EZEKIEL 18:1-4, 25-32
THE BACKGROUND
Ezekiel and Jeremiah were both prophets for Israel before and during their exile. This was around 598-571 BC.
THE DETAIL
- Today’s reading starts out with God telling Ezekiel that he has heard the people of Israel complaining. They are repeating an old saying over and over again. The interesting thing to me is that the people Jeremiah is caring for are complaining, saying the same phrase that Ezekiel’s flock grumbles! (Jeremiah 31:29-30) Here’s the phrase:
“Sour grapes eaten by parents leave a sour taste in the mouths of their children.”
This is an odd way for them to complain that they are being punished for the sins that their parents committed. They’re trying to blame their parents for their going into exile. This multi-generational punishment concept is taken from the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:5), which states that God will punish to the fourth generation “of those who reject me”. But even as far back as Deuteronomy (24:16), God says no to this. Here in Ezekiel God says the same in greater detail. (vv. 1-2)
- People are being put to death for their sins in this passage. It seems harsh and unfair. But we must remember that we’re talking about sin, and “the wages of sin is death”. (Romans 6:23a) We all sin, and we all will die. (v. 4b)
- Blaming parents for your wrongdoing is nothing new, is it? It is a slick way of dodging the guilt. (I’m thinking of the comedian Flip Wilson’s famous line “The devil made me do it!”) God is not playing this game (vv. 25-29)
- God and Ezekiel make it very clear that we are responsible for our own actions. They make it equally clear that God does not want to punish us, he wants us to live. “Stop sinning and live!” (vv. 30-32)
THE TAKEAWAY
It is so easy to blame someone else for our mistakes. To this day, we like to blame our parents for our bad traits. In this passage, God tells us that we have no one to blame but ourselves. The good news is that He is waiting for our repentance. Because of Jesus’ death on the cross, we have forgiveness and life. He has taken the burden of our sins to the cross with him, so that we can live without this burden. Thanks be to God!
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
It is never too late to repent and receive God’s forgiveness. Who have you hurt in the past? Isn’t it time for reconciliation?
PHILIPPIANS 2:1-13
THE BACKGROUND
Have you ever heard a sermon based on a hymn? That’s exactly what Paul is doing in today’s reading. He took a popular hymn of the time, and used it to instruct the church in Philippi on how to be “in Christ”. This entire passage is precious, so it is difficult to pick out a few golden nuggets. But here goes.
THE DETAIL
- The hymn itself is in verses 6-11. The beginning of our passage are sort of a warm up to this. “Live in harmony by showing love for each other.” Need we say more? “… think as if you were only one person.” (v.2b) That could be interpreted poorly, if one doesn’t look at the big picture. We know that Paul (and God) value diversity of talent and spiritual gifts. He states in 1 Corinthians that all the spiritual gifts in their various forms work together to form the body of Christ. What he’s saying here is that the whole church must live in harmony. If you have been active in any church or other organization, you know that the road to living in harmony can become rocky. Disagreements arise in the best of churches. Paul is just encouraging Christians to get along, and work together in harmony. (vv. 1-4)
- In order for them to get the right frame of mind for this harmony and caring for each other, He tells them to be like Jesus (v.5).
- He reminds them of the hymn they already know and sing (vv. 6-11). Allow me summarize. Warning!—I’m starting in the middle:
Verse 8—Jesus was humble.
Verses 6 & 7—He didn’t have to be humble, he truly was God! But he gave it all up to become like us. He became a servant to all.
Verses 10 & 11—we praise God for the beautiful example that God has given us through his son.
- In Paul’s conclusion, he uses the word “obey” three times. When somebody repeats themselves twice, it means that what they’re saying is very important. Obedience comes up again in today’s Gospel lesson. (vv.12- 13)
THE TAKEAWAY
How do we obey God? Look at the first paragraph again. We are to be humble, and love one another, working together as a tight unit. Verse 5 sums it up—“…think the same way that Christ Jesus thought…” In other words, be like Jesus!
MATTHEW 21:23-32
THE BACKGROUND
Jesus has just cast out the moneychangers from the temple. He also healed some people in the temple complex. The church leaders challenge Jesus’ authority to do this. Jesus answers them with a parable, and challenges their thinking.
THE DETAIL
- I guess if someone came into my church and tore things up, I might ask them “who do you think you are, to do this to my church?” Jesus knew their hearts, and they didn’t realize who they were talking to. (v.23)
- Jesus asks them a question; two, actually, but who’s counting? He asks where John the Baptist got his authority from. Their answer required some cleverness, because they did not take John seriously; they did not repent. But John had a huge following, and they didn’t want to start a riot. So they said “We don’t know.” (vv.24-27a)
- I love Jesus’ answer in verse 27b—“Then I’m not going to answer your question, if you won’t answer mine!” But Jesus makes his point by telling them a parable (vv.28-30). The story makes his point very clearly.
- The father in the story has two sons. He gives them both the same order, to work in the vineyard. The older son refuses to work, but later on does the work of his father. The younger son agrees to work, but never does.
- Jesus’ question (v.30b) is “which son obeys the father”? The answer, of course, is the older son. This, the Pharisees answer correctly. But in doing so, they indict themselves. Jesus has seen through their false piety. He knows that even though they work hard at keeping the letter of the law, they have totally ignored the spirit of the law—the law of love and mercy. The Pharisees were so content with their law-keeping that they did not see the feel to repent to the likes of John the Baptist or this son of that carpenter (Jesus).
THE TAKEAWAY
We all sin and fall short. Periodically, we all need to reflect, reexamine, and yes, even repent.
So, what exactly is repentance? It begins with self-examination. Next comes the realization of where and how we have let God down*, by thought, word, or deed. Sometimes, it is something we’ve done. Often, it is something we should have done, but didn’t. Then, you confess this shortcoming either in prayer with God by talking to another human being. Sometimes the other human being is your pastor. At other times, it might be the person you sinned against. Finally, and most importantly, you make a “U-turn”. You do something to ensure that you don’t do it (or not do it) again. If you do all this, it is called repentance. Anything less is a worthless pity-party.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
I think the Pharisees get a bum wrap in the New Testament. They had thoroughly analyzed Holy Scripture, and figured out how to live their lives in a God-pleasing way. That way was by living in total compliance to the Laws of Moses. They were confident in their theology; they did not feel compelled to do the “repentance thing”.
In many ways, we have become more like the Pharisees than Jesus’ disciples. I believe that the worst thing we Christians can do is feel so confident in our beliefs that we close our minds, and lose our perspective. Look back at Philippians 2:5-8 for a clear perspective. Let’s be Jesus’ disciples. Let’s be like Jesus!
* Some call this a “sin”. That’s OK, but I prefer a more precise definition:
God has high expectations for all of us. God sets the bar high, too. But he knows what our capabilities are. Any time we know God’s expectations and we fall short, that (to me) is a sin. We let God down by not living up to his expectations of us.