Take care
If ever there were a passage that shows that the bible speaks as much to today as it did in it’s original setting, this one from Jeremiah has got to be a strong contender. The leaders were supposed to take care of the people and hadn’t. Rather a damning opening to a passage, but it is entitled, “A message of hope”. For the leaders, perhaps not, but for those who have been let down it certainly is. God is going to restore them, give them leaders who will care for them, and bring them peace – through God’s, honest, just and wise King. Others versions use the word shepherd rather than ruler. It can be easy to get carried away blaming “them”. But we all have a responsibility to care for others, to seek, justice, honesty, integrity and peace amongst our fellow human beings.
Paul reminds us that we are united in peace. On the cross, Jesus did away with hatred, and united us with both God and one another. We are all the same through what Jesus has done. All in need of his love, forgiveness and peace – and all given it. So we are all on the same side. No longer strangers or enemies, but part of the building work God is doing, joined by him. We have lived without hope and without God, now through Jesus we have both, and share in both with our fellow believers, whoever they are. Our challenge it to share it also with those who do not know it – whoever they are.
Sandwiching the well know story of the feeding of the five thousand are these two passages. People came pouring to Jesus, they were like sheep without a shepherd, they needed love and hope, and he gave it to them. How many people today are in need of the same – love, hope, peace, protection, justice… and God is still willing to meet them and meet their need. As people who have been given that, it is our responsibility to share it with others. No one is better or worse than us. No one is too much of a stranger, too far away. Jesus has what people need, and will give it to them. Let’s us take care to share that, to take care of one another in his name, to point to the one true shepherd of the sheep, the one who offers hope, and brings his peace.
Pam's Perambulation 