Stories We Thought We Knew: The Book of Jonah | Felix Arellano

What if everything you thought you knew about Jonah was wrong? This isn't just a cute children's story about a man and a whale—it's one of the most sophisticated pieces of satirical literature in Scripture, written like a divine Saturday Night Live skit. The book of Jonah uses comedy, irony, and extreme scenarios to expose something uncomfortable: how far we can be from God's heart while bearing His name. From a prophet who runs from God's call to pagan sailors who are more spiritually aware than God's own messenger, every absurd detail serves as a mirror reflecting our own pride, prejudices, and resistance to God's mercy. 

But here's the beautiful twist—God uses imperfect, reluctant people to accomplish His perfect purposes. Just as Jonah's worst sermon in history achieved the greatest revival, God can work through our flaws and failures. The question isn't whether we're qualified enough, but whether we're humble enough to let God's mercy flow through us, even to people we think don't deserve it.