← All outlines

Outline 085 of 100 · Jeremiah

Jeremiah's Foreview of the Cross

Jeremiah 11:19; Lamentations 1:12 — The weeping prophet as a shadow of the suffering Christ

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

Jeremiah's life and words repeatedly foreshadow the sufferings of Christ. He was 'like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter,' unaware of the plots against him, echoing the innocent Lamb of Calvary. He wept over Jerusalem's coming destruction as Christ would later weep over the same city. His question in Lamentations, 'Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow,' anticipates the very words that could be placed on the lips of the crucified Savior. Jeremiah was rejected by his own people, cast into a miry pit, and grieved deeply, yet remained faithful to his calling. Seeing Christ in Jeremiah is not forced allegory; the New Testament itself invites us to trace the pattern of the rejected, suffering servant of God through the prophets to its full realization at the cross, where the true and greater sufferer bore not just rejection but sin itself.

  1. I. The lamb led to slaughter

    • Jeremiah unaware of plots against him
    • Compared to a lamb or ox led to slaughter
    • A shadow of the true Lamb of God

  2. II. The weeping prophet

    • Jeremiah's tears over Jerusalem's sin
    • Christ's tears over the same city centuries later
    • Compassion that grieves before it judges

  3. III. The unparalleled sorrow

    • "Is it nothing to you... any sorrow like unto my sorrow"
    • Words fitted to the cross itself
    • Sorrow borne for a rebellious people

  4. IV. The rejected messenger

    • Cast into the miry pit
    • Rejected by his own nation
    • Faithful obedience despite universal opposition
The appeal

The sorrow Jeremiah bore points forward to a greater sorrow borne at Calvary for you. Will you pass by unmoved, or will you behold and see what love has suffered on your behalf?

Key points

  • Jeremiah's suffering and tears foreshadow Christ's rejection and grief.
  • The image of the lamb led to slaughter finds fulfillment at the cross.
  • God's messengers often suffer before their message is finally heeded.

Key passages

  • Jeremiah 11:19
  • Lamentations 1:12
  • Jeremiah 9:1
  • Luke 19:41