Tag: Ezekiel 36:23-26
Jesus’ Words will be our judge!
Scripture reading for November 8th: Ezekiel 34-36, Psalm 86, John 12
John 12: 44-48 “And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him Who sent Me. And whoever sees Me sees Him Who sent Me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in Me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears My Words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects Me and does not receive My Words has a judge; the Word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.”
Jesus was nearing the end of His earthly mission and He made clear that His mission was from God and His Words were absolute truth that was to be received and obeyed. His mission was to reveal the Father to people in darkness and to provide a “way” back to God’s family through the sacrifice of His own body and blood. He was not on earth to judge people or condemn them, but to save them from the penalty of their sins–eternal death. He was there to reverse the curse of sin and death and provide grace for eternal life. His mission would be continued by those who believed His Word and received Him. The gathering of God’s people had begun and their cleansing with the clean water of repentance and faith.
Ezekiel 36: 23-26 “And I will vindicate the holiness of My great Name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate My holiness before their eyes. I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.”
Prayer: Holy Father, thank You for having mercy on me when I was in the darkness of sin and headed for death. Thank You for those who shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with me that I might be gathered into Your forever family. Thank You for the ultimate sign of Your favor, the blessed Holy Spirit, Who marks me as belonging to You and leads me to know and obey Your eternal Word. I will praise You for eternity!
Psalm 86:17 “Show me a sign of Your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because You, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.”