We’re familiar with the old adage we often use to softens a difficult announcement: “I’ve got some good news and bad news…what do you want to hear first” Usually we decide on the good news first because we believe it makes hearing the bad news a bit easier to handle.

But what happens when the bad news is so bad that no matter what “good news you bring” you know your listeners will never hear the good that is coming? Such was the task of the Prophet Jeremiah. His news of Judah’s upcoming destruction at the hands of the Babylonians was so bad that the King simply read Jeremiah’s message, torn it up into little pieces and threw it all into the fire.

Sometimes it’s hard to be a prophet and servant of God!

And yet, it can also be wonderful, for the words of hope Jeremiah spoke: “The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah…” were good words of comfort, grace, and great hope. Speaking of a day when God would inscribe his law deep inside each of his people, Jeremiah could see perceive this new covenant as a way for God to claim a deep relationship of love, grace, and forgiveness with all of his people. But in order for that to happen, Judah would face difficult trials and tribulations.

Jeremiah reminds us that sometimes it can be challenging to be God’s servant for there are moments when we are called to speak forth the truth even if we know that it is bad news. But the good news is that there is good news in Jesus! And that, makes all the difference!

Join us this weekend and see how the challenge and joy of being God’s servants!

As you prepare for worship, please read and meditate upon: Jeremiah 36:1-8, 21-23, 27-28; 31:31-34Jeremiah’s words are written on a scroll. He calls for repentance, but the king burns the scroll and Jeremiah must produce another. His message promises a new covenant. Luke 22:19-20At the Last Supper, Jesus speaks of the new covenant he will bring through his death and resurrection.