After the Lord consumed Elijah’s sacrifice on Mount Carmel, proving that he alone was the real God, he commanded Elijah, “Seize the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape” (1 Kings 18:40). The Lord then judged the false prophets. They died because of their sins. Later he would condemn King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. God is holy and he judges evil, but God is also love and he extends mercy and grace to those who trust in him and bow before him. After the great showdown, God sent a great rain as a sign of his great care.

In Jesus, God shows both his holiness and his love. On the cross God’s holy Son (Jesus) paid the penalty for all our unholy sins. And in doing so, he showed us his great love. The same God who showed his great care to Israel when he sent the rain, showed his care to us when he sent Jesus.