What  a dressing down Jeremiah was giving the Israelites . he starts by pointing out their faults . not what they have done but rather what they have failed to do . very much a list of well you wouldn’t do this , you didn’t listen to this . he then goes on to say that as a result God is going  to bring a disaster on them and their fine schemes .

It seems that they have developed their own ways of trying to please God .

Frankincense form Sheba, sweet cane from from a distant land. Burnt offerings and sacrifices .

God’s response is really very blunt . I am laying stumbling blocks for this people against which Parents , children Neighbours and friends will perish .

If that’s not direct I don’t know what is .

Luckily Mark is more encouraging that ‘people will be forgiven their sins and blasphemies as long as it’s not against the Holy Spirit .

This is said to be an eternal sin.

Makes you think doesn’t it , especially in these times where O.M.G.  and other such phrases are common , where the name of Jesus himself is used as an expletive .

So where are we in amongst this all . are we so used to what is in a service that we no longer think about what we are saying . have we become so caught up in the modern world  that we really want to use all it’s inventions so we aren’t seen as behind the times , or alternatively that we are ‘ Hip Man’ as   they would have said in the ‘60’s and 70s.

Where is the gospel – the good news in what we do ? have we done exactly the same as the Israelites and made up our own way of worship.

Some of the problem is that we use words that not everyone understands and that can put people off – Something Jesus never did , he talked to the crowds in their language  not that of the priests .

To me the gospel message is so very clear – God sent Jesus who taught us exactly what God wanted us to do . he died for us although we didn’t – and still don’t deserve it . then he left us with a choice . do things his way or be part of those people that are spoken about  in Jeremiah.

What are we going to do about it ?

Jesus gave the disciples a job to do and , if you like, a recipe for it but how closely do we follow the recipe .

Are we kingdom people or are we happy as we are . I think we need to be the former .

So as we go forward – as we look to having a new priest to lead us let us think not just of the now but of the growing of Christ Kingdom .

To paraphrase the Boys’ Brigade object let us strive for

‘ the advancement of God’s Kingdom among those we meet in our everyday life and in those whom God’s sends into our care.