a promise for the city

I’m learning there is a clarity to spiritual life in Jesus, which can only come while ministering in his name, among those who are most obviously destitute. One of the reasons I believe this is true is that we are able to see the worst of human conditions met by the greatness of Christ’s love. A point that the Lord has been driving home as I open myself up to have his eyes and ears, is that althought the people we’ve been with our obviously destitute, all people are spiritually destitute. We are all stuck in habits, dysfunctions, sins, addictions, and poverties of a spiritual nature. Apart from Jesus, our lives are spiritually desolate; although we may have homes, food, water, clothing, jobs/purpose and money, we can be spiritual homeless, starving, thirsty, naked, purpose-less and poor.

We see this play out in our lives spiritually first, and then it has repurcussions in the physical world – in our neighborhoods, offices, schools, structures of society, and at large in our cities. Yet, God doesn’t leave us there. Again – the worst of human conditions are met by the greatness of Christ’s love.

In Jeremiah 33, God speaks to these realities and promises. He says:

- Call to me and I will answer and tell you great and unsearchable things that only I know.

- I will hide my face from this city because of it’s wickedness, BUT:

- I will bring health and healing to it. I will heal my people and let them enjoy abudant peace and security. I will rebuild. I will cleanse. (These are all promises spiritually first, and physically second).

- The city will be known for the Lord and it will bring Him renown, joy, praise and honor, peace and prosperity.

- Though it is a desolate waste, once more it will have joy and gladness, there will be marriages (again, spiritual to Christ and physical as well), offerings will be given and fortunes will be restored.

So, when and how does all this happen? Well, Jeremiah prophesies next about Christ and indeed it all happens through Christ, and more specifically through his ministry which is continued by the Spirit of Jesus, through the church:

“The days are coming, when i will fulfill this gracious promise… in those days and at that time, I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days [my people] will be saved and will live in safety. This is the name by which He will be called: The Lord Our Righteousness.” (Jer. 33:14-16)

And here is the fulfillment: “Jesus Christ has become for us wisdom from God, that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” (1 Cor. 1:30) & “For in the Gospel, a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith.” (Romans 1:17)