Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

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Saturday, March 23, 2013

Ezekiel 37:21-27
God said through Ezekiel, "I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land. I will cleanse them so that they may be my people, and I may be their God ... they and their children, and their children's children ... my dwelling shall be with them."

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/032313.cfm

The Israelites felt dead and dry, like bones trapped in the valley of Ezekiel's famous vision at the beginning of this chapter. They were exiled in Babylon. Jerusalem had been destroyed. Through Jeremiah, God called them to embrace the culture of their captors, and to be patient. "I know the plans I have for you." Let that be enough, and wait.

When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, come out of the grave "a cadaver, wrapped from head to toe, with a kerchief over his face," the stir in Israel was raised to fever pitch. Six hundred years after Ezekiel, the waiting might be over. Could Jesus be the Messiah? God had promised, "My dwelling shall be with them." What was this if not the promise come to be?

Even the Pharisees began to question themselves. "What are we accomplishing" by opposing Jesus? But their high priest Caiaphas saw that Jesus' death could not only quiet the Romans but also bring the Jewish people "together and make them one." God's promise to Ezekiel was about to be fulfilled, but in the death of Jesus rather than his life.

Of course this is exactly what happened. But Caiaphas did not expect the gathering to be around Jesus rather than around the Jewish traditions. Jesus' death was one thing, but his resurrection was entirely another. This death did not end in death. It continued into new life.

Jesus looks into his Father's eyes, and walks the path he's given. The path always aims down. He serves, he suffers, and he dies. There is never any triumphalism. Even victory is quiet, a rush of wind, the gentle rustling of grave clothes, a sudden empty tomb. The soldier guards weren't even awakened by this victory.

Forever after God makes his dwelling here, among his people. And Jesus invites us to the cleansing, to walk the path we're given, always down, seems like into death but then to victory.

I don't have to know, Lord, where else you make your dwelling, only that you are here. In this habitation I hear your invitation, no, your command for us to go into all the world and proclaim their chosen-ness to all people. You call us all to gather and be loved.

Devotions Archive

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Saturday, March 23, 2013