From the Sunday Readings

Jeremiah foretells the new hope

Jere 33:14 (NRSV) The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called "The LORD is our righteousness."

The Book of Jeremiah is one of the most beautiful and compelling in all of Scripture. The prophet Jeremiah was torn by the burning love of the LORD the LORD had kindled in his heart, and the demands of it. He prophesied during the last days of Israel and Judah, when Jerusalem was stormed by Nebuchadnezzar and God's people were scattered, most to exile in Babylon. In these facts of history Jeremiah saw the outstretched arm of the LORD, punishing His own people for their rank failures to do justice, show mercy, and live in love. Amidst the destruction and judgment, a new hope--the LORD promises a righteous branch, His only Son, who would Himself do the work and show the way that God's people, had forgotten, and could not walk themselves.