Psalm 66, 67; Ezek. 3:16-27; Eph. 2:1-10; Matt. 10:24-42
Thus begins the strange prophetic career of Ezekiel. His charge is important and disobedience carries a heavy penalty. If he is told to warn someone about sin and fails to do it, he is guilty of sin and of the person’s death as though he had murdered them. There is no reward as such for obedience, simply the avoidance of judgment. It seems as though Ezekiel is taking on responsibility without getting a raise in pay! Obedience to a responsibility is not extraordinary performance, it is expected performance. He will hear from God, have a special relationship with the Lord and that is enough reward, to be chosen and equipped. The beginning of the prophetic ministry, however, is that he will be bound with cords in his home so he cannot go to the people and, additionally, his tongue will cleave to the roof of his mouth so that he cannot speak to those who come to him. God’s ways are clearly not our ways.
(Note – this is another of those places where the lectionary leaves out some verses, verses 34-39 and I am not quite sure why as there are important principles here.)
Jesus speaks of the cost of discipleship. What He says is that we must be completely committed to Him no matter what other relationships may be compromised or whether we are threatened by others. Eternity is at stake in our decision to become His disciples. He will go first and show the level of His/God’s commitment to us but that commitment is to be reciprocal and in like measure. Essentially our charge and our challenge is like Ezekiel’s. We are charged with telling the world about Jesus and in that work we are to be fearless. Again, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and here it spells out clearly that fear is truly fear of judgment. Do we realize how important is our responsibility vis a vis the Gospel?
Do you believe all that Paul says here? If you do, how could you not rejoice always and be willing to give testimony? Look at all he says the Lord has done for us. We were dead in sin and by nature children of wrath. By the richness of God’s mercy in His great love for us, even in that state, we have been made alive with Christ. By grace we have been saved and raised up to the heavenly places with Jesus who alone is worthy in all of creation to receive glory, honor and power. In the coming ages, throughout all eternity He will continue to lavish grace and love on us. It is all gift and it is all grace we appropriate by faith in Jesus. Now, Paul says, walk in those good works God has prepared for you to walk in. Do we appreciate just how amazing grace truly is?
Alleluia! sing to Jesus! His the scepter, His the throne.
Alleluia! His the triumph, His the victory alone.
Hark! the songs of peaceful Zion thunder like a mighty flood.
Jesus out of every nation has redeemed us by His blood.
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