Evil Plot
JEREMIAH 18:18-20; PSALM 31; MATTHEW 20:17-28
“My enemies are digging a pit for me”. ‘Come on,’ they said, ‘let us concoct a plot against Jeremiah. The plotting against Jeremiah prefigures the plotting that will take place against Jesus. It also shows how the enemies plot evil against the Children of God for no offence. What was the offence of Jeremiah? Psalm 35:7 says “For without cause they laid their net for me; without reason they dug a pit for my soul.” Again, Psalm 57:6 says “They spread a net for my feet; my soul was despondent. They dug a pit before me, but they themselves have fallen into it!” And so, Jeremiah prayed to God for intervention. Most likely Jeremiah prayed using the words of today’s psalm saying; “Save me in your love, O Lord. Release me from the snares they have hidden, for you are my refuge, Lord.” God is our unfailing refuge. Therefore, rather than contending and competing over positions, wealth and privileges like the two sons of Zebedee in the gospel; let us take solace and refuge in the Lord.
Let us pray
Look kindly, Lord, we pray, on the devotion of your people, that those who by their self-denial are restrained in body may by the fruit of good works be renewed in mind. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
