Psalm 24, 29; Jer. 1:1-10; 1 Cor. 3:11-23; Mark 3:31-4:9
In Jeremiah’s plea that he was too young to be a prophetic voice we hear echoes of Moses’ attempt to say no to the Lord’s call. It is also possible to hear Paul’s words to Timothy to let no one look down on him because he was young. If the call of God is clear, and we hear the Lord say that He had known Jeremiah since He formed him in his mother’s womb for this task, there is no barrier to walking in that call. There may be those who reject you or those who discount you but all you are called to be is obedient. It must have been truly comforting to this young man to know that he had been chosen for this work, formed for it, and now called to it. We know from the events of his life that it was never easy for Jeremiah, he was not universally acclaimed, his words often fell not only on deaf ears, but on hostile ones, yet he persevered. No doubt his ability to persevere was the memory of this assurance from the Lord.
Like Jeremiah, Jesus’ brothers and sisters weren’t always supportive of His ministry. We see that in this particular episode and in John 5 where the brothers encourage Him to go to Jerusalem as anyone who wants to be someone will surely be there, not in Galilee. Jesus never listened to any voices but that of the Father in His ministry. He knew that most would hear but not receive His message. He knew that He would be rejected and that in the end He would be alone and yet He persevered in the work He had been given to do, knowing that in the end He would be crucified. He was never a pleaser of men, His one desire was to be faithful and to please the Father. As those who have been given the commission to evangelize and make disciples, we must also know that our efforts will not be universally successful, but we are to be faithful as Jesus was faithful.
Foundations are important and Paul reminds the Corinthians that their foundation is the Gospel he first preached to them concerning Jesus. Whatever is added to this foundation needs to be material of equal value. It is important for us to always build on that solid foundation and not add to it the wisdom of man, even if that wisdom comes packaged in some Biblical language. There are many teachers out there today who distort the truth and mislead those who become their disciples. We must be careful to know the whole of Scripture and not just a few proof-texted passages. Wisdom from God doesn’t always make us popular, even among other Christians. Have we added to the Gospel that which builds God’s kingdom and seeks His glory or have we added the worldly wisdom that seeks to build our own kingdoms?
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
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