Week of Christ the King - C
This is a 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://shepherdboy.byethost12.com/ (Please bookmark this link).
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Shepherdboysmydailywalk’s Blog
.mp3 Podcasts via Linux Festival text-to-speech and Panopreter Basic text-to-speech are available at:
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http://shepherdboy.byethost12.com/dw_bible2/c_year/wklx_c.html
Please Note:
To get the most from these studies, it is suggested that you first read the scripture texts for the entry, and then the paraphrase and commentary. It is also recommended that you look up the scripture references, unless you recognize and recall them from memory.
I will post weekly by Saturday, noon, (God willing), 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.
Podcast Download: Week of Christ the King - C
Sunday Christ the King - C
First Posted November 21, 2010;
Podcast: Sunday Christ the King - C
Jeremiah 23:2-6 – Messianic Oracle;
Psalm 95:1-7a – God's Kingship;
Colossians 1:13-20 – Delivered from Satan's Power;
Luke 23:35-43 – The Crucifixion;
Jeremiah Paraphrase:
The Lord God rebuked the priests and prophets of Israel who were supposed to be “shepherds” of God's people, but who were failing to fulfill their responsibility. They had scattered and driven away God's “flock.” They had not attended to the needs of God's people. The Lord promised to repay the unfaithful shepherds according to their evil deeds.
Then, the Lord promised, he would gather the remnant of his people from where they had been driven and bring them back to their “sheepfold” where they can be fruitful and multiply. The Lord promised to raise up shepherds who would properly care for his flock. The flock would no longer need fear or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing.
Psalm Paraphrase:
Let us sing in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, the rock of our salvation. Let us make joyful music and praise the Lord as we enter his presence, for the Lord alone is a great God and King, above all others. He rules the deeps and heights of earth, as well as the oceans and dry lands, for he is the Creator of all.
“O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand” (Psalm 95:6-7a).
Colossians Paraphrase:
The Lord has delivered us from domination by darkness (evil; Satan) and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, through whom we we are redeemed (ransomed from the penalty of sin and eternal condemnation) and receive forgiveness of sin (disobedience of God's Word).
Jesus is the likeness of the invisible God. Jesus is the first-born of Creation (John 1:1-5, 14; pre-existent with God at Creation; the first to rise from physical death to eternal life). All things in creation have been created for, by and through Jesus, and all things, whether visible or the invisible; thrones, dominions, principalities and authorities are bound together in him. Jesus is the head of the Church, which is his body (in an analogy to a human body), so that he is pre-eminent in everything. “For in him the whole fullness of God was pleased to dwell” (Colossians 1:19; compare 2:8-9). Through Jesus he gives reconciliation and peace to all thing, in heaven and on earth, to himself, by his blood (sacrificial death) on the cross.
Luke Paraphrase:
When Jesus had been crucified, and while the people watched, the Jewish leaders ridiculed Jesus, telling Jesus to come down from the cross and save himself if he were truly the Christ (Messiah; both words mean God's “anointed”), God's Chosen One.
The (Roman) soldiers who executed Jesus also mocked him, offering him sour wine (turned to vinegar) and telling Jesus to save himself if he truly was the King of the Jews, as the inscription (written at Pilate's command; John 19:19-22) declared.
Jesus was crucified between two criminals (Luke 23:32-33). One of them taunted Jesus to save himself and the criminals, if Jesus truly were the Christ. But the other criminal rebuked the first, asking if the first criminal shouldn't fear God, since they were both under condemnation and their sentences were justified because they were guilty, but Jesus was innocent of any wrongdoing. Then the second criminal asked Jesus to remember him when Jesus had received authority and kingdom. Jesus replied that certainly the second criminal would be with Jesus in Heaven that very day.
Commentary:
God has always intended, from the beginning of Creation, to raise up people who would willingly trust and obey God. He has given us the freedom to choose for ourselves whether to trust and obey him or not, but God is not willing to tolerate rebellion or disobedience forever, or at all in his eternal kingdom. We will determine for ourselves where we will spend eternity: in the presence of God's love and providence, or separated eternally from him and all his goodness.
In Israel in the time of Jesus' physical ministry, the Israelites were shepherds. They raised sheep for food and clothing. They knew that sheep needed a shepherd to care for them, or they would become lost, scattered, or attacked and destroyed by predators.
An owner needed to appoint shepherds to care for his flocks. God also appointed “shepherds” to care for God's “flock: God's people. God's shepherds were the leaders of Judaism, Pharisees, Sadducees and scribes (teachers of God's Word). At the time of Jesus' physical ministry, the religious leaders were like unfaithful shepherds; they neglected the sheep of God's flock. They cared more for themselves than for the spiritual condition of God's people (for example: Matthew 27:3-5).
We must recognize that we are “sheep” in need of a “Good Shepherd,” Jesus Christ (John 10:11-15), whom God has raised up for us as he promised in his Word (Jeremiah 23:4-6). Jesus is the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy that God would raise up a “Righteous Branch” from David to inherit the eternal throne God promised David (2 Samuel 7:5-13; Psalm 89:20-29). Jesus is the “son” (descendant) of David (Matthew 1:1; 21:9, 15-16).
Christianity today is very much like Judaism at the time of Jesus' first coming. In the nominal Church there are many unfaithful “shepherds,” who use their position of leadership for their own benefit, and don't properly care for the spiritual needs of the “flock.” Two examples of this are the false teachings of “Works Righteousness (teaching that salvation is by doing good deeds; compare Ephesians 2:8-10), and “Cheap Grace,” which is teaching that salvation is by God's grace (unmerited favor; a free gift; which is true), but without the requirement of discipleship and obedience to the Lord (which is false; John 14:15; Matthew 28:19-20). These false teachings were present in the first-century Church, are refuted in the New Testament, and yet still exist in the nominal Church today (See False Teachings, sidebar, top right, home).
God has raised up faithful leaders in the true Church, but one must be knowledgeable about the Bible in order to discern the true from the false. The Bible is the standard by which all teaching and doctrine must be judged. Only by reading the Bible completely, and also reading portions daily, can we protect ourselves from false teaching.
We are all sinners (disobedient of God's Word, in the Bible and in the example of Jesus, the “living Word), who fall short of God's righteousness (doing what is right, good, and true according to God's Word; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). Jesus is God's only provision for our forgiveness of our sin and salvation from eternal death (Acts 4:12, John 14:6), which is the penalty for sin (Romans 6:23; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home).
God has been teaching us, in the record of his dealings with the Israelites, in the Old Testament, that there is no forgiveness of sin without blood sacrifice (Hebrews 9:22). Jesus' blood, shed on the cross is the ultimate and only sacrifice acceptable to God for the forgiveness of our sins (Ephesians 1:7). God transfers us from the power of evil into the kingdom of his Son, Jesus Christ, by our redemption (ransom) through Jesus' blood sacrifice (Colossians 1:14).
We are all, like the thieves on the crosses, justly guilty of sin and worthy of eternal condemnation. One of the thieves recognized and acknowledge his sin and committed himself into Jesus' care, and he received eternal life in paradise restored in Heaven with the Lord. The other thief had one last chance to repent and be forgiven, and lost it.
This may be your last chance! Yesterday is gone; tomorrow may never come. Today is the Day of Salvation; today is the only day we can be sure that we can still repent (turn from sinning) and be saved through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ.
The unrepentant thief didn't accept that Jesus was sinless and the thief's only last chance. He didn't accept the testimony of his fellow thief, and he didn't trust and obey Jesus' word. His suggestion to Jesus to come down from the cross and save him as well was not made in faith that Jesus could or would.
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? 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)?
Monday Christ the King - C
First Posted November 22, 2010;
Podcast: Monday Christ the King - C
Psalm 122 - Peace for Jerusalem;
Paraphrase:
This “Song of Ascents” was intended for use by pilgrims ascending to the temple in Jerusalem from the surrounding valleys.
The pilgrim rejoices in the opportunity to go to the house of the Lord. At last the pilgrim’s feet are standing within the gates of Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is a great city bound together in unity, where all the tribes of the Lord come together to give thanks to the name (entire person and character) of the Lord. Jerusalem is where the (eternal) throne of David is established; the throne of Judgment.
Let us pray for peace for Jerusalem; may those who love her prosper. May peace and security be within her walls and towers. Let us pray for peace in Jerusalem for the sake of our brethren and companions. Let us seek her good for the sake of the house of God.
Commentary:
“Jerusalem” is the City of God on earth which foreshadows the eternal City of God in heaven. Since the coming of Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, God’s anointed Savior and eternal King, the Church is the “New Jerusalem” and Christians are the “New Israel;” the “New People of God.” “Born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) Christians are the temple and household of God individually and collectively.
Judaism effectively ended at the Cross of Jesus Christ, when the temple curtain, separating God’s presence from the people, was torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51), symbolizing that a new and better way into God’s presence had been opened through Jesus Christ. Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D. The people were scattered throughout the world; Israel ceased to exist as a nation, until reestablished following World War II. The temple has never been rebuilt.
Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise of an eternal Savior (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right) and heir to the throne of David (2 Samuel 7:5-13; Psalm 89:20-29). Jesus is the son (descendant) of David (Matthew 1:1-17). Jesus is the name of the Lord (Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28)!
Jesus has been given all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). Jesus has promised to return on the Day of Judgment, where he will judge the physically and spiritually living and dead (John 5:28-29; 1 Peter 4:5). Those who have trusted and obeyed Jesus will receive eternal life in the New Jerusalem in God’s kingdom in heaven. Those who have rejected Jesus or have refused or failed to trust and obey Jesus will receive eternal condemnation and destruction in Hell (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).
Christians need to pray and work for unity and peace within the (true) Church. There is unity and peace among genuine, Biblical Christians. Unfortunately, false “christs” and false prophets have arisen, and have created false “churches” and division within the nominal “Church,” as the Word of God has warned (1 John 4:1-6). God’s Word in the Bible has been given to us to help us discern truth from error. Christians need to know and be guided by the Bible. There cannot be peace and unity between Christians and false teachers and false prophets.
In a sense Christians are pilgrims in this world, on our way upward to the eternal heavenly Jerusalem. It is an “ascent” in the sense of effort and perseverance in spiritual growth to Christian maturity, when at last we will stand within the gates of heavenly Jerusalem. Are we praying and working for peace and unity within the Church? Do we look forward to and rejoice in the opportunity to worship in the house of the Lord each week? Are we heading toward and looking forward to eternity with the Lord in Heaven?
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? 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)?
Tuesday Christ the King - CFirst Posted November 23, 2010;
Podcast: Tuesday Christ the King - C
Isaiah 2:1-5 - The New Age;
Paraphrase:
Isaiah declared God’s Word concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In the future the mountain of the house of God will be elevated above all mountains. All people will go up the mountain to the house of God so that he can teach them his ways and they can live by them. From Zion (the mountain of the Lord) shall come the Law (God’s Word). The Lord will be Judge over all people and nations. They will convert their weapons of war into agricultural tools, because wars will no longer be waged.
Come, house of Jacob (Israel; God’s chosen people) let us walk in the light (divine knowledge; righteousness) of the Lord.
Commentary:
In the age to come, following the Day of Judgment, the Lord will reign over all people and nations, and all will seek to know and live according to God’s Word. It will be an age of peace with God and with other people.
God’s people are called to learn to live according to God’s Word now, in this present age. This is our only opportunity to seek and come to know God, our Creator (Acts 17:26-27), and this is possible only through Jesus Christ (John 14:6).
This lifetime is our only opportunity to be re-born (John 3:3, 5-8) spiritually, 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). Only those who have learned, in this age, to trust and obey Jesus will survive the Day of Judgment and enter into the new eternal age of peace, when Creation will be restored to the perfection God intended. Only those who allow the Lord to reign over them now will enter his eternal kingdom.
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? 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)?
Wednesday Christ the King - C
First Posted November 24, 2010
Podcast: Wednesday Christ the King - C
Romans 13:11-14 - Christ’s Imminent Return;
Paraphrase:
Christians should “wake up” and realize that Christ could return at any moment. Our salvation is closer now than when we first believed. The long night of ungodliness and rebellion is almost over; the day of righteousness is about break forth. “Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light ” (Romans 13:12b).We should conduct ourselves as in the light of day, not participating in the works of darkness; not indulging in revelry, drunkenness, debauchery, licentiousness, quarreling or jealousy. Instead let us apply Christ’s teaching in our lives and not pursue and indulge in the desires of the flesh.
Commentary:
This Creation has been designed by God to be an opportunity to learn by trial and error that God’s Word is trustworthy and true, and to receive eternal life in God’s heavenly kingdom. Jesus Christ has been God’s one and only plan for our salvation (Acts 4:12; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right), and has been designed into Creation from the very start (John 1:1-5, 14).
This lifetime is our only opportunity to seek and come to know God, our Creator (Acts 17:26-27), and this is only possible through Jesus Christ (John 14:6), by the Holy Spirit which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). This lifetime is our only opportunity to be “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) to 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).
God has provided forgiveness for our sin (disobedience of God’s Word) and salvation from eternal condemnation in Jesus Christ. But that salvation must be claimed and received through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus. We must be “re-born,” spiritually, so that we are filled, guided and empowered by his Holy Spirit. We should be following Jesus’ example and carrying on his ministry of redemption to a lost and dying world.
None of us can be sure that there will be a tomorrow; today is the only day we have, to do what we can and should. We can be certain that the Day of the Lord will come within our lifetime.
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? 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)?
Thursday Christ the King - CFirst Posted November 25, 2010;
Podcast: Thursday Christ the King - C
Matthew 24:37-44 - The Thief in the Night;
Paraphrase:
His disciples asked Jesus for signs of the end of the age and his second coming (Matthew 24:3). In reply, Jesus warned that his return will be like the days of Noah (Genesis 6:5-7:24). In Noah’s day, people were “eating and drinking; marrying and giving in marriage” (Matthew 24:38) up to the day that Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and all were swept away, except for Noah and his family who were in the ark.
Jesus warned that salvation will be so selective that of two men working in a field, one will be taken and the other left behind, and likewise of two women milling grain, one will be taken and the other left. We must be watchful, because we won’t know the Day of the Lord’s coming.
Remember that if a householder knew when during the night the thief was coming, he would be awake and watching, and would not let the thief break into his house. So also we must be alert and watchful, for the Son of man (Jesus) is coming at an hour we do not expect.
Commentary:
In the days of Noah, worldly people were doing what was wicked, indulging their fleshly appetites in eating, drinking and “partying,” and did not have regard for the Lord and his Word. In contrast Noah feared (had proper respect for the power and authority) of God, and sought, believed, and acted upon God’s Word. So Noah and his family, acting in faith in God’s Word, were saved. Noah built the ark according to God’s instructions.
Jesus Christ is the “ark” which God has provided to save us from the judgment and eternal condemnation which is coming upon the earth because of wickedness (doing what is evil in God’s judgment) and sin (disobedience of God’s Word). While worldly people are pursuing the lusts of the flesh, Christians are trusting in God’s Word and are preparing for the Lord’s return. Worldly people thought Noah’s preparations were foolishness right up to the moment of their destruction.
Worldly people are trying to provide their own salvation from God’s coming judgment in various ways, like building better levees, storm cellars, gated communities, earthquake-proof buildings, stockpiling survival supplies, seeking medical miracles to prolong physical life, trying to halt global warming, and even participating in “religious rituals.” None of those measures will prevent Christ’s return and the Day of Judgment.
Worldly people want to know the signs of Christ’s return so that they can indulge themselves until the last possible moment and then call out to Jesus to save them. Claiming salvation in Jesus’ name won’t save us if we haven’t trusted and obeyed Jesus, and been “born again” (John 3:3-5-8) by the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit (Matthew 7:21-27).
We can be certain that Christ’s return will be within our lifetime. The day we die physically, our eternal destiny will be sealed; the very next instant is judgment at the throne of the Lord.
God has given us his Word, the Bible, the spiritual “survival manual,” and his living Word fulfilled, embodied and exemplified in Jesus Christ (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus demonstrated perfect trust and obedience in God’s Word. Jesus’ resurrection demonstrates the reality of existence after physical death and the possibility of eternal life. In order to be saved we must trust and obey God’s Word, and seek and prepare for our salvation according to God’s Word.
Jesus is God’s only provision for forgiveness of our sin and salvation from eternal judgment and condemnation (see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar top right). There will be no way to survive God’s Judgment except by trusting and obeying God’s Word through Jesus Christ, by 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). 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).
In the Day of the Lord, Jesus is going to separate the physically and spiritually living and dead (John 5:28-29; 1 Peter 4:5). Those who have trusted and obeyed Jesus will receive eternal life in Heaven, and those who have rejected Jesus and have refused to trust and obey him will receive eternal condemnation and eternal destruction in Hell with all evil (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).
Are you ready for Christ’s return? Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? 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)?
Friday Christ the King - CFirst Posted November 26, 2010;
Podcast: Friday Christ the King - C
Matthew 21:1-11 - Jesus’ Entry into Jerusalem;
Paraphrase:
Jesus was going to Jerusalem knowing that he would be crucified (Matthew 20:18-19). At Bethphage, on the Mount of Olives, he told two of the disciples to go into the village and they would find a young donkey* tied, which they were to untie and bring back. If anyone questioned them they were to say that the Lord has need of it (them). The disciples went and found it as the Lord had said. Thus the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 was fulfilled.
When they returned they put their clothes on the donkey’s back for Jesus to sit upon. The crowd that was with them carpeted the road with clothing and leafy branches and shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest” (Mathew 21:9).
When Jesus entered Jerusalem the townspeople were excited and asked the crowd following Jesus who he was. The followers told the people of Jerusalem that it was the prophet Jesus of Nazareth in Galilee.
Commentary:
This text is one on which the Church celebration of Palm Sunday is based. It is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. It reminds us of Jesus’ first coming, in humility, to die on the Cross, and anticipates the Second Coming, when the victorious Christ returns in great power and glory on the Day of Judgment.
Hosanna means “O, Save” “Jesus” means “savior; he will save” (Matthew 1:21), and “Son of David” is the Messianic title. Jesus is the descendant of David (Matthew 1:1-17), to whom God promised to establish an eternal throne through David’s descendant (2 Samuel 7:5-13; Psalm 89:20-29). Christ and Messiah each mean “anointed” in Greek and Hebrew, respectively; God’s anointed Savior and eternal King.
God’s Word is eternal and is always fulfilled, over and over, as the conditions for its fulfillment are met. The test of prophecy as God’s Word is its fulfillment (Deuteronomy 18:21-22). God promised to send a Savior hundreds of years before. The people were looking for the Messiah. Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of God’s Word, but was rejected and crucified by his own people. The Jews didn’t trust and obey God’s Word, but couldn’t prevent, and actually fulfilled God’s Word by crucifying Jesus (1 Corinthians 2:6-8).
Jesus’ disciples are those who trust and obey Jesus. Jesus sent two disciples to borrow the donkey, and as they did as Jesus commanded, they found the situation exactly as Jesus had said. As disciples trust and obey Jesus they find that what Jesus says is true and what Jesus tells them to do is accomplished. As we trust and obey Jesus we learn and come to know with certainty that he is absolutely true and trustworthy.
If Jesus came today as in his first coming, in meekness and humility, would he be any better received? Jesus is coming again in fulfillment of God’s Word, but his second coming will be in triumph with great glory and power, and he will be coming not to suffer and die for us but to judge the physically and spiritually living and dead (John 5:28-29; 1 Peter 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). Those who have trusted and obeyed Jesus, and who have been “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), will receive eternal life in God’s kingdom in Heaven; but those who have rejected Jesus and have refused to trust and obey Jesus will receive eternal destruction and eternal death in Hell with all evil (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).
All of us have sinned (disobeyed God’s Word; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). The penalty for sin is (eternal) death (Romans 6:23). Jesus is God’s only provision (Acts 4:12; John 14:6) for forgiveness of our sin and salvation (from God’s eternal judgment and condemnation), from the beginning of Creation (John 1:1-5; 14; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar top right).
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? 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)?
*The other Gospels only refer to one donkey (Mark 11:2; Luke 19:30; John 12:14), and the Hebrew text, Zechariah 9:9, on which it is based and quoted in the text refers to one, not two, donkeys. The Oxford Annotated Bible, Revised Standard Version, Ed. by Herbert G. May and Bruce M. Metzger, Matthew 21:5n, p. 1198, New York, Oxford University Press, 1962.
Saturday Christ the King - C
First Posted November 27, 2010;
Podcast: Saturday Christ the King - C
Luke 3:1-6 - John the Baptizer;
Background and Paraphrase:
John the Baptizer began his ministry in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar (Tiberius Claudius Nero;* the year of 26-27 A.D.**), while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and the rest of the provinces of the kingdom of Herod the Great were divided among Lysanias, and the sons of Herod the Great, Antipas, and Philip (and Archelaus). Caiaphas was high priest, and his father-in-law Annas, the former high priest, was still influential.
John the Baptizer was of priestly descent through both parents (Luke 1:5), and his mother was a kinswoman of Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:36). John had been living in the wilderness (south and east of Jerusalem) in the manner of Old Testament prophets, when John received the Word of God to call the people of Israel be baptized with water as an act of repentance (return to obedient trust in the Lord) and cleansing, for forgiveness of their sins (disobedience of God’s Word) in preparation for the coming of the Messiah.
John was fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah (Isaiah 40:3-5) of a voice in the wilderness warning Israel to prepare for the coming of the Lord, the Messiah, who brings righteousness and salvation, but also brings judgment and condemnation.
Commentary:
Luke carefully dates the beginning of John’s ministry, which is also the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. John is the fulfillment of God’s Word of a prophet, in the manner of Elijah (Matthew 17:10-13), who was to herald the coming of the Messiah. John didn’t know who the Messiah was or when he would appear, but he believed God’s Word and acted upon it, and God’s Word was fulfilled in Jesus (John 1:31-34).
John’s call for repentance and commitment to obedient trust in the Lord is just as important and relevant today as it was at the time of John. God’s Word promised to send a Savior and eternal King, through whom God’s people would be forgiven and restored to righteousness (doing what is right in God’s judgment; in accordance to his Word), and God fulfilled that promise at the right moment in history, in Jesus Christ (Messiah; both words mean “anointed” in Greek and Hebrew, respectively).
God’s Word also promises that Christ will return, on the Day of Judgment, and his Second Coming (Second Advent) will bring judgment and condemnation on those who have refused to trust and obey Jesus. God will fulfill that promise as surely as he fulfilled the promise of Jesus’ first advent.
John’s warning to us is as urgent and relevant today, particularly in America, and the Church in America, as it was at the time of Jesus’ first coming. Christ’s return is as imminent now as his first advent was then. We can be certain that Jesus will return within our lifetime, because the moment we die our eternal destiny is fixed and unalterable. If we haven’t learned to trust and obey him now in this lifetime, we will face his judgment and condemnation. But we cannot be certain that we will live to see tomorrow. Today is the day to repent and turn to obedient trust in God’s Word, fulfilled, embodied and exemplified in Jesus Christ (John 1:1-5, 14).
Jesus is God’s only provision for our forgiveness and salvation from eternal condemnation and destruction (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). Only through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus can we fulfill the requirements of God’s Word, by the gift of his 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).
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? 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, “Tiberius Caesar” digital edition, bibledatabase.org - http://bibledatabase.org/eastons.html
**The Oxford Annotated Bible, Revised Standard Version, Ed. by Herbert G. May and Bruce M. Metzger, Luke 3:1-20n, p. 1244, New York, Oxford University Press, 1962.
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