Journey to Jerusalem Day 26

Fourth Sunday, March 14 2 Chronicles 36:14-16
14 All the officers of the priests and the people likewise were exceedingly unfaithful, following all the abominations of the nations. And they polluted the house of the Lord that he had made holy in Jerusalem.
15 The Lord, the God of their fathers, sent persistently to them by his messengers, because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place. 16 But they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord rose against his people, until there was no remedy.

Today’s passage offers a brief account of the end of the political reign of the Davidic monarchy that took place in 586 BC. The “likewise” refers to the last political king of the decayed lineage, Zedekiah. The events that preceded this end are recounted in 1 and 2 Kings, and in 1 and 2 Chronicles. It is instructive reading that might prove helpful as a corrective if you find yourself paying a lot of attention to politics these days.

A great “executive summary” of these four books can be found in Jesus’ Parable of the (Wicked) Tenants in the synoptic Gospels. It might be worth remembering, too, that Jesus is truly the last king of the Davidic monarchy; in fact, Jesus is the only true king in all human history, which will be supremely helpful as a corrective if you find yourself paying a lot of attention to politics these days.

But the thrust of our passage today is not meant to be merely helpful for our confusion of the profane with the divine. Rather, today’s passage is meant to be sobering, very sobering, and it is the last clause that makes it so: “…until there was no remedy.” God’s steadfast love is everlasting—and blessed be his Holy Name! But not so his patience.

As followers of Jesus, we have no reason to concern ourselves with that “no remedy” business, for Jesus came as the true remedy for all who believe in him.
The problem, as I see it, is not everyone believes in him. For them, Zedekiah’s end remains.

Lord Jesus, we set before you those close to us who reject your offer of peace with God and everlasting life through you. Soften their heats, Lord; open their ears to the gospel. In your Holy Name we pray.
Amen.