The Watchman and the Prodigal (Nov 15)

Verses for the day

• Ezek 33:6-7 But if the watchman sees the enemy coming and doesn’t sound the alarm to warn the people, he is responsible for their captivity. They will die in their sins, but I will hold the watchman responsible for their deaths.’ “Now, son of man, I am making you a watchman for the people of Israel. Therefore, listen to what I say and warn them for me.
• Luke 15:20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.

Thoughts

As believers, God has given each of us the role of “watchmen.” In 2 Cor 5:18-21 God calls us to be his ambassadors, reconciling people to Him, as if God was making his appeal through us! That’s what Ezekiel said here. Ezek 33:7 “listen to what I say and warn them for me.” This is a tremendous responsibility.

Ezekiel says, “If the watchman sees the enemy coming and doesn’t sound the alarm and warn the people, he is responsible for their captivity.” In many ways I feel the weight of that with this job. While on the one hand, I find comfort in the fact that God said the watchmen were not responsible for the response of the people (Ezek 33:9), on the other hand, I wonder if the way I sound the alarm, or warn the people, affects how receptive they are to the message.

We know when it comes to evangelism that just cramming a Bible down people’s throats is not effective. So it makes sense to consider that even giving a warning or sounding the alarm that the enemy is coming should be done in a way that people will hear the message instead of being distracted by the messenger or how the message is given.

As I read the story of the prodigal son this morning, along with Ezekiel 33, it made me imagine conversations that may have gone on in that home before the prodigal left. What kind of warnings would the father have given? Certainly he wouldn’t have just handed over his money and said, “Go have fun!” But, the more important point is how the father responded after God had done his work.

“His father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20) There’s an old song called “When God Ran” by Philips Craig and Dean, that tells the story so well.

As God’s watchman I want to be a messenger like the father in this story. Partnering with the Holy Spirit to share his message, but also watching, waiting with open arms to display God’s love to His kids as they turn to Him, and celebrate with them.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for this ministry of reconciliation. Thank you for calling each of us to be your messenger, your instrument to ring the bell and sound the alarm when the enemy is coming. We are in a battle and the enemy’s tactics are… help me to learn to sound the alarm in a way that people hear the message, and aren’t distracted by me, the messenger, or by how I bring the message. But that they will see you and hear from you! Father, I want to be like that father who didn’t run after his son, he didn’t forbid him to go, he didn’t try and stop him… but he simply waited for you to do your work, and was there with arms open to receive and celebrate when your child came back to you. Father help me to be more focused on celebrating growth then criticizing or evaluating weakness.