Ezekiel 1:1-14, 22-28 – Ezekiel witnesses the likeness of the glory of the LORD during the Babylonian exile. The language and imagery employed here reminds us just how difficult it is to grasp the true glorious nature of God. Here the likeness of the glory of the LORD is pictured as being like “torches moving to and fro” and like “the appearance of a flash of lightning” (vv. 13-14). This is the language of analogy – God is so entirely “other” than his creation that Ezekiel is forced to resort to analogies from within the creation to describe the utterly transcendent Creator. Texts like these stir us to gratitude for God’s clear disclosure of himself in the person and work of Jesus Christ. At the same time, they remind us that though we see God more clearly in light of the cross and resurrection, God will remain in some sense hidden to us until after our resurrection into eternity.
Romans 1:1-17 – This introductory greeting from Paul’s epistle to the Christians at Rome gives us a glimpse of his heart towards the church. He longs to visit them so that they “may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” Paul recognizes the mutual giving and receiving that takes place in gospel-centered ministry. He will be blessed and he will be a blessing. Or rather, God will both bless him and will bless others through him. In what ways are we both receiving and giving in corporate worship? In what ways are we both receiving and giving out in our daily lives in vocation?
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