Old Testament reading: Ezekiel 4-6
In chapter 4, Ezekiel is given instruction to picture and portray the destruction of Jerusalem. In so doing, he would also endure personal suffering. By order of the Lord God, the prophet was only allowed a 20 shekels portion of a meager blend of the lowest grains. This would have been no more than 8-10 ounces of food each day. Additionally, he was only permitted one-sixth of a hin of water each day, this equaling about a quart. In chapter 5, the prophet shaves his head with a sword, burning some of the hair in a fire, scattering some to the wind, and binding some to his garment. This represented what God was going to do with His people following the days of the siege. Chapter 6 contains some interesting imagery as well. In verse 5, God says He will lay the corpses of the Jews before their idols. As they prostrated themselves before them in life, so would God prostrate them before them in death. In verse 10 is a classic “I told you” statement. God promised punishment for sin, now it is time to reap what has been sown. They would die by pestilence, sword and famine. Three times in the conclusion of this chapter we find a declaration that Israel “will know that I am the Lord” (v 10, 13, 14). What should have been known by blessing will now be learned by curse.
New Testament reading: John 12-14
“Unless a grain of wheat alls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain” (12:24). There are three necessities if I would become God’s grain of wheat: 1) Humility – As the seed must fall into the ground and be swallowed by the earth, I must humble myself that I might become lost in Christ; 2) Fatality – A seed must die and shed its coat in order to bring forth the life God has placed inside. So also I must die to sin and to self, removing every vestige of pride and personal will, take up my cross daily and follow Jesus (cf Luke 9:23), that I might bring forth the life that God has intended for me; 3) Maturity – A plant that grows but bears no fruit is worse than a seed that does not sprout. Such a plant robs the ground of water and nutrients and gives nothing in return (cf Luke 13:7). We must grow to maturity and bring forth fruit to the glory of God (John 15:8). Anything less is to fall short of the purpose for which we have been created (cf Isa 43:7).
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