JEREMIAH 29:7

Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

TO PONDER

Did you see the controversial 2024 Olympic opening ceremony? I didn’t actually watch it live myself, but I woke to photos of the “offensive” duplication of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous artwork of the last supper. I was not offended…

Today’s verse is from a letter, God’s prophet Jeremiah addressed to God’s people who were in “exile”; which is a nicer way of saying they were captives, stolen, trafficked, or kidnapped. They had been taken prisoner by the enemy King Nebuchadnezzar and were being held captive in Babylon.

Jeremiah told this stolen generation to seek the prosperity and blessing of the people and place they were being held captive. They were to pray and work for the prosperity of Babylon because in so doing, they also would benefit from the blessing and prosperity.

…I woke up the morning after the Olympics opening ceremony to a picture of “sinners” sitting at a representation off what has been called the table of Christ and thought “that’s right, sinners are invited to His table”. Everyone sitting with Jesus at the last supper was a sinner, invited to the table.

I do understand the offence and the outrage felt by people and don’t want to minimise those feelings, but as what the apostle Paul calls “citizens of heaven” (Philippians 3:20) living as an exiled foreigner in this fallen world, I want to seek God’s peace and prosperity for all the sinners who are invited to the table of Christ.

PRAYER: Almighty God, I realise I do not need to stick up for you, I do not need to be offended for you and shout my offence towards this fallen world but rather you have called me to show your love and grace to everyone around me, inviting other sinners to your table of prosperity. Amen.

Today's devotion written by Danny Brock, LifeWay Westside