It’s the beginning of Holy Week. How wonderful that it “just happened” that this week’s lesson is “The Ransom.”
What was Jesus main purpose for coming?
Is that linked to why He so often told those He healed to tell no one?
Again and again you see Jesus healing, not because it was His mission,
but because He was “moved with compassion” and couldn’t help it.
That seems to be what was happening in Mark 1 when Jesus healed the leper.
Not everyone loves “The Chosen,” and I agree that is impossible for anyone to portray Jesus,
but I think this comes closer than most. (Feel free to disagree — I love the way this group challenges, speaking the truth in love!)
Watch this scene to see both Jesus’ compassion but also His direction for the leper not to tell anyone.
Jesus came, primarily, not to heal our earthly sicknesses, but “to give His life as a ransom for many.”
The Old Testament foreshadows the idea of ransom, of paying for the freedom of another, with the story of Boaz & Ruth, and again, with the story of Hosea & Gomer.
Both of these women were helpless until a ransom was paid.
And we are helpless to save ourselves, for our God is so holy, and our sin is so great.
Our symbol this week is the scene from The Last of the Mohicans, when “Cora” is going to be burned on the fire to appease the wrath of the tribe, and the Indian played by Daniel Day Lewis says:
“Take me!”
And they do. A ransom sets her free.
There are those who think they can save themselves by doing more good things than bad, and winning on the holy scale of justice.
But we can never do enough good things to obliterate our enormous debt.
Only the ransom of one without sin can make us clean.
And if we have put our trust in the enormous price Jesus paid, it is finished.
Highlight from Last Week
Last night The Gospel Coaltion had a wonderful program of prayer that is just what we need in this time of Covid 19. I encourage you to watch it this week and pray with them — they put the prayers in sub-titles to help. And listen to the wonderful challenge at the end. Would love to hear your responses to this all week long.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/video/prayer-covid-19/
Also, our own Chris shared this new song with us, a song that helps her with her grief over losing her teenage son, Daniel. This is our hope, This is what we must think about when times are hard like this.
Palm Sunday 2020.
- What stands out to you from the above and why?
- What reasons can you think of for Jesus telling those He healed not to tell anyone?
- A possible corrollary to this is that good things can get in the way of our primary calling. Has God shown you where He has gifted you and called you? If so, how would you reflect on this corrollary?
Monday: I Must Be Killed
Jesus keeps telling them that He must be killed in Jerusalem, but that He will rise again. They do not understand. One commentary said that because He had been speaking in parables, they think this too must be a parable. I liken it to when Steve was diagnosed with fourth stage cancer. The first oncologist said, “Steve, I can’t heal you.” But neither one of us believed that, thinking not only that God could, but also, that she was wrong. Steve was actually chipper when we left, talking about the power of God and the great inroads medicine was finding into cancer.
We traveled to Omaha for a second opinion and that oncologist asked how old our children were, for he should get his affairs in order. Plainly, she said, “You are dying.” Numb, we went back to the hotel, still pushing back at her words. Restless, I decided to go to Target and find some small gifts to take back for the girls. In the middle of an aisle I broke down sobbing. A man asked if he could help me and I said, “My husband is dying.” I then fled, leaving my cart and that kind man, to run and hide in the car. The truth that I so didn’t want to receive was seeping in.
3. Review Mark 8:27-33
A. To whom is Jesus speaking here, and what is the setting?
B. What does He tell them in verse 31?
C. What is Peter’s response?
4. Review Mark 9:30-32
A. What do you learn in verse 30, and what thoughts do you have about why
Jesus wanted privacy?
B. What does Jesus tell them in verse 31.
C. Why do you think the disciples were afraid to ask Him about it?
5. Read Mark 10:32-34
A. Again, to whom is He speaking?
B. What details does He add that He had not told them before?
6. Read Mark 10:41-45
A. To whom is he speaking and what is the setting?
B. Why does He tell them He came?
Tuesday: Cosmic Evil Needs A Cosmic Price
Lewis portrayed the great evil through the White Witch and all evil helpers. She could cast an evil spell, bringing bondage, a magic she had known from the dawn of time. That evil has permeated our world from the dawn of time, bringing unto suffering.
7. Read Chapter 12, (“Ransom”) up to A Willing Sacrifice and share your notes or
reflections.
8. What chains has Christ broken for you? Specifically thank Him here.
Wednesday: A Deeper Magic Before The Dawn of Time
Prepare your heart with this:
“…Though the Witch knew the Deep Magic, there is a magic deeper still which she did not know,” Aslan explains to the children.
9. Read “A Willing Sacrifice” in Chapter 12 and share your notes and reflections.
10. Give specific praise here for what Christ endured for you, a traitor.
Thursday: Death to Ambition
I’ve been waiting on the Lord prayerfully and hopefully wanting a writing project. I’ve been reading Andrew Peterson’s book on writing, “Adorning the Dark.” He humbly shares that he began writing because of “a yearning to be seen and known and valued.” He said that God used the ignoble motive to get him going, but in time he realize that the best art comes from a yearning to glorify the Lord.
11. Think about your motives to excel in something. Was there a selfish motive in
the beginning that He is transforming? Explain.
12. Has there been a recent book, movie, and/or song that deeply moved you
because it so glorified the Lord? What was it?
13. Read Mark 10:35-45
A. What stands out to you from the dialogue between James and John with
Jesus in verses 35-39? Explain.
B. What does Jesus tell them in verses 40-45? What does He mean?
14. Read Jeremiah 29:7.
A. What does God tell His people to do for the people who destroyed their city,
murdered their families, and carried them into exile?
B. How would this be hard yet glorify the Lord?
C. Is there an application to your life?
Friday: A Humble Sacrifice
15. Read the last section in this chapter and share your notes and reflections.
Saturday: Reflections
16. What is your take-a-way this week? How might you incorporate it into a
prayer?
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13. Read Mark 10:35-45
A. What stands out to you from the dialogue between James and John with Jesus in verses 35-39? Explain.
Initially what stood out to me was that their request came right after Jesus told them what he was going to endure, then I thought about how childlike their request was, kids want what they want and they say so. Then I thought of the indignance of the other disciples and that want motivated them was probably self-interest too, how dare James and John outright ask for what I was hoping would be given to me.
12. Has there been a recent book, movie, and/or song that deeply moved you because it so glorified the Lord?
Yes, I’ve been singing Sara Grove’s song He’s Always Been Faithful a lot lately. Speaking to my soul, reminding myself of what is true. So, yesterday morning I recorded myself singing the first verse and attempted to post that on the private facebook prayer page for this group. Not sure what I did wrong but it hasn’t shown up yet.
This is Sara Groves beautiful song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3mTk148NBs
Also, Sara Groves has been doing small facebook LIVE with her family. Such encouragement. Yesterday’s was especially meaningful.
Max Lucado has also been doing facebook LIVE posts that are full of understanding, empathy and strong encouragement.
Thanks Nila — I’ll check out Sara Groves facebook. She’s a favorite of mine.
Nila, I have been listening to Max Lucado, too. And thanks for sharing Andrew Peterson earlier tonight. I really enjoyed it!
10. Give specific praise here for what Christ endured for you, a traitor.
Lord Jesus, to me, though I know of your love, the depth of it is unfathomable. Maybe there is no reaching the bottom of it, ever. That is no excuse for me to make light of my sin, which at times, I do. That is me misusing your love, taking advantage of it, not appreciating it. Every drop of blood, every wound, every sensation of pain You felt was an expression of love. When I turn from You, I am still inflicting pain upon You. Because You love me, You hurt when I wound You. Thank You Jesus for continuing to love me, and help me to have the kind of heart that does not want to wound You in return.
11. Think about your motives to excel in something. Was there a selfish motive in the beginning that He is transforming? Explain.
I think He is transforming me in being aware of those deep idols that are lurking beneath the surface. I can think of how recently, I was at work and on the phone with a physician relaying some information about a patient’s condition. A male nurse was sitting next to me kind of listening, and I had this thought cross my mind that I hoped what he heard me saying would make him notice how smart I am. I know, ugh. It’s the wanting to be noticed, to be thought well of, to be looked-up to. Since returning to staff nursing, there have been many times I’ve had to ask questions or bring another nurse into the room with me say, when dealing with a patient with a chest tube because it had been years since I did anything with a chest tube. Sometimes I feel insecure as to the other nurses who are more current in their knowledge. So many times, in many things I do, there is an underlying motive for what I will get out of it. Jesus is so opposite of that.
12. Has there been a recent book, movie, and/or song that deeply moved you because it so glorified the Lord? What was it?
Oh yes! My daughter and I just finished watching the last episode of the Netflix series, “Chocolate”. It’s a South Korean drama, all in subtitles. It may also actually be written from a Christian perspective because in the last episode I was surprised that one of the main characters went into a church to pray and the themes of selfless giving to others are all over the place. There’s a lot of their culture that you learn about though as many characters wonder about coming back in the next life but there are still so many Christian themes. I both laughed and cried so much throughout the whole series. I don’t want to give it all away, but as it progresses, the center of many of the main characters’ lives is a hospice center. They come there for various reasons and many of the main characters are so changed, so transformed, by their experiences with the patients there. Two of the main characters, Cha-young, a chef who cooks for the patients, and her first love, Kang Lee, a doctor who is sent there to work, and Cha-young’s brother and another doctor related to Kang, and the director of the hospice and his estranged relationship with his former wife who now has Alzheimer’s….characters who were power-driven, greedy, unforgiving, and enemies are transformed. A brother-sister relationship is healed. Wounds and scars from their pasts are finally dealt with and you see real growth and healing. Two ways of living are clearly delineated: giving of self to others and living selfishly. I can’t say enough about it. I cried right along as the hospice patients passed away…it brought back memories of when I worked in oncology. Though there is some salty language, albeit in Korean…it’s a ‘clean’ series.
This was very good from John Piper on Covid 19:
https://soundcloud.com/world-news-group/culture-friday-john-piper-on-fear-and-faith
It was very good, Dee! I passed it on to some friends. And I signed up for his book.
Thursday: Death to Ambition
I’ve been waiting on the Lord prayerfully and hopefully wanting a writing project. I’ve been reading Andrew Peterson’s book on writing, “Adorning the Dark.” He humbly shares that he began writing because of “a yearning to be seen and known and valued.” He said that God used the ignoble motive to get him going, but in time he realize that the best art comes from a yearning to glorify the Lord.
11. Think about your motives to excel in something. Was there a selfish motive in the beginning that He is transforming? Explain. – I wanted to work at the church so bad, to be close to home, to have a part in being part of the staff. My motive in my mind was to be seen, so I signed up to be a children’s ministry teacher and also agreed to go around and check to make sure the teachers were in the classrooms and had the right adult/child ratio. I did these things thinking that it would help if they saw me, but in the long run, I’m not cut out to be a 4th-5th grade teacher (God bless those who are). I ended up backing down from that and God showed me that I am right where he wants me to be. It didn’t pan out for me to work there and every application I have filled out since then has had no response. I’ve come to realize that I will follow His lead and stay right where I am until I retire (hopefully in a couple of years)
12. Has there been a recent book, movie, and/or song that deeply moved you because it so glorified the Lord? What was it? – I read more than I watch TV and there are so many books that I have read that have had a ton of WOW’s in them and eye opening moments, but, beside the Bible, one that I really liked was by Max Lucado – He Chose The Nails. Just one of the many things I highlighted in the book was the following…“There are times when God sends thunder to stir us. There are times when God sends blessings to lure us. But then there are times when God sends nothing but silence as he honors us with the freedom to choose where we spend eternity.” God can do anything he wants. He can give us everything with us not doing a thing, but He loves us enough not too. He allows us to choose, and through out choosing, he is glorified, when we choose His ways.
13. Read Mark 10:35-45
A. What stands out to you from the dialogue between James and John with Jesus in verses 35-39? Explain. – James and John want Jesus to do what they ask of him, and he listens to what they have to say. He doesn’t just shove them away with disregard, he lets them say what they want. He then asks them the question if they think they can handle what He is going to go through. They have no clue what’s to come. Jesus’ love denies them and tells them they are not the ones to be sitting up there with him. He doesn’t rebuke them in anger but tries again to explain what will happen to him.
B. What does Jesus tell them in verses 40-45? What does He mean? – He tells them that he is not the one to grant who sits on his left and right. Those places have been prepared for others. He explains that they are not like the religious rulers who do nothing but exercise their authority over people below them, they are to help each other and put others before themselves. Like him he was not put on earth to be served but to serve. They need to follow what his example is and hold others in higher regard than themselves.
14. Read Jeremiah 29:7.
A. What does God tell His people to do for the people who destroyed their city, murdered their families, and carried them into exile? – he tells them to seek peace and prosperity and to pray to the Lord for it because if the city prospers so will they.
B. How would this be hard yet glorify the Lord? – It would be hard because you will be the one forgiving them for what they did to you. Where most would think that they need to apologize for what they did first. They are being asked to be the better person and forgive others who wronged them.
C. Is there an application to your life? – For my life, I need to learn to forgive at all times. Not necessarily be a door mat, but I need to have an open heart to forgive and be able to confront them and tell them that I forgive them. Not just do it and think they know I have forgiven them. I need to show the love of Jesus to them, because most likely if they have done something against me and haven’t apologized to me, they don’t think what they did was wrong because the aren’t living like Christ.
Friday: A Humble Sacrifice
15. Read the last section in this chapter and share your notes and reflections. – WOW my head is spinning from reading this section. I’m not sure if I am clear on what is unselfish living, I need to go back and read this again I think. When John and James asked Jesus to let them sit on his right and left, they thought that they would be right up at the top. They had no clue. They wanted to be His next in line. For me I need to remember to dig deep and to really think of what I’m asking God to do. I need to make sure I understand what the outcome can be with what I ask. Do I really want him to answer my questions before I really think of what I’m asking. I need to slow down with my requests, pray to Him, be silent and listen before I speak.
Saturday: Reflections
16. What is your take-a-way this week? How might you incorporate it into a prayer? – there is so much good stuff this week and what timing to be Holy Week too. I really need to absorb what exactly Jesus did for me, for us. I don’t want to ask questions that in the end are foolish to some extent because I think what I’m saying will make me look important or stand out amongst the crowd. Lord, help me to honor your today and this weekend for what you did for me. I don’t deserve any of what you give to me. I fail you every day, and yet, you still sacrificed yourself. You drank that cup that was meant for me. You know I wouldn’t be able to handle it, so you stepped in like a loving parent would and drank it for me. Help me to not live a selfish life. Help me to do things unconditionally and not for what I will get in the end. I what to be loved by you because you chose me and know I need your help. I am sorry Lord for what you endured for me. Know that I truly love you for your sacrifice. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
Love your enthusiasm and “spinning head” and book recommendation by Max Lucado, Julie.
Mark 10:35-39 In Jesus’ dialogue with James and John, what stands out to me is verse 38, as Jesus says, “you don’t know what you are asking, Are you able to drink the cup that I drink? ”
B. Jesus tells them in verses 40-45, “whoever would be first among you must be the slave of all.”
He means that their role would be to serve others, I guess, just as a slave would serve. It is a hard concept when I think of slave, of being in bondage.
14. Jeremiah 29:7 God tells his people to pray, to seek the peace of the whole city, and then they shall have peace!
B. This would be very hard because much suffering was caused by these people!
C. I know this is difficult because my inclination for those who have caused me pain is to want justice.
Father God, I pray for those individuals who have sought to cause me pain and who have been my enemies. Help me to forgive them, and I pray for their lives to be made whole and to know peace and to have healing in their hearts. May the bitterness that has crept into my heart be released and may I trust that your will be done for all of us. thank you for my forgiveness, I pray in Jesus’ name.
Shirley — great way to pray for your enemies.
11. Think about your motives to excel in something. Was there a selfish motive in
the beginning that He is transforming? Explain.
My Mom has always pushed me to do well in a lot of things. I got an opportunity to co-write a career-tech teacher sort of guide and started on it 10 years ago! It seems like there was often an obstacle in finishing it although my colleague and I started really strong. The desire to finish is still there and I have been thinking God is transforming my desire to honor Him with it and not just to be proud about accomplishing something. I feel like the Lord is telling me to wait for His time. I have gotten to a place also that if He tells me to drop it that I am willing to do just that.
12. Has there been a recent book, movie, and/or song that deeply moved you
because it so glorified the Lord? What was it?
“Is He worthy” by Andrew Peterson.
13. Read Mark 10:35-45
A. What stands out to you from the dialogue between James and John with
Jesus in verses 35-39? Explain. How gentle Jesus was with these prideful brothers!
B. What does Jesus tell them in verses 40-45? What does He mean?
14. Read Jeremiah 29:7.
A. What does God tell His people to do for the people who destroyed their city,
murdered their families, and carried them into exile?
To pray for its peace and prosperity.
A. How would this be hard yet glorify the Lord?
It would be easy to wish for the demise of the city but will glorify God in the sense that He allowed the destruction and exile. That means He wants us to turn the other cheek and do good to those who have taken advantage of us so be like Jesus and honor Him.
B. Is there an application to your life?
I am often tempted to not pray for people who are considered bad. And not serve people who seem they are just taking advantage of me. I feel this way at times with my students. I have to be careful to do things in love and pray for the prosperity of those who I think at times don’t deserve it. Lord, forgive my conditional love and let me love others as you do.
Thursday 12. Has there been a recent book, movie, and/or song that deeply moved you because it so glorified the Lord? What was it?
The movie, I Can Only Imagine. Out of forgiveness came a song that glorified the Lord.
13. Read Mark 10:35-45
A. What stands out to you from the dialogue between James and John with Jesus in verses 35-39? Explain.
Their answer of, “oh yes, we are able” when Jesus asked if they were able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering that He was about to drink. Jesus knew they had no idea what they were willingly and quickly volunteering for so they could have seats of honor. I do wonder if they had second thoughts when He told them they would indeed drink from His bitter cup and be baptized with His baptism of suffering and that He didn’t have the right to say who would sit where?
B. What does Jesus tell them in verses 40-45? What does He mean?
Rulers of this world Lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them, but among you it won’t work that way. If you want to be a leader you must be a servant and if you want to be first you must be the slave of everyone else.
The world attitude is having power and putting yourself first, but you’ll be different by being serving others, putting their needs first. Jesus tells them He didn’t come to be served but to serve others…
15. Read the last section in this chapter and share your notes and reflections.
I was struck by the Bible story Keller tells about the Israelites being exiled to Babylon and how they were told to be good stewards of their time there; to join in the culture and marry, to have children and be respectful of the people.
“And I don’t want you to do this merely out of a sense of duty. “Pray for it” is another way of saying “love it.” Love that city, pray for it, seek to make it a prosperous, peaceful city, the greatest place to live. If Babylon prospers through your service to it, you prosper, too.”
That is some hard stuff right there…I am in the midst of a sort of “exile “ of my own right now and it is painful. Believe it or not it also has to do with being a believer. It makes me sad. So this part of the book is telling me to rise up, be kind, and do what I am supposed to do because it’s the right thing to do. The people exiling me should still be treated well by me. Ugh. So hard.
The other part I enjoyed was that of giving because you wanted to help someone (genuinely, not because it grants you a place in heaven or you get something out of it). When I was young and found myself depressed I used to say to myself, “I need to focus on others more and not myself.” Although it really was meant to get me out of a funk (I gained), I think the sentiment of what Keller is trying to convey was there.
Ladies I am praying for all of you and your families and hope you all have a Happy Easter as much as you can with the times we are in right now. Be blessed.
Thanks Julie! Happy Easter to you as well!
Thank you…appreciate the prayers!!
Happy Easter✝️
A Humble Sacrifice: What was Jesus’ moment of great glory? Where does he reveal the glory of God’s love? James and John did not understand what they were asking – to sit on Jesus’ right and left in his glory. The ones who would be on his right and left at that time would be the two criminals being crucified.
The cup is a metaphor for the just judgment of God against evil. (cup of suffering). The baptism refers to an overwhelming experience of being condemned so that we can be free from all condemnation. What are we missing right now? Those who follow Jesus are repeatedly failing to understand the will of God. We need to learn not to take ourselves too seriously.
How hard it is to take in the magnitude of what the cross really means. We are blinded by our pride and egotistical ways of thinking! A prime example is worry, because we think “I know the way my life is supposed to go and God is not getting it right.” Real humility is to relax. Be self-critical. High officials seek power and control, thinking, “If I have power, wealth and connections I can have it my way.”
The principle we need is from Jeremiah 29:7, when the scripture says, “Seek the peace of Babylon, pray for it ,seek the prosperity of the city and serve your neighbors. For that is the route to your peace.” The model for loving service is Jesus, who died for his enemies.
Researchers find that those who seek their own happiness become addicted to it. The best way to increase your happiness is to do acts of selfless kindness, to pour out yourself for needy people. It gives one a sense of meaning, of being useful and valuable. However if you do these acts to become happy then it is purely selfish motivation. Because if I do it for my own happiness I’m not leading an unselfish life. If you believe you are saved by works, you’ve done it for yourself.
Rather than looking at ourselves, we must look to Jesus, To follow Christ’s gift of grace. He proved that we are worth everything to him, then we have everything we need in him. It’s all a gift to us by grace. If you really understand the cross, you will have joyful humility!
The inscription under a portrait of the suffering Lord in the art gallery in Dusseldorf, is “All this I did for Thee, what doest thou for me?”
14. Read Jeremiah 29:7. A. What does God tell His people to do for the people who destroyed their city, murdered their families, and carried them into exile?
Seek the good of the city, pray for them.
B. How would this be hard yet glorify the Lord?
It is very hard to pray for enemies, but God has called us to, for His purpose and glory. When I remember all I have been forgiven, and that I am doing it to honor the Lord, not man, my heart is softened.
C. Is there an application to your life?
Trust the Lord with my circumstances, and with attacks against me. He is always at work. He sees. He loves. He is faithful—and calls me to be faithful to Him.
Friday: A Humble Sacrifice
15. Read the last section in this chapter and share your notes and reflections.
“The way you are going to win the society is through service and not through power and control. “ But one can also be serving others in order to serve self (I am doing good, therefore, I am going to heaven). We need to look beyond ourselves and look to Jesus. A shift in our attitude, you want to help others to resemble the One who did so much for you, to delight Him. Only the gospel gives you the motivation to lead an unselfish life…”
Saturday: Reflections
16. What is your take-a-way this week? How might you incorporate it into a
prayer?
“Only the ransom of one without sin can make us clean.
And if we have put our trust in the enormous price Jesus paid, it is finished.”
Lord, I thank you for dying on the cross for me. I cannot pay my “ransom”. Only you, the spotless Lamb of God is able to do that and make me clean. Forgive me of my many sins. Help me remember the enormous price you have to pay for my ransom. And that it is finished. I no longer have to earn my way to the Father. And that if I do good works or serve others, it is to reflect you and in gratitude for what you have done for me.
Thursday
14. Read Jeremiah 29:7.
A. What does God tell His people to do for the people who destroyed their city, murdered their families, and carried them into exile?
Make yourselves at home, work for the welfare of the country and pray for their wellbeing.
B. How would this be hard yet glorify the Lord?
It would be impossible on your own.
11. Think about your motives to excel in something. Was there a selfish motive in the beginning that He is transforming? Explain. I have always struggled with succeeding for the sake of favor…both man’s and God’s. In my childhood I think it was an unconscious assumption that I learned from watching others in the Christian community that man’s favor is a confirmation of God’s favor. I struggle with this as a nurse and helping others. I DO want to help but many times I want to help ALL the people and be a part of the solution for ALL the problems. It is really hard for me to say no because I don’t want to be the person that lets others down. God has to discern in my heart what is my true calling and what is me just wanting to be of value…it is slow coming, like taking a thick scalpel to the thickness of tissue paper, but it is coming. I DO see His calling in my helping and I DO want to help.
12. Has there been a recent book, movie, and/or song that deeply moved you because it so glorified the Lord? What was it? The song Is He Worthy has been speaking to me … that He is Holy and Worthy of all our praise, worship, and service has been heavy on my heart.13. Read Mark 10:35-45
A. What stands out to you from the dialogue between James and John with Jesus in verses 35-39? Explain. The fact that they start the conversation with “do for us what we want you to.” This seems selfish and spoiled and out of place… could it be that they felt they deserved something in return for their service with Jesus? For their Self-perceived loyalty? Were they still roped into a Pharisee attitude of “do well, receive well”? Had they been thinking about the glory they seen in the transfigurations decided they wanted what most people want – assurance for their eternal soul.
B. What does Jesus tell them in verses 40-45? What does He mean? He tells them that the leaders of Christianity will not be ones with great authority but rather those that love so well and genuinely that they will be driven by compassion to serve those they lead…just as Christ served us by giving ?His life in atonement.
14. Read Jeremiah 29:7.
A. What does God tell His people to do for the people who destroyed their city, murdered their families, and carried them into exile? to pray to God on their behalf for their welfare.
B. How would this be hard yet glorify the Lord? This would require forgiveness of the atrocities committed as well as ongoing forgiveness of probable persecution as slaves and discrimination.
C. Is there an application to your life? To continue to forgive and pray for people in my sphere… to choose patience and friendship over irritation in situations when people don’t help as I think they should, or think the same as me, and yet to be able to still be resolute in the truth I know and find joy in obedience of it.