Ezekiel 33:7-9

Introduction

Since the horrific tragedy of September eleventh we have a new safety initiative in the sky. It’s not a new spy satellite or an anti-ballistic missile umbrella. No, I have in mind something much closer to home. To help prevent another September Eleventh, each U.S. passenger flight is now manned by a watchman, an officer of the oldest law enforcement agency in the United States--the U.S. Marshal Service. An Air Marshal, as this person is called, has been selected and trained by our government to recognize terrorist activities and to thwart them. The government trusts this person to keep the skies safe for the nation’s people. If the Marshal is not faithful to his duty, though, if he hesitates to confront a suspected terrorist or ignores a dangerous situation, he not only jeopardizes the lives of the people he’s sworn to protect, but he also puts his own life in jeopardy. If the plane goes down, so does he. However, if he’s faithful to his duty, he can save many lives, including his own. By placing watchmen in the skies, our nation demonstrates its concern for its people. Even more so, God cares for His people. The Pastoral Office is one expression of that concern, for

OUT OF HIS GRACIOUS LOVE GOD CALLS PASTORS TO BE WATCHMEN.

I. God calls pastors to be watchmen of His house and empowers them with His Word.
II. God’s watchmen have the awesome responsibility of rightly proclaiming God’s Word.

I

In ancient Israel, a watchman was stationed at the highest point of a city’s walls to relay information about the progress of a battle, to announce the arrival of messengers, and, like today’s Air Marshals, to warn of danger. Even during the Babylonian exile, the time when Ezekiel wrote this text, the Israelites still had watchmen.

Our text begins with God’s calling Ezekiel to be a spiritual watchman for the house of Israel. In verse seven, God says: “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel…” This call is actually the second time that God calls Ezekiel with these very same words. These words are repeated exactly as they are found in chapter three before the people of Jerusalem were taken into exile. God here is reaffirming Ezekiel as His appointed watchman. The fact that God appoints a watchman for Israel is an indicator of His continued love and concern for this sinful people, even during this lowest point in Israel’s history.

Not only does God call Ezekiel, He gives Ezekiel the very words he is to speak, “…hear the word I speak and give them warning from me” declares the Lord. With the Word of God, Ezekiel is empowered to be God’s watchman. As Israel’s watchman, he is instructed to give a word of warning, to preach the Law. This preaching of the Law is designed to show the people their sins and to prepare them for God’s Gospel message, for God “take(s) no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.”

God continues to love and care for His people today. One of the ways He demonstrates His great love for His church is through the office of the Holy Ministry. Pastors, holders of that Office, are God’s divinely called watchmen. Jesus Himself instituted the Pastoral Office, and through the Holy Spirit He will fill it with men until His Second Coming.

As with Ezekiel, the men Jesus calls He also empowers with His Word. The Pastoral Office is not a mission, but a commission--Christ works with and through the men He places into this divine office. God willing, many of you here will soon receive your call into the Holy Ministry. God’s Word will be the source of your authority in Office. Even now it is your source of wisdom, strength and knowledge. Through His Word, Christ will show you the way as you navigate the at times treacherous waters of the pastoral ministry, for His Word “is a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path.” Without the authority of God’s Word, you are powerless, but with God’s Word you are His trusted watchmen for the church.

II

If a terrorist made a threatening move aboard an airplane and the Air Marshal didn’t sound the alarm, that wouldn’t be a good thing. Should a tragedy ensue, the Air Marshal would be the one held accountable for the deaths of an untold number of people. However, if he sounded the alarm and no one listened, that would be another thing. He would still be regarded as a hero. It was important for the Israelite watchman to perform his task faithfully as well. If he didn’t sound the alarm, people would die and he would be blamed. But if he did sound the alarm and people ignored him, he wasn’t to be held accountable for their deaths.

So it was with Ezekiel in our text. As God’s spiritual watchman for the house of Israel Ezekiel had an awesome responsibility--to faithfully preach God’s Word. After calling Ezekiel, God tells him: “When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade him from his ways, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood.” These words from verses eight sound harsh, and indeed they are. God’s warning to Ezekiel is serious because God’s love for His people is serious, even those who have turned away from Him. Ezekiel must faithfully proclaim God’s Word to God’s people for he is entrusted with the lives and souls of the Israelites under his care. If Ezekiel is not faithful to the preaching of God’s Word people will die in their sins. To die in one’s sins is to die eternally. Their blood would be on Ezekiel’s hands. This is an awesome responsibility for the watchman for Israel. There is also an implication here: by not preaching God’s warning, Ezekiel becomes a passive participant in the sins of the people.

On April 24th many of you will receive your calls into the Holy Ministry. You’ll become one of God’s trusted “watchmen”. God will entrust you with a congregation of souls that He loves. Your awesome responsibility will be to preach the Word faithfully. But Satan’s power is strong. There will be times when your flesh will be weak. You will be tempted to take the easy way, to soften the Law and not apply God’s word of warning where it is needed. You might be tempted to think it’s easier just to allow that impenitent divorcee to commune because his family is too much trouble; or, to look the other way when one of your elders shacks up with his girlfriend; or, to say nothing to the parents of a child who never comes to confirmation classes. This is exactly what God warns Ezekiel against in our text. Not preaching God’s word faithfully is simply not caring for people’s souls in accordance with God’s will.

But God does not stop there. He adds a word of hope for Ezekiel in verse nine: “But if you do warn the wicked man to turn from his ways and he does not do so, he will die for his sin, but you will have saved yourself.” Should a wicked man ignore Ezekiel’s faithful proclamation of God’s Word Ezekiel is not held accountable for that man’s damnation. In fact, Ezekiel has already “saved himself” through the faithful proclamation of God’s life-giving Word.

It’s been said that the sermon the pastor preaches he first preaches to himself. Sometimes we don’t practice the Gospel that we preach. Pastors can be very hard on themselves, even pastors-to-be. The faithful proclamation of God’s Word that comes from your lips is meant for your heart too. We are all sinful human beings. We make mistakes as husbands, fathers, friends, bosses, and you will make mistakes as pastors. But even as a pastor, the Gospel is God’s message of forgiveness to you. Even as a pastor, Christ died for you. Even as a pastor, you too live under God’s grace. As Christ loves His church so He loves you, His faithful watchmen.

Conclusion

One of our beloved seminary professors has said: “The continuation of called and ordained ministers in the church is evidence that Christ is keeping His promise, ‘And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” On April 24th, the church will know what God already knows, you are His chosen, trusted watchmen. You will become pastors because Christ loves His Church and promises to take care of it always. You will become pastors because Jesus trusts you with the awesome responsibility of preaching His Word and administering His sacraments. But think of the joy of baptizing a baby into the Christian faith. Think of the joy of offering Jesus’ Body and Blood to His faithful people. Think of the joy that you can say with St. Paul, “we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” God bless each of you as you enter your office of holy “watchmen”. Amen.