Dry Breath

Ezekiel 37:7-10
7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.

Most of us are familiar with the story of dry bones and the familiar song connecting feet-bones to leg-bones ("O hear the word of the Lord"). Notice, however, that the bones are not alive, not really full until they have the breath of life. Only then do they become real. It is not only the individual that lives, but a whole army of people.

God restores life to not just a chosen few, but to many. For the times when we feel weak, worn down, or defeated, God restores life. God can restore us and offers us the new life, the breath of God. God does this through the prophets. The prophets do that through the spoken word.

Christ comes to us as the Word. The Word speaks. The Word lives. The Word heals. The Word raises the dead and is raised from the dead. In the gospel lesson for this coming Sunday, the Word breathes upon the disciples and gives the gift of the Holy Spirit. In doing so, the Word gives the commission to follow his example. As the Word gives breath and life, God calls us out into the world.

Prayer: Gracious God, for your Spirit which gives life and breath, we give thanks. Make us open to hear your call to us out in the world. Amen.

G. Thomas Martin