PROPHETIC PRESENCE (29 OF 49)
Scripture: Ezekiel 2:1-5
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Prophetic Presence (29 of 49)
Lectionary, Year B, Proper 09
Christopher B. Harbin
Ezekiel 2:1-5
Preaching is a strange calling. On one hand, I am charged with telling you what you already know. I am also charged with telling you what you don't want to hear. I am charged with saying those things no one wants to believe-the harder things God requires, the harsher sayings of Jesus, those aspects of gospel living that don't find resonance in our daily living. It doesn't even stop there, for those uncomfortable things I am charged with saying are the same uncomfortable things we are all charged with communicating with our larger community. We are charged and challenged to be prophets, the mouthpieces of God before a world in which God's ways are not the paths we consistently travel. How can we possibly be the prophetic voice and presence of Christ Jesus in the world? How can we expect the world around us to hear what we don't want to accept, much less say?
Ezekiel's call included a warning that his words would fall on deaf ears. Isaiah's call story sounded a similar note. Jeremiah was cast into a well for saying what the king did not want to hear. Micaiah was struck for refusing to join his words to the false prophets surrounding the king in his day. Elijah fled for his life after telling Ahab Yahweh's message. John the Baptist wound up with his head on a platter for saying what everyone knew to be true, but would not say to King Herod. Paul found his life turned upside down for embracing Christ's call on his life. Jesus told his disciples to expect nothing different for accepting the charge of becoming his disciples and speaking God's good news to a world at enmity with grace, compassion, love, mercy, peace, and caring for the most vulnerable in our midst.
As much as we would like to claim that we live in a very different context from what surrounded Ezekiel, Paul, and Elijah, the gospel remains contrary to what passes for good, clean living. Oh, we have ...
Lectionary, Year B, Proper 09
Christopher B. Harbin
Ezekiel 2:1-5
Preaching is a strange calling. On one hand, I am charged with telling you what you already know. I am also charged with telling you what you don't want to hear. I am charged with saying those things no one wants to believe-the harder things God requires, the harsher sayings of Jesus, those aspects of gospel living that don't find resonance in our daily living. It doesn't even stop there, for those uncomfortable things I am charged with saying are the same uncomfortable things we are all charged with communicating with our larger community. We are charged and challenged to be prophets, the mouthpieces of God before a world in which God's ways are not the paths we consistently travel. How can we possibly be the prophetic voice and presence of Christ Jesus in the world? How can we expect the world around us to hear what we don't want to accept, much less say?
Ezekiel's call included a warning that his words would fall on deaf ears. Isaiah's call story sounded a similar note. Jeremiah was cast into a well for saying what the king did not want to hear. Micaiah was struck for refusing to join his words to the false prophets surrounding the king in his day. Elijah fled for his life after telling Ahab Yahweh's message. John the Baptist wound up with his head on a platter for saying what everyone knew to be true, but would not say to King Herod. Paul found his life turned upside down for embracing Christ's call on his life. Jesus told his disciples to expect nothing different for accepting the charge of becoming his disciples and speaking God's good news to a world at enmity with grace, compassion, love, mercy, peace, and caring for the most vulnerable in our midst.
As much as we would like to claim that we live in a very different context from what surrounded Ezekiel, Paul, and Elijah, the gospel remains contrary to what passes for good, clean living. Oh, we have ...
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