Theme: The right time. In the First Lesson (Jonah 3) Jonah warned the inhabitants of Nineveh that it was time to repent. In the Second Lesson Paul thinks that the time of Christ's return is very near. The Gospel begins with our Lord's call to repentance and faith.

COMMENTARY

Old Testament: Jonah 3:1-5, 10
After being vomited up by the great fish, Jonah reluctantly agrees to preach repentance to the citizens of Nineveh. The populous city readily repents and God retracts his decision to punish the sinful people. This story reveals to the Hebrews and to us that God's call to repentance and faith goes to all people, regardless of race or nationality.

Old Testament: Jeremiah 3:21--4:2
The Lord pleads with his people to repent of their sins so that the nations will come to experience God's bl…