No Remedy
Scripture Reading — 2 Chronicles 36:11-20
The Lord . . . sent word to them through his messengers again and again. . . . But they mocked God’s messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets. . . .
Perhaps Matthew ends his list of kings with Josiah (Matthew 1:11) because the Bible says, “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed the ways of his father David” (2 Chronicles 34:2). Josiah, however, was not the last king of Judah. Zedekiah was.
Though God persistently sent messengers and prophets to warn Zedekiah, he hardened his heart and would not turn to the Lord. The Bible says there was “no remedy.” Incredible! So God sent the king of Babylon to destroy Jerusalem, and God’s people became captives in a foreign land.
But God’s story does not end there. Praise God, there is a remedy! In Hebrews 1:1-2 we read that although God spoke through prophets in the past, “in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, and through whom he also made the universe.” In less than a week, we will celebrate Christmas and the coming of Jesus, God’s Son. He alone is the remedy for our sin.
Jesus, the maker of the universe, lived and died to restore us, was raised from the dead, and rules at God’s right hand. He is the King of kings! Let us with joy do what is right in the eyes of the Lord as we reflect his glory in the world.
Father God, we join with the angels who sang long ago, “Glory to God in the highest.” We praise you that through Jesus you give us the remedy for sin and all its effects. Heal and restore us, we pray. Amen.
About the author — John Van Schepen
Dr. John Van Schepen is a retired pastor who served churches in Washington, Wisconsin, Indiana, Oregon and California. He and his wife, Willie, have been blessed with five children and several grandchildren.
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