Jeremiah 38

So they took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king's son, which was in the court of the guard, letting Jeremiah down by ropes. And there was no water in the cistern, but only mud, and Jeremiah sank in the mud. Jeremiah 38:6

I just read Isaiah 53 as part of the AMI quiet time this morning - it's a famous passage speaking of the death that Jesus died and how He took our iniquities upon Himself to bring us peace. Jeremiah also spoke words that were meant to bring salvation and safety, but instead of esteem, he was thrown into a cistern.

What kind of salvation would cause someone to bring a man to imprison, beat, and deliver him to death?

The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but for those who are being saved, it is the power of God. 1 Cor 1:18

Tonight and each time we meet, we preach Christ crucified. It's an invitation to see that He paid the penalty for us and died the death that we deserved. It's not an invitation to shame and guilt, but it's an invitation into freedom - to see that through His death, we have life! Now we can be in relationship with God our Father. Praying that the Holy Spirit reveals the depths of Christ's love for all on this Good Friday.