Wednesday of the First Week After the Epiphany

January 15, 2025  Today's Reading: Ezekiel 37:15-28Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 37:15-28; Romans 6:1-23“My servant David shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd. They shall walk in my rules and be careful to obey my statutes” (Ezekiel 37:24)In the Name of Jesus. Amen. A united nation under Solomon was ripped apart following his death. A carousel of kings would follow in both kingdoms, most of them being evil. Over time, Israel would succumb to their sins with stiff necks and hard hearts towards all the prophets’ pleas for repentance.Ezekiel, like the other prophets, doesn’t mince words. He calls out Israel’s filthy sins, begging for her repentance. As the imminent exile approaches God’s rebellious flock, His mercy, love, and faithfulness don’t disappear. The LORD’s promise to make Abraham a father of “many nations” doesn’t fade, considering Israel’s horrid sins. Even her idolatry and unbelief don’t rouse God to forsake His Word to Abraham eternally. In this reading, we see the mercy, love, and faithfulness of God. Fragmented and scattered, ransacked by sin, idols, and “detestable things,” God promises to untie and make “one nation” in the land on the mountains of Israel (v22). At first, it might seem like a geographical promise and a return to prestige, glory, and power, surpassing the kingships of David and Solomon. However, further reading indicates this unity transcends earthly boundaries. David is long dead by this point, and yet God says, “My servant David shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd.” God promises His sanctuary forevermore in their midst twice (v26 and v28). God is promising something more, something greater than earthly land with temporal kings.The fulfillment of Ezekiel’s preaching, God’s inspired Word, comes in the establishment of the Church under the “Son of David,” the “Good Shepherd” Himself, Jesus. The Holy Christian Church is the one “body” of believers united always in Christ Who is the Head of His Church and Shepherd of His people. This is God’s work to gather and unite, to build a Church Jesus “obtained with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). Thus, we shouldn’t despair over a fragmented world. We shouldn’t panic and fear all the divisions wrought by Satan. God unites His Church, and Hell can’t tear it asunder. This is our courage to strive patiently for unity on earth. The Church walks boldly in the ways of God, heeding His Word and resting in peace, for she’s not alone. Always at the Head is the Good Shepherd, the One Who has established His Kingdom forever. Reigning even now is Jesus, Who died to make us the people of His pasture, “heirs of God” and “fellow heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). In the Name of Jesus. Amen.“O Comforter of priceless worth, Send peace and unity on earth; Support us in our final strife And lead us out of death to life” (LSB 655:3)-Rev. Ryan Ogrodowicz, associate pastor and headmaster at Grace Lutheran Church and School in Brenham, TX.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.What makes a church "good?" Come join the fictional family as they test out eight different churches in their brand-new town and answer this question along the way. Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? by Matthew Richard, now available from Concordia Publishing House.