NOTE FROM PASTOR J R FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2023
This Sunday will be the Fifth Sunday IN Lent; only one week out from Palm/Passion Sunday and two weeks out from Easter, A Celebration of the Resurrection.
All four of the assigned scripture texts for this Sunday move us on our Lenten journey toward Resurrection. This is uniquely and persuasively done in the assigned ancient Hebrew text from Ezekiel 37, “The Valley of Dry Bones.”
In setting the stage for this vision of Ezekiel’s, something with my spirit jumps with excitement and hope in God’s question to Ezekiel and Ezekiel’s response in verse 3. “And God said to me, ‘Human one, can these bones live?’ And I answered, ‘O Lord God, You know.’” Perhaps its because I know this story so well from childhood and for me the entire passage is a powerful reminder of the power of faith and the importance of relying on God. It speaks to us about being able to rise-up out of even the most challenging moments with hope and courage. In this passage, God revives a valley filled with dry bones, bringing them to life. The text of course is an allegory, which means it’s a story when interpreted reveals a hidden meaning. The hidden meaning is God’s ability to bring spiritual revival, restoration, and hope in difficult times.
The message is that no matter what challenges we face, if we turn our hearts and minds toward God; if we allow the Holy Spirit to unshackle us from the burdens we so often carry of guilt and shame, then, God will be there to revive us and bring us back to life. In other words, to help us move on our Lenten Journey toward Resurrection for our lives.
Join us this Sunday in-person, by Zoom or Facebook Livestream, I will be sharing more about this wonderful passage in my sermon “Lent – A Journey Toward Resurrection” based on “Exodus 37:1-14.”
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