#soap # Ezekiel 12 ## Title: A Living Parable ## Scripture: (Ezekiel 12:7) “So I did just as I was commanded. I carried out my belongings packed for exile during the day, and at evening I dug myself a hole through the wall with my hands. I went out in the darkness, carrying my baggage on my shoulder while they watched.” (NET) ## Observation: Over the course of Ezekiel’s ministry God had him act out several of his prophecies. There could be many reasons for this. One could be simply to give them a visual example of what he was saying. This is a powerful thought. It is one thing to hear something and another to see it. This is why people prefer to watch movies over only reading books. Seeing something helps frame it in a way that can be more easily understood. This is what Jesus has told us to do. He told us to go make disciples of all nations. As we go, we are to live out the Gospel ourselves. By doing this, we are not only telling people that Jesus saves. We are showing them what a life of freedom looks like. This is what it means to be a living parable. ## Application: Live your faith out loud. ## Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for saving us and giving us the opportunity to live for You.