Scripture Reading for Thursday March 27, 2025

Jeremiah 7:23-28, Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9, Luke 11:14-23

            Today’s readings are amazing examples of the deeply personal relationship God wants to have with us. I think too often we believe that life on this earth is some test God has given us so we can earn our reward in heaven. Today’s readings say otherwise.

            First, we hear God complaining to Jeremiah that his people aren’t listening to what God is saying. It sounds a bit like whining to me. Can you imagine? God whining? Well, at least complaining. Notice this section, “From the day, your ancestors left Egypt until today I have sent you all my servants, the prophets, persistently sending them day after day. But they have not listened to me, have not paid attention; they have deliberately resisted, behaving worse than their ancestors.”  This is somebody who is seriously frustrated with another’s behavior. What does God want? “My one command to them was this … Listen to my voice. … But they did not listen…” Sounds a little like a parent frustrated with their child, doesn’t it?

            But as with any loving parent there’s a good reason to be worried about what will happen if people won’t listen. That’s what Luke’s Gospel is about. Jesus is driving out the devil who has held a person captive as dumb.  But once the man can speak the Pharisees fail to recognize the power of God in their midst. Just like the ancestors from Jeremiah’s time they aren’t listening or in this case seeing what’s right in front of them. God is here, present, rescuing God’s people, freeing a person from the evil that had held him captive.

            That’s what God is trying to tell us all. There is evil in this world that can take us where we don’t want to go. Evil can be like a strong man who guards his home, bad things can be very powerful and destroy who we were meant to be. God wants only to keep us from what will lead to our destruction. God says listen to me and what I say because otherwise you risk your very life. It’s why Jesus draws the line so sharply, “Anyone who is not with me is against me; and anyone who does not gather with me scatters.” This is meant to be black and white. God wants us to live a life of love and happiness. It’s not a test. It’s an opportunity freely given and God has been worried from the beginning that we won’t listen or see what is offered and instead end up a captive to everything that harms us.

            That’s why the response to today’s Psalm is, “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts,” that is, listen, really listen!