Did you know that the essential word of the Christian faith, the Trinity, is not a word we find in the Bible? Rather, the first believers came to understand the incredible concept of the perfect singular God existing in the three persons of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, because the idea permeates the whole Bible.

When it says that John baptized people with water for repentance (Matthew 3:11), what does that mean? Well, John was the one who would “Prepare a way for the Lord” (Matthew 3:3). Think of it this way: John was the “amuse bouche” to the greater feast of life in Christ. John the Baptist was preparing people for the greater message of Christ, providing them with a view of the salvation given through repentance and faith in Christ.

This is one of the hardest truths we have to contend with as Christians; not that some very good-seeming people don’t have access to Heaven and the blessing of redemption, but that some truly awful people do. Spend enough time in religious circles, and you’ll eventually end up in a conversation on the subject of “unforgivable sin.”

Let’s do a quick recap. The sinful people of Nineveh heard God’s message and immediately initiated rituals of repentance. Similarly, the sailors on the boat who did not know God, offered sacrifices and begged forgiveness after tossing Jonah overboard.

If I am being honest, Jonah’s reluctance is pretty relatable. He has to go into a city that takes three days to get through and tell them they’re all doomed. Who would want to hear that kind of news? I know I’d ignore some random stranger who showed up with bad news I didn’t care for. Look at how Jonah responded to the direction from God that he didn’t like; would a city of wickedness be any better?