Part 1: Faith Under Fire
Day 4: Jeremiah in the pit
Jeremiah 38:1-13
In a previous reading Jeremiah is unjustly accused and put in jail. In today’s reading Jeremiah is seized by a mob and violently thrown in a well. His commitment to proclaiming God’s word is again the source of his unpopularity with the crowd. This is the way it will go for those who stand firm. To be clear Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet, he does not always take his punishment with a stiff upper lip. His complaints and his laments can help us see how the man of God lifts his sadness to God.
Today’s reading and the previous one has Jeremiah being rescued by a member of the royal household. The first time it was the king, this time a servant or a eunuch. Just for context, all eunuchs castrated themselves so that they were unable to have romantic involvement. That allowed them to be trusted around the king’s many wives and concubines. In this case the virtuous eunuch rescues Jeremiah from the cistern.
Just as our last reading reminds us to focus on Jesus and the false accusation against him, todays reading should remind us that Jesus was also accosted by a mob. But the interventions of Pontius Pilot’s household, mainly his wife, did not save Jesus. He dies and in doing so saves his people. Both the experience of Jeremiah and the experience of Jesus should remind us of the words of Paul to Timothy “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted...” (2 Tim 3:12)
A prayer for the unity of all Christian people: O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior, the Prince of Peace: Give us grace to take to heart the grave dangers we are in through our many divisions. Deliver your Church from all enmity and prejudice, and everything that hinders us from godly union. As there is one Body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so make us all to be of one heart and of one mind, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and love, that with one voice we may give you praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God in everlasting glory. Amen.
Today’s reading and the previous one has Jeremiah being rescued by a member of the royal household. The first time it was the king, this time a servant or a eunuch. Just for context, all eunuchs castrated themselves so that they were unable to have romantic involvement. That allowed them to be trusted around the king’s many wives and concubines. In this case the virtuous eunuch rescues Jeremiah from the cistern.
Just as our last reading reminds us to focus on Jesus and the false accusation against him, todays reading should remind us that Jesus was also accosted by a mob. But the interventions of Pontius Pilot’s household, mainly his wife, did not save Jesus. He dies and in doing so saves his people. Both the experience of Jeremiah and the experience of Jesus should remind us of the words of Paul to Timothy “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted...” (2 Tim 3:12)
- Who is the friend in your life who would stand in the gap for you, who would come to your rescue if you were in a pit?
- Do you feel like you are that reliable friend for others?
- Has your Christian faith ever been a source of tension between you and others? Has it ever gotten you in real trouble?
- How can we prepare ourselves to stand strong when we experience hardship for our faith?
A prayer for the unity of all Christian people: O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior, the Prince of Peace: Give us grace to take to heart the grave dangers we are in through our many divisions. Deliver your Church from all enmity and prejudice, and everything that hinders us from godly union. As there is one Body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so make us all to be of one heart and of one mind, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and love, that with one voice we may give you praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God in everlasting glory. Amen.