Acknowledging One’s Sin

"And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you." (Jonah 1:12)

Ten thousands of souls may be in need and you may be the only one that can take them the message. But you are seeking wealth and comfort. In the last war there was an army in a trench. The enemy was approaching them and they did not know it. The captain of another part of the army saw the foe and sent word to the men in the trench. The messenger was sent on a motor cycle. He was shot on the way. Another messenger was sent. He also was shot. But at last one messenger went through and the army was saved. Are we prepared to face the foe and take the message to the perishing?

The king of Nineveh was a proud man but God had prepared his heart through fear of an imminent war. Jonah did not know God had prepared the city to receive His message and so he was fleeing. God's love sent the heavy storm. Jonah confessed the truth. 'It is my sin, throw me into the sea', he said. That is the just mind of a Christian. He acknowledges his mistake and accepts the punishment. Now life or death was not the question. He wanted to take the punishment.

"Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth" (Isaiah 53:4,7). Jesus was afflicted for us. Jesus was taking our punishment on Himself. We are not holy to make propitiation for others. We cannot say, 'Let others' sins come upon me.' But Jesus could say that. He owned our sin. Jonah owned his own sin. But Jesus was wounded for our iniquities. It is good for us to acknowledge our sins. Jesus then forgives us.