The hope of the Christian gospel isn’t just future blessing after we’ve died. Jesus grants us new life in the here and now, as he transforms how we think and live.
Pie in the sky?
Peace, peace, no peace
Jerusalem is a religious city in Jeremiah’s day. People are burning incense, offering sacrifices, listening to prophets and going to their priests. Yet, the whole system has been corrupted.
Anchored
Abraham started life not knowing God. But in his later years, God called this elderly, childless man to move to Canaan where he would be blessed with family and home. Yet having given Abraham a son – Isaac – God then demanded him back via sacrifice
City violation
Ancient Jerusalem should have been a model city, a place of God’s beauty upon the earth with people living in loving unity, and thus been a future bride for the Son of God when he came as her king. But she failed
Near death experience
Jonah is drowning. He cries to the Lord. The Lord saves him miraculously.