SCRIPTURE
Jeremiah 36:11-26 (NRSV)
Jehoiakim burns the scroll
When Micaiah son of Gemariah son of Shaphan heard all the words of the Lord from the scroll, he went down to the king's house, into the secretary's chamber; and all the officials were sitting there: Elishama the secretary, Delaiah son of Shemaiah, Elnathan son of Achbor, Gemariah son of Shaphan, Zedekiah son of Hananiah, and all the officials. And Micaiah told them all the words that he had heard, when Baruch read the scroll in the hearing of the people. Then all the officials sent Jehudi son of Nethaniah son of Shelemiah son of Cushi to say to Baruch, "Bring the scroll that you read in the hearing of the people, and come." So Baruch son of Neriah took the scroll in his hand and came to them. And they said to him, "Sit down and read it to us." So Baruch read it to them. When they heard all the words, they turned to one another in alarm, and said to Baruch, "We certainly must report all these words to the king." Then they questioned Baruch, "Tell us now, how did you write all these words? Was it at his dictation?" Baruch answered them, "He dictated all these words to me, and I wrote them with ink on the scroll." Then the officials said to Baruch, "Go and hide, you and Jeremiah, and let no one know where you are."
Leaving the scroll in the chamber of Elishama the secretary, they went to the court of the king; and they reported all the words to the king. Then the king sent Jehudi to get the scroll, and he took it from the chamber of Elishama the secretary; and Jehudi read it to the king and all the officials who stood beside the king. Now the king was sitting in his winter apartment (it was the ninth month), and there was a fire burning in the brazier before him. As Jehudi read three or four columns, the king would cut them off with a penknife and throw them into the fire in the brazier, until the entire scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the brazier. Yet neither the king, nor any of his servants who heard all these words, was alarmed, nor did they tear their garments. Even when Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah urged the king not to burn the scroll, he would not listen to them. And the king commanded Jerahmeel the king's son and Seraiah son of Azriel and Shelemiah son of Abdeel to arrest the secretary Baruch and the prophet Jeremiah. But the Lord hid them.
DEVOTION
Well, I don't know about you, but I have known some folks who are extremely resistant to the good news message.
Like the King in today's scripture reading, they have heard the call to repentance. They have been exposed to a loving God who wishes to forgive. They have been confronted with their sinful behavior and given an opportunity to repent, but they refuse.
To make matters worse, these same people are often violent and hostile in their rejection of God's words--slandering the prophet, and seeking to kill the messenger.
Lord have mercy!
If you've been a Christian, bold in your witness, I'm sure that you have encountered folks like this too.
It seems to me that in the face of this much rejection we have two options. #1--We can become angry, hostile, and rejecting in return OR #2--We can remain loving, peaceful, and calm trusting that God will draw them closer in God's own time.
Obviously, #2 would be the appropriate answer as we reflect on the question, "What would Jesus do?"
Whenever I am frustrated by my inability to successfully share the good news with someone I care about, I always remember Paul's words in 1 Cor 3:7. He says that some plant, others water, but it is GOD who gives the increase!
When I stumble upon a person who will not listen to the good news message that LOVE gave JESUS to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life, I simply trust that I have done my job in "planting" the seeds that will sprout up later.
The work of evangelism is GOD's work. We simply get to partner with God in God's work. As long as we "go ye therefore to all the nations, baptizing, and teaching," we have done our part and we must trust that GOD will do the rest.
Be at peace Saint of God. None of our labors are in vain. Although every person we share with may not choose to believe in Jesus, many will! Our job is not to make them believe; rather, we are called to extend the invitation in love.
God sees all and knows all and I believe that God is well pleased with every effort that we undertake to make Jesus famous everywhere we go!
Please pray with me:
Holy God, please help me to make Jesus famous everywhere that I go! Please help me to share good news with those who will receive it and those who will not. When I--and/or your good news message--is rejected, help me to be at peace, trusting and praying that you will continue the work when I am gone. Please forgive me for being so enraged by those who will not believe in You and please help me to be patient with those who struggle to believe. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.
THE INVITATION
If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @
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