RETURN (EZRA 1:1-2:70)

REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “Return.” To return means to come or go back to a place or someone. King Cyrus of Persia helped or facilitated the exiles of Israel to return home. “In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the LORD, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem. And let each survivor, in whatever place he sojourns, be assisted by the men of his place with silver and gold, with goods and with beasts, besides freewill offerings for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.” (Ezra 1:1-2) In other words, God used King Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian King to send them into exile but used King Cyrus, the Persian King to facilitate or bring them back to their land.

Dear friend, Our God is indeed sovereign, therefore, we must put our trust in Him for our total redemption. He is the God of both the exiles and returnees. He is able to use anyone for His own purpose at any time because He is the creator of the universe. Historically, he raised leaders among the Isrealites to redeem them, similarly, He has also used non-Istraelites to redeem and liberate them from exile. He is “… the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Revelation 22:13). Surely, Jesus assures us that “With man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

Dear friend, in the past, some of us had gone into spiritual exile because of disobedience and unrepentance to God, but now Jesus, whose role in our lives is bigger and incomparable to that of King Cyrus, is here to bring us back home to reestablish an everlasting relationship with God borne out of repentance, regeneration and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Those of us who have been saved and have returned God through Jesus’ reconciliatory and Salvivic work must continue to preach the Gospel to those still in the exile of sin and unrepentance to return to the Lord and be saved. This is what Paul did when he wrote to the Corinthians, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:16-20). God used King Cyrus, the Persian King as his instrument of bring back the exiles home, let us also avail ourselves, especially as people who already have a relationship with Jesus to be used as instruments of the transformation in the lives of the lost and perishing. We must remain Jesus’ impactful disciples by preaching the Gospel to those who are still beyond the walls of salvation to help then to return home so that they will know the truth and the truth will set them free and they will be reconciled to God forever.

Dear friend, are you still in exile, or are you now a returnee? If you are in exile, then you need to be saved by accepting our Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour but if you are a returnee, then I will encourage you to hold onto your faith in Christ and never compromise your faithfulness and love for Jesus Christ. Remain connected to Him through prayer and grow spiritually through daily and consistent Bible study. A returnee must always read the Bible and remain on the path of righteousness that pleases God. Let remain returnees and always declare with the Psalmist that, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules.” (Psalm 119:105-106). Shalom

PRAYER (Hymn: I’m coming home)

1 I’ve wandered far away from God,
Now I’m coming home;
The paths of sin too long I’ve trod,
Lord, I’m coming home.

Refrain:
Coming home, coming home,
Nevermore to roam,
Open wide Thine arms of love,
Lord, I’m coming home.

2 I’ve wasted many precious years,
Now I’m coming home;
I now repent with bitter tears,
Lord, I’m coming home. [Refrain]

3 I’ve tired of sin and straying, Lord,
Now I’m coming home;
I’ll trust Thy love, believe Thy word,
Lord, I’m coming home. [Refrain]

4 My soul is sick, my heart is sore,
Now I’m coming home;
My strength renew, my hope restore,
Lord, I’m coming home. [Refrain]

Amen.