Jeremiah 11:18-20

“But you, O Lord of hosts, who judge righteously, who try the heart and the mind, let me see your retribution upon them, for to you I have committed cause.” vs. 20

Jeremiah had become aware of his adversaries’ plans to destroy and kill him, so that his name would be forgotten forever. His earnest prayer is, not only that their plans would be thwarted, but that he might be able to see the Lord’s retribution upon them. We can understand Jeremiah’s desire. Not only do many of us crave retribution against our enemies, but we’d love to also see all the gory details of their comeuppance. It’s a primal urge that is frequently reflected in the scriptures, and many have concluded that this is also the way God operates. That’s also the reason our justice system, even today, is set up to ensure that offenders receive retribution in full for what they have done. But even Jeremiah believed that there was another way to deal with brokenness and that ultimately forgiveness and restoration would provide the healing our spirits yearn for. Certainly that’s what we find in Jesus, who, as he hung dying on the cross, looked down on his killers and asked that they be forgiven. That may not satisfy our thirst for revenge against enemies, but it certainly opens the way to restoration and healing, even for the most broken among us. 

Thought for the Day: When is capital punishment appropriate?