“The Lord saw how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them” (Jonah 3:10)

The book of Jonah (completed around 5th century BC) is a warning to the Jewish people at that time to refrain from discriminating against people of other faith, because the grace of God is freely given to all. Jonah used a first person narrative to illustrate that God has mercy on those who repent, regardless of whether the person is a Jew or not. In the beginning, Jonah fled from the calling of the Lord and did not proclaim to the city of Nineveh the calamity that would befall them. Later in the process of fleeing, Jonah was flung into the sea and he spent 3 days and 3 nights in the belly of a fish (In the New Testament this was a foretelling of the 3 days and 3 nights that Jesus would be in the tomb). Jonah learned a lesson and he went forth into the city of Nineveh to proclaim the need for repentance. In the end, the people of Nineveh renounced their evil ways and received the mercy of the Lord.

God has mercy on all people, especially those people who are willing to go through conversion. Even though Peter denied Jesus 3 times, in return Jesus only asked Peter 3 times the question “Do you love me?” The Lord has a deep and strong love for all humanity. He is always waiting for us to reciprocate his love.