Jeremiah speaks of God’s
judgment - “I’m bringing disaster and widespread destruction ...”
(Jeremiah 4:6). This message comes to us as a word of warning, a plea to
the people to return to the Lord and find His mercy - “So put on
sackcloth, mourn and cry because the Lord’s burning anger hasn’t turned
away from us” (Jeremiah 4:8). This is the call to repentance. We read of
God’s burning anger, and we wonder,”Is there still the hope of God’s
blessing?” God is speaking of His judgment - “Nation of Israel, I’m
going to bring a nation from far away to attack you,declares the Lord, I
won’t destroy all of you” (Jeremiah 5:15,18). God’s Word concerning
the threat of judgment is a call to the people to honour Him as God:
“Pay attention to My warning, Jerusalem, or I will turn away from you. I
will make your land desolate ...” (Jeremiah 6:8). The ministry of
Jeremiah differs from the ministry of the false prophets. They say,
“Everything is alright!” He says, “It’s not alright! (Jeremiah 6:14).
Jeremiah calls upon the people to make a new beginning with God - “Stand
at the crossroads and look. Ask which paths are the old reliable paths.
Ask which way leads to blessings. Live that way, and find a resting
place for yourselves” (Jeremiah 6:16).
"The Son of Man came to save the lost" (Matthew 18:11). In Matthew 18:12-13, Jesus speaks about sheep. He's really speaking about us. He is the Shepherd. We are His sheep. Sheep wander away from the shepherd. We wander away from the Lord. The shepherd looks for the lost sheep. Jesus has come to seek for us and find us. He brings us home to God, our Father. Through His saving grace, we receive new life - a life in which we rejoice in our great Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. He delivers us from the condemnation, which our sin has brought upon us. He brings us into the knowledge of His forgiveness. This Gospel of salvation changes us. It teaches us to live in the power of God's love. Jesus speaks about "the Kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 19:12,23), "the Kingdom of God" (Matthew 19:14,24) and "eternal life" (Matthew 19:29). Jesus' way of thinking and living is so very different from the world's way of thinking and living. He chall...
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