Old Testament reading: Jeremiah 24-25
It is easy to focus on the curses pronounced upon Judah, but one theme we don’t want to miss throughout Jeremiah is the hope of restoration. Jeremiah 24 illustrates this hope in the parable of the figs. The good figs (vv 5-7) are those who will return from captivity to be blessed by God in their home country. Note also that the captivity is “for their own good” (v 5). Discipline, and Divine discipline in particular, while never pleasant, is always for our own good (cf Heb 12:5-11). Another lesson we find is that of perseverance. Jeremiah declared that he had been preaching that Judah should repent for some 23 years (25:3), and that he was not alone in this preaching (v 4). Despite the many warning, Judah was adamant to continue in her sin. Thus, God used Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, as the instrument of His wrath to punish Judah. Of note is verse 9 where God calls Nebuchadnezzar “My servant.” Some are God’s unwitting servants, working to accomplish His will in the lives of His people. Finally, the determined length of the Babylonian captivity was 70 years (vv 11-12). Daniel would later read Jeremiah’s prophecy as a message of hope for God’s people to be restored to their homeland (Dan 9:2).
New Testament reading: Mark 15-16
“Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” This was the discussion among the two Marys and Salome as they made their way to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus. Having observed the Sabbath (16:1), they had no idea the Jews had placed soldiers at the tomb entrance. No matter. God had the matter well in hand and provided for the women that which they could not accomplish on their own. This account reminds me of John 11 and the death of Lazarus, where Jesus commanded those present to roll away the stone, something those present could do. Afterward He raised Lazarus from the dead, providing for them what they could not accomplish by their own means. This is truly the story of the gospel, and specifically the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. In Jesus, God provided for us what we could never accomplish on our own, namely, the means by which we can be forgiven of sin. In response, it is our duty to response in faithful obedience to God’s gift (cf Mark 16:16).
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