Scripture:
Jeremiah 26:7-15 ESV
[7] The priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the Lord. [8] And when Jeremiah had finished speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak to all the people, then the priests and the prophets and all the people laid hold of him, saying, “You shall die! [9] Why have you prophesied in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate, without inhabitant’?” And all the people gathered around Jeremiah in the house of the Lord. [10] When the officials of Judah heard these things, they came up from the king’s house to the house of the Lord and took their seat in the entry of the New Gate of the house of the Lord. [11] Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and to all the people, “This man deserves the sentence of death, because he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.” [12] Then Jeremiah spoke to all the officials and all the people, saying, “The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the words you have heard. [13] Now therefore mend your ways and your deeds, and obey the voice of the Lord your God, and the Lord will relent of the disaster that he has pronounced against you. [14] But as for me, behold, I am in your hands. Do with me as it seems good and right to you. [15] Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood upon yourselves and upon this city and its inhabitants, for in truth the Lord sent me to you to speak all these words in your ears.”
Observation:
Jeremiah was sent by the LORD to speak the truth. Truth that the officials had a hard time hearing. Standing there in the face of death, Jeremiah did not waver. He stood firm, knowing that he had spoken what the LORD had told him. Those who were in charge did not want to hear that what they had been doing was wrong, nor that what they were doing would bring sure destruction. They took hold of him and questioned him. Why are you saying these things? Why do you speak destruction over us? Jeremiah, being sure his words came from GOD did not back up. Knowing that what he was told to say could be the death of him, he stood on it. As the officials spoke about killing him, I’m sure he stood there wondering if the next breath could be his last. Finally, with confidence, he spoke just like he had begun, saying, “Look, I only said what GOD wanted you to hear. If that bothers you, fine, but know that if you put me to death, you are bringing innocent blood on your hands. It was honestly hard not to write on this whole chapter because it was all good. I encourage you to go read it.
Application:
It’s hard to hear the truth when you know you’re wrong, and repentance is not always easy. In fact, sometimes it’s very hard. It means putting your flesh to death. Our flesh has a very strong hold on us. To be honest, it’s what most of us live for. We tend to think that life is about what feels good. But it’s not. Learning to live by the Holy Spirit is not always easy. Keeping in step with that same spirit is even harder. Looking at the cross, we see a group of people standing in front of Pilot screaming. Give us our sin, put HIM to death. An innocent man. A flawless lamb of GOD. Who spoke the truth that we didn’t want to hear. Now wait before you look at me and say how dear you are. Just know I was in the crowd as well. I was responsible for the nails just like you. My point is not to confront anyone but to speak the truth. We can look at the situation and ask ourselves. How could they do that? How did they not see that HE was the Christ? Well, honestly, let’s look at us. Being blinded by our sin. Again, I want you to remember. I am responsible for the nails as well. There had to be a point in life where we had to turn from our sins. We have to choose to live for HIM… after all, HE gave HIS life for us. With every strike of the hammer, HE said, “I love you.” With every lash of the whip HE said,”forever them.” This is a call to repentance. There is no need for self-righteousness. Because by yourself you will never be righteous. Let go of the hammer. Pick up the sword and fight for what HE did for you. Submit to GOD resist the devil, and he will flee.
Prayer:
Father, your ways are not our ways, and today, as I am confronted with my sin. I turn to you and ask that you forgive me. I ask that you restore me. I ask that your Holy Spirit lead me. I know that your word says even the thought is just as well as sin. So, Father, I ask that you help me to correct my thoughts. They get the best of me at times. Keep far from me a self-righteous way of looking at my life. I don’t want to hide anymore. Because all have sinned and fallen short of your glory. I take off the fig leaves so that you can cover me with animal skin. The blood atonement of Christ has covered me. Thank you for looking at me through HIS sacrifice on the cross. My deepest desire is to live for you. To stand before you naked. Worts and all. So here I am, take me how I am, but please don’t leave me this way. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.