“The Words of the Prophets”

Sermon Text: Ezekiel 2:1-5, Mark 6:1-13

Grace, mercy and peace be unto you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. Amen.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The truth of the matter is, even though it is best to live one’s life “with no regrets,” they will nevertheless come about. We are, after all, only human. Mistakes are made along with poor and sometimes downright bad decisions.

Satan would love nothing more than to taunt us with them. The only good, right and salutary thing to do with any and all regrets is to leave them, as we say, “at the foot of the cross”… to unload them, place them before the Lord and move on.

I was thinking about our recent July 4th celebration and all of the men and women who have fought and struggled… those who have given up so much, including their lives, for the freedom that we enjoy… those whom the Lord our God has used to affect the liberty that is ours.

My “regret” if you will, is not taking more time to talk with my dad, my uncles and even my aunt, as well as others who served our country, who answered the call, who had great stories, valuable experience to share… those who could have imparted to me even more as to what self-sacrifice is all about… what duty, honor and commitment are all about… what patience and endurance are all about.

And infinitely more so, I also regret not spending more time… or listening more carefully and attentively to those dear saints who, over the years, have shared with me the Word of God in its truth and entirety… in all of its richness, fullness and power. I have certainly had the privilege of sitting at the feet of great people of faith.

How much more I could have heard! How much more I could have learned from them about our loving God, about our Savior and the forgiveness, consolation, comfort, wisdom, guidance and peace that is mine, yours and all people.

I have indeed left all of this… these shortcomings and regrets… at the foot of the cross… and when called for, asked for forgiveness and joyfully… gladly… receiving the same. How about you?

Are you still walking around with things which still way heavy on your heart and mind even though your Savior has graciously invited you and all who are weary and heavy laden to come to Him and find rest?

You see my friends, there is a big difference between having regrets and keeping them, living constantly with them.

The past is past. We cannot go back in time and change things. But we can in the present… in the here and now… and in the time that still remains for us here on earth.

All this in Christ our true and only light. All this in and through His all-sufficient Word. His strong Word that is here for us now… TODAY! The Word which convicts… the Word which saves. The Word which brings us to our knees… the Word which picks us up and sends our hearts soaring as it imparts to us the peace of God in our Lord Jesus Christ.

And here is the thing. Regardless of whether it is heard and heeded… or not. Regardless of whether it is read and studied… or not… IT IS HERE. It is most certainly here. It is preached and proclaimed, taught and shared by God’s spokesmen… by God’s prophets.

In our Old Testament lesson, the Lord our God speaks to His called and ordained servant… His designated prophet, Ezekiel, saying to him:

“Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day. The descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’ And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them.”

Indeed, what love the Lord our God had for the people of Israel even though they were an unlovable bunch… “a nation of rebels” who had gone against Him… against His Word, His will, time and time again… a people who were “impudent and stubborn.”

To these individuals, the Lord Almighty sends His servant Ezekiel to preach the Word… to mince no words in declaring the Law of God and the transgressions of the people… but also in sharing the mercy of God and the blessed atonement of sins.

Although it was God’s fervent desire that they repent and heed the word of this prophet and the words of all the prophets… it didn’t change things… whether they heard or refused to hear. It was still spoken… still said… and whether now or in eternity, they will know that a prophet has been among them… and that the words of a prophet (which is the very Word of God) had been spoken to them.

And this, my friends has not changed one iota down through the ages with all the prophets of the Lord including… finally… the greatest of the prophets… the One who is our Prophet, Priest and King, Christ Jesus.

Our Savior, in the same fervent love, came to earth and personally preached and taught. He who is the Word incarnate, spoke and still speaks that life-giving Word to all and any… whether they listen or not… whether they welcome Him and His Word… or not.

It does not change things. He came. He spoke. The Word was put out there to be either embraced or defaced… accepted or rejected.

You heard in our Gospel text what happened in our Lord’s own hometown… as He preaches in His own home church or synagogue. You heard what happened among His own relatives, relations and fellow residents and how “He marveled because of their unbelief.”

He is rejected… Christ is rejected as those who came before Him were and how those who come after Him have been, will be and are. We read,

“And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts—but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.”

Dearly beloved, how many times do you think the disciples had to shake off the dust from their feet because they and their message were not received… because people would not listen to them… because people would not listen to God? How many times still to this day?

A lot. A great number of times… then… and now. And whatever “regrets” these stubborn and hard-hearted people have in hell for not listening… it will mean nothing… avail nothing. Because, for them, it is too late.

But thanks be to God for the precious few… for the remnant of mankind who, by the power of the Holy Spirit… do hear… who, while there is still life in their mortal bodies do embrace both the message and the messengers which in reality is but one… one Message… GOD’S! And one Messenger… our Lord Jesus Christ.

What is it that we say in our liturgy? “In many and various ways, God spoke to His people of old by the prophets. But now in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son.” (Hebrews 1:1-2a)

We also declare with St. Peter, “Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)

Behold the Word that is in your midst. The precious Word preached to you. The precious Word in, with and under the blessed Sacraments. The Word that forgives you all of your sins. The Word that comforts you, wiping every tear from your eyes. The Word that guides you and gives you wisdom from on high. The Word that fortifies and sustains you throughout all your days here on earth. The Word which imparts eternal life and will see you to your heavenly home.

Our Lord said, "Blessed… are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" (Luke 11:28) Indeed!

The words of the prophets. The very Word of God in Christ Jesus. It is ours. Thanks be to God. Amen.

May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting. Amen.