Blue Book Lectionary reading. Read full passage here Ezekiel 37:1-14, The Voice
“Eternal One (to Ezekiel): Son of man, do you think these bones can live?
Ezekiel: Eternal Lord, certainly You know the answer better than I do.
Eternal One: Actually, I do. Prophesy to these bones. Tell them to listen to what the Eternal Lord says to them: “Dry bones, I will breathe breath into you, and you will come alive. 6 I will attach muscles and tendons to you, cause flesh to grow over them, and cover you with skin. I will breathe breath into you, and you will come alive. After this happens, you will know that I am the Eternal.”
Eternal One: Pay attention, My people! I am going to open your graves and bring you back to life! I will carry you straight back to the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Eternal One. I will breathe My Spirit into you, and you will be alive once again. I will place you back in your own land. After that you will know I, the Eternal, have done what I said I would do.” (from Ezekiel 37 The Voice)
Maybe it seems strange that this is the reading on Tuesday during Holy Week; maybe not. See if meditating on this Scripture might open up an understanding of death, burial, and resurrection for you as it did for us.
Reflection questions-
- How must Ezekiel have felt as he saw the vision of the valley of dry bones?
- What are the 2020-2021 dry, dead areas in your life? Can they be resurrected?
- How does Ezekiel’s vision—God’s ability to raise the dead—give me hope in God’s ability to handle complex, or even hopeless, situations today?
Try attaching a breath prayer to the areas of your life that need resurrection and see if God might invite you to prophecy to your dry, dead bones. Just watch what God will do.
Inhale: Eternal One
Exhale: You know the Answer
With Resurrection hope!
Scott and Clare