Wicked City Wayward Son

Wicked City Wayward Son. Two separate things that seem like one. Both corrupted by evil sin and every kind of wrong.

Nineveh was once a great city. By all accounts, it was massive for it’s time. Maybe the single biggest city on earth at one point.

And the citizens were brutally violent. The examples in history are gruesome, gory, and numerous. Their wickedness was exceedingly great.

Nineveh was headed for destruction.

“The more I run, the more I hide

I  never seem to win that fight”

In Luke 15, Jesus told a parable about some wayward sons and the father who loved them. The younger son demanded his inheritance early then ran off and wrecked his life with prodigal living.

He dove headfirst into sin with reckless abandon. Eventually, the money runs out, the fake friends disappear, and he is starving in a grimy pig pen.

He was headed for destruction.

“No I don’t want a heart of stone

Too scared to love what I don’t know”

A strange thing happened in Nineveh one day though. A wild looking Hebrew man walked through the city and dared to say, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.” And there, at the bottom, the Wicked City ponders what it never had before.

The unimaginable began to come into focus – could the most violent and wicked city on earth actually change?

“I have tasted, I have seen

And felt the distance in between

Fear corrupts and makes me blind

I need a light that isn’t mine”

A strange thing happened to that young man one day. Finding himself broke, alone, and starving in a pen of pigs, a thought occurred to him. And there, at the bottom, the Wayward Son ponders what he never had before.

The unimaginable began to come into focus – could the son who had run so far away actually change?

“O Jesus come and stir my soul

Let love and mercy overflow”

The Wicked City and the Wayward Son contemplate turning away from sin and towards the Father. But how? Is it even possible?

Jonah 3:5 “..the people of Nineveh believe in God….”

Luke 15:7 “..when he came to senses….”

The city and the son believed in the goodness of God. Where sin has corrupted, you are not in your “right mind.” Truth clarifies and brings sound thinking back. There’s a God, there’s a Father who is worth trusting.

Jonah 3:8 “…and they called a fast…”

Luke 15:18 “…I will get up and go…”

The city and the son begin – they take action with their bodies. The belief now translates to movement. Not just an intellectual assent but a driving force to start.

Jonah 3:8 “…let everyone call urgently on God…”

Luke 15:18 “…I will say to him….”

The city and the son call on that Father. What started in their mind and then hit their bodies now erupts from their soul – for that is where one will call earnestly on God. Urgent prayer.

Jonah 3:8 “..let them give up their evil ways and violence…”

Luke 15:18 “..Father, I have sinned…”

The city and the son recognize the sin that must be left behind. This is a turning away from things so they can turn to him – a correction in the direction.

Jonah 3:9 “..Who knows? God may yet relent?…”

Luke 15:17 “..How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough?…”

The city and the son put their hope in the character and nature of that Father. He’s a good ruler, kind, and he has a history of taking care of others who trusted in him. 

The candle of hope may be a small flame in a dark room, but it is burning brighter now.

“Close to You is still too far

I want to be right where You are

Here I am, here I am

Here I am, here I am

All I am, all I am

Here I am, here I am”

Wicked City Wayward Son. Two separate things that seem like one.

Two of the clearest examples in the entire Bible of what repentance really is and they come from the most unlikely places. Two of the clearest examples of what repentance is and they are almost holding mirrors up to each other. The same key elements so identifiable in each.

But how would that Father respond? 

Behold now, two of the most precious verses in Scripture.

Jonah 3:10 

“When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it.”

Luke 15:20 “…But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.”

Relenting from calamity. Running to embrace. This is mercy and this is His amazing grace. The One they had put their hope in now shines forth with kindness that shocks and love that redeems.

Wicked City Wayward Son. Two separate things that feel like one. Both saved by a love that responds – a love that is strong.

Thanks for reading. Your comments and insights are always welcomed. If you enjoyed this, please share it. Want more content? Check the archives, my youtube channel, or listen to me on the Cross-Cutting Culture Podcast. Follow if you want to subscribe and always get the latest.