ESOCS Devotional 19 August 2023: Jesus

ESOCS Devotional 19 August 2023 – Jesus: Our Lord and Salvation

MEMORY VERSE: “When He is King, the people of Judah will be safe, and the people of Israel will live in peace. He will be called ‘The Lord our Salvation” Jeremiah 23:6 GNB

TEXT: JEREMIAH 23:1-6 (KJV)

“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” says the Lord. ²Therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: “You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings,” says the Lord. ³“But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. ⁴I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking,” says the Lord.

⁵“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord,
“That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness;
A King shall reign and prosper,
And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.
⁶In His days Judah will be saved,
And Israel will dwell safely;
Now this is His name by which He will be called:

Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here

Even in the height of His anger against Israel, God’s last word to His people has always been that of hope, forgiveness and restoration. This shows the extent of His love for His chosen people and children in general (John 3:16). In our text, Jeremiah incorporated this message of hope, as he assured Israel that God would not forget His people, despite their sinfulness that prompted their punishment into captivity. Jeremiah assured the people that God would fulfil His promise to David by raising a righteous Branch at the time of the New Covenant. This righteous Branch will be the light and salvation of mankind.

At the fullness of time (Galatians 4:4), God sent His Son Jesus Christ to reign on the throne of His father David. Although Rome had appointed Herod as king over Israel, he was not a king recognized and sanctioned by God. God the Father would be Israel’s only King ruling from heaven. This would last until the appointed time of the Messiah. Then, He would hand over all authority and power to His Son Jesus Christ, (Matthew 28:18, Daniel 7:13-14). At the present, those who would feed the flock of God on earth (Pastors, Apostles, etc.) would be directed by the authority of the word of Jesus Christ. It is clear, of course, that Jesus is the one now reigning over all things from heaven (John 12:48, Col. 1:18, Phil. 2:10).

In verses 5 and 6 of our text, Jeremiah prophesied that the righteous Branch would reign and prosper. He would execute righteousness and justice on earth (Jer. 33:15). In relation to this prophecy, Zechariah also prophesied the coming of this King of Israel. According to Zechariah, this King would come riding on a donkey, and He will judge with righteousness (Zech. 9:9, Psalms 72:1-4). Yes! Jeremiah prophesied of this King that would reign over all things. Zechariah reaffirmed the reign of this King.

Jesus is indisputably this blessed King who comes in the Name of the Lord (Luke 19:38). He is Christ, our Lord and our King. He is the Redeemer of all the world; the Grand Commander of the entire universe. Oh, come let us adore Him.