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Reflections
Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-14
Daily Lectionary: Exodus 23:14-33; Luke 4:31-44
And (the LORD) said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord
GOD, you know.” (Ezekiel 37:3)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When the LORD spoke to Ezekiel in this chapter, the Jews were in captivity in Babylon. They had no strength to go home or to defend themselves. They said about themselves, “Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.”
But God’s power is unlimited. He created life out of nothing. He can take the dead and raise them again. He could save Israel from captivity. Ezekiel sees a valley filled with dry bones. God asks, “Can these bones live?” Yes! Ezekiel preaches God’s Word to the bones, and they come together, rattling and connecting, sinews and skin covering them. They are whole again, but no breath is in them. Ezekiel preaches the Word of God to the breath and the breath of life comes into them and they rise on their feet, alive, a great army. Israel would come back to life and would go home.
But this vision refers to more than just Israel. Jesus Christ took on flesh in the womb of His mother Mary. He died on the Cross and was laid in the tomb. He rose on the Third Day. His body would not see corruption. He would not turn into dust, as Adam was cursed to do. On the Third Day, He breathed deep, His heart beat, He opened His eyes, stood on His feet and walked out of the tomb. He lives and will never die.
He sent out the apostles to be His witnesses. As they preached His Name, the Spirit worked through their words. Those who were dead in sin were brought to life! They were forgiven, and given new life in Christ. They came alive—a mighty army—not to fight with weapons but to walk in faith and serve in love. In Baptism, you, too, came to life and are part of this glorious band of believers, walking with Christ in faith.
On the Last Day Jesus will come again. He will call to us and we will hear His voice with our ears and rise from the dead. Our bones will be rejoined, our flesh resurrected and glorified: our hearts beating, our brains thinking, our voices praising Christ our Lord. And the Lord will bring us to the Promised Land of Heaven, and there we will be free, forever, in Him. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
O, where is your sting, death? We fear you no more; Christ rose, and now open is fair Eden’s door. For all our transgressions His blood does atone; Redeemed and forgiven, we now are His own. (He’s Risen, He’s Risen LSB 480:4)
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By Higher Things®Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-14
Daily Lectionary: Exodus 23:14-33; Luke 4:31-44
And (the LORD) said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord
GOD, you know.” (Ezekiel 37:3)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When the LORD spoke to Ezekiel in this chapter, the Jews were in captivity in Babylon. They had no strength to go home or to defend themselves. They said about themselves, “Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.”
But God’s power is unlimited. He created life out of nothing. He can take the dead and raise them again. He could save Israel from captivity. Ezekiel sees a valley filled with dry bones. God asks, “Can these bones live?” Yes! Ezekiel preaches God’s Word to the bones, and they come together, rattling and connecting, sinews and skin covering them. They are whole again, but no breath is in them. Ezekiel preaches the Word of God to the breath and the breath of life comes into them and they rise on their feet, alive, a great army. Israel would come back to life and would go home.
But this vision refers to more than just Israel. Jesus Christ took on flesh in the womb of His mother Mary. He died on the Cross and was laid in the tomb. He rose on the Third Day. His body would not see corruption. He would not turn into dust, as Adam was cursed to do. On the Third Day, He breathed deep, His heart beat, He opened His eyes, stood on His feet and walked out of the tomb. He lives and will never die.
He sent out the apostles to be His witnesses. As they preached His Name, the Spirit worked through their words. Those who were dead in sin were brought to life! They were forgiven, and given new life in Christ. They came alive—a mighty army—not to fight with weapons but to walk in faith and serve in love. In Baptism, you, too, came to life and are part of this glorious band of believers, walking with Christ in faith.
On the Last Day Jesus will come again. He will call to us and we will hear His voice with our ears and rise from the dead. Our bones will be rejoined, our flesh resurrected and glorified: our hearts beating, our brains thinking, our voices praising Christ our Lord. And the Lord will bring us to the Promised Land of Heaven, and there we will be free, forever, in Him. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
O, where is your sting, death? We fear you no more; Christ rose, and now open is fair Eden’s door. For all our transgressions His blood does atone; Redeemed and forgiven, we now are His own. (He’s Risen, He’s Risen LSB 480:4)