Today, we turn to the Book of Lamentations, which is written as five poems mourning the destruction of Jerusalem. Many biblical scholars believe the Lamentations were written by Jeremiah, and were written shortly after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Lamentations 1 offers the first poem of the downfall of Jerusalem. “She” is likened to a woman who has been destroyed, with her children sent off into exile. The reason for her fall is clear: she rebelled against the LORD, and sinned in many ways. He brought about her downfall, and her “lovers” the nations around her and the false gods she has served, can do nothing about it. Her princes are like deer scattered and unable to find food. The picture is similar to that painted in the Book of Jeremiah, with the main difference being the language is more poetic.
Lamentations 2 makes it clear the LORD has destroyed Jerusalem and Jacob without pity. She has received the full measure of judgment for her sin. One of the statements that make us think of Jeremiah is the one referring to their prophets prophesying falsely to the nations. Jeremiah often pointed out the false prophecies of the prophets in Jerusalem during his ministry, and sometimes was punished for it. Now the people of the land are experiencing everything Jeremiah said would happen, and which none of the false prophets said would come.
Lamentations 3 offers hope. While it starts with more recording of the evil befalling the people, it turns to the acknowledgment that the LORD’s mercies are new every morning. It recalls the LORD’s willingness to forgive those who turn to Him, and His carrying out of justice at all times. While every prophet in the Bible pronounces coming judgment for the people unless they repent, each one in his turn also speaks of the LORD’s mercy. The hope in Lamentations 3 is offered in a strong dose of the reality that the LORD does not tolerate rebellion among His people, nor sin. Yet He always offers mercy when the people return.
As we return to Matthew 14, we find three main components of the chapter. First, we read the account of John the Baptist’s murder by King Herod. The sickening reality it portrays is that of a king who was more willing to murder an innocent man than to look bad before his dinner guests. Upon hearing of John’s death, Jesus went off to a solitary place. This was often Jesus’ response to either times of great affirmation of His ministry, or times of challenge and sorrow. We do well to learn from this, because in our lives we will also have times of triumph and defeat. In both of those times, we must be grounded in the heart of God. Otherwise, we will tend toward pride or despair, and both of those traits are from the devil. Jesus comes out of the time of solitude to heal the sick, and to feed the five thousand. After this time of affirmation, Jesus retreats once again, demonstrating the rule of His life: public ministry followed by time alone to be with His Heavenly Father. When He rejoins the disciples, they are already in a boat, and well out on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus walks to them on the water. When they see Him, they’re terrified, but Jesus reassures them by telling them it is He. Peter calls out to the LORD and asks Him to call him to come, if it is really He. Jesus calls. Peter goes. Peter sees the waves and feels the wind, and taking his eyes off Jesus starts to sink . He offers perhaps the shortest prayer in history, “Lord, save me!” Jesus reaches out His hand and draws Peter up, and the two walk back to the boat. (The text doesn’t tell us Peter walked back to the boat, but it’s a reasonable assumption. The only other possibilities are Peter swam beside Jesus, or Jesus carried Peter.) The invaluable principle we learn from Peter is: always keep your eyes on Jesus!