< Back

Read: Jeremiah 23:1-6
Listen: Jeremiah 23

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.” Jeremiah 23:5

This year, we look for Jesus in the Old Testament to see how God’s plan always included Jesus saving us from our sins. We introduce a new theme on the first Monday of every month. This month, we look at the book of Jeremiah to see how this message points to Jesus coming to save his people and ultimately reign victorious.

Jeremiah is often referred to as the “weeping prophet.” He ministers in the southern kingdom of Israel (Judah) during a time of great distress. The downfall of entire nations—including Judah—is being sealed due to their rebellion against God. Jeremiah endures a lonely calling to share God’s words during this upheaval and chaos. Jeremiah points to the one true God as the only one who can save and offer a future hope for restoration.

We see a picture of Jesus in the cry for a healing balm and a physician to heal wounds (Jeremiah 8:21-22). Jesus will be the Great Physician whose physical healing points to the ultimate spiritual healing of sin through his death and resurrection (Mark 2:17). Jeremiah also points to the righteous branch from the line of David who will be called The Lord our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:5-6). Jesus is the king from the line of David who only does what is right and just and saves his people. Jeremiah also declares God will bring a new covenant written on hearts rather than on tablets of stone (Jeremiah 31:31-33). Jesus declares that his blood brings the new covenant (Matthew 26:27-28). Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to indwell believers, giving them a new heart and the ability and desire to obey God and his Word.

TODAY: As you read this month, ask God to open your eyes to all the ways Jeremiah points to Jesus. Thank God for Jesus, who heals us from our sins and gives us a new heart to follow him.

JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:

Read Jeremiah 1-3. Highlight anything that points to Jesus. Consider how Jeremiah points to idols as worthless and how Paul describes the “surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:7-9)