Dear Readers and Listeners, Friends in Jesus Christ,
Our watchword for today is taken from the Book of Jeremiah, Chapter 30 verse 11, “But of you I will not make an end. I will chastise you in just measure, and I will by no means leave you unpunished,” (NRSVB). When we read this verse we feel concerned for the words “chastise” and “punishment” cause us to become fearful. However, we need to read the verse in context of Chapter 30 of Jeremiah’s prophecy, as well as in the context of the salvation history and the promises of Christ, the Saviour of humankind. God commanded Jeremiah to write up His words, these words are words of promise. “For, note well, the days are coming, when I will release from captivity my people Israel and Judah,” we read in Jeremiah 30 verse 3. God promised that He will make an end to captivity and to the scattering of the people into various lands, away from their own land. He calls the people not be afraid or cast down. God reassures of his saving grace and the end of suffering. He reminds the people of the situation that caused them to have been captured and lived in exile, being their disobedience to His laws. However, God knows that people are made of dust; and their thoughts and actions are also made of dust. The thoughts of humans are not able to reach or correctly interpret the thoughts and plans of God. Therefore, He will not punish them for their guilt, for they are not able to carry this punishment. “Your hurt is incurable and your wound is grievous,” Jeremiah 30 verse 12. This pain and wounds that people carry, (not being able to obey God’s commands completely), have been taken care of by the work of Jesus on the Cross. “Surely He has borne our grieves; our sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses, and carried our sorrows and pains of punishment (…) But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement needed to obtain peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes that wounded Him we are healed and made whole,” Isaiah Chapter 53 verses 4 and 5, (Amplified Bible). This wonderful prophecy of Jesus and His work on the Cross for humanity is prophesied by Isaiah, as if it happened already, at the time when he lived. According to scholars, Isaiah’s ministry started in 740 BC and continued for more than forty years. Jesus’ work on the cross includes those past, present and in the future. Today’s watch word can make us feel despondent and anxious if we read it without considering the salvation plan of God. However, this verse leads us to the portals of heaven, for it frees us from our anxiety for God’s punishment. He has paid the price, we are free to expect and wait on His blessings on us for “hope and a future.” Consequences of deeds committed are not punishments, but merely the way that things develop, due to certain causes set in motion. God is the God who redirects the pain and sorrow of the world and the ensuing calamities as to bring peace, new hope and joy. The words of the prophets tell of God’s activity from the beginning to the end of the ages. He is the Alpha and Omega, He fulfils his Word.
The Apostle Peter calls on all to be humble, as humble as Christ, the Suffering Servant. He dressed himself by putting on the garment of a servant, while washing the feet of his disciples. “Clothe (apron) yourselves, with humility. (God) gives grace (his favour and blessing) to the humble,” First Peter Chapter 5 verse 5, (Amplified Bible). In this time of devastating disease and sorrow, let us not fear. Healing, love and a good outcome for this world and her people are promised by God. Let us come before God, pray and wait in humility and trust, for we know that He works continuously in His world to perfect it.
Father, we thank you that we do not need to fear punishment. You have forgiven and forgotten our guilt, for you see us through the perfect work of your Son, Jesus. Amen.