Today's Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-14 

Daily Lectionary: Exodus 23:14-33; Luke 4:31-44 

"Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the LORD." (Ezekiel 37:5-6) 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It was a dark time for God's people. Most of Israel had been exiled and there was a certain sense of hopelessness. The Temple had been destroyed, and its treasures taken. The Temple was the center of God's presence abiding with HIs people, and when that was destroyed, all seemed lost. God would reveal to Ezekiel a startling vision. His Spirit brought him to a valley full of dry bones. A place where there was no life. What Ezekiel sees is more hopelessness and despair. God asks Ezekiel if these bones can live. God then tells Ezekiel that these bones would be resurrected. God breathed on these dry and dusty bones the breath of life. At once they "came to life and stood on their feet." Moreover, they became "an exceedingly great army."

God explained that "these bones are the whole house of Israel." That He would cause His people to "come up out of your graves" and "come to life." And He would place them "on your own land."

Just as these dry bones have come back to life, we can be sure that on the last day the risen Lord Jesus will say to our dry and dusty graves, "Arise and live!" Despite our own despair and feelings of loss or hopelessness, He will accomplish His purpose. And He will bless those who bless His people. He will raise you on the Last Day. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Lord, by the stripes which wounded Thee, From death's dread sting Thy servants free, That we may live and sing to Thee. Alleluia! ("The Strife Is O'er, the Battle Done" LSB 464, st.5)

-Rev. Kent Schaaf is pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Little Rock, AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

Over eight sessions, The Messiah: Revealing Jesus in the Old Testament will lead you through the entirety of the Old Testament with daily readings, questions, and discussion prompts. After a brief introduction that reviews Christ's earthly ministry, you will dive into the heart of the Holy Books that have spiritually nourished God's people from creation to today! Now available from Concordia Publishing House.