Chapters 26 and 27

Power that is working to protect itself will often move to threaten and even take the lives of those who question or criticize that power and how it is exercised. 
Jeremiah had been prophesying for decades that the political and religious power in the land enriched those who held it and oppressed those who did not. Now, once again, Jeremiah’s very life is threatened. However, Jeremiah does not relent. He continues to speak the word from God. In verse 11 of chapter 26 we hear the words of power that is propped up by fear, denial and the criminalizing of anyone who would speak against corruption. Some among the leadership say that Jeremiah must be put to death. In other words, though the state, the nation practices violence and injustice, the leaders speak as if Jeremiah is the threat. 
This is still the way of power that is more about pretense then it is about true leadership. Vladimir Putin is a thug whose power depends on squelching all dissent. Some politicians in the United States, though the nation was born in protest, speak as if the people to fear are the ones who speak up, even when they speak up while dedicated to non-violence. In this passage of scripture, there are some leaders who stand up for Jeremiah and his right to speak and even for his faith. He is not killed. However, we see once again, that the struggle for justice, for true peace, for the way of God, often finds impact on the bodies of those who call for justice and for peace. 

The funeral of American civil rights leader John Lewis took place this week. Lewis, at 25 years of age in 1965, led a peaceful march across in which he was beaten by police. Lewis would continue, for the rest of his life, to fight for justice. Listen to what Lewis had to say about battling injustice. See how he was willing to stand against those in power. I prayed prayers of gratitude this week for John Lewis. He shows us a better way.  
I think that he may have had a fire in his bones.