From the First Lesson for this day, Ezekiel 43:1-9
It's only been seven weeks since Christmas and yet it seems like a distant memory. Like most people, I've been re-programmed to look ahead: Valentine's Day is in just a few days, President's Day sales are gearing up and before you know it, Easter will be here - no matter how late in the calendar it really is.
Today's word from Ezekiel calls for a look back at Christmas, more specifically at Emmanuel. Though Ezekiel is his usual gloomy self, he echoes the Incarnation in his prophecy for today: "...the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile... and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever."
The promise of the Incarnation is "presence" - specifically, God's Presence with mankind. In these verses Ezekiel says that God's Presence will be known personally in Israel and that He will dwell with them.
Doesn't this echo John 1:14 pretty clearly: "And the Word became flesh and welt among them." It resounds with Isaiah's words: "Emmanuel - God with us."
Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all this. It even seems appropriate in the gloomy tone of Ezekiel to know this. It doesn't matter how far anyone has wandered, how evil they have become, how much they've done to ruin the life God gave them - Jesus Christ came to give them new life, to "dwell with them" forever.
People I know who are stuck in their sin (like the Israelites were) don't like to have their sin sugar coated. They don't want plastic promises or unrealistic expectations. They want someone who understands their plight and who will walk along with them, and, eventually, to help them out of it.
Isn't this what the Incarnation is all about? God never sugar coats the sin: He comes along and brings real redemption and salvation for those who "truly repent."
It is good to remember again this wonderful promise: Emmanual - "I will dwell in the midst of them forever."
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