2025 Advent Devotion: Day 16

Tuesday, December 16

Ezekiel 47:1-12, Jude 17-25

During Advent, I wait and prepare for Jesus’ return, when both the world and I will be fully made right. Is there anything you need God to set right, either in the world or in yourself?

I used to drive a Ford Escape; what a time of trying to “make things right!” I initially bought the vehicle when it was 15 years old. It had some issues, but nothing too severe. As the vehicle aged, more issues arose. Some of them were beyond my ability to fix. Though I learned how to replace a fuel filter, splice in new sparkplug connectors, and even replace an intake manifold, the aging Ford’s issues still outdid me on more than one occasion. When I broke down on the highway, I needed a skill, or power, greater than myself. You, the world, and I are like that old Ford; we need a power greater than ourselves so that we can be “made right.”

In Ezekiel, we see a beautiful vision of a river of healing flowing from the Temple of God to the Dead Sea. Along the river’s banks grow trees whose leaves will be for healing, and fruit for food. These leaves and fruits will never wither or fail. When the river reaches the Dead Sea, those dead waters will become fresh and full of living things. The people of Israel received this vision during a difficult time. Their nation was divided into the northern and southern kingdoms, their people were in exile, and a spirit of hopelessness permeated the community. God delivered this vision, through Ezekiel, both to promise His future blessing and to call His people to holiness (43:9-12). God knew that this beautiful vision would come to pass. While He has not yet fulfilled this vision, He has called His people to holiness, “the basic law of the Temple” (43:12).

The call to holiness is echoed in Jude 17-25. In this text, Jude warns the Church against those who during the “last days” were “scoffers” and were “causing divisions.” The Christians of that time believed Jesus was returning very soon. This urgency fueled their eagerness to do good. Jude commanded these Christians to grow in their faith, pray, look forward to God’s mercy, and to give mercy to those with wavering faith, to stir others to repentance, and to be merciful to those who sin while being careful not to replicate their sins (20-23). Jude’s letter is addressed to all Christians; therefore, the commands in his letter apply to you and me.

My old Ford was falling apart when I finally sold it, much like Israel’s condition at the time of Ezekiel’s vision. The Church at the time of Jude’s letter lived in a “world on fire,” and eagerly looked forward to Jesus’ return. You and I are called to the same urgency, to look from God’s perspective, who said “yes, I am coming soon” (Revelation 22:20).

God promised life and blessing in the age to come, and God calls us to holiness now so that He will usher in that age and so that we will share in that blessing.

What parts of your life do you need God, in His power, to “make right” to better reflect His holiness?



James Macy
School of Divinity Student