The book of Lamentations was most likely written right after the fall of Jerusalem. The purpose of this book is to express grief over the fall of Jerusalem because of her sin. It is believed that it is written most likely by Jeremiah.
We see how the author shows the once great city and how it fell, in the opening verse,
"How deserted lies the city, once so full of people! How like a widow is she, who once was great among the nations! She who was queen among the provinces has now become a slave"
And later in verse 5 we see the reason for this solemn tone,
"Her foes have become her masters; her enemies are at ease. The Lord has brought her grief because of her many sins. Her children have gone into exile, captive before the foe."
The utter despair that Jerusalem is in, shows us a picture of what life would be like without God helping us. No wonder our world today is so depressing to so many, we can now understand somewhat what life is like to those who don't have salvation from Jesus.
In our New Testament reading from John, we see how the people ask what they need to do - to be doing the works of God. Jesus answers in verse 29,
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent .”
He goes on to tell them in verse 35 that they need to come to Him,
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
And later in verse 40 He again says they need to believe,
For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
The people then grumbled amongst themselves, doubting who Jesus really was.
Jesus makes it really clear for us, we need to believe He is who He says He is, and then to except and obey Him (which we would naturally do if we believe He is who He says He is)
Sometimes we make things more complicated then they need to be, but here Jesus makes it simple for us - believe He is who He says He is.
3 comments:
In our John passage it seems like the people are still trying to get in good with God by their works. And Jesus tells them that they only thing they have to do is believe. It's not works, it's grace.
"For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me." John 5:38
In this verse Jesus demonstrates perfect obedience to his Father. Not to do my will. This is the same for us. We are to put our sinful, selfish desires to the side, and obey our Heavenly Father too.
The grade 3 teacher at our school just ordered a book about the Lord's Prayer for kids. The book explains so simply the meaning behind the words of the prayer. Jesus talked about the faith of a child and it's the adult in us that complicates the message of salvation. It's not by works but a simple acceptance to the invitation that God gives us.
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