The Jesus Bible Reading PlanSample

OUR RIGHTEOUS SAVIOR

The first two verses of Jeremiah 23 describe the Lord’s lament at how poorly the kings took care of his people. He blamed the kings leading up to and including Zedekiah for leading the people away from God and into exile, for which he promised punishment. However, God’s justice comes hand in hand with his mercy: while verse 3 promises punishment in exile, it also promises a united future back in the land. Not only did God promise to bring his people back to him, but he also said that they would one day no longer have to fear or worry because he himself would “place shepherds over them” to rule and protect them (v. 4).

Then Jeremiah described the ultimate ruler that God planned to raise up: a king from the line of David who would rule with wisdom, justice and righteousness. The ruler is described as “a righteous Branch” of this family that God had blessed, a shepherd for his people who would be the ultimate ruler in every way: the Messiah, whom we know is Jesus. The people of Jeremiah’s time were left to wonder about who God was promising through this passage, but believers today know the end of this particular story, having a different picture of the righteous and risen Savior.

Given the tumult of Jeremiah’s time, the idea of a wise, just and righteous ruler was undoubtedly appealing. Today, Jesus is the Savior of all who believe, but he is also the ruler over God’s people as well. He is the shepherd who is responsible for bringing God’s people back from the nations where they were scattered, and he wears the crown under which all believers are able to unite. God’s people have a ruler under which they can live safely and securely, and his name is Jesus.

Jesus, I look around at the rulers of our time and wonder how some of them got to be where they are. Please remind me that you are in control, and help me to only look to you for true leadership. Amen.