EZEKIEL 33:7-11

BACKGROUND

Ezekiel and Jeremiah were both prophets in Judah before, during and after the Babylonian captivity.  The difference was that Ezekiel went with the first wave of deported Israelites; he was part of those exiled.  Jeremiah remained in Jerusalem; we don’t know why. This first wave of deportees included the king and his court.  The Babylonian king placed a puppet king in charge of Jerusalem and Judah, King Zedekiah. Zedekiah surrounded himself with false prophets.  Jeremiah’s assignment was to speak for God, which meant contradicting all those false prophets.  Ezekiel, being among those in exile, did the few priestly things that he was allowed to do, mainly providing spiritual guidance for the other deportees. Everybody thought exile wouldn’t last long
 everybody except Jeremiah and Ezekiel.  God made it clear to them that it was going to be a long time before they returned home.  These prophets had the difficult task of sharing this word with the people of Israel. Since the people did not want to hear this bad news, Jeremiah and Ezekiel lived hard lives. By the way, when God speaks to Ezekiel, he calls him “mortal”. 

 

DETAILS

  • Today’s reading occurs about Ÿ of the way through the book of Ezekiel.  If you look at the call of Ezekiel, in 3:16-21, it reads exactly like chapter 33, verses 7-9.  I believe that God is reminding the prophet of his call.  I also believe that He is reminding Ezekiel that his job is to say the word, and that he’s not responsible for the people’s actions.  In other words, God is telling Ezekiel to just say it and walk away.  If they don’t listen, that’s OK; you’ve done your job.
  • Verse 10 is interesting.  The deported people of Israel state that they are so weighed down by their sins and transgressions that they despair of having any hope.  When conquering nations take people into exile, the typical thing is for them to blend into their new surroundings, and never return to their homeland.  No hope. 
  • God’s grace shines through in verse 11.  He doesn’t want anybody do die.  He wants repentance and a relationship.  He gives them hope.

TAKEAWAY

It is difficult to share the truth or the Good News with someone, only to have them reject it.  We can take comfort in these words from God through Ezekiel.  Our job is to say the words.  The Holy Spirit’s job begins at this point. 

 

ROMANS 13:8-14

BACKGROUND

Paul is still talking about the Law of Moses vs. the Life in the Spirit. Now, he joins them together, and issues a call to action.

DETAILS

  • The first three verses of this passage reiterate that which we already knew—we must love one another.  Paul mirrors Jesus’ words (Mt. 22:34-40), when he says that all the laws are summed up in this one word of love.  If we all have perfect love, we will be kind and loving to one another. There will be no need for any rules or laws.  But we are not all Christians, and none of us are perfect.  So, I guess we need rules after all.
  • Verse 11 tells us that Paul and the believers thought that Jesus would return very soon.  There was no time to lollygag around.  Furthermore, they felt that their salvation would be complete upon his return and the judgement to follow.  2,000 years later, we understand things a little differently.  God the Father and Son appear to have more patience than we originally thought.  Perhaps they are waiting for us to do a better job at spreading the Good News. During this in-between time, we live “in the Spirit”, living honorable lives as delineated in verse 13.
  • Paul summarizes it neatly in verse 14, urging us to “put on Christ”, or to clothe ourselves in Him.

TAKEAWAY 

  • Let us all strive to earnestly love one another.  Some say that rules were meant to be broken.  I say, that if the Law of Love indicates that you should break a rule, then have at it!
  • I have always maintained that it really doesn’t matter if Jesus comes to me first, or if I go to Him first.  The main thing is that we love Him and each other, so that we all live this Spirit Life He intended for us to live.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

How do you envision “putting on Christ”?  Is Jesus like a fine robe that you clothe yourself with? Or is it like a hat that changes your outlook on life?  Or is it “putting on the armor of Christ”?

 

MATTHEW 18:15-22

BACKGROUND

The eighteenth chapter of Matthew begins with the disciples asking Jesus a question:  “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  After he answers that question (see below), he goes on to talk about our relationships with one another.  He tells them how to handle conflict in a God-like way.  Then he talks about forgiveness.

DETAILS

  • In case you looked up Matthew 18:1-14, I will explain that in this bullet point.  The disciples asked Jesus a question about pecking order in the kingdom of Heaven.  Remember from last week that God’s priorities often seem to be the opposite of ours?  Here, Jesus gives them another God Answer.  Jesus says that they must change and become humble, like children; those disciples will rise to the top.  I’ll bet they weren’t expecting that answer!
  • Jesus then goes into detail on how to handle a conflict between believers. I guess he knows us well enough to realize there will be conflict! To summarize, he tells them that whatever they agree to will be “ratified” in heaven.  He has given us the authority that truly belongs only to the king.  He says that what we decide (“bind”) here on earth will be OK’d by our king in heaven. 
  • Verse 20 will be mentioned in “Food for Thought”.
  • Verses 21 & 22 are not part of the text to be read on Sunday, but they are relevant.  Peter asks about the limitations on forgiveness.  What he receives is yet another God Answer.

TAKEAWAY

  • This process for handling conflict has been used by churches throughout the centuries.  It is a good process that has the good foundation of the love and grace of God.
  • It is good to know that we have heavenly approval for our actions in these situations.
  • It is most important that in the end, we forgive all those involved “seventy times seven”.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

  • In this aggressive, dog-eat-dog world, only the strong survive. Jesus tells us that in God’s kingdom, the most revered are those who have a child-like humility.  We must live in this world, but behave like Children of God. How can we do that?
  • Jesus said that “wherever two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them”.  He could have said “If you believe in me, I am with you”, but he talks instead about a gathering of two or more.  In our modern world, we place the highest emphasis on individuality.  We often talk about our personal relationship with our Lord. Here, Jesus is encouraging us to come together as a community of believers.