Ezekiel 18 showed us how the nature of sin tempts one to blame others rather take responsibility for one’s own sin.

Israel were slow learners and we should make sure that we have not missed the same lesson.

In Ezekiel 18 there are three realities for Israel:

1. The sovereign Lord will judge justly
2. Each person is responsible for their own sin – the soul who sins is the one who will die.
3. But there was a way to be saved – only repentance makes the difference.

Ezekiel did all he could to help Israel respond in repentance.

•  Those who thought God was being unfair – he pointed out that it was God who judged with justice and mercy and in fact was offering the best deal going.
•  Those who had given up – he pointed out that with God there was always time to turn, always space for grace, always scope of hope – but the offer was for only those who truly repented.

And this is where Jesus is so important for us today. It is to Jesus whom we repent.

•               Where we pass the blame for our sin – he took the blame for our sin.
•               Where we avoid responsibly for our bad choices – he choose to take responsibility.
•               Where we could not save ourselves – he could and did.

And so he turns to us (having dealt with the deathly consequences of our sin) and says ‘Repent’ – turn from sin and turn to me.

Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor 5:20b-21)

I wonder how many Christians this week will take seriously the call to ‘repent’?