Jeremiah 2:13 (NLT)
“For my people have done two evil things:
They have abandoned me—
the fountain of living water.
And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns
that can hold no water at all!
The Exorcist. Saw. Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Friday the 13th. Serial Killers. Rapists. Child Molesters. Hardcore pornography. Sodomy.
These are all images we associate with evil. We condemn them and are disgusted by such behaviors. And the actions are abhorrent…
But humor me a moment and do this: snap a picture of your face with your iPhone. Or, if you’re technologically-challenged like me, get up and go check out your visage in the mirror.
Now tell me what you see.
You may see the next Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie. Maybe you consider yourself hideous. Or you may witness a happy or sad person. Maybe you see the wrinkles and stresses of a tough life. If you stare deep enough through your eyes and into your soul though, you should see evil.
Evil?!?!?
But Jason, you don’t understand. I may be a little busy or rude occasionally or lust after that man/woman some or get irritated by that annoying person or skip my quiet time every once in a while. But evil?
Our passage today cuts to the heart of who we are at our core and without GOD-in-us. On display is the “essence of evil.” Not only did the people (and us) willingly reject GOD as their (and our) living water. Worse, the people (and us) created their (and our) own gods, stagnant water supplies which eventually makes us sick and suicidal. A double insult to JOY. One of these alone would bump us into the evil category, but the seconds reeks of insolence. It's like violently knocking someone out and then, as they’re lying there unconsciously prone, kicking them in the ribs.
Now take another look at that picture. We are no different from mass murderers and molesters if we aren't actively seeking Living Water. We are just as evil as serial killers and porn whores if we’re not fighting for joy in Jesus. Rejecting GOD and making yourself (or other things) a god is condemnable evil. As our author powerfully summarizes, “Esteeming GOD less than anything is the essence of evil.” (34)
Something to think about.
