Sunday Sermon, 31 August 2025
Eleventh Sunday after Trinity
A reading from the prophet Jeremiah
Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel. Thus says the Lord:
What wrong did your ancestors find in me
that they went far from me,
and went after worthless things, and became worthless themselves?
They did not say, ‘Where is the Lord
who brought us up from the land of Egypt,
who led us in the wilderness,
in a land of deserts and pits,
in a land of drought and deep darkness,
in a land that no one passes through,
where no one lives?’
I brought you into a plentiful land
to eat its fruits and its good things.
But when you entered you defiled my land,
and made my heritage an abomination.
The priests did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?’
Those who handle the law did not know me;
the rulers transgressed against me;
the prophets prophesied by Baal,
and went after things that do not profit.
Therefore once more I accuse you,
says the Lord,
and I accuse your children’s children.
Cross to the coasts of Cyprus and look,
send to Kedar and examine with care;
see if there has ever been such a thing.
Has a nation changed its gods,
even though they are no gods?
But my people have changed their glory
for something that does not profit.
Be appalled, O heavens, at this,
be shocked, be utterly desolate,
says the Lord,
for my people have committed two evils:
they have forsaken me,
the fountain of living water,
and dug out cisterns for themselves,
cracked cisterns
that can hold no water.
Jeremiah 2.4–13, NRSV
The founding of Apple Computer is one of the most celebrated stories in the business world. Famously, the ‘two Steves’ – Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak – began building their company out of Jobs’ family garage in Los Altos, California. Apple went on to become one of the most recognised brands in the world, and one of the most profitable companies in history.
But did you know there was actually a third founding member of Apple Computer? His name is Ronald Wayne. He was an unfortunate fellow. Described as the ‘adult-in-chief’ alongside the two young geniuses, he helped setup the legal side of the new company. He had a 10% stake compared to the 45% of the other two. But after just twelve days, he got cold feet, and panicked that the venture was too risky. He sold his share back to Jobs and Wozniak for just $800.
This has gone down as one of the worst business decisions in history. Had Wayne kept his 10% stake in Apple, it would now be worth over $100 billion. Instead, he sold it for less than a thousand dollars. It was, in hindsight, a foolish exchange.
* * *
Our reading from Jeremiah this morning contains another foolish exchange.
We have seen already in Jeremiah a vision of God that is like a bright jewel shining against a dark background.
We have heard of the transcendent and immanent God, who fills the heavens and the earth, yet is present to all his creatures. We have heard of the God who has known us from the womb, and who calls us to participate in his plan of salvation. But these revelations are set against the darkness of the Babylonian Exile, and the hard truth that to follow God’s call often comes at personal cost and sacrifice.
In today’s reading, we discover another amazing vision of God in v13: God is ‘the fountain of living water’. Living here in the Western Dales, this is an image that we can relate to. You just need to take a walk to Cautley Spout and see the beauty of the water rushing over the rocks.
The image speaks of the abundant life of God. Water is essential for life. We can survive for many weeks without food, but without water we will last only a matter of days. The living water of God brings renewal and refreshment, cleanses from sin, and enables our spiritual lives to flourish.
But once again, this beautiful image of God is set against a dark background; the people of Judah have made a foolish exchange. They have turned their back on this abundant source of life, and instead dug cisterns to provide for themselves. A cistern is a kind of underground reservoir, carved into the rock to collect rainwater. But their cisterns are cracked and leak away the water. They are worse than useless.
This is Jeremiah’s metaphor for the people’s rejection of the living God, and their turning to idols, or false gods. In Jeremiah’s portrayal, even God is mystified and perplexed by this behaviour. ‘Has a nation ever changed its gods?’ He asks. They have inexplicably traded an infinite source of life for limited human creations which will only lead to death.
* * *
In the Bible, an idol is a false god. It is the creation of human hands. Unlike the living God, an idol is neither transcendent nor immanent. It does not speak to us, or call us in the way of righteousness.
In Jeremiah’s time, the people of Judah were turning to Baal, a fertility cult which was widespread in the Ancient Near East. Although we don’t have temples to Baal in our culture today, idolatry still persists in a different form. We may not call them ‘gods’ as such, but we still set our hearts on false promises and ambitions, that in the end turn to dust. These are the modern ‘gods’ of money, hedonism, and power. They tell us that a bigger house, a better career, or access to immediate forms of pleasure will bring us happiness and fulfilment. They may satisfy us for a season. But it never lasts long before we crave more. Desires that are not rooted in the living God do not endure.
Nevertheless, the appeal of an idol is straightforward. They are understandable and controllable. But in the end, they control us. The living God is elusive, because we cannot control him or own him. In his freedom, we find our freedom.
When I was younger I spent some time working in London. I was fortunate to be able to visit the National Gallery on my way home, and often popped in. I was amazed that you could access so many wonderful works of art, all for free. The difference between God and the idols is like the difference between visiting the National Gallery and viewing some of the greatest works of art in the world – compared to owning a poor imitation knock-off in your own home. There is no joy gained from owning a rip-off. The joy is in the shared experience which is available to all.
* * *
I began this sermon with the story of Ronald Wayne, who sold his stake in Apple Computer for a pittance. In 2010, when he was interviewed about his poor decision, he lamented, “I’m as enamored with money as anybody else, and there are all sorts of things I’d love to do if I had it… unfortunately, my whole life has been a day late and a dollar short”.
Perhaps there are decisions or choices that you have made in life that you now regret. Compromised relationships, unhealthy addictions, or bad trades. But there is good news. The difference between the living God and the false idols is that the living God always offers a new start. Whatever poor deals or exchanges you have made, God welcomes you back with open arms.
Six centuries after the prophet Jeremiah, the Gospel of John records an encounter between Jesus and a Samaritan woman at a well. Jesus offers her living water, saying: “those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life” (John 4.14)
God offers his grace to all, free of charge. His love is generous and abundant, and there is nothing that we can do to earn it. He opens our eyes to the goodness in all things, and teaches us contentment in the simplicity of virtue. He doesn’t care about your status or social standing. He knows your flaws and imperfections, and loves you all the same.
May we heed the words of Jeremiah and the invitation of Christ, and return to the true God, who offers living water to all.
Amen.