The Sojourn of The Sent
You have a role in Christ's triumphal procession of bringing peace to the world. You have been sent so that others would smell the fragrance of the Savior with each step.
“Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses... The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was on him. Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth month of the seventh year of the king. He had begun his journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month... Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching...Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, teacher of the Law... Greetings. You are sent by the king...I, King Artaxerxes, decree that all the treasurers of Trans-Euphrates are to provide with diligence whatever Ezra...may ask of you...you are to teach any who do not know...Because the hand of the LORD my God was on me, I took courage" Ezra 7:6-28
What is the longest you have ever been away from home? What is the longest trip you have taken? Ezra took four months to travel on foot from Babylon to Jerusalem. Can you imagine traveling roughly 1,000 miles without Air Jordans? The sandals back then likely did not have an ultra-cushioned option, so this was not a glamping experience. Imagine how many times the people behind him asked how much farther they had to go. You have to wonder what the mindset was of the people participating in the caravan.
We can see some insights into the heart of Ezra in how he approached the trip. The text said he devoted himself and taught. His motivation was to use what he gained in terms of knowledge so that others would know the truth. He went with a letter from the king that gave him authority and abundance. He traveled as one who was sent and acknowledged that God's hand was on him. Because God was with him, he took courage. So this was not a timid trip. Ezra was bold and determined to rebuild because he believed.
How could any of this help us? God wants to use His Word to help His people honor His name. He wants you to know that you are not meant to live life aimlessly and with uncertainty. Jesus said He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We are moving in a direction. God wants you to approach the life He has given you as one who is sent, secure, and radiates the scent of salvation. People should be able to see and smell God's grace and goodness when they encounter you. We are not people who wander and experience accidental encounters. We are people who walk with expectation and treat each encounter as a divine appointment. Can you see the difference? The Holy Spirit gives us power to be God's people as we take our place in the triumphal procession. We are to walk wisely with authority, expectation, and abundance like Ezra.
“The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” The LORD will extend your mighty scepter from Zion... Rule in the midst of your enemies!...You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” The Lord is at your right hand...He will judge the nations...He will drink from a brook along the way, and so he will lift his head high.” Psalms 110:1-7
On its own, this psalm could be just another psalm that is sung quickly and forgotten. But never forget that this psalm was used to directly challenge the way that the Pharisees looked at Jesus in Matthew 22. How does this apply to the example of a sent son like Ezra? Jesus quoted this to help people see His authority and identity as the Messiah. Jesus was not just another teacher, although that is how some people treated Him.
Sometimes, that is how we treat Jesus too. He is a great teacher, and we love the grace He gives. But treating Him as just a teacher can cause us to miss out on what it means to have Him as Lord. Jesus did not say He was just a teacher. He said He was the Messiah, the Anointed One who had all authority in heaven and on earth. Jesus said in John, as the Father has sent Me, so I send you. Do you understand that wherever you go today, you are to go as one sent by God?
Peter said you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, as he referenced the Exodus passage that we would become a kingdom of priests. Have you ever introduced yourself as a priest? You should. It is part of your identity as you share the good news of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit working through you as one sent by God to do His will.
“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men...Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words...her paths lead to spirits of the dead" Proverbs 2:1-21
Like Ezra, who devoted himself to the Lord and learned what was right in God's eyes, Solomon said that being a disciple is an active pursuit. Look at the words he used. He said accept, store, turn, apply, call, cry, and look like someone who is on a treasure hunt. Solomon said you are to be proactive as you pursue the righteous path.
Are you taking his advice? Solomon said seductive words and sinful men can keep even sent people from serving God. Truth tells us that not all roads lead to God's glory. We live in a world that tells you to do what you want, do whatever makes you happy, and that your truth can be whatever you want it to be. Where does that lead you? On the path to death. The flesh is hostile to the Spirit of God. Ask yourself how the desires of the flesh are impacting your faithfulness to God.
When Jesus tells us to deny ourselves and pick up our cross, it is so we do not do life like the rest of the world around us. God wants you to know there is a destination and how to daily do His will by devoting your heart to Him. Solomon is telling us that whatever we fill our minds and hearts with will come out. If you fill yourself with Christ, you will give off the aroma of Christ. If you fill yourself with worldly culture, then that is what others will see, smell, and hear when they are around you. What are others seeing, smelling, and sensing in you?
“The enemy said of you, “Aha! The ancient heights have become our possession.” ’ “But you, mountains of Israel, will produce branches and fruit for my people Israel, for they will soon come home. I am concerned for you and will look on you with favor...I will show the holiness of my great name...the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Sovereign LORD, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God.” Ezekiel 36:1-28
God starts by telling Ezekiel that the enemy, Satan, said that the city and the people in the city are his. But the enemy is a liar and has no authority. Jesus said Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy. He wants you to believe you are not enough and will not have enough. He tries to steal your joy by making you afraid and trying to convince you to live in a scarcity mindset. We have to be wise, discerning, and proactive so we can fend off the weapons that the enemy uses to accomplish his purposes. Do not listen to the lies. Do not give in to fear or the false. Remember Solomon's words and listen to the voice of truth that gives you life. Listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd.
God shares in this passage how He works from the inside out. Before He ever changes your behavior, He changes your heart. He wants you to know who you are to Him and let His unconditional love cleanse you from the inside out. He wants you to be Spirit-led and sanctified. He wants to set you free from the idols that have taken up space in your heart and the impurities that may have crept into your mind. God makes all people new. He is the God who rebuilds, redeems, and restores. Where would you like God to cleanse, restore, and refresh you today?
“Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.” 2 Corinthians 2:9-17
The fear of the Lord commands us to see that we are not weary, wandering, worrisome travelers, but rather those sent by God who move as part of Christ's triumphal procession. Like Ezra, we are sent with the authority of the King and the abundance of His hand. Like David, we serve a King whose authority is greater than any earthly kingdom. Solomon encouraged us to put Christ as our North Star and the endpoint of our GPS, God's positioning system. Jesus is the Way. Let Him show us where and how to go by letting the Holy Spirit lead us and guide us.
You have a new heart and have the full power of the Holy Spirit. Ezekiel foretold it, and Jesus sealed it. Think about what that means for your life. You have been chosen, cleansed, and sent to make Christ known. Ezekiel said that God's name would be shown holy through His people. This is exactly what happens when we make more room in our lives for the Holy Spirit to dwell. As we purify our lives, we make room for more of His presence so that we would walk on the right path and radiate our personal Savior to all people.
Paul said you are the aroma of Christ. While the world lifts its nose in judgment, we wash the feet of our enemies so that they would experience the sense of freedom that comes from forgiveness. How we live and how we treat others reflect our hearts. Solomon said in Proverbs, as water reflects the face, so your life reflects your heart. Is your heart devoted like Ezra's and surrendered like Paul's? Paul doubled down on forgiveness because of the importance of freeing ourselves and others from offense. It is hard to be the aroma of Christ if we are angry with another brother or sister. Grace alone gives off a godly scent. Let us be gracious as Jesus is gracious.
Will your steps today be those of one who is sent? Will you look up as you travel to see who needs grace, encouragement, or a reminder that God is in the restoration business? Remember, life is not about getting everything we want; it is about welcoming others to join in the triumphal procession following the Prince of Peace. Walk with courage, authority, and expectation, knowing that God's hand is upon you and His Spirit is within you. Wherever you go, whoever you encounter, and whatever you do, let the love of Jesus be so evident in your life that others cannot help but experience Jesus when they spend time with you.