attitude is not only disobedient—it’s spiritually dangerous.
Do We Let Reputation Silence Our Witness?
Nineveh was feared for its violence and cruelty. Jonah may have also feared how he would be treated. Are we sometimes like Jonah—not only judging people as unworthy, but also retreating because of their reputation, hostility, or potential rejection?
Jesus knew this fear and addressed it head-on:
“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” — Matthew 10:28 NKJV
Paul also reminded Timothy:
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” — 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
If we let fear of judgment, ridicule, or rejection keep us from speaking the truth in love, we are choosing comfort over calling. God didn’t ask Jonah to convert Nineveh—He asked him to warn them. The same is true for us. We are called to plant seeds—God gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).
God’s Mercy Is for Everyone
Jonah eventually obeyed, and what happened? The people of Nineveh repented. From the king to the commoners, they turned to God in sorrow.
“Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them…” — Jonah 3:10 NKJV
This proves that even the hardest hearts can change when confronted with truth and repentance. Who are we to judge who will respond to God?
Jesus echoed this when He said:
“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” — Luke 19:10 NKJV
Paul reminds us:
“And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus…” — 1 Corinthians 6:11 NKJV
We all needed grace—and still do.
Let God’s Heart Become Our Heart
Jonah was angry when Nineveh repented. He couldn’t accept that God's mercy extended to them. But God gently corrected him:
“Should I not pity Nineveh, that great city…?” — Jonah 4:11 NKJV
This is the true heart of evangelism—not judgment, not fear, not pride—but compassion.
We are not called to pick and choose who hears the gospel. We are called to love, to go, to speak:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” — Matthew 28:19 NKJV
Final Thoughts
Jonah’s story is a sobering lesson. Are we running from our responsibility to share the gospel because we think others don’t deserve it? Or are we afraid of their reactions or reputations? Jonah’s failure reminds us of our own need for repentance and renewal of heart. May we never forget: if God could use Jonah despite his flaws, He can use us—if we are willing.