Sæktu forritiðRETURN to ME: Reading With the People of God #16Sýnishorn
Justice, Judgment, and the Suffering Servant
Today’s readings bring us face-to-face with God’s righteous judgment on proud and oppressive nations. In Zephaniah 2:4–15, God announces the downfall of enemies who have acted with arrogance and violence. This passage reminds us that no nation or person is beyond God’s justice—pride and cruelty will be humbled.
In Mark 15:21–41, we walk alongside Jesus in His darkest hours. The suffering servant carries the weight of sin and rejection, enduring humiliation and death. His sacrificial love reveals the depths of God’s mercy amid judgment and invites us to see the cost of redemption.
Together, these passages call us to recognize both the seriousness of sin and the profound grace displayed in Jesus’ sacrifice. They challenge us to humble ourselves before God’s justice and to find hope in His mercy.
Reflection Questions:
- In what ways do I struggle with pride or injustice in my life or community?
- How does Jesus’ suffering and sacrifice challenge or inspire me today?
- What steps can I take to live humbly and extend mercy to others?
Prayer:
Lord, teach me humility before Your justice and open my heart to Your mercy revealed in Jesus. Help me to trust in Your redemptive love even when life feels broken. Amen.
About this Plan
This 16th installment of our Reading with the People of God plan invites you into the voices of the Minor Prophets—Hosea through Nahum—calling God’s people to return with sincerity and trust. Paired with the Gospel of Mark, we’ll hear Christ’s invitation to repentance and renewed faith. Each day includes readings from Psalms, the Old Testament, and the New Testament, with a brief devotional primer. May these readings draw you nearer to the Lord, awaken your heart to His mercy, and echo His faithful call: “Return to Me.”
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