Order Of Service

Ezekiel 3:15

Then I came to them of the captivity at Tel-a-bib, that dwelt by the river of Che-bar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.

Introduction

The Bible has many types and foreshadowing motifs. There are many in the book of Ezekiel. In our text, Ezekiel is a type of the incarnate Christ. This has many implications from His birth, when the Word became flesh, to His brutal crucifixion on the old rugged cross on a hill called Calvary.

Let me refresh your memory with the context of this text. Israel had been disobedient, and the judgement of God had been applied. They were in captivity in Babylonia. They were not all taken at once; the logistics prevented a total single relocation. Various groups were taken in succession. Ezekiel was given a privilege position and was allowed to stay in Jerusalem. In fact, he had an angry “I-told-you-so” attitude. “If you had heeded my sermons, none of this would have happened. I warned you, but you did not listen. Serves you right.”

Over time, concern and compassion seeped through his anger. He intentionally traveled to Babylonia to make a personal inspection of their plight. He was amazed at their suffering and the brutality lodged against them. He was like the proverbial deer staring into the headlights of a car. He was in a daze for a whole week. After he processed the information he received first-hand, he renewed his commitment to help his people. He could have gone back to Jerusalem and settled permanently into his privileged position. Even though Ezekiel enjoyed a privileged position, he had concern for others. Ezekiel’s action foreshadowed Jesus’ saving work. On this communion Sunday, let’s look at the theological implications of this text.

Exposition

1. Sometimes, We Need To Sit Where Others Are Sitting.

(We Get A Better Understanding Of Their Thinking, Attitudes, And Actions.)

(This Could Advantageously Be Applied To All Phases Of Society: Culture, Ethnicity, Gender, And So Much More.)

(This Was Expressed In The Adage, “Don’t Judge Me Until You Have Walked A Mile In My Shoes.”)

(Paul Said That He Was All Things To All People. 1^st Corinthians 9:22.)

(Paul Was Saying, “I Have To Know You, So I Can Know How To Preach The Gospel To You.”)

2. Jesus Sat Where Humans Sit.

(He Experienced The Highs And The Lows Of Humans Existence.)

(He Knew What It Was Like To Attend A Wedding.)

(He Knew What It Was Like To Be Physically Hungry.)

(He Knew What It Was Like To Be Tempted.)

(He Knew What It Was Like When The System Is Against You.)

(He Knew What It Was Like To Be Misunderstood And Unappreciated.)

(He Knew What It Was Like To Be Lied On.)

(He Knew What Is Was Like To Be Abandoned And Betrayed.)

3. Jesus Sat In A Place So We Would Not Have To Sit There.

(He Took Our Place On The Cross.)

(He Shed His Blood For Us.)

(The Blood Still Works.)

(His Blood Washes Away All Of The Sins Of A Believer.)

Closing Thoughts

Jesus, our Savior, has first-hand experience of our human condition. He had the same issues and challenges we have, but without yielding to sin. Therefore, we have a High Priest who is sympathetic to our condition. We have a Savior who understands. We can plead the blood as our defense against sin and as our protection from Satan. Jesus came to earth as a weak, frail baby to sit where we are now sitting.

Since He sat for us, we should be glad to stand for Him. We can stand for Him by obeying His Word. We can stand for Him by witnessing to the unsaved. We can stand for Him by helping those in need. We can stand for Him by giving Him authentic praise and worship. Let me say that again: We can stand for Him by giving Him authentic praise and worship.   

Give God Glory! Give God All The Glory!

Related Scriptures

John 1:14

Hebrews 2:16-18

Hebrews 4:14-16

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