Old Testament reading: Jeremiah 17-18
Where to begin with the jewels of today’s reading? Jeremiah 17:9 serves as a divine commentary on Proverbs 28:26. A man’s heart may justify him in his own eyes, but the heart is not to be trusted in matters of right and wrong (cf Pr 14:12; John 16:2; Acts 23:1). Jeremiah 17:14 is a beautiful statement of the true healing and salvation provided by the Lord. In Jeremiah 6:14, the prophets condemned the prophets and priests as healing “the hurt of my people slightly,” or superficially. The religious leaders lied to the people, making them feel good in the short term, but leading to long term disaster. One may put ointment and a bandaid on a skin cancer, but there will be no healing. But when God heals, the hurt or injury is completely removed. When God saves, He saves to the uttermost (Heb 7:25). I am reminded of Jesus’ statement in John 8:36 – “If the Son makes you free, you are free indeed.” Another well known illustration is found in chapter 18 with the potter and the clay. God has the power to transform what is marred and worthless when we allow ourselves to be molded in His hands and by His wisdom.
New Testament reading: Mark 9-10
Following His exchange with the rich young ruler, Jesus makes a statement that is often quoted but rarely understood – “It is easier for a camel eye to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:25). The most popular explanation is that Jesus is referring to a small, narrow gate in Jerusalem’s wall, by which a camel could enter only unsaddled and on its knees. It’s a powerful illustration, except there is no evidence any such gate ever existed. The proper explanation is that Jesus is using hyperbole to illustrate the vanity of placing faith in one’s possessions (cf 1 Tim 6:17-19). Jesus said as much in verse 24. This is why it is difficult to evangelize in America. How do we convince people making six figure incomes, living in large houses with fine automobiles, knowing little or nothing of delayed gratification, that they are helpless and hopeless without the Lord Jesus? Jesus noted this truth in Matthew 11:5 when He emphasized preaching to the poor, and Paul reaffirmed it in 1 Corinthians 1:26.
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