Jeremiah asks a simple question, "Why do the wicked
prosper?" He sees the truth about
those around him and the Lord's response is to essentially say, you see well
Jeremiah, but you don't see completely. The
Lord's anger is so fiercely expressed it is breathtaking. One verse in particular is horrifying, "My
heritage has become to me like a lion in the forest; she has lifted up her
voice against me; therefore I hate her."
Can you imagine hearing the voice of God say that to you about the
church today? Jeremiah had to feel
completely overwhelmed by this response.
The only thing comforting was that there was hope of restoration after
His anger was poured out, but that restoration was contingent on their act of
turning. Repentance is always the
requirement for restoration.
Most scholars agree that the reason the raising of Lazarus
from the dead, the most dramatic miracle and sign Jesus did in His earthly
life, is not found in the other Gospels is because of the plot to kill him
revealed here. It wasn't safe to tell
Lazarus' story until after he had finally died and John's Gospel is the last
one written. The donkey, as opposed to
the horse, is a sign of peace, so Jesus comes not to bring war to establish His
kingdom but to bring it about peaceably.
It could have been established then but the choice was to reject
Him. Can't you just see the leaders
gathered apart from the people whispering among themselves about this crowd and
its reaction to Jesus, knowing that they dare not speak openly against
Him? They know that something must be
done, they are losing their grip on the people.
Under the Law, Paul felt that he could put confidence in his
flesh. He had all he thought was
necessary by birth, upbringing, study and to legal righteousness. Now, however, he has seen true righteousness,
a righteousness he could never have imagined and never have achieved under the
Law and he considers all his righteousness to be nothing more than filthy rags
in comparison. We must lose all
confidence in the flesh in order to gain salvation. We have to come to the end of ourselves,
realize that we have no hope at all before we can come to faith in Him. The sooner we realize that we have nothing and
need mercy, the better off we are. The only
thing to do is confess and repent but put your entire trust in Him who knew no
sin.
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