I was reading through Jeremiah 26 the other day and felt compelled to write about the scene that this chapter talks about. Jeremiah was told by God to go to the courtyard of the Temple to give a message to the people. At this point, Jehioakim is king of Judah. He was one of the last kings of Judah. Babylon had already attacked and taken captive some of the most brilliant people of the land. Things are looking pretty grim and it should be obvious at this point who was telling the truth and that Jeremiah should be listened to.
Jeremiah goes into the temple and tells the people to listen to God and to repent of their evil ways. In response, the people say to Jeremiah "You must die". Jer 26:8. The elders of the people go up to see what Jeremiah is saying before a full riot breaks out. In the midst of this harsh and large crowd, Jeremiah stands his ground. He tells them to change their ways and then adds about himself "As for me, I am in your power, Do to me what you think is good and right. But be sure of one thing. If you kill me, you will be guilty of killing an innocent person. You will make this city and everyone who live in it guilty too! The Lord truly sent me to give you this message." Jeremiah's not going back down even if it means his death, which it probably seemed likely at that point.
Which leads me to ask the question, why is it so against our grain to change even when it seems it is in our best interest to change? Whether it is the alcoholic who needs to change his habit or someone who eats too much or is focused on some other unhealthy pursuit. It seems that we must feel a great deal of pain before we change. I see that where I work, when you tell people something time and time again, but like a pig in his favorite mud pile, the pig keeps going back. We seem so resistant to change. Is it because the familiar is more comfortable for us that to face the uncertainty of something new and different? Even when it is in our best interests!
Jeremiah almost lost his life that day for speaking what is obvious. Other times he was thrown into a cistern full of mud and nearly died in it, put into the stocks another time and put under house arrest another time, so that he could not walk among the people and warn them. It wasn't easy to tell others that they should change and repent. Repent does mean change and not just confession. It literally means to turn around and go another direction. It is a conviction that brings about resolution to change your ways. Without it, to say your sorry really doesn't mean much if your just going to go back and do the same things.
