Preaching the Scriptures

The Rev. Jeremiah Williamson Lent 5A 3-29-20 Ezekiel 37:1-14 In the Valley Lazarus is dead.   In the passage from John’s Gospel that we heard today, Lazarus is dead, actually dead – at least at the beginning of that passage, at least until the breath of God fills his tomb and his body.   But in the valley of dry bones, that place in which there is nothing but death, no one is actually dead.   In our reading from the prophet Ezekiel, our first reading this morning, no one, not a single person in that valley, is dead, but something is dead…and that is hope.   And that is what this strange vision is about. This passage from the prophet emerges from the days of exile.   The nation of Israel was in exile and so was their prophet – away from home, stranded in a strange land.   It was a painful and disorienting time.   Very suddenly, everything around which the community gathered was taken from them.   They could no longer worship...

The Rev. Jeremiah Williamson Christ the King A 11-23-2014 Matthew 25:31-46 Treason! Two visions of sheep.   Two visions of a divided flock.   Two visions of a King.   Two visions of a Kingdom.   But it is not that they are the same – not exactly.   Not all of the details match up.   The historical contexts were certainly different.   And so were the speakers. The prophet Ezekiel speaks to the nation during a time of exile – the flock has been scattered.   In his vision the kings and leaders of Israel have failed.   The people have been separated from their homes, their land, each other.   But even crisis presents opportunity – if one is willing to take advantage; And the wealthiest members of the nation take advantage – exploiting and devastating the needy.   Ezekiel longs for the people to again become one flock under the true Shepherd – not another earthly monarch but God.   Ezekiel longs for G...