Hey yo!
Wasn’t Mark Ambundo engaging on Sunday?! What a privilege to hear some of his context in Kenya. He focussed primarily on 1 Cor 1:18-31. For our devotion this week, let’s go from there back into Jeremiah. What does it mean to proclaim the “foolish” message of the cross?
Blessings!
Stranger in a Strange Land series (part 3)
“Playing the Fool for God”
Devotional Notes
Readings to reflect on throughout the week:
Jeremiah 27
1 Cor 118-19
Luke 191-10
Next week’s readings:
Jeremiah 1614-21
Jeremiah 3131-37
Luke 414-30
Personal/group study:
Pray alone/as a group. Pray for the “foolishness” of the cross to become your wisdom as you reflect.
As a group, share a story when you’ve been made to look foolish. If alone, reflect on the past week. Where have you ignored and turned from God in order to save face in front of others?
Jeremiah 27 is quite long and dense. Try breaking it up into sections, spending time to dwell in each one. Read Jeremiah 271-11
In this first section Jeremiah, proclaims to various kings who are in relationship with King Zedekiah of Judah.
Think internationally. What might the “foolishness of the cross” have to say in our world today? If alone, you might like to offer up intercessory prayer for a particular international incident or event.
Read Jeremiah 2712-15 – in the second section, Jeremiah delivers his message to King Zedekiah of Judah.
Think nationally. What might the “foolishness of the cross” have to say in New Zealand today? If alone, offer up an intercessory prayer for a particular incident or people group in New Zealand.
Read Jeremiah 2716-22 – in the final section, Jeremiah prophesies to the priests and the people of Judah.
As the priesthood of believers today, what might the “foolishness of the cross” have to say to us? If alone, pray for God to transform your own heart to the “foolishness of the cross”.
Throughout this chapter, Jeremiah is wearing a yoke. In many other places too, he plays the fool for God. And indeed he laments: “Why did I ever come out of the womb to see trouble and sorrow and to end my days in shame?” What does it mean to wear “the yoke” in your own life? What are the strengths and weaknesses of this image for discipleship?
Jeremiah’s message is far from cheery. How do you understand God in all this? How do you grapple with such a message in light of the God we know in Jesus Christ?
Close by praying for the “foolishness of the cross” to be made known to you throughout the week. Ask God for courage and strength to be Christ’s “fools” in the world.
An mp3 of the sermon can be found here.