photo #9072603

Our Daily Bread Ministries March 11 Bible in a Year: Deuteronomy 14-16; Mark 12:28-44 Rebellion and Return No longer will [the Israelites] follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts. Jeremiah 3:17 READ Jeremiah 3:11-17 The Wild One is a 1953 movie starring Marlon Brando as Johnny Strabler, a troubled, brooding leader of a motorcycle gang. In one scene, a young woman notices a gang member’s jacket with the initials, B.R.M.C. When she learns that the R stands for “rebels,” she laughs and touches the arm of Brando as he idly pats a drum. “Hey, Johnny. What are you rebelling against?” He replies, “What do you got?” What an apt description of our problem! We’re born with a drive to assert ourselves. We want to be in charge, preferably by getting our way. If that doesn’t work, we’ll assert ourselves by dragging our feet. The rebellion is the point. Why did Israel foolishly worship idols of “stone and wood” (Jeremiah 3:9)? And why did Israel’s “unfaithful sister Judah” only pretend to return to God (v. 10)? Because that’s how they expressed their independence—“the stubbornness of their evil hearts” (v. 17). The rebellion was the point. But God’s love is stronger. Jesus died for rebels and leaves the door open for their return. “ ‘Return, faithless Israel,’ declares the Lord, ‘I will frown on you no longer, for I am faithful . . . . Only acknowledge your guilt—you have rebelled against the Lord your God’ ” (vv. 12-13). We may be born rebels, but we can return. Let’s run home to our Father, where we find His forgiveness, love, and help. By Mike Wittmer REFLECT & PRAY When do you take charge in foolish or bad ways? How have you been ignoring God, and how might you return to Him? Dear Father, thank You for Your forgiveness. I’m coming home to You. Amen.