First Sunday After Easter (B C P). Series

Psalm 81:1-4, Ezekiel 37:1-10, 1 John 5:4-12, John 20:19-23.

A). A SUMMONS TO RESOUNDING PRAISE.

Psalm 81:1-4.

PSALM 81:1. There may be a time for quiet contemplative worship, but this is not it. It is a time of loudness, a time of noise. It is a time of fulness of joy. We are not called to be perfect in our singing, but to “Sing aloud” and “make a joyful noise” nevertheless.

And no wonder, for we celebrate here “God our strength” who delivered His people out of Egypt, and sustained them in the wilderness (cf. Psalm 81:5-7, Psalm 81:10). We celebrate “the God of Jacob” who met us where we were, and brought us to where He wants us to be. We celebrate the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who delivered us out of the thraldom of sin and death, and into His heavenly Kingdom. We celebrate the God who has helped us hitherto (cf. 1 Samuel 7:12), and has promised to remain with us forever (cf. Hebrews 13:5).

PSALM 81:2. “Take a psalm.” Choose a ‘psalm, hymn or spiritual song’ (cf. Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). Take up the tambourine and bring in the stringed instruments (cf. Psalm 149:3; Psalm 150:4).

PSALM 81:3. “Blow up the trumpet.” This seems to refer to the shofar, the ram’s horn. There are two or three time markers in the verse: “the new moon”, “the time appointed”, and “our solemn feast day” (cf. Numbers 10:10). There are three compulsory feasts in ancient Israel’s calendar (cf. Deuteronomy 16:16), but perhaps the most significant blowing of the “trumpet” is that for the year of jubilee (cf. Leviticus 25:9).

Jesus pronounced Himself the fulfilment of the jubilee promise (cf. Luke 4:18-21). In a sense, the whole church age is the year of jubilee. And the end of that age will be punctuated with another trumpet call (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:52).

PSALM 81:4. “For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob.” Christians may think to disqualify themselves from the worship of God because of the times when we have slipped back into the ways of our former selves: but the people of God as a whole are indicated under both their covenant name, “Israel”, and their pre-covenant name “Jacob”. We need not be presumptuous, but our Lord is ever ready to receive back the backslider.

B). THAT THESE BONES MIGHT LIVE.

Ezekiel 37:1-10.

The valley into which Ezekiel was transported “in the Spirit of the LORD” was “full” of bones (EZEKIEL 37:1). They were very many, exposed in the open valley, and very dry (EZEKIEL 37:2).

The question is: can a vast miscellaneous collection of sun-bleached, long-dead bones live? The LORD addressed the prophet as “son of Adam” (EZEKIEL 37:3) - which perhaps gave a clue to the answer. We are dealing with the God who created us: who first formed Adam from the dust of the ground, and breathed into him the spirit of life (cf. Genesis 2:7).

The answer to our prayers sometimes comes in the form of a test of obedience. “Prophesy to these bones” - what, these dead bones? Yes, preacher - and speak only the words that God has spoken: say to them, “O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD” (EZEKIEL 37:4)!

Suddenly the impossible becomes possible, but we discover it only by stages. The word of faith is, “you shall live” (EZEKIEL 37:5; EZEKIEL 37:6). Speak into the silence, and it will amaze you what God can do!

A noise, a shaking, and the bones become skeletons (EZEKIEL 37:7). Then the sinews and the flesh came upon them - the priestly prophet was seeing flaying in reverse - but there was still no breath (EZEKIEL 37:8). Like the importunate widow (cf. Luke 18:1-8) we must persevere in prayer - don’t give up at the first time of asking.

Ordinarily I expect prayer to be addressed to the Father, in the name of the Son (cf. John 14:13), and by the mediation of the Holy Spirit (cf. Romans 8:26-27). Yet - since there is just one word for wind, breath and spirit - Ezekiel is here being instructed to address the Holy Spirit (EZEKIEL 37:9).

The reference to the “four winds” (EZEKIEL 37:9) adds a sense of universalism. The exiles are to be gathered from the ends of the earth. The converts to Christianity are similarly to be gathered from all nations (cf. Matthew 24:14; Matthew 28:19).

Not only did the prophet persevere in prayer, but he also continued in obedience (EZEKIEL 37:7; EZEKIEL 37:10). Don’t expect the Lord’s converts to enter into life fully formed: like any newborn child, they must first go through various stages of growth, and will need continuing nurture and prayer through all the ups and downs of their individual journey. Then, and only then, is the transformation complete (EZEKIEL 37:10).