Jesus in the Old Testament, Jeremiah

Jesus in Jeremiah

If you are just joining us, we are currently going through the entire Old Testament in light of this Statement by Jesus.

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,” {John 5:39}

We just finished Isaiah and will be going to the Book of Jeremiah. Jeremiah began his ministry about 60 years after the death of Isaiah. The Word of the Lord came to Jeremiah when he was very young, and he was active through five different Reigns. About 40 years. It was not a happy time. As a matter of fact, some call Jeremiah the "Weeping Prophet." Jeremiah was constantly crying over Isreal and their Sins. His love for them was so great. Remember how Jesus lambasted them? Matthew 23:37

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!"

Let's jump right into Jeremiah 1:5

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."

Now God knew Jeremiah and all the things he would do before he was even formed in the Womb. Look at Matthew 1:18-21

"Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:"

Both were known before they were Conceived. Both were called from the Womb. As we see Elizabeth exclaimed in Luke 1:42-43

"and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"

Both knew the Father's Call before they reached Adulthood. Jeremiah 1:7

"But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak."

Luke 2:42-49

"And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"

Jeremiah is called to rise up because Israel had forsaken the Lord their God. Jesus had to come and Raised up because this entire World had forsaken the Lord our God. Jeremiah right from the beginning and over and over, again and again, called Israel to come to Repentance. Jesus called and continues to call us, everyone to come to Repentance. Jesus first Command was this in Matthew 4:17

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

The whole reason that God Created Jeremiah was to be a "Savour" of God's Chosen people. To teach them about Sin and to Call them to Repentance. The whole reason Jesus came here was for this very same purpose. However, as Jeremiah was to Israel, Jesus was for God's chosen and is now for all.

As we see in Chapter two on, God's people chose to forsake the Lord their God, reject His Truths and go it on their own. Sound familiar? All Man is Evil. This is our very Nature. Look at the very beginning.

"The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." {Genesis 6:5}

As Jeremiah was formed to come to Earth for God's Chosen People, Jesus came to Earth for God's Chosen People and those that God drew to Him. That would be me and you.

As we continue to read through Jeremiah, we see over and over again, Jeremiah faithful to God and His message, People reject and refuse to Repent. We see Jeremiah warn and teach over and over about Sin and the end result of Sin being Death and Destruction.

Jesus not only came to Teach about Sin and the end result of Sin being Death and Destruction. Jesus came to be THE better way. He is the ONLY Way.

"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." {John 14:6}

Both were Mocked Jeremiah 20:7

"O Lord, you have deceived me, and I was deceived; you are stronger than I, and you have prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all day; everyone mocks me."

Matthew 27:31

"And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him."

Both were accused of being mad. Jeremiah 29:26

"The Lord has made you priest instead of Jehoiada the priest, to have charge in the house of the Lord over every madman who prophesies, to put him in the stocks and neck-irons."

John 10:20

"Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?"

Some more similarities?

Both were Hated, Suffered for their Message. Few have ever suffered for doing good as much as Jeremiah. He was Imprisoned again and again. Chapter 20:2, tells us that he was put in Stocks. Chapter 38 records that he was lowered by ropes into a Cistern. He was accused of Treason and opposed by False Prophets and Religious Leaders of the day. He was surrounded by his own people who were crying out for his Death.

"And when Jeremiah had finished speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak to all the people, then the priests and the prophets and all the people laid hold of him, saying, “You shall die!" {Jeremiah 26:8}

We can clearly see that his suffering at the hands of his own People is a type and picture of the agony of Jesus.

Just as a little side note, I thought this was interesting. Read this with me. Jeremiah 8:13

"When I would gather them, declares the Lord, there are no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree; even the leaves are withered, and what I gave them has passed away from them."

Now look at Matthew 21:19

"And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once."

Jeremiah gives "Nor Figs on the fig tree" as a sign of impending loss, Jesus acted out the sign. Just thought that was interesting. Never really thought too much about the Fig Tree. Yet here it is. A Link if you will, between the Old Testament and Jesus.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a Sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus and His Sacrifice for me. I believe that He raised from the Dead. I repent my Sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.{2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus is Lord!