To the Jewish people a long time ago, the Ninevites were a people who seemed beyond hope.

They were so evil that God’s prophet, Jonah, refused to deliver a message of God’s mercy to them.

The Ninevites were proud behind their extraordinary 40-foot high city walls, and they were unrelenting in their violence toward nations around them. Jonah didn’t want to share any part of His loving God with them.

But God was insistent. It wasn’t enough that He had the heart of the Jewish nation; He wanted the Ninevites as well. He wanted all the world. He still does.

So, God chased Jonah down with a great fish. He swallowed him up and three days later spit him out on the shores of that evil city. And to Jonah’s surprise, the godless Ninevites repented.

God still seeks “Ninevites.” He still runs after those who are ignorant of Him, those who don’t practice civility, those who are grossly evil, hardened, neglectful, or selfish. Our fearsome world leaders, our Hollywood stars, the violent stranger in the headlines, our seemingly heartless relatives, are all on God’s Most Wanted list.

His love can slice through hatred and bring out the soft heart beneath… of anyone. Whoever it is.