Niniveh tells the story of a city in moral ruin and also of God's relentless optimism about his creation. Jonah's attitude was judgemental probably because he thought that the inhabitants of this pagan city were beyond redemption. But it turns out that nobody is beyond redemption for the Lord. This is the story of a prophet who runs away at the thought of having to face the people of Niniveh. But he is urged by God's love to proclaim His love everywhere in the city and without fear. Our big cities seem to present us with great difficulties when we speak of the possibility of bringing faith to modern or post-modern cultures. But the problem is not with the people out there but with us Christians. We have to explore new methods of bringing the Gospel to the people. This is a great message indeed for the times we live in when we no longer play home in the big cities and when we may be more keen to safeguard doctrine than people. We can never afford to give in to futile talk about the world coming to an end. We have to devote our efforts to make our cities more hospitable and more respective of human dignity and create a better world by reconciling politics with faith.
