READING FOR JUNE 1, 2026: JEREMIAH 6, MARK 13, PSALM 49:1-9
JEREMIAH 6 As we are reading this, keep in mind that this chapter is directed at God’s chosen people, not some primitive people who never heard of the God of the Bible. We Christians today are under a new and better covenant made possible by the work of Jesus. Yet, Judah and Israel also were covenant people of God and there is much application here for us today. God is telling them He is about to destroy their city. Read this while you are sitting down.
God urges His people to get out of town fast. Sound the warning alarm because God is about to bring destruction to beautiful Jerusalem from the north. These northerners will camp a- round Jerusalem in a siege. (As this is being written, 4/15/26, the USA has instituted a siege on Iranian ports.) Then they will be eager to attack the city, even at night. In their role as the army of the Lord, the Babylonians will destroy the city’s great buildings, cut down her trees, and be God’s instrument of punishment against God’s people due to their utter sinfulness. Verse eight, however, suggests there might still be time to repent. Remember Jonah at Nineveh.
If repentance doesn’t take place (which we know in hindsight that it didn’t), then the city will be like a field after it has been totally gleaned: completely stripped. Jeremiah, in verse 10, expresses frustration because no one seems to be listening to his warning. Have you shared the Gospel and been similarly tuned out? Not fun. Even with some folks who attend church it seems that “the word of the Lord has become for them a rebuke; they take no delight in it (vs. 10). The breadth of those who are God’s chosen people about to experience this wrath can shock us: “Pour it out on the children in the street and on the gathering of young men together; for both husband and wife shall be taken, the old and the very old” (vs. 11). As we certainly know from the Bible, God is loving, holy, righteous, just, all knowing, and all wise. He will never do anything that could be wrong or unfair. But this text suggests that there exist ways that children and even the “very old” can act in ways that are sinful. No one is off the hook when disobedient to God.
Verses 13-15 tell us that people supposing to speak for God tried to make people feel better on the surface by just bringing a message of peace. But this did not get at the root problem, which was, and still is, sin. Thus, these soothing preachers will also experience God’s punish- ment. God, Himself, gives the solution in verse 16. He says instead of viewing God’s word as out of date or culturally irrelevant, “Ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find a resting place for your souls.” Sadly, they chose not to do so. This may also be the saddest situation in the church in 2026. We think we know better than God. An important dimension to this story is that the prophet Jeremiah identifies himself with His endangered Jewish brethren. He finds no joy in communicating this message of God’s judgment. “Mourn as for an only son, a most bitter mourning. For suddenly, the destroyer will come against us” (vs. 26). Let’s never find pleasure in communicating the consequences of rejecting Jesus.
READING FOR JUNE 1, 2026 CONTINUED: MARK 13, PSALM 49:1-9 MARK 13 This chapter is almost identical to Matthew 24, which was mentioned as being challenging to understand. Our study cautiously interpreted that prophecy as a mix of the near future (destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70) and distant future (second coming). For a more complete discussion of the material, review the Matthew 24 study from March 5, 2026. There are a few differences, though. Mark identifies the disciples interacting with Jesus as being Peter, James, John, and Andrew (vs.3). Verse 9 adds that the persecution of his followers will provide an opportunity to witness for Jesus before governors and kings. Verse 11 assures that Jesus’s followers need not worry about what to say but to trust the Holy Spirit for the right response. Verse 12, however, adds that some with faith in Jesus will be denounced by their own family members and executed. Remember that our faith in Jesus supersedes and might conflict with family relationships. Truth can be costly. Jesus paid the highest price.
The disciples ask a two-part question in verse 4. Jesus appears to answer in two main parts, one focusing on AD 70 and the other pertaining to the second coming. In verses 5-8 Jesus describes the kinds of events that the disciples could expect during their time, not signaling any particular prophetic fulfillment. Verses 9-13 dis- cuss the nature of persecution that characterized the disciples’ experience and those of millions of persecuted Christians throughout history. Verses 14-23 appear to describe the destruction of the Temple and the city of Jerusalem by Rome in AD 70. This event is described after the fact by the historian Josephus in his work The Jewish War. In verses 24-27, events become more cosmic: sun and moon darkening, stars falling, and angels gathering believers. The phrase “the Son of Man coming in the clouds” in particular aligns with other biblical references of Jesus’s second coming (Rev. 1:7, Act:1:11, Dan 7:13). No one present on earth will miss this.
Verses 28-33 includes a comment about discerning the times by observing what is happening, seemingly about Israel. The statement about this generation not passing before seeing this happen could be referencing the destruction of the Temple. The reference to not knowing the day seems more related to the second coming. This is confirmed with an illustration in verses 34-37 that resembles some of the parables stressing the need to be ready for the unexpected return of Jesus. Although the details of this study’s interpretation might be open to dispute and correction, the need to be prepared immediately for Jesus’s return is incontestable!
PSALM 49:1-9 This Psalm needs to be heeded by all demographic groups, all nations, all time periods. Why? Because it addresses a life-and-death issue that transcends culture, century, and place. It is so important and perhaps counterintuitive that the Psalmist set it to music to make it more understandable and memorable. Does the Psalmist have our attention, yet?
There may and likely will be tough times ahead for us. We may and likely will feel ignored or poorly treated by those around us (i.e., family, friends, co-workers) who look to be doing well themselves. Worse yet, they even brag about it on their Facebook page. Here’s the secret they are not sharing on Facebook, possibly because they don’t realize it themselves: Those postings describe outward success and/or good times that have no lasting value in themselves. Being vice president of a company is admirable, but by itself, cannot save oneself or a loved one from slavery to sin and inner meaninglessness. Being on a perpetual Caribbean cruise, by itself, might be pleasant at first, but will eventually lead to eternal sinking, not Paradise Island. Instead of feelings of jealousy or resentment over their apparent good fortune, pray earnestly that they would find ultimate and eternal joy through faith in Jesus before it’s too late. If we have faith in Jesus, remember the greater permanent riches we securely possess. Contemplate the glorious eternal life ahead of us in Heaven. It will make the Caribbean look less impressive than Buck Creek by comparison.
