Jesus speaks to you today, saying,
And in saying this, the words of the prophet Ezekiel are
fulfilled. In front of Ezekiel, God only breathed into an entire valley of dead
people. Through Jesus, God breathes life into every single person that ever
existed.
But whose bones are in Ezekiel’s valley and where did they
come from? It is quite possible that they are the bones from when Israel was
wondering through the desert, with Moses. Remember a whole generation had to
die before they could enter the promised land.
It is also quite possible that they are bones from no one in
particular, maybe even non-jewish. Which makes a little more sense since they
have been left un-buried and un-cared for; a truly pagan act.
Regardless, the Lord answers this question by saying that
the bones are Israel .
The literal and the spiritual, bones of Israel . For Israel has turned away. Their zeal
is dried up. Their faith is dried up. Their good works are dried up. Nothing is
left but dust and ashes.
Even in this locked room where the disciples are, the valley
of dry bones has extended its reach beyond time and presents itself to Jesus,
as we hear this account from the Gospel.
Note the striking parallels: Jesus stands in the midst of
His disciples as Ezekiel was stood in the valley. Thomas echoes Ezekiel’s
unbelief in knowing whether or not dead bones can live. The Word preaches and
bone assembles to bone, while Jesus tells Thomas to place his hand to touch His
rib, where the spear was thrust.
Jesus has risen from the grave to prove that He is true man
and also true God and finally breathes the Holy Spirit into the disciples as
the holy breath of God was given to the dry bones.
This means that the place where Jesus is standing is in the
midst of dry, dead bones. Bones that have lost their vigor. Sinews that have
lost their will. Flesh and skin that has lost its value. Breath that has
stopped.
Repent! Jesus asks, “When the Son of man returns, will Hefind faith on the earth?”. If Thomas and Peter don’t stand a chance
against unbelief, then what chance do
you think you have? Indeed, you have no tools at your disposal that is able to
break through the barrier of unbelief, even when presented with one who has
risen from the dead.
However, Jesus is not made man and born of a virgin for a
lost cause. He does not suffer at the hands of Pontius Pilate, die, and is
buried with no hope. Jesus does not return from the dead and reinstate Peter
and Thomas on their merits and He does not leave His Word around for you to
hear it, for no good reason.
Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Light, The Way that
Jesus makes is paved with His intentions and His good works. The Way that is
given to us to tread has been made straight. Because of the death and
resurrection of Jesus, the dust and ashes of our own sinful selves has been
given the breath of Faith.,
The issue here is that, in your sin, you do not believe. In
your sin, you are in the same sad state that the dry bones are in. In fact,
that valley stretches to the end of time and has dried up the faith of the
entire world. Thus, Jesus comes to us, not looking for righteousness or faith,
but He comes to give it.
In the exact same way that the dry bones gained life, so you
gain life. In the beginning, Adam was a pile of dust. The Lord breathed into
him and he was made man. Adam sinned and was once again returned to the dust
and died.
Your problem is unbelief. Your problem is sin. Your problem
is that you are dead towards God. The solution is the Word of God. The solution
is Jesus, contending with death and winning. The solution is your resurrection
from the depths of your sin and also your resurrection from your physical death
at Christ’s return.
The valley of dry bones has reached even to our age, even to
our church. You may easily be able to point it out in others, but you are never
certain when it has its grip on you. Like Peter and Thomas, then, it is best to
assume you are in it all the time.
In that Way, the Holy Spirit can come and revive you, as is
His Job. He can wash you and speak to you the Words of Jesus. The Holy Spirit
comes to this place, with the gifts purchased on the cross, in order to raise
you to new life in Christ. Thus, Christ’s Church is a fertile valley.
We know the bone valley has reached us because we see our cemeteries
getting bigger. We know the dead valley has reached us because we see the
churches getting smaller. We know the dead valley has reached us, because we
hear the breath of Christ blowing over us, giving us His Holy Spirit, and
recreating us, in His Image.
The plain fact that the Church is here, points to our daily
need of repentance and forgiveness. The fact that the Word and Sacraments are
here, shows us that dying and rising to new life are a daily necessity for the
Christian.
For Jesus is brought to you today by the Holy Spirit. He is
set down in the middle of a valley of bones and the Lord, once again, asks if
these bones can live. Jesus gives His final breath from the cross; He gives His
Body, scourged and pierced; and He gives His true Blood, poured out, and in
this divine sacrifice, life occurs.
Not just the rattling of bones; not just a shell of sinews,
flesh, and skin, and not just any old breath. Jesus, right here for you, gives
rescue from death and the devil. He works the forgiveness of sins and gives
eternal salvation to all who believe these words and promises: “Whoever
believes and is baptized will be saved.”
In a dry, sin-filled world, baptism floods every dusty
corner. In old and dry satan-controlled territories, the Word is breathed out
with new life. In the dead sinner, the true, life-giving Body and Blood of
Christ is grafted and ingested in. All in order that you may believe that the
Word is being breathed out upon you today and that you are gaining saving
faith, that is the forgiveness of all your sins.
No comments:
Post a Comment