Text: Ezekiel 36:24-28 Our text refers, in part, to the return of the Jews from Babylon, during the Old Testament period. It is a high peak in Old Testament prophecy. Ezekiel sees the salvation made available in the New Testament.
The salvation promised in these verses is something God will do.
“I will sprinkle clean water. I will cleanse you. A new heart will I give you. A new spirit will I put within you. I will take away the stony heart. I will give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you.”
Let’s look more closely at the salvation God promised in the Old Testament that is now fulfilled in the New. God promised: 1. Cleansing from the pollution and guilt of Sin.
Pollution of sin results from one’s acts of sin. Theologians refer to this as acquired depravity. “I will sprinkle clean water upon you.” In the Old Testament water was a type of cleansing. It was symbolic. It was part of the ritual of Jewish worship. What was symbolic in the Old Testament is fulfilled as a reality in the New Testament. “You shall be clean from all your filthiness and from all your idols will I cleanse you.” Filthiness means uncleanness, pollution, or impurity.
When a person commits an act of sin, the result is pollution.
In the Old Testament period, worshippers were forgiven for acts of sin. The pollution resulting from sin and the guilt remained. The worshipper had a guilty conscience. Sin was not really done away with. Ezekiel saw a time coming when God would not only forgive the act of sin but cleanse from the pollution and guilt caused by sin. The blood of bulls and goats could never really take away sin. The blood of Jesus cleanses and washes away the pollution and guilt of sin.
The Lord further promises: 2. A New Heart and a New Spirit. So far, we have a picture of a man forgiven and cleansed from the pollution and guilt of sin. He now needs a new heart and a new spirit.
In the Hebrew, heart refers to one’s passions, affections, and desires. Old Testament religion had been largely external. God promises to give a new heart within. He will take away the stony heart and give a heart of flesh. A stony heart represents a hard heart, a stubborn heart, an unyielding heart, and a cold heart. A heart of flesh represents a responsive heart, a tender heart, or a soft heart. God removes the stony heart and replaces it with a heart of flesh, one that is responsive to His wishes.
God cleanses or purifies the heart from what the Bible calls the sinful nature, sometimes referred to as original sin. Jesus referred to this as being pure in heart. Paul used the term sanctified wholly.
John called it perfect love. John the Baptist talked about being baptized with the Holy Spirit. This deeper cleansing is made available by the blood of Jesus. Ezekiel’s prophesy was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost and time and time again.
Sins forgiven, a right standing with God, the pollution of sin washed, the sinful nature cleansed, and a new yearning to perform God’s will.
Finally, God promises: 3. The Holy Spirit Within Cleansing is the work of the Holy Spirit. Old Testament ritual water did not cleanse. The Holy Spirit is the true cleanser from sin. God promises to pour out His Spirit. The Holy Spirit would enable God’s people to walk in His ways. I will put My Spirit within you, the Holy Spirit indwelling the one trusting in Jesus. The prophet Joel also saw a time when God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh. Again, this was fulfilled at Pentecost. God not only promises purity, He promises power - Power for life and service, sanctifying power. “Here is the salvation that God promises to give to restored Israel. And here is the salvation that Is the birthright of every Christian believer. The complete destruction of all sin in the soul and the complete renewal of the heart. No sin having any place within, and no unrighteousness having any place without.” (Adam Clark) Ezekiel 36:24-28 is the full Gospel! A free, full and present salvation. Salvation from all sin. This full salvation is all of grace. It is because of His great Name. We could never earn or deserve this salvation. God offers His love, grace, forgiveness and cleansing to those who will respond.
Thought for the week: The blood of Jesus cleanses from all sin.
Prayer for the week: Pray that many in Madill will respond to God’s offer of love, grace, forgiveness, and cleansing.