Friday • 3/19/2021
Week of 4 Lent

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 95; Psalm 102; Jeremiah 23:1–8; Romans 8:28–39; John 6:52–59

More extended thoughts on today’s Romans readings in these two posts from last summer: on Romans 8:26–30; and on Romans 8:31–39

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 10 (“The Second Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 55:6–11; BCP, p. 86); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 18 (“A Song to the Lamb,” Revelation 4:11; 5:9–10, 13, BCP, p. 93)

Promise of a new and better kingship in Jeremiah. After his conquest of Judah, the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar appoints Zedekiah as a vassal king in Jerusalem (2 Kings 24:17). Though Zedekiah’s name means “Righteous is Yahweh,” he is no more righteous than any of his predecessors. Unwilling to be Nebuchadnezzar’s puppet, Zedekiah rebels. He is successful, however, only in provoking the utter destruction of Jerusalem and in bringing about the end of kingship in Judah. “He did what is displeasing to Yahweh, just as Jehoiakim had done. That this happened in Jerusalem and Judah was due to the anger of Yahweh, with the result that in the end he cast them away from him” (2 Kings 24:19–20 Jerusalem Bible). 

Jeremiah surveys the history of unworthy and ungodly shepherd-kings: “You have let my flock be scattered and go wandering and have not taken care of them. Right, I will take care of you for your misdeeds—it is Yahweh who speaks!” (Jeremiah 23:2b JB). Nonetheless, Yahweh is still the God of his people, the God who intends to renew his creation through these errant people anyway. Yahweh promises a return that will be so spectacular that the people will know him no longer as Lord of the Exodus, but as Lord of the Return: “So, then, the days are coming—it is Yahweh who speaks—when people will no longer say, ‘As Yahweh lives who brought the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt!’ but, ‘As Yahweh lives who led back and brought home the descendants of the House of Israel out of the land of the North and from all the countries to which he had dispersed them, to live on their own soil” (Jeremiah 23:7–8). 

Moreover, Yahweh promises a new and better kingship. Jeremiah predicts that God will provide in the line of David a “righteous Branch” who will reign wisely and justly. His days will bring salvation and security to God’s people. Reversing the terms in Zedekiah’s name (“Righteous is Yahweh”), Jeremiah says “the name by which he will be called [is]: Yahweh is Righteous” (Jeremiah 23:6 my translation). Still, even after the return, no descendant of David mounts the throne. That is, until… 

A King in John’s Gospel. Though Jesus eludes a crowd that wants to force him to become king in John 6:15, his feeding of the 5,000 demonstrates that he is the Good Shepherd (that is, Good King) of his people (see John 10). Later, at his trial, Jesus makes sure that Pilate understands that, yes, indeed, he is a King, though “not from here” (John 18:36). In John’s soaring perspective (remember: the church’s symbol for John’s Gospel is the eagle), Jesus’s crucifixion is, ironically, a coronation. Pilate’s sign atop the cross tells the truth: ‘The King of the Jews” (John 19:17). When the chief priests  demand the sign be corrected to say instead, “This man said, I am King of the Jews,” Pilate refuses. He says, simply, “What I have written I have written” (John 19:21–22). Pilate knows, and so do we. Jesus is King. At last, the Righteous Branch of David has come. At last, “Yahweh is Righteous” rules. At last, Emmanuel, “God is With Us” is with us (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23). At last, one worthy of the name Jesus (“Yah Saves”) is saving (Matthew 1:21). 

Therefore, we give thanks week after week for the Eucharistic Feast that Jesus inaugurates in John 6, when he takes the loaves, offers thanks over them, and gives them out for the people’s nourishment (John 6:11). Week after week, he gives himself to us anew, in the Bread of his Body and the Wine of his Blood. Week after week, he renews his gracious reign and nourishes his flock. 

Confidence in Romans. This reality accounts for the extraordinary confidence with which Paul climaxes the eighth chapter of Romans: “If God is for us, who can be against us? … Who will separate us from the love of Christ?” (Romans 8:31,35). 

God the Father has shown himself to be more than a match for the sin that has kept his creation in bondage (Romans 1–3) and that causes our hearts to shudder under condemnation (Romans 5:1; 7:1–25). 

God the Son has carried to the cross every single thing for which we could ever be condemned, and every single thing that could make us cringe with shame (Romans 3:24–26; 5:6–8; 8:3). Even now, at the right hand of God, Jesus prays for us (Romans 8:34). 

God the Holy Spirit intercedes for us as well, pours out God’s love into our hearts, dwells in our hearts enabling us to love God and neighbor, speaks confident assurance, sustains hope, and accompanies us all the way to glory (Romans 8:27; 5:5; 8:17).

All of which gives Paul reason to exclaim, without minimizing or trivializing our hardships in any way, “All things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose….” (Romans 8:28). 

Be blessed this day, 

Reggie Kidd+

Image: bybondservant007. Permission applied for.