Jeremiah 11:18-20 - The LORD made it known to me and I knew; then you showed me their deeds. But I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter. I did not know it was against me they devised schemes, saying, "Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name be remembered no more." But, O LORD of hosts, who judges righteously, who tests the heart and the mind, let me see Your vengeance upon them, for to You have I committed my cause.

Jeremiah is facing a conspiracy against his life—and it's the men of his own hometown who are leading it. When God makes this clear to him, he feels betrayed. Of course he does! There are some things that are just too hard to believe, until they are proven—that someone you love is betraying you, that friends and neighbors are turning against you and actively trying to harm you. And when we do finally believe, we are torn trying to figure out what to do.

At that point, there are two choices: become a wolf, like the wolves who are trying to destroy you; and fight them with their own weapons. If they betray you, betray them! If they start rumors, start your own! If they lie and hate and harm, do the same right back to them!

Or there's Jeremiah's way—"O Lord of hosts, who judges righteously, who tests the heart and the mind, let me see Your vengeance upon them, for to You have I committed my cause."

Jeremiah is no wolf. He is devastated, but he will remain the gentle lamb he was previously, and let God handle the justice. He's putting all his trust in God to deliver him.

But there's still a bit of human bitterness in his line, "Let me see Your vengeance upon them." It's totally understandable; who can blame Jeremiah for wanting to see them get what they deserve? Not I. But there's another way, and that is Jesus' choice.

He too is a gentle Lamb led to the slaughter by the very people who should have worshipped Him—crucified by His own country's religious leaders and by the Roman government, which should have upheld God's justice. But He does not call out for vengeance—instead, He says, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34b). He gives His life for His enemies, for those who have risen against Him—and that includes us, too, doesn't it? Because it was our disobedience and rebellion against God that put Him there. And yet He loves us. And yet He goes willingly to lay down His life for us, to turn us into God's own forgiven children—no longer betrayers, but faithful, loving, and filled with His Spirit. And when He rises from the dead, He gives us the life that lasts forever—at peace with God and each other.

This is the Lamb of God, who turns His enemies into those who love Him.

WE PRAY: Lord, thank You for what You have done for me. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you ever been betrayed by someone you trusted? How did you feel?

2. What's the problem with demanding vengeance on your enemies?

3. How does Jesus turn His enemies into people who love and follow Him?

Today's Bible Readings: Isaiah 17-19    Ephesians 4

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