Jeremiah 16
paints a really bleak picture of the Day of Disaster for Judah Judah to
the promised land (v15).
Following on
from this, Stephen's speech in Acts 7 highlights how these plans and promises
worked out throughout the Old Testament despite Israel 's
continual turning away. Here the members of the Sanhedrin are accused of being
just like their fathers: stiff-necked, resisting the Holy Spirit and
persecuting those who challenge their academically-based theological orthodoxy
with the message that God has given them - ring any bells?
Finally,
despite all our turning away, John 3 is a soothing balm to our stubborn, evil
hearts and stiff necks: "For God so loved the world that he gave his
one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have
eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but to save the world through him." Praise God that despite our
disobedience, self-centredness and self-importance if we believe in Jesus,
repenting of our sins, we have eternal life through him. What a wonderful,
undeserved gift from our loving heavenly Father – we are not condemned, but are
free through His saving grace and the sacrifice of His Son Jesus.
(member of a homegroup)