Jer. 2:1–13

2:1 The Lord’s message came to me, 2“Go and declare in the hearing of the people of Jerusalem: ‘This is what the Lord says: “I have fond memories of you, how devoted you were to me in your early years. I remember how you loved me like a new bride; you followed me through the wilderness, through a land that had never been planted. 3Israel was set apart to the Lord; they were like the firstfruits of a harvest to him. All who tried to devour them were punished; disaster came upon them,” says the Lord.’”

4Now listen to the Lord’s message, you descendants of Jacob,

all you family groups from the nation of Israel.

5This is what the Lord says:

“What fault could your ancestors have possibly found in me

that they strayed so far from me?

They paid allegiance to worthless idols, and so became worthless to me.

6They did not ask,

‘Where is the Lord who delivered us out of Egypt,

who brought us through the wilderness,

through a land of valleys and gorges,

through a land of desert and deep darkness,

through a land in which no one travels,

and where no one lives?’

7I brought you into a fertile land

so you could enjoy its fruits and its rich bounty.

But when you entered my land, you defiled it;

you made the land I call my own loathsome to me.

8Your priests did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord?’

Those responsible for teaching my law did not really know me.

Your rulers rebelled against me.

Your prophets prophesied in the name of the god Baal.

They all worshiped idols that could not help them.

9“So, once more I will state my case against you,” says the Lord.

“I will also state it against your children and grandchildren.

10Go west across the sea to the coasts of Cyprus and see.

Send someone east to Kedar and have them look carefully.

See if such a thing as this has ever happened:

11Has a nation ever changed its gods

(even though they are not really gods at all)?

But my people have exchanged me, their glorious God,

for a god that cannot help them at all!

12Be amazed at this, O heavens.

Be shocked and utterly dumbfounded,”

says the Lord.

13“Do so because my people have committed a double wrong:

They have rejected me,

the fountain of life-giving water,

and they have dug cisterns for themselves,

cracked cisterns that cannot even hold water.

Ps. 119:81–88

119:81 כ (Kaf)

I desperately long for your deliverance.

I find hope in your word.

82My eyes grow tired as I wait for your promise to be fulfilled.

I say, “When will you comfort me?”

83For I am like a wineskin dried up in smoke.

I do not forget your statutes.

84How long must your servant endure this?

When will you judge those who pursue me?

85The arrogant dig pits to trap me,

which violates your law.

86All your commands are reliable.

I am pursued without reason. Help me!

87They have almost destroyed me here on the earth,

but I do not reject your precepts.

88Revive me with your loyal love

that I might keep the rules you have revealed.

Luke 23:44–56

23:44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45because the sun’s light failed. The temple curtain was torn in two. 46Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And after he said this he breathed his last.

47Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49And all those who knew Jesus stood at a distance, and the women who had followed him from Galilee saw these things.

50Now there was a man named Joseph who was a member of the council, a good and righteous man. 51(He had not consented to their plan and action.) He was from the Judean town of Arimathea, and was looking forward to the kingdom of God. 52He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and placed it in a tomb cut out of the rock, where no one had yet been buried. 54It was the day of preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. 55The women who had accompanied Jesus from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56Then they returned and prepared aromatic spices and perfumes.

On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.