THE STORY OF JESUS: Jeremiah 26-28
“Serve the king of Babylon, and you will live.” (Jeremiah 27:17)
In this time of war and crisis, Jeremiah advocates surrender.
It would be the same as ministers in Europe urging surrender to Hitler.
By surrender he did not mean willing complicity, being allies.
But he was warning against violent rebellion, for which they would die.
In a sense, this is what Jesus did, as did Paul and other christians.
Jesus did not start a rebellion, but a movement of subversive love.
Evil was not overcome with more evil, but with the way of grace.
God has allowed this world to be under good and bad rulers (Jeremiah 27:5).
We are not to fight or kill the Caesar’s but to render them their due.
We pray for our governments, though we do not join them in their sinful ways.
Humble surrender does not mean we quietly tolerate injustice.
We humbly stand and speak up for the oppressed, like Jeremiah/Jesus did.
We graciously stand against and warn those who sin, like Jeremiah/Jesus did.
God’s kingdom is restored with grace and goodness, not by force or rebellion.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, this is a hard message to speak when there actually is an occupying army in our land. Please strengthen and encourage those who live under these difficult circumstances. Show them Your triumph!