Don’t Run from the Lord. Run to His Son.

10 October 2026

Jonah ran from the Lord, but the Lord pursued him. Jonah’s rebellion brought him into the sea, and the sailors watched as the storm suddenly stopped. Mark reminds us, “The Lord who made the sea calms the sea.” Jonah deserved the judgment that his disobedience had brought upon him. Yet this story points us beyond Jonah to someone greater. Jesus did not run from the Father’s will. He came to do it. The hope of the gospel rests not in our obedience, but in the perfect obedience of Christ.

Jesus said, “I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me” (John 6:38, CSB). Mark draws the contrast clearly: “Jonah went down to flee. Jesus came down to obey.” Jonah turned away from God’s command. Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem. He obeyed where we rebel. He remained faithful where we run. We cannot make ourselves right with God through better behaviour or stronger resolve. We need the obedience of the Son who never sinned.

The difference becomes even clearer at the cross. Mark explains, “Jonah was thrown into the sea for his own rebellion. Jesus was thrown into judgment for ours.” Jesus took the judgment our sins deserved. He died in the place of sinners, and He rose again. Jesus Himself said that the Son of Man would be “three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:40, CSB). Jonah’s experience pointed forward to Christ’s greater work. As Mark declares, “The wrath we had earned fell on the Son who never ran.” That is grace. Christ saves those who could never save themselves.

So where are you running today? Perhaps you keep postponing obedience. Perhaps you hide a sin, avoid repentance, or trust your own goodness. Stop running. Confess your sin plainly to the Lord. Then trust Jesus, who has done what you could never do. Mark gives us this wonderful assurance: “The Lord who cannot be outrun is not a judge hunting us down to punish us. He is a Father who sent his Son after runaways.” Teach your children that Christianity is not about becoming good enough for God to accept them. It is about trusting the Saviour who obeyed perfectly, died for sinners, and rose again. Then show them what repentance and obedience look like in your own life.

Father, thank You for sending Your Son to save sinners like me. Forgive my rebellion. Help me stop running from You and run to Christ. Give me grace to trust Him and obey Your Word today. Amen.

Read the sermon notes here.

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This devotional content is not penned by the preacher. It is derived from the sermon notes. We aim to provide bite-sized reflections throughout the week for devotion and reflection.