Growing with the Lord

8/17/26 Jeremiah’s indictment of failed leadership and John’s account of Christ’s passion reveal two opposing responses to divine judgment—one rooted in institutional failure and human rejection, the other in redemptive sacrifice and sovereign acceptance. Jeremiah condemns shepherds who have scattered and abandoned God’s flock ( Jer 23–24 ), establishing a crisis of leadership where those entrusted with care have become instruments of destruction. Yet Jeremiah simultaneously announces a future Righteous Branch of David who will reign wisely and administer justice and righteousness ( Jer 23–24 )—a messianic promise that transcends the present corruption. The entire land will become desolate while nations serve Babylon for seventy years ( Jer 25:11–12 ), but this judgment carries an expiration date. God commands Jeremiah to make all nations drink from a cup of divine wrath, causing them to stagger and lose their minds ( Jer 25:15–29 )—a comprehensive judgment affecting the entire world o...