Ezekiel 33:7-20–When confronted by the Lord, Cain asked, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” [Genesis 4:9] Ezekiel is called to be a
watchman. He is to warn his fellow citizens of the sure destruction, which is
to come. If they repent, they are spared. If they refuse to repent, they will
be punished, but Ezekiel will not be held liable. However, if he chooses not to
warn his brothers, they will surely be punished yet he will be held responsible
for his brother because he failed to warn them. We have a responsibility to
preach both Law and Gospel. God will judge each individual whether righteous or
wicked. God takes no pleasure in punishing. This is his alien work. (This will
hurt me as much as it hurts you) But it is a part of God’s nature. We are our
brother’s keeper. Each will be judged individually yet there is a moral
obligation toward our neighbor to sound the alarm of the coming judgment.
Collect for
Lent 3 – O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy, be
gracious to all who have gone astray from Your ways and bring them again with
penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable
truth of Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and
reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.[1]
[1] Collect for Lent 3, Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
[2] Collect for the Week of Lent 3, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. I © 1994 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
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