13 Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. 14 Then they cried out to the Lord, “Please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased.” 15 Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. 16 At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him. – Jonah 1:13-16
A major mark of the civil rights movement was one of non-violent protest. Let me be clear when I say that violence towards the protesters was rampant and disgusting. Nevertheless, Martin Luther King Jr. led the movement with such a sacrificial attitude that I can not help but be inspired. While a vast majority of white America wanted to kill MLK, he stood firm in his values and beliefs.
This is the type of courage we see exhibiting in verse 13 by the crew. Instead of immediately throwing Jonah overboard, they attempt to save his life by rowing to shore. They were unable to make it, but the fact remains that their intentions to save Jonah’s life was righteous.
Often times in life we encounter people who are AMAZING. People who would give you anything you need. People who have sacrificed financially, emotionally, and materially to assure that someone else’s needs were met. These individuals are not always believers in Christ. The crew did not worship the God of Israel. Most were pagans, and at best some may have been agnostic. Yet, they acted in good faith. Living a life of concern for others is not limited to just Christians.
Even though these people are “good” they still need Jesus. Scripture is clear that no man’s works alone will save them. Even the best people need the savior. That’s why it is our role to illuminate this to even the “good” people in our life. So often we think of sharing the gospel with the bad or marginalized or depressed. Perhaps we do this because we know conversations about God might be easier with someone who is desperate. God, though, is not just the God of the desperate. God is the savior of everyone.