May 22, 2024

Today's Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Daily Lectionary: Numbers 23:4-28; Luke 22:47-71

Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’ Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD.” (Ezekiel 37:11–14)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. What an image we have been given in our reflection for today. Can you imagine? Being taken to a valley, a rip in the earth, that is full of nothing but bleached, white bones. The wind hits your face and it’s hot and dry. This is a scene that should be absolutely foreign to humanity. Because this is a scene that could only occur after the Fall. People were not made to die. Man was made to live forever. It was only after the temptation and the fall into sin, when creation descended into bloodshed and murder, that such a scene was possible. And what a statement. What a scene to be confronted with as Ezekiel. So much death. So many bones you can’t accurately count them. 

God asks Ezekiel a question. “Son of man, can these bones live?” Ezekiel’s answer is a stark confession. Ezekiel’s answer is a reflection on the state of fallen humanity. Only God knows if these bones can live. Only God can make these bones live. 

Only God can make our fallen selves live. Only God can open [our] graves and raise [us] from [our] graves. And we see, like the whole house of Israel, that we shall be raised from our graves. How is this accomplished? Paul writes in Romans, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” (Romans 6:3-5)

Christ dies, so will we. But Christ rises, and so will we. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

If Christ still lay within the tomb Then death would be the end, And we should face our final doom   With neither guide nor friend. But now the Savior is raised up,  So when a Christian dies
We mourn, yet look to God in hope—  In Christ the saints arise! (LSB 486:2)

-Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols . This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House.