Tuesday Reflection May 19,2020.
Repent or Die
There has been many calls to change in the last three months. There is a constant call for developers to make a breakthrough with a vaccine for COVID-19. There is a call for fairness in the way people are being treated, a removal of racial and class structures in the response to those who are being treated. There is also a call for fairness in the distribution of well needed items, inclusive of food, paper products and PPE for medical workers. There is one underlying factor that has led to the necessity for all the call we have been hearing and that is the evil desire of humanity. It is this evil desire that led to the disparity now faced in so many areas of life. Our society would be so much better if humanity were to repent of their evil. That is the message of today’s Watchword from Ezekiel 33: 11. Turn back from your evil ways; for why will you die?
To be more precise, this verse is not directed to everyone in a general sense, but to a specific group, one which the Lord describes as ‘the wicked’. The complete verse reads as follows: ‘ Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’’ When we read Psalm 10 we get a description of the wicked person. This is a person who is both arrogant and aggressive. Arrogance is shown in their sense of self-importance or pride. Their pride places them above everyone else. They are merciless towards anyone they perceive to be lesser than themselves. Their worship is of themselves and their drive is for material gain. Aggression is shown in their violent interactions with others. The most common form of violence of the wicked, believe it or not, comes out in their words. When we read the Psalms we see that the wicked are more often accused of speaking violence than acting out violence. Paul says of Jews and gentiles alike in Romans 3: 14, “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” James also speaks of the tongue in 3: 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. Arrogant persons have violent hearts and it is shown in the way they oppress the less fortunate, and through their treachery. It is to such persons that the word of the Lord through the prophet comes even today. ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die?
There is a way out for the wicked. God calls upon them to turn or repent. Once arrogance, pride, aggression and violence are forsaken and righteous living is embraced, God saves the individual from a sentence of death and gives the gift of life. The question then remains: why should the wicked die when they can repent and live? The answer lies in their ability to accept God’s gift of grace. Think of Zacchaeus. He was a terrible or wicked person until he met Jesus Christ. It was for him a life changing meeting. There was something about Jesus that moved him to immediately change. Luke 19: 8, the doctrinal text for today states: Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” When the wicked repent and change their ways, humanity is being reformed, righteousness is being restored, and the world becomes a better place. There was another man who went to Jesus but did not change. He is described in Matthew 19 as the rich young ruler. He found it hard to part with his earthly possessions in order to gain heavenly peace and joy. While it is not God’s wish for any to perish, the wicked, those away from God, have a choice between repentance or death. I pray that we who have made that choice and are living into it may be guiding lights to those who are lingering in sinfulness. May we help them realize the need to repent or they will surely die, both physically and spiritually. May God in mercy keep the way clear for them to turn. Amen.
Bevon White