Week of Christmas A
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:
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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.
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Podcast Download: Week of Christmas A
First Sunday After Christmas - A
First posted December 26, 2010;
Podcast:First Sunday After Christmas A
Isaiah 63:7-9 - Our Savior;
Psalm 111 - Great Works of the Lord;
Galatians 4:4-7 - Freedom in Christ;
Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 - Escape to Egypt;
Isaiah Paraphrase:
Let us remember, give thanks and praise to the Lord for his goodness to his people, in his mercy and abundant steadfast love. He has treated them like trusted sons, and has become their Savior. He took their afflictions upon himself, “and the angel of his presence saved them” (Isaiah 63:9b); he redeemed them because he loved and had pity upon them; he lifted and carried them throughout their past.
Psalm Paraphrase:
Let us praise the Lord. I will thank the Lord with all my heart, among the congregation of his upright people. Those who study and recognize the great works of God will take pleasure in them. He is worthy of honor and majesty and his righteousness is eternal. His great works will be remembered for his graciousness and mercy.
The Lord provides food for those who fear him; he never forgets his promises. He has revealed his mighty power by his works to his people, and has given them the wealth of nations. Everything he does is faithful and just, and all his teachings are trustworthy. His Word is established for ever, to be obeyed in faithfulness and righteousness. The Lord has sent redemption to his people and established his covenant for ever. Holy and awesome is his name! “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who practice it. His praise endures forever” (Psalm 111:10).
Galatians Paraphrase:
In exactly the right time God sent his son into the world to be born of a human mother, in Israel, God’s people, under the Covenant of God’s Law, to redeem them from the Law so that they could receive adoption as his children. The gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God’s Son, has been given to his children, through whom they call God “Father”, and who testifies that they are children of God. So by God’s gift we are no longer slaves under the Law, but sons and daughters, heirs of the kingdom and promises of God.
Matthew Paraphrase:
An angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Bethlehem, where Mary had given birth to Jesus, warning him to escape with Mary and the child to Egypt, because Herod the Great who ruled over Judah was seeking to kill Jesus. Joseph got up and left for Egypt during the night with Mary and the baby as the Lord had told him.
Mary, Joseph and Jesus lived in Egypt until the Lord told Joseph that it was safe to return to Israel because Herod had died. This was the fulfillment of the prophecy of Hosea 11:1, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”
Being warned by the Lord that the son of Herod the Great, Archelaus, was ruling over Judea (the southern province of Israel, Joseph and his family returned to Nazareth in Galilee (the northern province of Israel, separated from Judea by Samaria), where they had lived when the angel had announced the conception of Jesus to Mary (Luke 1:26-38). The name “Nazareth” means “shoot,” or “sprout,” and Jesus was a “Nazarene” and a descendant of David, thus fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 11:1 of a shoot, the righteous branch, from the stump of Jesse (the father of David).
Commentary:
God’s purpose for this Creation has always been to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly trust and obey God. God has designed this creation to allow the possibility of sin (disobedience of God’s Word) so that we can have the freedom to choose whether to trust and obey him or not, and to learn by trial and error. But God retained control by setting a time limit on Creation and on our lifetimes, and by his terms of forgiveness and salvation. Realizing and having the proper respect for the power and authority of God, who has the power of eternal life or death over us is the beginning of true wisdom.
From the very beginning of Creation (John 1:1-5, 14) Jesus Christ has been God’s one and only provision for the forgiveness of sin and salvation from eternal condemnation and eternal destruction (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).
God was not surprised when Adam and Eve disobeyed his Word in the Garden of Eden. Jesus is not an afterthought by God to save Creation after sin was introduced.
The Bible is the Word of God and the history of God’s relationship with his people in bringing about the fulfillment of his purpose for Creation, beginning with the call of Abraham. The Bible is the record of God’s goodness, mercy, love, and faithfulness, and the progressive revelation of himself and his purpose for Creation.
By God’s Word, we have all sinned and fall short of his righteousness (doing what is right according to his Word; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10), and the penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23).
By his Word through Isaiah, God has promised to become our Savior; he promised to take our sins upon himself, and to provide the “angel” of his presence to save us. In Jesus Christ God became our Savior; Jesus was fully human by his mother, and also fully God by the Holy Spirit (Colossians 2:8-9: John 20:28).
Jesus paid the penalty for our sins by his crucifixion, to redeem us from the penalty of the Law. Jesus’ sacrificial death made it possible for us to receive the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 16:7), which is only through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ (John 1:31-34; 14:15-17). The gift of the Holy Spirit is the “angel” of God’s presence within us which God promised through Isaiah (angel can be understood as Spirit (Acts 12:13-15; Revelation 1:1).
Jesus is God’s revelation of himself in human form. In Jesus’ crucifixion, death, and resurrection, God’s mighty power was revealed to all Creation. God has established a New Covenant of forgiveness, salvation and eternal life by grace (unmerited favor; a free gift), to be received by faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Through faith in Jesus we have been redeemed from the condemnation of the Law of sin and eternal death, provided that we trust and obey Jesus through the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-9). 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 given us this lifetime to seek and come to a personal fellowship with him (Acts 17:26-27), and this is only possible through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ, by the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Mary and Joseph are examples of God’s people who trusted and obeyed God’s Word. They accepted and obeyed the guidance of his angel (his Spirit), and by doing so, helped fulfill God’s eternal purpose, and received the fulfillment of his promise.
God’s Word is eternal. It is fulfilled over and over as the conditions for its fulfillment are met. God’s Word has creative force: God spoke Creation into being (Genesis 1:3; Hebrews 4:12). Jesus is the “living” Word of God, fulfilled, embodied and exemplified in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus’ word is the Word of God (John 14:10, 24), with the creative force of God’s Word (Matthew 8:25-27). He could command us, but he allows us to choose for ourselves, whether to trust and obey.
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 December 27 - Christmas A
First Posted December 27, 2010
Podcast: December 27 Christmas A
Isaiah 63:7-9 -- Abundant Steadfast Love;
Paraphrase:
Let us remember and declare the steadfast love of the Lord and give him praise, according to all that he has given us. With great goodness and mercy he has dealt with Israel, in accordance with his abundant steadfast love. He acknowledged them as his people, treated them as trusted sons, and became their Savior. He bore their affliction, “and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old” (Isaiah 63:9).
Commentary:
The Bible contains the historical record of God’s abundant steadfast love for his people. In one sense we are all God’s people, because he is our Creator, but in another sense, Christians are the “New Israel.”
God has intended from the very beginning to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly trust and obey him. He designed Creation to allow the possibility for sin in order for us to have freedom of choice, and he built the Savior, Jesus Christ into the very structure of Creation (John 1:1-5, 14).
God loves us and has demonstrated great steadfast love, mercy, and faithfulness to us. He has come into the world in human flesh in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:8-9) to be our Savior; to bear our affliction in our place, and to redeem us from (pay the penalty for) sin (disobedience of God’s Word; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).
God has been progressively revealing himself and his purpose throughout history, and the coming of the Messiah is the central point in history. God has designed Creation so that we all need forgiveness, and that forgiveness is a free gift to all those who trust and obey God’s one and only Savior, Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; John 14:6)
The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, is the “angel” of his presence. “Angel” can be understood to mean “Spirit” (consider Acts 12:12-15; Revelation 1:1; 22:16). Only Jesus gives the gift of his 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).
Jesus came to save us from sin and eternal condemnation by making it possible for us to be spiritually “reborn” (John 3:3, 5-8) to eternal life through the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit, his presence within us to lift, empower and guide us.
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)?
First Posted December 28, 2010
Podcast: December 28 Christmas A
Galatians 4:4-7 -- Spirit and Sonship;
Paraphrase:
Paul compared the Law of Moses to guardianship of a minor. God’s people were heirs of God’s estate and eternal life, but under control by the Law until the time set by God for them to receive the inheritance.
In the perfect timing of God, God sent his Son, born of a human mother, born into Israel and Judaism, under the Law, so that he could redeem those under the Law, so that they could become God’s adopted children.
Commentary:
It is by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit that we receive adoption. It is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God’s Son, within us, through whom we can call God our Father, and who testifies that we are his sons and daughters. So, through God, by the sacrifice of his Son on the Cross, we receive adoption as sons and daughters by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, who we received through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus. The indwelling Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that we are heirs of God’s kingdom and eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
It is by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit that we are freed from bondage and condemnation under the Law (Romans 8:1-9). 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).
Jesus won’t give the gift of the Holy Spirit until we make an earnest commitment to trust and obey Jesus. When we make that commitment, he will give us the Holy Spirit so that we can trust and obey God’s Word as we were unable to, under the Law.
God’s Law, God’s Word, the Bible, and the “living Word,” Jesus Christ, the fulfillment, embodiment and example of God’s Word lived out in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14), were given to Israel and through Israel to the world.
The world did not have a covenant to trust and obey God’s Word as Israel did, but we are all ultimately accountable to God and will be judged by the standard of his Word. Jesus is the ultimate standard of God’s Word. Those who have trusted and obeyed Jesus will receive eternal life in Heaven, but those who have rejected Jesus will receive eternal condemnation and eternal destruction in Hell (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; John 3:16-19).
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 December 29 - Christmas A
First posted Dec. 29, 2009;
Podcast: December 29 Christmas A
Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 - Escape into Egypt;
Paraphrase:
After the visit by the Magi (“wise men”), an angel of the Lord warned Joseph to flee to Egypt with Mary and the infant Jesus, because Herod the Great was about to order the male infants in the region under two years old to be killed, in an attempt to destroy the Messiah, Jesus (Matthew 2:16). Joseph left with Mary and the child, in the night, and went to Egypt, as the Lord had told him. They remained there until Herod died. The prophecy of Hosea 11:1, “Out of Egypt I have called my son,” was thus fulfilled.
When Herod had died, an angel of the Lord told Joseph in a dream that it was safe to return to Israel, because those who had tried to kill the child were dead. Joseph returned to Israel with Mary and Jesus, but when he heard that Herod Archelaus (son of Herod the Great) reigned in Judea, they returned and dwelt in Nazareth of Galilee (the northern province of Israel, separated from the southern province of Judah by Samaria). So another prophecy was fulfilled: Nazareth means “shoot” or “sprout” from which came Jesus, the righteous “shoot” and “branch” from the stump of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1).
Commentary:
Nazareth was where Joseph and Mary were living when the angel announced Jesus’ conception to Mary (Luke 1:26-38). Bethlehem, the city of David, was the birthplace prophesied by scripture, and was fulfilled by the necessity of the Roman census, which required Joseph to return to the city of David, since Joseph was a descendant of David (Luke 2:1-7).
Jesus was the promised Messiah (God’s “anointed” Savior and eternal King). David was the great “shepherd-king,” and Jesus was the “Good Shepherd” and eternal King, the “son of David,” who inherited David’s throne as God had promised (2 Samuel 7:5-13; Psalm 89:20-29).
God was able to fulfill his promise in every detail, and was able to protect Jesus until God’s purpose was fulfilled. God’s promise was fulfilled in God’s perfect timing, in every detail, when all the events were aligned: the Roman census, crucifixion (which was the Roman form of execution), and the circumstances which led Joseph to return to Nazareth.
God’s will and purpose for Creation has always been to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly choose to trust and obey God. He has designed this creation with the possibility of sin (disobedience of God’s Word) so that we can have free choice whether or not to trust and obey God, but he has set a time-limit on this creation and on our lifetimes. God’s eternal Savior and King, the Messiah, Jesus Christ is God’s one and 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). Jesus Christ has been designed into the very structure of Creation (John 1:1-5, 14).
God’s will and purpose will be accomplished whether we cooperate with it or not. Herod the Great tried unsuccessfully to prevent Jesus from fulfilling God’s purpose. The Jewish religious leaders tried unsuccessfully to prevent Jesus’ fulfillment by having him crucified, but their rejection of Jesus actually fulfilled God’s purpose. Judas rejected and betrayed Jesus, but only accomplished God’s purpose (1 Corinthians 2:6-8; Acts 13:27). But their rejection cost their eternal lives in the kingdom of God in Heaven.
God’s will and purpose will be accomplished whether we cooperate with it or not, but our choice will have personal, eternal consequences. Mary and Joseph trusted and obeyed God’s Word, became part of the fulfillment of God’s plan and received the blessing of its fulfillment. Are we willing to cooperate with God’s plan, or do we expect God to cooperate with our plans and our agenda?
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 December 30 - Christmas A
First Posted December 30, 2010
Podcast: December 30 Christmas A
Isaiah 11:1-5 - The Righteous Branch;
Paraphrase:
Isaiah foresaw, by the Holy Spirit, a shoot coming forth from the stump of Jesse (David’s father), a branch growing from his roots. He would be known by the Spirit of the Lord upon him, the spirit of (divine) wisdom and understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and the fear of the Lord (awe and respect for his power and authority). He will delight in the fear of the Lord.
He will be the righteous judge, not influenced by what people say or do outwardly. He will judge with righteousness for the poor and meek. His word will correct the errant and slay the wicked. His judgment will be controlled by righteousness and faithfulness.
Commentary:
Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the “Son (descendant) of David,” the “Nazarene” from Nazareth (the name means “shoot”). John the Baptizer testified that he had witnessed the Holy Spirit descend and rest upon Jesus physically as a dove at Jesus’ baptism by John, and testified that the Lord God had told him that this sign would identify the Son of God, the Messiah, who would “baptize” with the Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34).
Jesus promised that his disciples who trusted and obeyed Jesus would receive the “baptism,” the “anointing” with the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17), and that the Holy Spirit would counsel, guide, teach, and remind them of all that Jesus taught (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit would give Jesus’ disciples what to say at the moment they were required to testify (Luke 12:11-12).
Jesus’ promise began to be filled on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13). Peter, who recently had denied knowing Jesus three times to a maidservant of the high priest (John 18:15-27), was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave a great first sermon (Acts 2:14-36).
Before Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, only a few individuals like Isaiah had a personal relationship with God through the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ coming made it possible for his disciples to share in the indwelling Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ and experience a personal relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ (John 14:21, 23). We can experience the wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, and knowledge, and delight in the fear of the Lord.
Only Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only 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)?
First Posted December 31, 2010;
Podcast: Friday December 31 Christmas A
Hebrews 2:9-16 - Suffering of Christ;
Luke 2:22-32 - Light of Revelation;
Hebrews Paraphrase:
Citing the prophecy of Psalm 8:4-6, the author of the Letter to the Hebrews shows that Jesus is the fulfillment of that prophecy. Jesus was for a time made lower than angels, but now has been crowned with glory and honor because he was willing to suffer death for us (he died for our sins so that we would not have to die eternally for them ourselves).
Jesus is the one for whom and by whom all things exist (Matthew 28:18; John 1:1-3, 14). Jesus is the “pioneer” (the one to show us the way) of our salvation, who has been made “perfect” (spiritually mature) through suffering. The sanctifier (Jesus; one who purifies and consecrates to God’s service) and those who are sanctified [who receive salvation through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus] have the same origin: God the Father. So Jesus can unashamedly call us brethren, in fulfillment of Psalm 22:22. Jesus has proclaimed God’s name to his brethren and has glorified God’s name in the midst of God’s people. Jesus has trusted in God to the point of death on the Cross, and his disciples are the “children” God has given him (Isaiah 8:17c-18a).
“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage” (Hebrews 2:14-15). Jesus’ ministry was not to angels, but to mortal humans.
Luke Paraphrase:
Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the temple for the rite of purification of Mary and the Child, according to the Law of Moses (Leviticus 12:2-8), to present Jesus to the Lord (because every first-born male is holy to the Lord), and to offer the required sacrifice. There was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon who was righteous and devout, who was looking for the coming consolation of Israel (the Messiah), “and the Holy Spirit was upon him” (Luke 2:25c). The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would see the Christ (“anointed;” Messiah; Savior) of God before Simeon died.
Led by the Spirit, Simeon entered the temple, and when Mary and Joseph presented the young Jesus, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to thy people Israel” (Luke 2:29-32).
Commentary:
Jesus is the fulfillment, embodiment and example of God’s Word, lived out in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus is fully God and fully human (Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28). Jesus set his divine nature aside and became obedient to God (Philippians 2:8-11).
Jesus is God’s promised, “anointed” eternal Savior and King. He was attendant at Creation, and everything in Creation was made by him and for him (John 1:1-5, 14).
This Creation has been designed by God to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly choose to trust and obey God. This lifetime is our only opportunity to learn by trial and error to trust and obey God, to seek and come to know personally God, our Creator (Acts 17:26-27), and this is only possible through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ (John 14:6).
Jesus came to be the only sacrifice, once for all time and all people, which is acceptable to God for the forgiveness of sin, salvation from eternal condemnation, and restoration to fellowship with God and eternal life in his heavenly kingdom (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).
Jesus came to show us, by word and example, how to be God’s children. He came to show us the way to eternal life in God’s kingdom in heaven. He came to make it possible for us to be cleansed and consecrated so that we could be “anointed” with the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. He came to make it possible for us to be spiritually “reborn” (John 3:3, 5-8) to eternal life by the indwelling Holy Spirit. By his Resurrection, he demonstrated that there is existence beyond physical death! He came to free us from the fear of physical death. Jesus came to free us from slavery to sin and eternal condemnation.
Simeon was one of only a few people before Jesus’ coming who was “anointed” (filled with) the Holy Spirit. He prefigures the “anointing” of the Holy Spirit which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17).
Simeon believed God’s Word promising the Messiah and had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would witness the birth of the Messiah. He trusted and obeyed the Holy Spirit and the revelation of the Holy Spirit was fulfilled. Simeon praised God by the Holy Spirit, and was unafraid of, and accepting of physical death.
As we believe and obey God’s Word, revealed through Jesus Christ, Jesus will reveal himself to us (John 14:21) and will make God the Father known to us (John 14:23; John 14:8-11; Luke 10:22). We will know with certainty that we are in Christ and have eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
We are called to trust and obey Jesus and to follow his example and teaching, to seek the fulfillment of the promises of God’s Word, and to grow to spiritual maturity by the guidance and empowerment of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
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)?
First Posted January 1, 2011
Podcast: January 1 Christmas A
Psalm 147:12-20 - God’s Power and Providence;Isaiah 61:10-62:3 - Vindication of God’s People;
Psalm Paraphrase:
Praise the Lord, City of God! Praise God, Church! The Lord protects us and blesses our children. He provides peace and sustains us with the finest provisions. The Lord governs the forces of nature. He brings forth snow and ice, and then by his Word melts them. He causes water to flow and wind to blow. He declares his Word to Jacob (the inheritor of the “birthright”), and his teachings to Israel (the people of God). No other nation (people) has been so blessed; they do not know his Word.
Isaiah Paraphrase:
The people of God will rejoice in the Lord and their souls will exalt in God, because God has clothed us in the garments of salvation and the robes of righteousness. We are thus adorned like bride and bridegroom. The Lord will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth in the sight of all nations, as the earth’s fertility causes shoots to spring forth.
For the sake of Zion (the Church) and for Jerusalem (the city of God), the prophet will not be silenced until the vindication and salvation of the Church and people of God is as visible as a flash of light and a burning torch in darkness. All nations and kings will see her vindication. The Lord will give his people a new name (indicating a changed status) and they will be a crown of royalty and beauty in the Lord’s hand.
Commentary:
Genuine peace is only from the Lord. He protects, blesses and sustains his people. He governs the forces of nature. We are the inheritors of the birthright of Jacob through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ. God’s people are those who know, trust and obey God’s Word, the Bible, and the “living” Word, Jesus Christ, the fulfillment, embodiment, and example of God’s Word lived out in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14). Those who do not know, trust and obey God’s Word miss the blessings God intends for us to have.
God has provided the garments of salvation (see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar top right) and the robes of righteousness to his people only through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; John 14:6). Jesus is our righteousness and our Savior. The Church is the bride of Christ who has been adorned with precious spiritual jewels through Jesus. Only Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). It is by the indwelling Holy Spirit that righteousness and praise burst forth from his “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) people. 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 prophets of God are the true Church and the true people of God who declare the full Word of God in this world. The true Church and people of God must continue to declare the full Gospel until Christ returns on the Day of Judgment. In that Day the Church and God’s people will be vindicated and saved from God’s condemnation and destruction of all who rejected and refused to trust and obey Jesus (John 5:28-29; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).
There are also many false teachers and false prophets in the world today. The Word of God, the Bible, is the standard by which we can discern truth from error (1 John 4:1-2, 6; John 16:13-15).
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)?
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