Jer. 31: 31 - 34

Heed: to give consideration to.

See, a time is coming-- declares the LORD-- when I will make a new covenant with the House of Israel and the House of Judah. (31) See, a time is coming-- declares the LORD-- when I will sow the House of Israel and the House of Judah with seed of [humankind] and seed of cattle (27). Strictly adhering to the lectionary deprives us of the chance to hear and study the parallelism-- both of words and meanings-- of today's text and that which precedes (27-30).

It is understandable that Christians want to avoid the prior text: "Parents have eaten sour grapes and children's teeth are blunted." (29) We do not like to think that our misdeeds (our what?) bring adversity on our children, so we turn our eyes from this patently evident truth. But the text says: In those days, they shall no longer say that, and goes on to establish the rule of individual responsibility (30). Is not YHWH hereby annulling the pronouncements about visiting the iniquity of parents upon children and children's children, upon the third and fourth generations (Exo. 34: 7; cf. Num. 14: 18)?

Yes, but only insofar as the relationship to God is concerned. These texts (27-34) are all-- and only-- relative to that. Our relationship and culpability regarding the rest of the world and the earth remains under "the old order", and our wrong-doing (our what?) does and will continue to have adverse effects on our children and great-grandchildren.

Besides this, there is another critical consideration. No longer will they need to teach one another... "Heed the LORD"; for all of them, from the least of them to the greatest(1), shall heed Me-- declares the LORD. (34) God's promise-- a time is coming-- most obviously has not yet arrived. Just look at the world around you. Who heeds God?

And to this end Jesus suffered, died and was raised. In faith, we participate in that. At least, we can and may, according to Paul. But the crux of the matter is: do you Heed the LORD in all that you think, say and do? Be honest, now; "God is watching all that you do."(2)

Psa. 51: 1 - 12 (3 - 14, TNK) or 119: 9 - 16

Heed: to mind.

Psalm 51 seems particularly pertinent in light of the prior discussion. Note especially the lines:

  • for I recognize my transgressions,(5) and


    Indeed You desire truth about that which is hidden (8).
"Full disclosure" in today's parlance. Our grandparents would have called it "integrity"(3). It is difficult for us; no doubt about that, as I well know. But is it not necessary, if we are to Heed the LORD?

Psalm 119 provides some insights on how we can do it.

  • How can a young man[, for example,] keep his way pure?--

    by holding to Your word. (9)
    I study Your precepts;
    I regard Your ways;
    I take delight in Your laws;
    I will not neglect Your word. (15-16)

Faith in God's Word that I will forgive their iniquities, And remember their sins no more requires something from us: truthfulness, dedication, trust, personal responsibility. Heed the LORD.

Heb. 5: 5 - 10

Heed: to obey.

Perhaps verses 11-14 might be more appropriate. But if what Peter says is true: you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, (1Pe. 2: 9; cf. Rev. 1: 6 & 5: 10) then we should look to this text as an example to follow. We are not priests by our own designation, nor by public or ecclesial acclamation, but it was granted by God (5). As such, it is not a privilege, as most regard that concept, but a duty, a responsibility.

The next part we do not want to hear: [Jesus] learned obedience through his sufferings (8). I admit that I do not want to suffer; am I alone? But if we are to Heed the LORD and serve Christ (Jn. 12: 26), if we wish to be perfected (9), then we have to brace ourselves to accept whatever God and life have in store for us.

How are we going to cope with that? In the course of his earthly life [Jesus] offered up prayers and petitions, with loud cries and tears, to God (7). Philip Yancey writes in "Psalms: Spirituality in Every Key"(4):

From Psalms I have learned that I can rightfully bring to God whatever I feel about him. I

need not paper over my failures and try to clean up my own rottenness; far better to bring

those weaknesses to God, who alone has the power to heal. (p.122; next, p.139)

As the books of Job, Jeremiah, and Habakkuk clearly show, God has a high threshhold of

tolerance for what is appropriate to say in a prayer. God can "handle" my unsuppressed rage.

...[O]nly by taking those feelings to God will I have that opportunity for correction and healing.

In other words, we may "let it all hang out". God knows about it anyway, and expects, appreciates and honors our honesty. As it was for Jesus, so will it be for us: Because of his devotion his prayer was heard (7). Now we do not usually equate devotion with candor, but God does. Together, they add up to trust. Heed the LORD.

John 12: 20 - 33

Heed: to follow instruction.

Some Gentiles came to Philip and said to him, 'Sir, we should like to see Jesus.' (21) We are not told what they wanted or expected; we have only their request for an audience. Nor do we know in what terms Philip and Andrew conveyed their message to Jesus; we have only His lengthy response. As you read those words, remember that Jesus was replying to some Gentiles' (read: you, me, the Church) request.



"Do you want to see me? Then you must die as a seed dies. (24) Do you want to see me? Then you must hate yourself in this world. (25) Do you want to see me? Then you must follow me and serve me. (26)"

As heirs of Abraham, children of the House of Israel to whom YHWH has promised a new covenant, we all have the privilege to serve as priests. It is a charge, a duty, and it requires something from us: truthfulness, dedication, trust, personal responsibility. Follow Jesus: Heed the LORD.

I had finished writing with the above sentence. Then, a couple nights ago as I tossed and turned in bed, the question came to me: where in all that is there any Good News? The Gospel does not have much; 'Now my soul is in turmoil,' (27) Jesus laments. The Epistle hints at some good news, but only after discussing loud cries and tears and obedience through... sufferings. Not too very encouraging.

Heed: to pay attention to.

My mind drifted to the phrase I had repeated: Heed the LORD, and to the various meanings of the word "heed". A word not overused in today's talk and writing, probably because it has become more closely related to the meanings I have inserted before the lections. But, I think, the one immediately above is nearer to the Prophet's intent. And, if we seek Good News in today's readings, it is to Jeremiah that we must turn.

  • For I will forgive their iniquities,
    And remember their sins no more.

To me, this really is Good News. This is not simply "forgive and forget", but forgive... And remember... no more. At my age, I know how easy it is to forget something. And I know how much more difficult it is not to remember other things, especially words and actions that I fervently wish I could forget.

The Gospel of God in Jeremiah is greater, more far-reaching, than mere forgiveness. God promises never to even think about our iniquities and sins.

Heed the LORD. Pay attention to what God says, and believe it.

Heed the LORD. Because God's Word is in earnest; the promise is valid.

  • In my heart I treasure Your promise;
    therefore I do not sin against You. (Psa. 119: 11)

Heed the LORD. You can't go wrong.

1. 1 "Whosoever", John 3:16 et al.

2. 2 See b17, Mar. 19, 2000.

3. 3 Does today's society-- or the Church even-- know what this means?

4. 4 The Bible Jesus Read, Zondervan, 1999.

(comments to Phil at ENAPXH@aol.com )