Dry Bones - Part 3
Ezekiel 37:7-10
04/10/2024
7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I
prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a
rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its
bone.
8 And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on
them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had
covered them. But there was no breath in them.
9 Then he said to me, ``Prophesy to the breath;
prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus
says the Lord GOD: Come from the four winds, O
breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may
live.
10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath
came into them, and they lived and stood on their
feet, an exceedingly great army. (ESV)
Ezekiel, a prophet who lived and worked while the children
of Israel were exiled in Babylon, received a vision of a valley
of dry bones. God told him to proclaim the word of promise, the
word of life to the bones.
So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I
prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling,
and the bones came together, bone to its bone. And I
looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and
flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them.
But there was no breath in them. Then he said to me,
``Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say
to the breath, Thus says the Lord GOD: Come from the
four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that
they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and
the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on
their feet, an exceedingly great army.
At times, it seems, we proclaim the Gospel, the good news of
God's rich grace and mercy as found in Jesus Christ, to deaf and
dead ears. The word that is translated here as ``breath'' may
also be translated as ``spirit.'' Thus, when Ezekiel proclaimed
God's Word to the breath, to the spirit, the dead came back to
life.
In Genesis we read that God breathed into the dead clay, and
that clay became a living soul, Adam. God breathes into
spiritually dead people, they become spiritually alive, having
the gift of faith which holds to God's promise of forgiveness.
May our Lord grant us His Holy Spirit to bring us to life,
to bring us to faith in Jesus Christ as our Redeemer. Amen.Author: admin
Dry Bones — Part 2: April 9, 2024
Dry Bones - Part 2
Ezekiel 37:3-6
04/09/2024
3 And he said to me, ``Son of man, can these bones
live?'' And I answered, ``O Lord GOD, you know.''
4 Then he said to me, ``Prophesy over these bones,
and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the
LORD.
5 Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: Behold, I
will cause breath to enter you, and you shall
live.
6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause
flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin,
and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you
shall know that I am the LORD. (ESV)
Ezekiel, a prophet who lived and worked while the children
of Israel were exiled in Babylon, received a vision of a valley
of dry bones.
And [the Lord GOD] said to me, ``Son of man, can these
bones live?'' And I answered, ``O Lord GOD, you know.''
Then he said to me, ``Prophesy over these bones, and
say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.
Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: Behold, I will
cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I
will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come
upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in
you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am
the LORD.
Without the working of the Holy Spirit, all people are
spiritually dead, spiritually dry bones lying bleached in the
sun. Faith in God, faith in Jesus Christ, comes from God as He
causes His Word to be proclaimed over the lifeless bones.
As God sends His prophets, His pastors, out into the world,
He gives the promise that the dry bones will live. Certainly
Ezekiel is speaking of the restoration of the people to
Jerusalem, and the restoration of their faith. He is also
talking about the Church throughout all the ages. God gives His
promise that the dead in faith will be resurrected spiritually,
even as the resurrection of Jesus proves we will be resurrected
physically.
In the days where we despair that our Lord seems far away,
may He comfort us with His promise of faith and eternal life.
Amen.Dry Bones — Part 1: April 8, 2024
Dry Bones - Part 1
Ezekiel 37:1-2
04/08/2024
1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought
me out in the Spirit of the LORD and set me down
in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones.
2 And he led me around among them, and behold, there
were very many on the surface of the valley, and
behold, they were very dry. (ESV)
Easter gives us the hope of both a physical resurrection as
well as eternal life because of Jesus and His sacrifice on the
cross. His empty tomb foreshadows our empty tomb. Easter also
speaks of our spiritual resurrection, being raised from spiritual
death to a new life in Christ Jesus through the proclaimed Gospel
and baptism.
The prophet Ezekiel proclaimed God's Word to the children of
Israel during their seventy-year exile in Babylon, about six
hundred years before the birth of Jesus. The children of Israel
had no hope because they had been removed from the land long
promised to Abraham and his descendants.
Ezekiel had a vision.
The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out
in the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle
of the valley; it was full of bones. And he led me
around among them, and behold, there were very many on
the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very
dry.
This vision is about the house of Israel, as they would be
restored to Jerusalem. More importantly, it is a vision of the
spiritual house of Israel, the Church, which seemed lost in false
teachings.
This week we will look at Ezekiel and the dry bones, how
they hear the Word of the Lord and are restored.
May our Lord grant us renewed and strengthened faith in
Jesus Christ as our resurrected Savior. Amen.My Redeemer Lives — Part 5: April 5, 2024
My Redeemer Lives - Part 5
Job 19:23-27
04/05/2024
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last
he will stand upon the earth.
26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in
my flesh I shall see God,
27 whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall
behold, and not another. My heart faints within
me! (ESV)
Job's words echo the joy that Christians have that Jesus'
tomb is empty.
For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he
will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been
thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I
shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not
another. My heart faints within me!
Job was correct that his only Redeemer and Advocate was God,
Himself. Jesus Christ, true God and true man, the only-begotten
Son of the Father, is that Redeemer and Advocate for all people.
How are we assured that Jesus' death and resurrection are
for each of us? The inerrant, perfect Word of God declares that
God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son as our
ransom from sin and death. Jesus, Himself, gave us the assurance
of baptism. He nourishes our faith with His very body and blood.
He causes us to be declared holy and righteous as we confess our
sins.
Samuel Medley, the hymn writer, spoke of the joy of Easter.
He lives, all glory to His name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same;
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives;
I know that my Redeemer lives![2]
You can learn more of the hope of life everlasting through
Jesus Christ by joining us at Trinity Lutheran Church this Sunday
morning at 9:00 a.m. This message of hope, this comfort of the
Redeemer is for you. He is risen! He is risen indeed!
Alleluia! Amen.
____________________
2. LSB 461, vs 8My Redeemer Lives — Part 4: April 4, 2024
My Redeemer Lives - Part 4
Job 19:23-27
04/04/2024
23 Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were
inscribed in a book!
24 Oh that with an iron pen and lead they were
engraved in the rock forever!
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last
he will stand upon the earth.
26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in
my flesh I shall see God,
27 whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall
behold, and not another. My heart faints within
me! (ESV)
Job felt that God was not listening to his plea for mercy.
Yet, in his words of hope, Job confesses that God is present even
though silent for a time. God is hidden in suffering, which is
called the ``theology of the cross.''
Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were
inscribed in a book! Oh that with an iron pen and lead
they were engraved in the rock forever! For I know
that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand
upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus
destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I
shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not
another. My heart faints within me!
Even while God's people are mourning their losses and suffer
in ways that seem unfair, the Lord remains the Redeemer of His
people. God governs creation and life according to His good and
gracious will.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the innocent suffering
and death of Jesus. He was declared guiltless by Pontius Pilate,
for there was indeed no sin in Him. Yet, at the insistence of
the rulers of the people, Jesus died. He took upon Himself our
sin, and in turn gives us His righteousness. His empty tomb
foreshadows our eternal life with Him. What comfort this brings,
especially when life becomes difficult.
He is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Amen.My Redeemer Lives — Part 3: April 3, 2024
My Redeemer Lives - Part 3
Job 19:23-27
04/03/2024
23 Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were
inscribed in a book!
24 Oh that with an iron pen and lead they were
engraved in the rock forever!
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last
he will stand upon the earth.
26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in
my flesh I shall see God,
27 whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall
behold, and not another. My heart faints within
me! (ESV)
The Old Testament lesson which many heard on Easter Sunday
came from the book of Job. From the depths of despair and pain,
Job looked for someone to relieve his distress. He confessed
that only God could declare him righteous, in spite of the
problems he faced.
God's Word, the hope of God's grace, love, and mercy,
endures forever. Job desired to engrave the confession of his
hope and comfort on a rock so that it would last for all
generations. In effect, that is what happened. For almost four
millenia these words uttered by Job have brought hope to
countless people.
Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were
inscribed in a book! Oh that with an iron pen and lead
they were engraved in the rock forever! For I know
that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand
upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus
destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I
shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not
another. My heart faints within me!
Jesus' tomb is empty, for He defeated death. We have the
tangible proof that we are joined to Jesus in His death and
resurrection as explained by Saint Paul:
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.
With Job, therefore, and with Paul, we also confess that we
will come forth from our graves. Our Redeemer has purchased and
won us from eternal death by His victory on Easter morning.
There is no greater comfort than this.
He is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Amen.My Redeemer Lives — Part 2: April 2, 2024
My Redeemer Lives - Part 2
Job 19:25
04/02/2024
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last
he will stand upon the earth. (ESV)
There are certain hymns which are traditionally sung for
various Church festivals. On Easter Sunday, the congregation
would be highly disappointed if they did not sing ``I Know that
My Redeemer Lives.'' The same hymn is often chosen by families
to sing at a funeral, for it speaks of the hope of the
resurrection expressed by Job.
I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever-living head.[1]
Certainly the author, Samuel Medley, is speaking of Jesus,
even while he quotes Job. Jesus' tomb is empty because He
physically rose from the dead. His resurrection is the assurance
that our rest in the tomb is not forever, that we will also be
raised to life.
For those who have faith in Jesus Christ as their Redeemer
from sin, death, and the power of the devil, these are comforting
words indeed. We know that Jesus was crucified, died, and was
buried to pay the eternal price of our sin. Now, because He
burst forth from the tomb, we are assured that His death and
resurrection has conquered death.
Job told those who tried to bring him comfort: ``For I know
that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the
earth.'' The Redeemer, the Son of God, of whom Job spoke is the
crucified and risen Jesus of Nazareth. His tomb is empty, death
is defeated.
He is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia. Amen.
____________________
1. Lutheran Service Book, 461 verse 1My Redeemer Lives — Part 1: April 1, 2024
My Redeemer Lives - Part 1
Job 19:23-27
04/01/2024
23 Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were
inscribed in a book!
24 Oh that with an iron pen and lead they were
engraved in the rock forever!
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last
he will stand upon the earth.
26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in
my flesh I shall see God,
27 whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall
behold, and not another. My heart faints within
me! (ESV)
Yesterday, Easter Sunday, commemorates the event which has
defined the Christian Church. Jesus Christ, rising from the
dead, is the most important event in history. Even the way we
tell time and count the days are affected by the life, death, and
resurrection of Jesus.
Long before the women discovered the empty tomb, those with
faith in the One True God confessed their belief in a physical
resurrection. Job, whose suffering is related in the book named
after him, expressed his hope in God's grace, trusting in the
resurrection of the body.
Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were
inscribed in a book! Oh that with an iron pen and lead
they were engraved in the rock forever! For I know
that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand
upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus
destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I
shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not
another. My heart faints within me!
From the depths of human misery, even when he thought that
he was dying, Job spoke of his faith in God. No human could take
his place, no human could cure his ills. The language Job uses
for ``Redeemer'' is the same sense we find in the book of Ruth,
where Boaz is called a ``kinsman redeemer.'' Through Boaz, the
property of Ruth's deceased husband is preserved. Through the
Almighty's intervention, Job has hope for the future.
This week, while studying Job's words, we will come to know
that Jesus Christ is our Redeemer, our Deliverer from sin, death,
and the power of the devil.
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed. Alleluia. Amen.The Journey Begins — Part 5: 03/29/2024
The Journey Begins - Part 5
Zechariah 9:9
03/29/2024
9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud,
O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is
coming to you; righteous and having salvation is
he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the
foal of a donkey. (ESV)
The journey is ended. That which began on Sunday, as
foretold by Zechariah, has been completed.
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O
daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to
you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and
mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
The King came to Zion, but His people did not receive Him.
The King was in their midst, but the people did not know the day
of His visitation. The King came to release them from the bonds
of slavery to sin and death, but they rejected Him.
Pontius Pilate, who turned the innocent Jesus over to be
crucified as a way of keeping peace with the rebellious Jewish
leaders, placed an ironic sign over Jesus' head. ``Jesus of
Nazareth, the King of the Jews.'' What was meant as satire, what
was meant as a token of disrespect for the Jewish leaders, spoke
theological truth.
Thus the King died for His people. At the cry, ``My God, my
God, why have you forsaken me?'' Jesus suffered the full
punishment of hell on our behalf. ``It is finished,'' He said.
The sacrifice is complete, once and for all time, once and for
all people.
Join us at Trinity Lutheran Church this evening at 7:00 p.m.
as we ponder God's love and sacrifice. Join us on Sunday at 7:00
a.m. and again at 9:00 a.m. as we hear of the victory of Jesus
over sin, death, and the power of the devil.
May our Lord bless you with faith in our Savior, Jesus
Christ. Amen.The Journey Begins — Part 4: 03/28/2024
The Journey Begins - Part 4
Zechariah 9:9
03/28/2024
9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud,
O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is
coming to you; righteous and having salvation is
he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the
foal of a donkey. (ESV)
On Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem to the shouts of the
crowds, fulfilling the prophecy written a half millennium before.
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O
daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to
you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and
mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
This King of Righteousness, the One who brings salvation,
quickly journeyed from the gates of Jerusalem to His destiny of
the cross. On Thursday of Holy Week, we remember two events.
The first, Jesus gave His Church the Meal which brings to us the
fullness of His sacrifice, the complete forgiveness of our sins
as we partake of His very body and blood. The second, Jesus was
betrayed into the hands of sinners to suffer and die.
No kingly crown lies upon Jesus' head as He rides into
Jerusalem, but His brow will bear the marks of a crown of thorns.
Now Jesus, recognized as the Son of David, prepared for the
ultimate Passover sacrifice. The Lamb of God, the one who will
shed innocent blood, will die so that the angel of eternal death
will pass the homes of those who believe in Him. The Jews who
looked for a king with pomp and power missed seeing Jesus, the
true Son of God, who works through humble and gentle means. ``My
kingdom is not of this world,'' this King told Pontius Pilate.
For this, the King died.
May our Lord bless us with recognizing His love, grace, and
mercy both as we receive His holy Supper, and as we ponder His
innocent suffering and death. Amen.