I have loved you with an everlasting love

Albert Bogle April 08, 2026 1 0

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Jeremiah 31: 1-6 (NIV-UK)

1 ‘At that time,’ declares the Lord, ‘I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people.’

2 This is what the Lord says:

‘The people who survive the sword
    will find favour in the wilderness;
    I will come to give rest to Israel.’

3 The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:

‘I have loved you with an everlasting love;
    I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
4 I will build you up again,
    and you, Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt.
Again you will take up your tambourines
    and go out to dance with the joyful.
5 Again you will plant vineyards
    on the hills of Samaria;
the farmers will plant them
    and enjoy their fruit.
6 There will be a day when watchmen cry out
    on the hills of Ephraim,
“Come, let us go up to Zion,
    to the Lord our God.”’

Let’s read today’s reading in the context of the amazing Emmaus road trip we began to explore on Monday. We’re told that while the disciples were downcast Jesus came alongside them walking on the road. He enters into conversation with them asking them why they were so crestfallen. This opens up a whole conversation about their hopes and dreams — they were looking for a Messiah — and now everything has turned to dust.

Something begins to happen as they listen to Jesus. He speaks to them of hope and a better future, perhaps he even touched on this section from the prophet Jeremiah that we read today? How spine chilling it would be to hear Jesus say, ’I have loved you with an everlasting love, I have drawn you with loving kindness, I will build you up again’— one thing I’m sure he did was to reassure them that their tears would turn to joy.

There is no escaping the pain and brutality of the cross, and there is no escaping the brutality and pain of life. God understands this. However they are not the end of the story. There is an everlasting love that coursed through Jesus’s veins as he hung on the tree and that love reaches you and me today. If you’re going through a valley today remember you are not alone. The road to Emmaus is closer than you might ever imagine.

Prayer:

Lord,

I’m not going to talk anymore

I’ll keep listening

I’ll keep walking in silence

I’ve said my piece

I’m listening — waiting

To hear you say,

‘I have loved you with an everlasting love,

I have drawn you with loving kindness,

I will build you up again’

Lord,

I’m walking

I’m waiting

I’m wondering

I’m praying

You’ll draw alongside me.