Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Ezekiel 17:22-24, 26 (NIV84) I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it. It will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar … I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.
ONLY JESUS CAN DO IT
Ezekiel makes clear that everything with respect to our blessedness in the present world and our entrance into glory depends entirely on the Branch that would spring from the stem of Jesse. He's making the prediction that the coming Savior and He alone would become the Head of the Church. The coming Messiah and He alone would become the Church’s joy and confidence. The coming Redeemer, and He alone, would become the guarantee of our future heavenly inheritance. All this because Jesus and He alone would be able to purchase us from sin with His blood, overcome the power of Satan, and destroy death by rising from the grave.
This pulls the rug out from underneath universalism. Universalism is the idea that all roads lead to heaven. It's a common thought in our world that no matter which deity you worship you will be saved; no matter what philosophy of life you live by, so long as you aren't guilty of heinous evils and do your best to live right, you'll be found acceptable by God in the end.
In opposition to such thinking Ezekiel shows that the promised Messiah, Jesus, is the "one God and one mediator between God and men . . . who gave himself as a ransom for all" (1 Timothy 2:5-6 NIV84). "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12 NIV84).
This is the Gospel truth we hold dear and pray for opportunities to share. This is the truth we ask the Spirit to use to kindle true, saving faith in the hearts of others so they too may become members of His eternal family.
Grant then, O God, Your will be done, That, when the church bells are ringing,
Many in saving faith may come Where Christ His message is bringing:
"I know My own, My own know Me. You, not the world, My face shall see.
My peace I leave with you." Amen.
(Lutheran Service Book, 645:5)
