January 25, 2026 SUNDAY

In today's reading, we journey through Jeremiah 11, Matthew 11, Romans 11, and Daniel 11—a powerful collection of passages that challenge us to examine our covenant relationship with God and the consequences of our choices. The central message confronts us with an uncomfortable truth: sin is never just about us. Our decisions ripple outward, affecting our communities, our families, and the generations that follow. Jeremiah reminds us that God made a covenant with His people—not the other way around—and yet how often do we treat obedience as optional? The question pierces our hearts: How seriously do we take God's covenant? Why is obedience so difficult when all He asks is that we listen to His voice and follow Him? Perhaps it's because we're married to our expected outcomes rather than surrendered to His will. Matthew 11 offers beautiful relief to this tension, showing us Jesus instructing His disciples before going to teach in their very own cities—a strategic reminder that ministry often begins where we came from. John the Baptist's question, 'Are you the one?' reveals that even the faithful sometimes need reassurance. And Jesus responds with evidence: the blind see, the lame walk, the dead are raised. Most powerfully, He invites all who are weary to come and find rest, reminding us that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Romans 11 unveils the mystery of grafting—how Gentiles have been brought into the family of Israel, and how those who have fallen away can be grafted back in. This isn't just ancient history; it's an invitation for anyone who has walked away from God to come home. The root supports us, not the other way around. And Daniel 11 provides prophetic perspective, showing the rise and fall of kingdoms while God's people remain in the crossfire. Perhaps most relevant to our current moment is the realization that Israel stood between the warring kings of the North and South—just as today's church finds itself caught between left and right, when our true allegiance should be to the Kingdom of God alone. These passages call us to examine where we stand, to return to covenant faithfulness, and to remember that while earthly kingdoms crumble, God's Kingdom remains forever.