The question is: Who is the watchman? By whose blood are we accounted for as righteous before God?
Our text for today comes before a major turning point in the rest of the book of Ezekiel. Chapter 33:21 transitions the message from judgement to one of restoration. Therefore, the function of our reading is to remind God’s people that judgment is not some “far away” event they can safely ignore. Instead, God’s judgement is real and serious and leaves a question behind: How can we live in light of this Word from God? The answer is clear, live in righteousness and turn away from wickedness. So, “righteousness” and “wickedness” are not abstract “theological concepts” in our reading, they are actual words and deeds, things left done and undone. It is incorrect to think that Ezekiel’s hearers were trusting in their own righteousness rather than God’s righteousness. Instead, their problem was they should have been acting righteous but were not. This just adds more questions like: So, where can they get this righteousness they need to live in? Unfortunately, they could not look to the past to find it because they were commanded to live in it today. Who can give them righteousness today? How can they receive what they are incapable of producing?
These questions are as important as the answer. But the answer must not seek to “explain away” God’s real wrath and judgment for sin. We cannot soften the Law because it robs the Gospel of its truly salvific power. After all, the watchman is accountable for the sinners’ blood (verse 6). The question then becomes: Who is the watchman? By whose blood are we accounted for as righteous before God? Of course, it would only be by God’s only begotten Son’s shed blood and righteousness that we live. Because it will not be by our righteousness that we live, true life is only found in the completely sufficient righteousness of Christ. It had to be someone else’s righteousness which gives us life. Jesus lost everything but was made alive again so that exiles such as us might be able to have Heaven as our home and hope now, until we see that glorious day.
Since we are dealing with questions and answers, the “Question Answered” structure may be a helpful construction to work with:
“This structure identifies a significant question for the hearers (for example, one that cannot be easily answered, and addresses matters which are significant to the hearers) and then theologically considers one or more feasible answers before arriving at a satisfactory resolution.
The question is simple, memorable, and remains the same throughout the entire sermon. It cannot be answered with a “yes” or “no,” but invites the hearers into processing various answers. The movement toward a faithful answer provides the dynamic progression of the sermon. This progression could be a movement from false answers to a true answer or from partial answers to a full answer. The preacher avoids trite, false answers that will insult the hearers and seeks to have a final resolution which proceeds from the Gospel.
The sermon usually opens by depicting the human or textual dilemma that raises the focusing question. The answers are then arranged in a climactic scheme, offering more development to the later answers. In dismissing the false or partial answers, the preacher is clear about the theological reasoning that guides the discussion and, thereby, teaches the hearers how to think through matters theologically. Along the way, the preacher is careful not to raise distracting issues or to change the question. Finally, the sermon concludes by proclaiming the satisfactory gospel-based answer.”[1]
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Additional Resources:
Craft of Preaching-Check out out 1517’s resources on Ezekiel 33:7-20.
Concordia Theology-Various helps from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO to assist you in preaching Ezekiel 33:7-20.
Lectionary Kick-Start-Check out this fantastic podcast from Craft of Preaching authors Peter Nafzger and David Schmitt as they dig into the texts for this Sunday!
The Pastor’s Workshop-Check out all the great preaeching resources from our friends at the Pastor’s Workshop!
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[1] https://concordiatheology.org/sermon-structs/thematic/question-answered/
