Speaking the Truth in Love – March 19, 2025

Read: Jeremiah 26:8-15

Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people: “The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the things you have heard.”
Jeremiah 26:12

Speaking the Truth in Love

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“Being a pastor means saying something when no one else will.” That’s what a professor who taught future pastors once said. When Jeremiah finished speaking the message the Lord had given him, the people in the temple got angry. They grabbed him and wanted to kill him! Why? Because he told them the truth—God’s truth. He warned them that ignoring God and disobeying him would lead to disaster. But people don’t like to hear hard truth, especially when it shows them, they’re doing something wrong. The people in Jeremiah’s day were happy with their lives, but they had turned away from trusting the Lord and his promises. Even though they had a history of ignoring or killing God’s messengers, God still sent them one anyway.

Think about that—even though God knew these people had ignored him before, he still sent them someone to speak his Word. Why? Because he still loved them! What if he had just let them keep going down the wrong path, leading them away from him forever? But he didn’t. Instead, he loved them enough to warn them, to try to bring them back into his forgiving love. If God is still speaking, that’s good news—even if the message is tough to hear.

This is the kind of God you have: the One who keeps sharing his promises with people who don’t always listen; the One who keeps sending messengers, hoping his Word will take root in their hearts; the One who sent his perfect messenger, Jesus, to take on the punishment that was really ours.

Even if you’re not a pastor, sometimes you might have to say something hard because you care about someone. That can be scary! But trust that God will give you strength. Remember, God’s truth always comes from his love. He wants to bring people back to him! God bless us as we speak his truth in love!

Closing Prayer:

Lord God, you speak to us through your Word because you love us. Turn us from sinful ways with the word of your law. Forgive and restore us with the word of your gospel, perfectly fulfilled in Christ. Fill us with your love so we can share your truth with others. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Why were the people angry at Jeremiah?
• Why is it sometimes hard to tell the truth?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• True or False: People always like hearing the truth.
• Why does God keep sending people to share his Word, even when many don’t listen?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• What’s the difference between just telling the truth and telling the truth with love?
• How can rules and discipline from your parents actually be a good thing?