JEREMIAH 31:7-9
THE BACKGROUND
Jeremiah lived about 115 after Isaiah’s time. The Northern Kingdom of Israel had already fallen to the Assyrians about 100 years before Jeremiah’s call to be a prophet. Now, Judah has fallen to the Babylonians. Jeremiah’s first prophecies shout out a dire warning to Judah and Jerusalem. They go unheeded. Judah falls. Many are sent into exile in Babylon. There is despair and heartache. It seems likely that this trip to Babylon is a one-way ticket. The People of God are expected to slowly fade away into Babylonian culture, never to return to the Promised Land.
But wait! God sends Jeremiah a glimmer of hope! Chapters 30-31 of Jeremiah’s prophecies are called the “Book of Consolation”. They give hope to God’s people in exile. Let’s see what God has to say to his people.
THE DETAIL
- The Lord says (through Jeremiah) that the people should sing, praise, and shout for joy. They are to pray for God to save His people. Not only for Judah in Babylon, but also the “remnant” of Israel, the Northern Kingdom. (v. 7)
- God promises to gather up His scattered people from the “farthest parts of the earth”, and bring them home. He’s not just talking the big-shot movers and shakers, but all of society, including the blind, the lame, and even those in labor. The image of a woman in labor also conjures up the thought of rebirth, doesn’t it? (v. 8)
- There will be tears of joy along the journey. The journey will be easy, and with refreshing water to be had along the way. He loves not only Judah, but calls Israel his firstborn. (v. 9)
THE TAKEAWAY
If you have shopped in a fabric store, you know what a remnant is. For those who haven’t, I’ll explain. A fabric store buys many large bolts of cloth. A bolt of cloth has between 40 and 100 yards of fabric on it. That’s a lot of fabric! People come in over time, and buy up lengths of the fabric. Sometimes it’s only a yard. Sometimes it’s 5 or more yards. Eventually, the bolt of cloth dwindles down to a length that is too short for most projects. The fabric shop could throw it away. But instead, they measure it off, fold it up, mark the price down, and put it on the remnant table. This table is full of scraps of good cloth, but not much good for most projects.
God calls his people Israel a remnant. God loves this remnant, and has something planned for them. They are not a discarded, marked down scrap; they are precious to God.
No matter what discouraging, disheartening things might come our way, we can rest assured in the knowledge that we are precious to God. He has a plan for us.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
What is God’s plan for you?
HEBREWS 7:23-28
THE BACKGROUND
Last week, we studied about how Jesus is our high pPriest. The writer made it clear how Jesus qualifies for this title. Now, we will learn why Jesus is so much better than all the high priests who came before him.
THE DETAIL
- One problem with the high priests before Jesus was that they were mortal. They all died. So, there were a lot of them. But now, Jesus holds the position permanently, because he lives in heaven! (vv. 23-24)
- This is good news for us, because Jesus is right there at God’s right hand. He can make intercession for all of us. And he can do this 24/7! (v. 25)
- This is the best kind of high priest to have! One that is holy and undefiled (without sin), and up in heaven, rather than in a temple on earth. (v. 26)
- Other high priests were human, so they had to purify themselves by sacrificing for their sins first, and then for the people. And they had to do this day after day. In the case of Jesus, though,
- He is sinless, so he does not need to purify himself.
- He only needed to sacrifice himself once, for all, when he offered himself on the cross for our sins. (v. 27)
- In the end, we get a high priest who is appointed by God—His Son, who is our high priest forever. (v. 28)
THE TAKEAWAY
This passage tells me that my brother Jesus “has God’s ear”. When I sin, and ask forgiveness, Jesus speaks to God on my behalf. If I have a prayer request, and offer it to the Lord, Jesus puts in a good word for me. If Jesus is on my side, I have a direct line of communication with God. I don’t need any further help in getting my prayers answered.
Furthermore, I know that Jesus’ death on the cross takes away my sins once and for all. Once for everyone!
MARK 10:46-52
THE BACKGROUND
The tenth chapter of Mark is the end of Jesus’ teaching, and healing on the road. His traveling days are over. Beginning in chapter 11, he heads for Jerusalem. There, he will teach, be challenged, betrayed, and die.
THE DETAIL
- So, they came to Jericho. Apparently, according to Mark, nothing eventful happened until they left. On the way out, a blind beggar was sitting by the roadside. (v. 46)
- When he hears who was passing by, he becomes very vocal. He calls Jesus “Son of David”, and asks for his mercy. Many tried to shut him up, but that only made it worse! (vv. 47-48)
- Jesus calls for him, and he springs into action. Jesus asks him what he wants. (vv. 49-51a)
- The blind man calls Jesus “my teacher”. He asks Jesus to restore his sight. (v. 51b)
- All Jesus does is speak, and the man’s sight is restored! Jesus says “your faith has made you well.” (v. 52a)
- What does the blind man do? He follows Jesus on “the way”. (v. 52b)
THE TAKEAWAY
“The Way” is what the early Christians called having in Jesus as the Messiah. Throughout Mark’s gospel, the disciples don’t seem to get what Jesus is all about. But oddly enough, this blind beggar sees things clearly. Consider this about the beggar and us:
- He was a beggar | We are all too often helpless beggars, spiritually speaking.
- He was blind | We are blinded by our sin.
- He was healed by Jesus | We are healed by Jesus.
- He gained new sight | Spiritually, Jesus gives us new sight.
- He followed Jesus, because of what Jesus did for him | We, too, follow Jesus because he died on the cross for us.
Faith is believing in the unseen. By having faith in Jesus we receive the gift of eternal life. Faith in Jesus “makes us well”, too.