jonah

I have been preaching on Jonah throughout Lent. It has been a very moving experience for me. The story speaks to us in high moments and our low moments in life. Jonah’s story is often thought of as a children’s story. Nothing could be further from the truth! Jonah’s story has deep spiritual, theological, and biblical currents running through it. I’m preparing for my sermon on Jonah 2 and ran across a music video/short film. I have seen/heard the video/song before, but I could not help be moved by the video’s grittiness.

It’s loud, a little violent, a little bloody, pulls no punches, and is moving:

A Hero comes from the wilderness to cry out to the captives, pleading for them to awaken. This short film from Whitestone was in part inspired by “Plato’s Cave” and depicts the struggle of freeing the captives, whomever they may be. This film is set to the song by the same name originally written for this film by the talented Wright Brothers: Nicholas Kirk and Billy Wilkerson. (Link)

I could not help but see the strong connections between Jonah and this song. The men are held captive, and are in need of help.  Jonah is held captive in the belly of a fish (which, saved his life). Jonah cries for God in chapter 2:

Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, ²saying, “I called to the Lord out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice.

If Jonah knew about this song, he might have sung this line:

There will come a day my God will come
And put me in my place
My God I pray, You’ll call my name
Instead of turn away

The lyrics of this song, “Awake, O Sleeper” are below:

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