Jeremiah was a man, and a prophet. In our retrospect, we look at him as a Prophet; In his day he was looked at as just a man. When you read what he said to the people of Israel, you can see that he was certainly a Prophet; because he knew what the job of prophet really was. It was not to predict the future, but to predict the present, to tell the people of the way things were, and in so doing tell them what might happen if they did not change.

He mentioned how the Prophets before his time prophesied the bringing back of all the exiles; a causative of war and famine. He instead said, “As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes true, then it will be known the Lord has truly sent the prophet. His offering is, let peace be what we seek.

Paul, in speaking to the Christians in Rome admonishes them to live righteously, not using the freedom from the Law and Commandments to live in salacious conduct. “Should we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no Means!” Instead you are to become slaves to righteousness. It is a truth, God will readily forgive our sins if we are ready to move away from them, but that forgiveness requires something of us.   

Jesus, in Matthew’s Gospel tells his Apostles, and us, that we coming forward in Jesus name become his emissary; and that in the language of his day meant that we then become just as Jesus when we do his work. He said to his disciples, “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me...” You and I, in doing the work Jesus has given us to do act in his stead; in his person and place. 

When we visit and comfort the sick, or ill at ease, we are doing Jesus work. When we give to those in need, we act as Jesus would act. When we feed the hungry, it is the same as the feeding of the 5,000. When the food we offer is blessed and eaten, and all are filled we have done as Jesus would do. If we forgive those who sin against us, we do as Jesus would do, and we receive forgiveness.  

At the end of each service I participate in, I have the last word, the last request, the last admonition; and I say: “Go forth in the name of Christ.” Because that is what you are called to do. I will sometimes say, “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.” Because you are truly called to be his Emissary.

“Let us Bless the Lord.” AMEN

The Rev. George O. Martin is an Ordained Deacon at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 17th and Adams, Great Bend. Send email to georgeom@hbcomm.net.