169 Thursday, June 18, 2009

169 Jeremiah 001 – 002; Luke 22.1 – 22.38

Jeremiah 1:5 (MSG)
5 "Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you: A prophet to the nations— that's what I had in mind for you." .

This a comforting piece of Scripture that God almighty would know about you and me before we even take shape in the womb. God not only knows us, he also knows what we are to be doing. However, just because God knows what He wants us to do does not necessarily mean we will be all excited about those plans. Moses was told by God exactly what he was to do and God had to do some arm twisting to get Moses in the program. Jeremiah was also a reluctant leader. Jeremiah responds to God’s invitation to be a prophet to the nations with these words,

Jeremiah 1:6 (MSG)
6 But I said, "Hold it, Master God! Look at me. I don't know anything. I'm only a boy!"

Some scholars believe that Jeremiah was about 20 years old when God called him to be a prophet. The Lord told Jeremiah not to think in those terms, but to think with a new perspective. Jeremiah, you are to see and believe that the Lord will be with you and direct you. This young man responded and became a great prophet in one of the most difficult times of Judah’s life and times. When God speaks to you about doing something in His kingdom what excuse do you give? Do you eventually join in what God has asked you to do?
In Luke we find Jesus having the Passover meal with his disciples. In this intimate time Jesus reveals who is going to betray Him. It is at this time that Jesus reveals that the Passover will never be the same because He is the Passover lamb. It is also at this moment that some of the disciples argue over who will be the greatest. It is almost comical that with everything that is happening the disciples are in a power struggle. Jesus clears it for them by pointing to himself as a servant and letting them know He expects the same from them. How do you see yourself? Do you see yourself as a servant? Why do you see yourself as a servant? Jesus became poor for our sakes that we might become rich in grace and mercy.