Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Jeremiah 37-39; Matthew 27:1-26
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Jeremiah 40-42; Matthew 27:27-50
Jeremiah is firm in proclaiming the inspired Word during the
last two years before the fall of Jerusalem. In three private interviews with
Zedekiah, he did not hesitate to announce the fearful fate awaiting the king,
the city, and its inhabitants. Nor did scourging, jailing, and threat of death
by the princes cower him into deviating from the truth. He was called to his
first discussion with the king when Nebuchadnezzar lifted the siege of
Jerusalem to engage an army under Pharaoh Hophra. Asked to pray that the
Babylonians be forced to stay away permanently, Jeremiah announced their
inevitable return to burn the city with fire. Jeremiah assures King Zedekiah
and the city residents that the withdrawal of the Babylonians is only
temporary. The Babylonians would certainly return and destroy the city, as God
had ordained because of people’s sin. Sin brings terrible consequences. They
are sometimes delayed, but they are inevitable. God never entirely abandons His
people, but continues to call them to repentance with the promise of
forgiveness and hope for the future. He continues to suffer for doing god’s
will and speaking the truth. The world hates God and His Word and opposes those
who proclaim its truth. However, God does not ignore the plight of His
persecuted people, and He will not neglect you.
Jeremiah’s enemies secure permission from King Zedekiah to
kill him for treason since he advised the city’s soldiers to desert and
predicted their defeat at the hand of the Chaldeans. Rather than risk outright
murder, they confine Jeremiah to a dry cistern with the expectation that he
will die of thirst or starvation. God’s people often face death for their
faithful proclamation of His Word. God rescues His people, even when they die,
and gives them eternal life. Ebed-melech, an official of King Zedekiah’s
administration, rescues Jeremiah with the king’s permission. Like Jeremiah,
God’s people today should never give up hope but rather trust in the Lord,
especially when things are at their worst. Also, God works through us to help
one another in time of need, as Jesus helps us in our greatest need by rescuing
us from sin and damnation. King Zedekiah arranges a private meeting with
Jeremiah and learns that he can avoid capture and save the city by surrendering
to the Babylonian army, yet Zedekiah fears his own advisers more. Go mercifully
offers Zedekiah and his family their lives and will spare the city if only they
will trust Him and leave matters in His hands. God’s people have always faced
the difficult choice of trusting God and doing things His way or following
their own wisdom and the world’s way. When faced with such dilemmas, pray that
the Lord would grant you both wisdom and courage. Jesus, crucified and risen,
is our wisdom. His courage in the face of death is the basis of our salvation.
After a siege of one and a half years, Zedekiah and his
people experience the consequences of their idolatry and unbelief. Yet, as
promised, God rescues a remnant of the people and will later return them to
Judah. God’s Word of Law is kept, and His Word of Gospel is kept too.
Nebuchadnezzar has Jeremiah released from custody and returned to his hometown.
Before Jeremiah goes, he brings good news to Ebed-melech, who had rescued him
from the dry cistern, that he will survive the fall of Jerusalem because he
trusted in the Lord. You cannot avoid what you fear by disobeying God and
trusting your own wisdom. Instead, trust that the Lord never forgets His
people. Ultimately, He provides for you eternally through Jesus Christ.
In our Gospel reading for today, Peter’s denial is followed
closely by Judas’s suicide. The two commit similar sins in betraying Christ,
but things turn out differently for each. Both are sorry for their
misdeeds-perhaps Judas is even sorrier in that he tries to undo the damage. But
Judas ends his life in despair, while Peter ultimately trusts in Christ, who
alone can save us from guilt and despair. Jesus silently listens to His
accusers. His silence leads to His condemnation, but also to our forgiveness.
When foes accuse you, curb your tongue. Loose your tongue in prayer to the One
who takes away your sin. The crowd chooses to release Barabbas instead of
Jesus. They prefer the sinful ways of Barabbas and seek to crucify their true
Lord. Just as the Lord’s own ways disturbed and threatened the people of
Jerusalem, His ways disrupt our self-security. The silent Lamb of God would
lead us away from the ways of the world to walk in His ways. He was condemned
to death, that we might go freely into His kingdom.
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Jeremiah 40-42; Matthew 27:27-50
3 comments:
I liked your comparison between Judas and Peter, and how they both betrayed Jesus but the outcomes were quite opposite. A good reminder that its not what we've done, but what Jesus can do for us!
I found it interesting how Zedekiah changed his mind back and forth about Jeremiah, sometimes he protected him, sometimes he fed him to the wolves. It seemed he was easily persuaded. How easy are we to listen to the advice of those around us by taking them at face value, instead of carefully discerning whether what they are saying is right and true?
I've always appreciated the contrast between Judas' and Peter's betrayals and, more importantly, their actions after the fact. Judas' repentance was revealed to be simply worldly - he may have felt overwhelming guilt and remorse, but he allowed that guilt to drive him away from Jesus and towards ultimate despair. Peter allowed his guilt and remorse to humble him, and to run to Jesus for His redemption. There are two ways to handle the guilt of sin - the way of death and the way of life. Let us always choose life!
I like that you highlighted the contrast of Judas and Peter. Same betrayal. Two different very responses.
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