As we read today we see God's mercy and his strict judgment. Our Lord warns people, again and again, to turn from their ways and look to him in love and trust. He gives them means of grace to enable them to turn to him. And how quickly God's people desert him! Again and again we turn our backs on our Lord. We deny that his word and his actions in this world are good. We wish we could be God for a day, just one day, and straighten out all this world. We exalt ourselves above our Lord.
What incredible forbearance our God shows for his people. Yet at some point our Lord does give us over to our desires, whether a desire to trust his faithfulness or a desire to go our own way. Those who trust in themselves will reap the fruit of their labor, their own righteousness, their own goodness. They will be cast off to be prisoners to human desire, prisoners of Babylon, a nation which is destined for destruction due to its refusal to believe in the Lord.
But what of those who have trusted in Christ's faithfulness? Christ, our Passover, invites his people to dine with him, to trust in his riches, to reap all the benefits of his provision. He goes ahead of his people in death and shows himself victorious over death. He dies for our sins so we may live in his righteousness. He indeed keeps the Passover with his disciples. He has given us heavenly food and drink, all the nourishment we need. He has given us means of grace. He has given us his sure promises.
Lord, renew our trust in you. Lead us to your Passover. Make us partakers of your blessings.
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