The people of Jeremiah's time falsely believed that the continued existence of the temple assured them of God's pleasure despite their manifold sins. Jeremiah boldly announced that God's pleasure was determined by fidelity, not merely the survival of an institution. In our own time the preaching of Jeremiah is timely. We are tempted to place great emphasis on externals and the smooth functioning of the institution. Jeremiah reminds us that we must always return to the basics of our faith: dealing justly with our neighbour and caring for the resident alien, the orphan and the widow.

For Jesus the kingdom is not an ideal union of only the perfect - it includes both wheat and weeds, both good and evil. To resolve the situation, firm action is demanded but not one that will lead to violence and thus endanger the common good. Both forgiveness and patience are necessary. In our own time the perception of Jesus regarding the kingdom is most appropriate. The church is not the aggregate of the perfect. We have both wheat and weeds. Prior to the final judgement, therefore, we must cope as best we can. Violence will surely be counter-productive. The willingness to forgive and the capacity to offer patience will certainly achieve more.