Seasonal Note: I’m beginning a new Three-Year Lectionary based on the Lutheran Book of Worship 3-year lectionary (for public worship), "Prayers of the Day..." (Propers), p. 13-41, Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, 1978. It is based, with only minor variations, on the Revised Common Lectionary, used by many denominations, including the Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches:
http://www.commontexts.org/
and:/
http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/usage.html
The daily readings are the Propers (Lections) for the following Sunday, so that the daily devotions can prepare us for worship. Additional lections are from Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church, "Scripture lessons for Matins and Vespers," United Lutheran Church of America, General Rubrics VIII. Scripture lessons for Matins and Vespers, p. 299 - 304, Philadelphia, 1918.
The previous 2- year Bible Study based on the Lutheran Book of Worship, Daily Lectionary for personal devotions p.179-192, Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, 1978, is available at:
http://shepboy.snow.prohosting.com
Please Note: I will post weekly by Saturday, noon, (with God's help), Pacific time (UTC-8:00) for the week of the Church Season which begins on Sunday. Please scroll down for the desired day, or save the week to your desktop/hard drive.
5 Pentecost - Sunday
June 15, 2008
Psalm 69:1-20 -- Prayer for Deliverance;
Jeremiah 20:7-13 -- Personal Lament;
Romans 5:12-15 -- Christ and Adam Compared;
Matthew 10:24-33 -- Warnings on Persecution;
Psalm:
The psalmist, David, the great shepherd-king of Israel, called on God to save him from his enemies. He felt overwhelmed and in danger of being swept away, as if up to his neck in a torrential flood; sinking in deep mud. David was exhausted from crying and faint from waiting for God's help.
His enemies were more numerous than the hair of his head. David had done nothing deserving their hatred, and yet powerful enemies plotted to destroy him physically and morally with treachery and deceit. David felt his enemies were demanding penalty without justification.
David acknowledged that the Lord knew all David's follies and wrongs. He prayed that those who seek and hope in the Lord might not be put to shame and dishonor through David.
David had suffered shame and reproach for the sake of the Lord. He had become estranged and alienated even from his own brothers. "For zeal for thy house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult thee have fallen on me" (Psalm 69:9). He had been criticized for expressing his religious devotion with fasting, and acts of repentance and humility before the Lord. The idle and drunkards ridiculed David.
But David continued to call upon the Lord, trusting that in God's perfect timing and steadfast love the Lord would answer and rescue him. The Lord would not allow the "flood" of tribulation or the grave prevail and overcome David.
David called upon the Lord for help because of the Lord's steadfast love and mercy (not because David was worthy). David begged the Lord not to turn away from him or to delay answering David's plea, but to draw near and free David from the power of his enemies.
David declared his faith that the Lord knew David's shame and dishonor, his enemies, and his despair over their heart-breaking insults. David declared that he had searched and found that there is no pity and comfort in any one but the Lord.
Jeremiah:
Jeremiah cried out to the Lord that the Lord had persuaded him to proclaim God's Word and that Jeremiah had become the subject of ridicule and derision as a result. Since the Lord's call, Jeremiah could not speak without declaring God's impending judgment, violence and destruction. God's call was an irresistible force, in Jeremiah's heart and soul, compelling Jeremiah to proclaim God's name and his Word.
Jeremiah's family and friends had turned against him, plotting to denounce, overcome and take revenge upon Jeremiah. But Jeremiah entrusted his situation to the Lord, the almighty warrior, confident that the Lord would cause Jeremiah's enemies to make mistakes and fail to accomplish their intention. Jeremiah trusted that his enemies were the ones who would experience eternal shame and dishonor.
Jeremiah acknowledged that it is the Lord alone who is the judge of the righteous, who sees the inner secrets of heart and mind. Jeremiah committed his circumstances to the Lord and trusted in the Lord to exact vengeance upon them. Jeremiah trusted that the Lord would deliver the lives of the needy from the power of evildoers.
Romans:
Sin (disobedience of God's Word) and (eternal) death (the consequence of sin; Romans 6:23) came into the world through the first man, Adam, and spread to all humans, because all shared his sinful nature. But, although God did not hold us accountable for sin until the Law (God's Word) was given (to Moses), death was the destiny of all from Adam to Moses, even over those who were not overtly disobedient of God's Word. Adam was a type of the promised Messiah (because Adam represents the opposite end of the spectrum). Adam introduced sin, which caused the (eternal) death of many; Jesus, the Messiah, is the free gift from God, of salvation, which redeemed many from sin and death (through faith, which is obedient trust, in Jesus), so that they could have (eternal) life.
Matthew:
Jesus warned his disciples that a disciple or servant is not better than his teacher or master. The best one can achieve is to be like his teacher or master. Worldly people called Jesus Beelzebul (lord of demons; Satan), and Jesus' disciples could not expect to be treated better.
Jesus told his disciples not to fear the enemies of Jesus. Nothing can be hidden which will remain unknown. What Jesus told his disciples privately they were to shout from housetops.
Jesus told his disciples not to fear worldly people or even demons, because the worst they could do was kill the the disciples' physical bodies. Instead they were to fear (have awe and respect for) the Lord, who has the power and authority of eternal life or eternal death over us; over whether we will spend eternity in Heaven or Hell.
Jesus said that God the Father has power and authority over the most insignificant details of life in this world. God's will determines the life and death of an individual sparrow and he knows every detail about us down to the number of hairs on our heads. Jesus assures us that God the Father loves us much more than many sparrows.
Jesus warns that those who acknowledge Jesus to other people will be acknowledged by Jesus to God, but those who deny Jesus to others will be denied by Jesus to God.
Commentary:
God has always intended, from the very beginning of Creation to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly choose to trust and obey him. We are all eternal souls in physical bodies. We were all born physically alive but spiritually dead because we have all inherited the sinful nature of our human forefather, Adam.
We have all sinned (disobeyed God's Word) and fall short of God's righteousness (doing what is good, right and true, according to God's standard; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). Jesus is the fulfillment, embodiment and example of God's Word, lived in human flesh in this temporal world (John 1:1-5, 14). Adam is the way we are; like Jesus is what we can become, through faith (obedient trust) in God's Word in Jesus Christ.
David is the forerunner and illustration of Christ. David trusted and obeyed God's Word, and had a personal relationship with the Lord. David suffered persecution by the enemies of the Lord, even from among his own family, but he continued to trust in and wait for the Lord's deliverance and vindication. David learned from experience that the Lord is able and faithful to sympathize and comfort as no human can.
Jeremiah also had a personal relationship with the Lord. Jeremiah was persecuted by enemies of the Lord for proclaiming God's Word. Even his family and close personal friends had turned against Jeremiah. But Jeremiah trusted his circumstances to the Lord, confident that the Lord was able and faithful to uphold him.
Adam had a personal relationship with God which was broken by sin (disobedience; Genesis 3:9-19, 23), and the consequence of sin is (eternal) death (Romans 6:23). Adam introduced sin and death into Creation. Jesus came to forgive sin and restore eternal life through faith (obedient trust) in the Lord.
Disciples of Jesus Christ cannot expect the world to treat them any better than Jesus was treated. Jesus was hated and crucified, but Jesus was vindicated and raised from physical death to eternal life by God.
Proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ will not be popular in this world. Those who deny Jesus and refuse to trust and obey Jesus will be rejected by Jesus on the Day of Judgment.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ, the forgiveness of sin, and restoration to fellowship with God and to eternal life is not a secret. Those who have come to a personal knowledge of and fellowship with the Lord through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit are commanded, guided and empowered to go into all the world to proclaim the Gospel and make"born-again" disciples of Jesus Christ, who trust and obey God's Word, fulfilled, embodied and exemplified in Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19-20).
Only Jesus gives ("baptizes;" "anoints" with) the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
5 Pentecost - Monday
June 16, 2008
Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18 The Lord's Covenant with David
The psalmist recalls and praises the Lord for his steadfast love and his faithfulness through all generations. The Lord is eternal and his steadfast love and faithfulness are for eternity, and as unshakable as the heavens. The Lord said "I have made a covenant with his chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: 'I will establish your descendants for ever and build your throne for all generations'" Psalm 89:3-4).
Blessed are the people who know the festal shout and walk in the light of the Lord's countenance; who exult (rejoice) in the name of the Lord and extol his righteousness throughout every day. For our strength is glorified in the Lord and our power and might are exalted (lifted up) by the Lord's favor. "For our shield belongs to the Lord, our king to the Holy One of Israel.
Those who trust and obey the Lord's Word will come to experience and know the Lord's faithfulness and steadfast love, as had the psalmist. David, the great shepherd-king of Israel, is an example for all of a person who trusted and obeyed the Lord, had a close personal relationship with the Lord, and experienced and testified to the steadfast love and faithfulness of the Lord.
Commentary:
The Lord anointed David king of Israel and made a covenant with him to establish the throne of David forever (2 Samuel 7:13; Psalm 89:20-29). David is the forerunner and example of the promised Messiah (Christ; the "anointed one"), the descendant of David, and the eternal heir to David's throne, Jesus Christ, in whom God's covenant promise to David was fulfilled (Matthew 1:17; 21:9).
David is the example of what we can be, through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ. In David's time only a few individuals had a close personal relationship with the Lord. Jesus came to make it possible for each of us to have a close personal relationship with the Lord, which is only possible through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Only Jesus gives the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17).
It is by the indwelling Holy Spirit that we know and are able to express the "festal shout" (Romans 8:15-16; 1 John 4:1-3). It is by the indwelling Holy Spirit that we experience the light of the Lord's countenance upon us (2 Corinthians 4:6). It is through the indwelling Holy Spirit that we can exult (rejoice) in the name of the Lord and extol his righteousness.
It is only by the indwelling Holy Spirit within us that we are spiritually "born-again (John 3:3, 5-8) to eternal life, and become the spiritual descendants of David and the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is only by the Holy Spirit abiding within us (John 14:16, KJV) that we are guided to "walk" (live) according to his light, and empowered to carry on Christ's mission to proclaim the Gospel of forgiveness and salvation through Jesus Christ (Zechariah 4:6 c; John 15:4-5). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
5 Pentecost - Tuesday
June 17, 2008
Jeremiah 28:5-9 -- Jeremiah and Hananiah;
Jeremiah had prophesied (in Jeremiah 25:12) that the Lord would exile Judah in Babylon for seventy years, and then would bring them back to their Promised Land. In August, 594 B.C.,1 Hananiah, a prophet, confronted Jeremiah in the temple and prophesied that in two years the Lord would bring back the exiles and the vessels of the temple that had been carried off to Babylon (Chaldea) by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon (Jeremiah 28:3-4).
Jeremiah replied to Hananiah in the presence of the priests and all the people where in the temple, saying Amen! (so be it). Jeremiah said he hoped that the Lord would do as Hananiah had prophesied, but he warned Hananiah, and all who were present that throughout history prophets had prophesied wars, famines and plagues against many great lands and peoples. As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when his prophecy is fulfilled it will be apparent that the Lord has sent that prophet.
Commentary:
The Babylonians had started carrying off princes and the temple vessels in 606 B.C.3 In 598 B.C.3 They carried off the nobles, warriors and artisans, leaving only the poor and weak. In 5883-586 B.C.⁴ There was another general deportation, Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed, and the rest of the sacred temple vessels were carried off. The seventy years of the Exile is commonly calculated from the destruction of Solomon's (the first) Temple in 587 B.C.⁴ to the rededication of the temple (the Second Temple) in 517 B.C.3
Jeremiah was called by God to proclaim God's Word of warning to Judah (the kingdom of the two tribes), the remnant of Israel. The Northern Kingdom of the ten tribes had ceased to exist after the conquest and fall of Samaria to the Assyrians in 722/721 B.C.⁵ Judah refused to learn from example to avoid the consequences of idolatry and disobedience of God's Word which had come upon the Northern Kingdom. Judah could have avoided exile if they had heeded Jeremiah's prophecy and had repented and returned to obedient trust in God's Word, right up to the fall of Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar.
Jeremiah's prophecy of seventy years of exile in Babylon was made about 605 B.C.2 The time of the fulfillment of that prophecy was drawing near, but there was still time to repent and avoid it. Hananiah claimed to know and proclaim God's Word, but he was telling the people what they wanted to hear and which would comfort and lull them, so that they would not realize the consequences of their sin and repent.
Jeremiah warned the leaders, priests and the people that the test of authentic prophecy is it's fulfillment (compare Deuteronomy 18:21-22). The problem is that by the time the people learned that Hananiah was not speaking God's Word they would already be in exile in Babylon with sixty-eight years to go (a virtual life sentence for adults at the time of the deportation).
God's Word is eternally true, and is fulfilled over and over as the conditions for its fulfillment are met. The people of the Northern Kingdom didn't listen to God's Word proclaimed by God's prophets and they suffered the consequences. Judah didn't learn from their example, and didn't heed Jeremiah's proclamation of God's Word, and suffered similar consequences. A remnant of Judah returned as God had promised but it was a new remnant, born in Babylon.
Israel had forgotten the Biblical lessons of the fall of the Northern Kingdom and the exile of Judah, and were unprepared for the coming of the promised and awaited Messiah. As a result, Jerusalem and the temple were again destroyed, in 70 A.D. by the Romans. The Jews were scattered throughout the world and ceased to exist as a nation until they began to return after World War II. The temple has never been rebuilt. Judaism effectively ended at the cross of Jesus Christ, when the temple curtain was torn in two, and with the destruction of the temple, which effectively ended the Old Covenant of Law and the requirement of sacrifice for forgiveness of sin.
The history of God's dealing with Israel has been recorded in the Bible for our instruction (1 Corinthians 10:11). The Bible isn't outdated. In many ways America, and the Church in America, are in a very similar situation today as Israel and Judaism at the time of Jesus' first coming. America is the "New Israel," the "New Promised Land," and the Church is the "New Jerusalem," the "New City of God," and the "New People of God" on earth.
In many instances, we have pursued idolatry (the love of anything or anyone more than God) and have turned away from obedience to God's Word (the definition of "sin"). Wealth, power, success, pleasure, career, home, and family are a few modern "idols."
In too many instances there are prophets like Hananiah who claim to know and proclaim God's Word, but who are telling people what the people want to hear. Two modern examples of false teaching are Cheap Grace⁶ and Salvation by Works (doing good deeds; see False Teachings, sidebar, top right).
God's Word contains both wonderful promises and ominous warnings. If we trust and obey God's Word we get the promises; those whom refuse to hear and obey God's Word will receive the consequences the warnings were designed to help us avoid. We need to hear and proclaim the full Gospel; not just the parts that make ourselves and our hearers feel good.
Many people are shopping for (nominal) "Churches" which teach what they want to hear, and many (self-proclaimed) "Churches" are offering "seeker-friendly" programs to appeal to those seekers. Are we seeking Churches that fully and accurately proclaim God's Word, or Churches which offer the best "deal" on salvation?
There are only two ways to know for sure who is proclaiming the authentic Word of God, and who is offering false security. One is to pick what you like and find out on the Day of Judgment that you're in the "Babylon" of Hell for eternity. The other way is to read the Bible fully (at least once) and daily, seeking God's help and guidance in understanding and applying it one day at a time.
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
1 The Oxford Annotated Bible, Revised Standard Version, Ed. by Herbert G. May and Bruce M. Metzger, Jeremiah 28:1-17n, p. 949, New York, Oxford University Press, 1962.
2 ibid, Jeremiah 25:1-14n, p.945.
3 “Exile,” Easton’s Bible Dictionary, digital module, BibleDatabase freeware, see Free Digital Bible Study Tools, sidebar top right.
4 Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible, David Noel Freedman, "Exile," pg. 439, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids Michigan, 2000, ISBN 0-8020-2400-5
5 ibid, "Samaria,"p.1158
6 See: The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Collier Books, Macmillan Publishing Co., NY 1963 ISBN 0-02-083850-6
5 Pentecost - Wednesday
June 18, 2008
Romans 6:1b-11 -- New Life in Christ;
Although salvation is by God's grace (unmerited favor; a free gift), that doesn't mean that we can continue in sin. We who have been baptized into Jesus Christ have been baptized into his death; we have been buried with Christ in baptism, so that we share in his resurrection from death, by the glory of God, so that we might live the new (eternal) life.
As we have been united with Christ in his death we can be certain that we will be united with him in his resurrection. Our old sinful nature has been crucified with him so that our fleshly desires will die, freeing us from their bondage. The dead no longer sin. But if we have died with Christ we will also live with him. Having been raised from death, Jesus will never die again; death no longer has any power over him (compare Hebrews 2:14-15). He died to sin in the flesh; now he lives for God. So we must also consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God through Jesus Christ.
Commentary:
Paul (Saul of Tarsus) is the prototype and example of a "modern," "post-resurrection," "born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8) disciple and apostle (messenger; of the Gospel) of Jesus Christ, as we all can be (Acts 9:1-22). He became an evangelist to the Gentiles and established a number of church congregations.
Already in the first century of the Church, there were several false teachings besetting the Church, which Paul dealt with and are recorded in the New Testament (see False Teachings, sidebar top right). One was what has recently become know as "Cheap Grace;"* teaching salvation by grace, without the requirement of obedience and discipleship. That heresy is what Paul was rebutting here.
Salvation is by God's grace, which must be claimed and received by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ, as Paul taught the Ephesians. We don't earn or deserve salvation by doing good deeds (Ephesians 2:8-9), but we are saved so that we can do the good deeds God has prepared for us to accomplish (Ephesians 2:10). Our good deeds are testimony to our salvation.
From the very beginning of Creation (John 1:1-5,14) Jesus has been God's one and only provision for the forgiveness of our sins (disobedience of God's Word) and salvation from the penalty for sin, which is eternal death (Acts 4:12, John 14:6; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar top right). At the perfect time in history Jesus came into the world in the fulfillment embodiment and example of God's Word, lived in human flesh in this world (John 1:1-5, 14).
We are all immortal souls in physical bodies. We've been born physically alive but spiritually dead. Jesus came to make it possible for us to be spiritually "reborn" (John 3:3, 5-8).
This lifetime is our opportunity to seek and come to find and know God (Acts 17:26-27), and this is only possible through faith in Jesus Christ (John 14:6). This lifetime is our only opportunity to be spiritually reborn so that we can live eternally with the Lord in his eternal heavenly kingdom in paradise.
Only Jesus "baptizes" ("anoints") with the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). In order to be reborn, we must crucify our self-will, so that we can do God's will; we must die to our physical desires, in order to live according to God's Word. When we do, we are reborn by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ within us (Romans 8:9 b), and is given only to those who are willing and committed to be guided by and obedient to the Spirit (Isaiah 42:5 e; Romans 8:1-4).
It is possible for one to know with certainty for oneself whether or not one has received the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
*See: The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Collier Books, Macmillan Publishing Co., NY 1963 ISBN 0-02-083850-6
5 Pentecost - Thursday
June 19, 2008
Matthew 10:34-42 On Discipleship
Jesus' message will bring division among people, even within families and between close personal relationships. Believers will be opposed by their own household. Those who are unwilling to risk losing father, mother, sister and brother is not worthy of the Gospel. Anyone who is unwilling to bear his own cross and follow Jesus is unworthy of the Gospel. Those who find life will loose it, but those who are willing to lose life for the sake of Jesus will find it.
Those who receive Jesus' disciples receive Jesus, and those who receive Jesus receive God the father who sent Jesus. Those who receive a prophet because he is a prophet will receive the same reward as the prophet. Those who receive a righteous person because that person is righteous will receive the same reward as the righteous person. Anyone who does the slightest favor, such as a cup of cool water, to a "little one" (Jesus' spiritual "child") because he is a disciple will not go unrewarded.
Commentary:
Jesus knew that his message would be offensive to worldly people and would cause division and opposition even among family and friends. Hearers of the Gospel must be willing to accept opposition and loss of relationships in order to receive the promises of the Gospel.
A Christian is a disciple (student) of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26 e) who learns to know and follow Jesus' teaching and example (Matthew 28:19-20). In order to be a disciple of Jesus Christ we must be willing to bear our own Cross of suffering and self-sacrifice, following the example of Jesus.
Those who pursue what worldly people consider life, worldly success and acclaim, will ultimately lose it, and the satisfaction of physical pleasures will come to an end. But those who are willing to give up worldly pursuits and desires for the sake of Jesus will find what is truly and eternally life.
Those who are open to receive the Gospel will welcome the disciples and prophets of Jesus, and will receive the same rewards of the Gospel that all disciples and prophets receive because they accept the same Gospel and Lord. Those who recognize and appreciate righteousness (doing what is good, right and true, according to God's Word) will welcome Jesus' disciples and will receive the same reward of righteousness which is only through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22; Philippians 3:9).
Disciples who trust and obey Jesus' teachings receive the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). Those who have received the indwelling Holy Spirit have been spiritually "reborn" (John 3:3, 5-8) to true, eternal life. The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
The indwelling Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ within his disciples (Romans 8:9b). By the indwelling Holy Spirit we have personal fellowship with God the Father and Jesus Christ. Those who are open to the disciples of Jesus Christ and open to the Gospel they proclaim will receive Jesus within themselves by the gift of the Holy Spirit, and those who receive the Spirit of Christ, receive the Spirit of God who sent Jesus.
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
5 Pentecost - Friday
June 20, 2008
Jeremiah 16:14-21 Homecoming
The Lord declared that the time was coming when the remnant of Israel would no longer regard the Exodus from Egypt, but instead the return from Exile in Babylon, as the great saving act of the Lord. The Lord promised to bring Israel back to the Promised Land.
The Lord was going to use the Babylonians as fishers and hunters to catch and herd the people of Israel. There would be no place for Israel to hide. The Lord was aware of Israel's ways and they couldn't hide their sins or hide themselves from God's punishment. God promised to repay them double for all their sins, because they had polluted, with idolatry and abominations, the land God had given them as his inheritance.
The prophet declares that the Lord is his strength and his fortress, his refuge in times of trouble, and foresees the time when other nations will come to the Lord from the farthest corners of the world. They will compare their idols and their inheritance from those idols to the God of Israel and Israel's inheritance from God, and will realize the futility of idolatry. God will reveal his power in the exile and return of his people, so that all people and nations will know that God is Lord.
Commentary:
The Lord warned Judah, through Jeremiah, of the consequences of sin (disobedience of God's Word) and idolatry (caring for any thing or person as much as or more than the Lord), but Judah refused to repent and return to obedient trust in the Lord up to the very moment they were carried off to Babylon (modern-day Iraq). The Lord had declared that the exile would be for seventy years, which was a virtual life sentence for those who were adults at the time of the deportation. God's Word also promised that the sacred vessels of the temple plundered by Nebuchadnezzar would be returned.
The Word of God was fulfilled. It was seventy years from the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in 587 B.C., until the rebuilt temple was dedicated in 517 B.C.* The Lord had promised to bring back the remnant of Israel to the Promised Land, but they were a renewed people, who had learned to trust and obey the Lord during their exile; the people who had gone into exile perished in Babylon.
The Lord used the Babylonian army as fishers and hunters to roundup and herd Israel into exile. Then, amazingly, he used Cyrus, King of Persia (modern-day Iran), to overthrow the Babylonians and release Israel to return to their Promised Land. Not only was Israel allowed to leave Babylon, but the sacred vessels of the temple captured by Nebuchadnezzar, were returned, and Cyrus gave Israel money and authorization to help rebuild their temple (2 Chronicles 36:22, 23; Ezra 1:1-4; 4:3; 5:13-17; 6:3-5).
God's power and faithfulness were revealed for the world to see in the exile and return of Israel. God's Word is always fulfilled, and fulfilled over and over as the conditions for its fulfillment are met. The history of God's dealings with Israel are recorded in the Bible as a warning, for our instruction (1 Corinthians 10:6, 11).
The history of the exile and return is also intended as a metaphor for our life in this world. We are in exile in the "Babylon" of this present world and the Lord promises to bring us back to the "Promised Land" of his eternal kingdom at the end of our lifetimes, if we have learned to trust and obey him, and have been spiritually "reborn" in this lifetime. The alternative is eternal exile in the "Babylon" of Hell, for those who refuse to accept the Lord as God and trust and obey his Word.
Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God's power and faithfulness for the world to see. Jesus is God's ultimate saving act of deliverance and restoration of his people (Acts 4:12; John 14:6, see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). Jesus is God's Word, fulfilled, embodied and exemplified in human flesh in this world (John 1:1-5, 14).
This lifetime is our only opportunity to be spiritually "reborn" We are all born physically alive, but spiritually dead. Jesus said we must be "born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8) in order to see the kingdom of God, which is all around us now, and ultimately, to see (enter; dwell in) the kingdom of God in eternity. Spiritual rebirth is by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17).The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). It is possible for one to know with certainty for oneself, whether or not one has received the gift of the the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2).
Jeremiah suffered abuse and persecution for the Word of God. He learned by experience and testified that the Lord is a faithful source of strength and refuge. The remnant of Israel who returned from Babylonian exile learned from experience to trust and obey the Lord, but Israel forgot the lessons of the exile and was unprepared for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
In one sense America and the Church, particularly in America, are each the "New Promised Land," the "New Israel," the "New People of God." In too many instances both the nation and the (nominal) Church have turned from obedient trust in the Lord and have been polluted by idolatry and abominations. The Lord is calling for repentance and return to the Lord in obedient trust. The Lord knows our ways and our sins. There is no where to hide to conceal our sins or to escape his judgment.
Is the inheritance of idolatry and self-indulgence worth the loss of eternal life in creation restored to paradise? Are we ready for Christ's return?
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
*Easton’s Bible Dictionary, "Exile," digital edition, bibledatabase.org - http://bibledatabase.org/eastons.html
5 Pentecost - Saturday
June 21, 2008
1 Peter 2:4-10 The Cornerstone
Matthew 16:13-26 Peter's Confession
1 Peter:
Come to Jesus, the "living stone" who men rejected but who God has chosen and considers precious. Be yourselves, like living stones, built into a spiritual house. We are to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the fulfillment of scripture of a chosen and precious cornerstone laid in Zion by God. God promises that those who believe (trust and obey) Jesus will not be put to shame.
So Jesus is also precious to those who believe; but to those who do not believe Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy of a stone which was rejected by builders but which has become the cornerstone and a stumbling block on which people will trip and fall. They will stumble because that is the destiny of those who reject and refuse to believe (trust and obey) Jesus.
Christians are a chosen race, God's own people. We are to be a royal priesthood, a holy nation, so that we can declare the great things God has done to bring us out of the spiritual darkness of sin and spiritual ignorance, and into the wonderful light of God's presence and righteousness. Once we had no special significance, but now we are God's own chosen and precious people. Once we were sinners without hope of mercy, but now we have received mercy.
Matthew:
As Jesus and his disciples came to Caesarea Philippi, near the border of Syria, Jesus asked his disciples who people were saying that Jesus was. They replied that some thought he was John the Baptist, others said he was Elijah or Jeremiah or one of the other prophets. Jesus asked who his disciples would say he was, and Peter replied that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:15 b). Jesus said that Simon (Peter), son of John, was blessed because this understanding was not by Peter's human ability but that God the Father had revealed it to Peter. Then Jesus gave Simon the name "Peter" (meaning "Rock;" "Petros" in Aramaic, Jesus' language; Kepha in Greek, the language of the New Testament; or "Cephas:" see 1 Corinthians 15:5), and on this "rock" ("petra" in Aramaic; "Kepha" in Greek) Jesus would build his Church.
Jesus said he would give his disciples the keys (symbol of power and authority) of the kingdom of heaven. They were to be judges of the people and what they forbade on earth would be forbidden in heaven, and what they allowed on earth would be allowed in heaven (see Matthew 19:28). Jesus strictly ordered his disciples to reveal to no one that Jesus was the Christ.
From then on Jesus began telling his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, where he would suffer abuse by the Jewish priests, elders, and teachers of scripture, and be killed, and then on the third day he would be raised. Peter rebuked Jesus saying "God forbid!" and vowing not to let that happen. But Jesus told Peter that Peter's attitude was a hindrance to Jesus and allied with Satan's desire rather than God's will.
Then Jesus told his disciples that anyone who wanted to follow Jesus must be willing to deny himself and take up his "cross" of suffering and follow Jesus' example. Anyone who wants to save his temporal life will lose it; only those who are willing to lose their temporal life will find true, spiritual, eternal life. What good would it be to own the whole world but lose one's life. What would a person be willing to give for his life.
Commentary:
Jesus is the fulfillment of God's Word of a "cornerstone" on which Christ's Church, the house of God, would be founded. Jesus is the "living cornerstone." Jesus is the "living rock" in the wilderness of this lifetime (1 Corinthians 10:1-4; Exodus 17:6), through whom God gives "living water" of the Holy Spirit to revive and sustain us unto eternal life (John 7:37-39).
Peter's confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the "rock," the solid foundation and cornerstone on which the Church is built. Obedient trust in Jesus' teaching and example is the "rock" on which we must build our lives if we don't want to be swept away by disaster and eternal destruction (Matthew 7:21-27).
We are to follow Jesus' teaching and example and become "living stones" by which the foundation of Christ is built into a spiritual Church. All Christians are to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices of obedient trust through Jesus Christ, the sacrifice which is acceptable to God, on behalf of ourselves and others.
When we accept Jesus as God's anointed eternal Savior and King and begin to trust and obey Jesus, we become the spiritual children of Abraham by faith in Jesus. We become the spiritual heirs of Israel, the people of God (Galatians 3:5-7, 9, 26). We are spiritually "born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8) by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
By the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit we experience and come to know the great things God has done and is doing in us to bring us out of bondage to sin and spiritual ignorance, and we experience the light of God's presence and righteousness.
Christians are disciples (Acts 11:26 c) who have been "born-again" by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. "Seekers" are to be discipled by "born-again" disciples (see Paul's ("Saul's") conversion; Acts 9:1-21; NB v. 10-17) within the Church (the New Jerusalem; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8) until they are "born-again," before we experience, and are guided and empowered to declare the Gospel and testify to the great things God has done and is doing.
Disciples are given the authority and the responsibility to teach and enforce behavior within the Church according to what is appropriate in heaven according to the Word of God. Things which are called abominations in God's Word must not be tolerated in the Church.
Jesus wanted to be sure his disciples understood who Jesus was. Then he began to prepare them for what would happen to Jesus in Jerusalem. Peter understood that Jesus was the Messiah (Christ; both mean God's "anointed;" in Hebrew and Greek, respectively). But Peter didn't understand that it was necessary for Jesus to die on the Cross and then rise again from the dead. Jesus was fully human (and also fully God; Colossians 2:8-9). His human nature didn't want to suffer and die, and Peter's reaction was adding to the temptation Jesus was experiencing from Satan, and Peter was in opposition to God's plan. Peter himself did not want to suffer the the death of Jesus.
Disciples of Jesus must be willing to endure things they would rather not experience, in order to follow Jesus' example and accomplish God's will. Disciples of Jesus must be willing to give up their temporal lives in order to have what is truly, eternally life.
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
