Jeremiah 29:11 (NRSV) For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.
Jeremiah is not known as ‘the positive prophet.’ Most of the time he is called the ‘weeping prophet.’ He is doing what prophets always do. He is warning the people of God. He has told them that judgment is coming upon them. Their country is about to come to an end. The Temple will be destroyed. Their whole society will be left in ruins. The Babylonians are coming to carry away the people into captivity. It looks like the end. Where is God’s goodness? Where is God’s mercy? Where is grace?
I wonder if the same feelings came over the disciples when Jesus was crucified. I wonder if they thought, “This is not the way this story is supposed to unfold! This is the king (Messiah, Christ)! He is ushering in the new era! The glory of God is to be manifest in a new way. This kingdom is a never-ending kingdom” (Dan 2:44)!”
Jeremiah had a word. The word was not a prosperity promise in the modern sense. It was not that they would have a great career or perfect children or a clean bill of health. The word was, “Trust me.” In seventy years, your children and your grandchildren will return. This is not the end of the story.
And for the disciples of Jesus, a similar word could be heard. “This looks like the end, but it is not. This looks like a defeat, but it is an astounding victory. You have some ideas about a kingdom, but they are provincial, local, and limited. Trust me. You will become heralds of the grace and goodness of God throughout the world.”
Wait. Trust. Everything will come clear.
Not my limited will, but your inexhaustible will, Father, be done!
Jeremiah is not known as ‘the positive prophet.’ Most of the time he is called the ‘weeping prophet.’ He is doing what prophets always do. He is warning the people of God. He has told them that judgment is coming upon them. Their country is about to come to an end. The Temple will be destroyed. Their whole society will be left in ruins. The Babylonians are coming to carry away the people into captivity. It looks like the end. Where is God’s goodness? Where is God’s mercy? Where is grace?
I wonder if the same feelings came over the disciples when Jesus was crucified. I wonder if they thought, “This is not the way this story is supposed to unfold! This is the king (Messiah, Christ)! He is ushering in the new era! The glory of God is to be manifest in a new way. This kingdom is a never-ending kingdom” (Dan 2:44)!”
Jeremiah had a word. The word was not a prosperity promise in the modern sense. It was not that they would have a great career or perfect children or a clean bill of health. The word was, “Trust me.” In seventy years, your children and your grandchildren will return. This is not the end of the story.
And for the disciples of Jesus, a similar word could be heard. “This looks like the end, but it is not. This looks like a defeat, but it is an astounding victory. You have some ideas about a kingdom, but they are provincial, local, and limited. Trust me. You will become heralds of the grace and goodness of God throughout the world.”
Wait. Trust. Everything will come clear.
Not my limited will, but your inexhaustible will, Father, be done!
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