The Names And Faces Have Changed...

I will give you back your health and heal your wounds,” says the LORD. [Jeremiah 30.17a] 

Oh, the religious banter this verse gives way to! There is no lack for heated dispute about what this verse implies... In the end, however, it comes down to "context." In this case, the context is the repeated idolatry (disobedience) of God's people, God's retribution, the people's repentance, and God's redemption. It is, in fact, the story of the entire Bible. The names and faces change, but the story is the same.

The "story" is all about God's people and their relationship to Him demanding their undivided obedience to Him - first in the Garden of Eden, and later on Mount Sinai (the Ten Commandments). Again, the names and faces change, but the story is the same.

As the "story" goes, God sent His Son to earth to help. Jesus however demanded no less undivided obedience. Yes, the names and faces changed, but the story did not.

In perfect context with the story of the entire Bible, Jesus gave a concise synopsis of the Ten Commandments but with words so constricting that they leave no possible misunderstanding:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

As the names and faces have continued to change, this is where I come in... I want to be a follower of Jesus! I want to please God. But, wanting is not enough - Bible history proves it never has been...

As the Ten Commandments pointed out, and as Jesus summarized, anyone who would please God must refrain from his own selfish disobedience and instead live God's way. Jesus echoed this demand with the words, "give up your own way." 

Man's idolatry is much greater than just trinkets and statues, or images and objects found in nature. Man's idolatry starts in his heart - it starts with what man wants for himself - what his definition of "living" is. It is, in fact, his own way. It is a way that must die in order to fully obey God. It is, in fact, what take up your cross is all about. Jesus demonstrated it. His "living" demonstrated the miraculous power of God over natural physical circumstances. His "dying" demonstrated the power of God over eternal time and space - without regard for temporal life on earth. Jesus lived and died in what immovable, undivided faith in God ALONE looks like - like redemption, restoration - resurrection. Jesus showed us everything idolatry against God is not.

So, why does man still experience the need for health and healing as promised in Jeremiah 30.17? This very question reveals gross ignorance of the story of the entire Bible. However, in modern times where idolatry is the overwhelming norm and not the exception, the question posed here is the platform for all manner of religious obtuseness. The obvious answer to the question is, idolatry however, to give that answer implies that widespread and unchecked worship of idols remains the overriding condition of man - the names and faces have changed, but the story is the same. Of course the godless world cannot see this truth, but for God's would-be people to miss it can only mean one thing: they are, like the world, grossly ignorant of the story of the entire Bible!

Jesus did not make idolatry go away. He clarified that His followers must give up their own way which is the very root of idolatry. The names and faces have changed, but the story of the entire Bible has not.

Father, I can ask You to help us see... but Your help is already in view in Your Word - Jesus. Our problem then is not our sight, but our will. May we see the truth of the entire Bible - giving up our own way, taking up our cross, and following Jesus. So be it.