Therefore prophesy, and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel.’” vs. 12
Ezekiel 37:1-14
The people of Israel, captive in Babylon, had given up hope. In their own minds they had been abandoned by the Lord and were as good as dead. But Ezekiel, one of their prophets, was given a vision of resurrection for the people. Their dry bones would be reconstituted with sinews and flesh, and the breath of the Spirit would give them new life, and they would be brought back to Israel. That promise of new life has continued to bring hope to God’s people, and now it means more than a return from captivity for a nation. Because of Jesus’ resurrection, we dare to believe that death never has the last word. We don’t know all the details, but we do know that even though our bones and flesh return to the dust, the life breathed into us by our creator will never be snuffed out. When death comes for us it will not be the end–a new life awaits in which we will be bathed in the unconditional love of God and have the peace we have always sought. There will be rest for the weary, an end to suffering and pain, and the Good Shepherd will lift us up and carry us home. That is our hope, and it can never be taken away from us.
Thought for the Day: What do I imagine the new life will be like?
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