Week of 1 Epiphany 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:
http://shepherdboy.byethost12.com/ (Please bookmark this link).
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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 1 Epiphany A
Sunday 1 Epiphany A
First posted January 13, 2008;
Podcast: Sunday 1 Epiphany A
Isaiah 42:1-7 - The Lord’s Servant;
Psalm 45:7-9 - The Lord’s Anointed;
Acts 10:34-38 - Gentiles Receive the Gospel;
Mathew 3:13-17 - Jesus’ Baptism;
Isaiah Paraphrase:
The Lord has put his Spirit upon his servant whom the Lord has chosen and in whom the Lord delights. The Lord will uphold his servant, and his servant will accomplish (divine) justice for all people. The servant is not a rabble-rouser or a political revolutionary. His mission is to heal bruised reeds, not break them; to rekindle smoldering wicks, not quench them. He will bring justice in faithfulness; he won’t be discouraged or quit until that is accomplished. The “coastlands” (surrounding Gentile nations; the far corners of the earth) await divine Justice.
The Lord is the Creator of heaven and earth, and everything in them, who gives the breath of life to his creatures, and (his) Spirit to those who walk in him (in obedient trust). The Lord declares that he is the Lord, he has called his people, he has guided them and preserved them, and has given them as light to the nations (i.e. Gentiles). The servant’s mission is to heal spiritual blindness, and free those who are in bondage to sin and death.
Psalm Paraphrase:
Because the Lord’s chosen (king) loves righteousness and hates wickedness the Lord has “anointed” him with the “oil of gladness” above all others. His robes are fragrant with expensive perfumes. Stringed instruments play in the ivory palace for his enjoyment. Daughters of kings are the bride’s attendants, and the Queen waits in gold from Ophir (a gold-producing land; perhaps India).
Acts Paraphrase:
The Apostle Peter and Cornelius, a Roman Centurion (a Gentile), had both been led by God’s Spirit to meet so that Cornelius and his household could hear the Gospel. Peter testified that God had revealed to him that God is not partial to any nation or people, but accepts all who do what is right (according to God’s Word). God’s Word had been sent to and was revealed in Israel, the “Good News,” the Gospel of peace (with God) by (faith; obedient trust) Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. Jesus proclaimed the Gospel, beginning in Galilee, and then throughout Judea, after his baptism by John the baptizer, when God had anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with (divine, supernatural) power.
Matthew Paraphrase:
After John the Baptizer had begun his ministry of preaching water baptism for repentance to prepare the people for the coming of the promised Messiah, Jesus came to John at the Jordan River in Judea to be baptized by John. John exclaimed that he needed to be baptized by Jesus, not the other way around. But Jesus told John to go ahead with it for the moment so that Jesus could fulfill all righteousness, and John consented. After being baptized, as Jesus was coming up out of the water, the Spirit of God descended and landed upon Jesus in the form of a dove, and a voice from heaven declared, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17b).
Commentary:
God has promised throughout the Bible to send the Messiah (Christ; both words mean “anointed” in Hebrew and Greek, respectively), who would be God’s “anointed” Savior and eternal King. Isaiah’s prophecy refers to the Messiah, and was fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Isaiah 42:6-7; compare 61:1; Luke 4:18:21).
Jesus is the Lord’s servant who came to heal spiritual blindness, to free us from spiritual bondage to sin and death, and to raise us from spiritual death to eternal life.
God’s Word is eternal and is fulfilled over and over as the conditions for its fulfillment are met. The “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciples of Jesus Christ are to be the Lord’s “anointed” servants to carry on the mission of Jesus to bring the Gospel of forgiveness and salvation in Jesus to the spiritually lost and dying world. The Church is the heir to the promises and call of Israel. The Church is the heir to the call of John the Baptizer, to call people to repent, to turn them to obedient trust in God’s Word and prepare them to receive the Savior.
Jesus came to show us how to be the Lord’s servants, and to make it possible for us to be “anointed” with the Holy Spirit, so that we could be guided and empowered to serve the Lord. Only Jesus baptizes (“anoints”) with the Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17).
The Psalm may originally have been composed for the wedding of a human king of Israel, but it is also messianic prophecy. Jesus is God’s “anointed” eternal King, and the Church is his bride. The Church is to be adorned for the wedding with robes of righteousness of Jesus Christ which he gives to those who trust and obey him. The Holy Spirit is the robe of righteousness and the “anointing” of the “oil of gladness.” 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 always intended for his salvation to be for all people, not just Israel. When God called Abraham he promised that Israel would be blessed, and through them all the people of the world would be blessed (Genesis 12:1-3). God took the initiative in presenting the Gospel to the Gentiles. He prepared Cornelius to seek the Gospel, and he prepared Peter to present it to Gentiles (Acts 10:1-24).
For admitting Gentiles, Peter was criticized by the circumcision party (Jewish Christians who believed that Gentile converts must obey Jewish religious Law including circumcision; Acts 11:1-18), and Peter himself would have not have been so accepting of Gentiles (Galatians 2:11-12) if the Lord, the Holy Spirit, had not prepared his heart. When Cornelius and his household heard and believed Peter’s presentation of the Gospel, the Lord poured out his Holy Spirit upon them as a sign of God’s acceptance (Acts 10:44-45).
John the Baptizer was guided by God’s Spirit to begin a public ministry preaching water baptism for repentance and spiritual cleansing to prepare the people to receive the Messiah. The Lord had told John that the Holy Spirit would descend upon the Messiah at his baptism, and that the Messiah would baptize with the Holy Spirit. This promise was fulfilled and John testified that it was (John 1:31-34).
God has intended from the very beginning of this Creation to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly choose to trust and obey God. God has designed this temporal Creation to allow the possibility for sin (disobedience of God’s Word). Jesus is God’s only provision for forgiveness of our sin and salvation from eternal destruction (Acts 4:12; John 14:6), which is the penalty for sin (Romans 6:23; 1 John 1:8-10; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). God has placed a time limit on this Creation and on our lifetimes; God won’t tolerate rebellion and disobedience forever, or at all in his eternal kingdom.
This lifetime is our only opportunity to seek and find God, and learn to trust and obey him. This is only possible through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ, by the “anointing” of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Only by the indwelling Holy Spirit can we serve the Lord and accomplish his ministry (Zechariah 4:6).
God’s “anointed” servants are to work for divine justice, which is unlike worldly justice. Divine justice does not look at outward appearances, but at inner thoughts and attitudes. Divine justice treats the poor and weak the same as the rich and powerful. God’s justice gives salvation to anyone who accepts Jesus Christ as God’s anointed Savior and eternal king and serves Jesus in obedient trust. But those who have rejected God’s gracious gift of salvation will be eternally destroyed (John 3:16-20). Jesus is the righteous judge, and the standard against which all will be judged. Jesus has promised to return to judge everyone who has ever lived on earth (Matthew 25:31-46; John 5:28-29).
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 1 Epiphany A
First posted January 14, 2008;
Podcast: Monday 1 Epiphany A
Psalm 40:1-12 - Deliverance from Trouble;
Paraphrase:
The Psalmist describes the experience common to those who commit themselves and their situations to the Lord. The Lord hears us when we cry to him for help and wait patiently for him to respond. I personally testify with the psalmist that I have been in the “pit of trouble,” (perhaps even “one foot in the grave”), in the “miry bog,” and the Lord lifted me out and set my feet on the solid rock of Jesus Christ. He made my steps secure by the guidance of his Word and his Spirit. He has put a new song of praise to our God in my mouth. The Lord will do for others what he has done for me, as they hear and see what he has done for me and fear (have appropriate respect for his power and authority) and trust the Lord.
“Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods (Psalm 40:4)! The Lord has done many great things for each of us that we aren’t even aware of, and are beyond numbering or recollection (John 21:25).
The Lord does not desire sacrifice and offering, or religious ritual. What he desires are people with spiritual ears that listen to his Word and delight to do his will; who have his law written on their hearts.
When we have experienced his deliverance we want to share the glad news with others. Yet sometimes we feel hesitant to speak out, perhaps because of self-consciousness or fear of the reactions of our hearers. We need to learn to be led by the Holy Spirit and to trust him to give us what to say at the appropriate time (Luke 21:14-15). We must make the commitment and effort not hide his steadfast love, faithfulness, and saving help within our hearts.
When we face overwhelming troubles we can remember the Lord’s power and faithfulness to deliver us in the past, and be confident that he can and will deliver us from them now, no matter how overwhelming to us.
Commentary:
This psalm is a description of discipleship and spiritual growth. It’s what life in this world is about. God doesn’t cause trouble; our own sinful nature does, but he allows it, for now, in this world. Sooner or later we all experience trouble in life. If we have heard and believed God’s Word in the Bible, we can trust in God to deliver us as he delivered his people in the Bible testimony.
The Lord wants us to trust in his Word so that we can experience his unchanging love, his power and faithfulness, and his saving help. Sometimes we need to come to the end of our own human and material resources before we recognize and acknowledge that we need God’s saving help.
No matter how bad our worldly troubles are, they are nothing compared to the spiritual tragedy we all face, apart from the salvation God has provided only in Jesus Christ. We are all eternally terminally ill; we have all sinned (disobeyed God’s Word; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10) and the punishment for sin is eternal condemnation and destruction (see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). The problem is that while everything is going well for us in this life, we may be unaware of our spiritual “lostness” and eternal danger.
Twenty-five years ago or so I came to the end of my own resources, and turned to the Lord for help. When I first began learning to hear God’s Word with spiritual ears, the Lord used this very text to teach me to trust and obey his Word and to show me that he has the power and willingness to deliver us from troubles. (See the second entry, “Discipleship” in my personal testimonies, sidebar, top right.)
If we think “disaster preparedness” is a good idea, the place to start is to read the Bible.
Tuesday 1 Epiphany A
First posted January 15, 2008;
Podcast: Tuesday 1 Epiphany A
Isaiah 49:1-6 - Redeemer of Israel;
Isaiah Paraphrase:
Listen, neighboring countries and people far away! The Lord called forth his servant (the Messiah) from the womb and named him before his birth (see Matthew 1:20-21).
God made his servant’s words like a sharp sword and hid him in the shadow of his hand; like a polished arrow, hidden in his quiver. God appointed him as his servant. In Israel God will be glorified. The servant’s ministry seems futile, but he trusts in God for his reward.
The Lord formed his servant in the womb and created him to be God’s servant who would bring Jacob (the inheritor of the birthright; renamed Israel; his sons became heads of the twelve tribes of Israel) back to the Lord and gather Israel to him. The Lord honors his servant and has become his strength.
The Lord declares that he is not satisfied for his servant just to raise up the tribes of Jacob and restore the remnant of Israel. The Lord has given his servant as a light to the nations (Gentiles) “that my salvation may reach the end of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6b).
“Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one despised and abhorred by the nations, the servant of rulers: Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they will prostrate themselves; because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you” (Isaiah 49:7).
Commentary:
The servant of the Lord is the promised Messiah, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, but the Church and the people of God are also called to be his servants. The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12).
God’s people need to know the Bible so that the Holy Spirit can call it to their minds as needed. God’s people need to be “polished” by “discipleship” so that they are ready instruments for God’s service. They must be “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8), filled with the indwelling Holy Spirit so that they can be guided and empowered to serve God (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8), and can be assured that their service is not in vain (Isaiah 49:4). 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 whom God honors his servant, and becomes his strength (Isaiah 49:5c; Zechariah 4:6).
The Church is the heir to the call of Israel to be God’s servant and to glorify him. Israel turned away from that call in rejecting Jesus as the Messiah, but it is still God’s will for the remnant of Israel to be raised up and restored to the Lord through his servant Jesus Christ (Matthew 23:37-39; Romans 11:11-12). The Messiah was given through Israel, but his salvation is for all people who trust and obey him.
Jesus was despised and abhorred by the nations, including Israel, but kings have seen and have come to him and prostrated themselves before him, beginning with the visit of the “wise men” to the Christ Child (Matthew 2:1-11). Jesus is going to return, at the end of the world, on the Day of Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46), and every knee will bow before him and every tongue will acknowledge him as the King of kings and Lord of lords (Philippians 2:10-11).
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 1 Epiphany A
First posted January 16, 2008;
Podcast: Wednesday 1 Epiphany A
1 Corinthians 1:1-9 - Thanksgiving;
Paraphrase;
Paul (Saul of Tarsus) was the first “modern,” “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciple and apostle (messenger; of the Gospel) of Jesus Christ; he did not come to faith in Jesus during Jesus' physical lifetime (Acts 9:1-20), and so is an example for us. Paul was writing to the Church at Corinth that he had founded on his second missionary journey, and where he had stayed for a year and a half (Acts 18:1-11).
Paul had been called by God’s will to be an apostle, by Christ’s initiative, on the road to Damascus (Acts chapter 9). The Church is the body of believers who call on (trust and obey) the name (the person and character) of Jesus and have been sanctified (purified of sin and consecrated to God’s service) in Jesus (by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit). Paul prays that they will have the true Grace (God’s unmerited favor to us) and peace (with God and with their brethren) which are only possible through God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul gave thanks to God for the Corinthian Christians because of the grace of God which they had received in Christ Jesus (forgiveness of sin and salvation from eternal condemnation, and the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit) through whom they were enriched with every spiritual blessing, in knowledge of and testimony to Christ which was confirmed in them. They lack no spiritual gifts, and will be sustained by Jesus and kept blameless (through his indwelling Holy Spirit) as they await the return of Christ on the Day of Judgment. God, who is completely faithful, has called them into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Commentary:
Paul was sought and confronted on the road to Damascus by the Spirit of the risen and ascended Jesus Christ. Paul accepted his rebuke and the authority of Jesus as Lord (Acts 9:5), repented and obeyed Jesus command (Acts 9:8-9). A “born-again” disciple of Jesus Christ living in Damascus named Ananias was prepared and guided to disciple Paul (Acts 9:10-16) until Paul received the gift (“anointing”) of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17-18), and then Paul began trusting and obeying the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:19-20).
Paul’s conversion was exceptionally rapid. The original disciples of Jesus’ earthly ministry had been with Jesus twenty-four hours a day for about three years, and still were not ready for ministry until they had been “born-again” by the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-5, 8; 2:1-13). Paul, on the other hand, was formally well-educated in the Bible and in Judaism, and he had the passion for God; he just needed to be redirected to trust and obey Jesus. Discipleship is a process of spiritual growth that takes time. One should not expect it to take less than two or three years.
By the indwelling Holy Spirit Paul be came the missionary to the Gentiles and preached the Gospel for the first time in Europe, including Corinth.
Paul spent a year and a half in Corinth “discipling” the believers there, and continued to do it by letters to them later. The Holy Spirit is the grace of God which is received through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus. 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).
It is through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit that we have personal knowledge of and fellowship with Jesus Christ and God the Father (John 14:23). The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth (John 14:16-17) and the Counselor who teaches Jesus’ disciples all things and brings to their remembrance all that Jesus said (John 14:26). The indwelling Holy Spirit is the confirmation of the Gospel within believers. The Holy Spirit cleanses, consecrates, and sustains us guiltless at the Day of Judgment (see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).
This is the eternal purpose and central promise of God recorded throughout the Bible. God is faithful and will keep his promise. Those who hear and believe (trust and obey) the Gospel will receive the promise.
Thursday 1 Epiphany A
First posted January 17, 2008;
Podcast: Thursday 1 Epiphany A
John 1:29-41 - Finding Jesus;
Paraphrase:
John the Baptist was led by the Lord to begin preaching water baptism for repentance and forgiveness of sin, to prepare Israel to receive the Messiah. People were going to him at the Jordan River.
John saw Jesus coming to him and declared that Jesus was the Lamb of God (the sacrificial “Passover Lamb”) who takes away the sin of the world! John said that Jesus was the one who was to come after John chronologically, but who ranked before him in importance and existence. John’s mission of water baptism was to reveal the Messiah, but John had not known who the Messiah was. God had promised he would give John a sign: The Holy Spirit would descend in the form of a dove and remain on the Messiah, and that Messiah was the one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit. John testified that he had seen the sign, and that Jesus was the Son of God.
The next day John was talking to two of his disciples when Jesus passed by. John told the disciples to look and see the Lamb of God. The two disciples heard what John was saying, and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and asked what they sought. The disciples addressed him as Rabbi (teacher) and asked where he was staying, and Jesus invited them to come and see.
They went with Jesus to where he was staying and since it was about 4:00 PM they stayed with him. One of the disciples who had acted on John’s testimony was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. He went and found Simon and told him that he had found the Messiah (Christ; both mean “anointed” in Hebrew and Greek, respectively).
John the Baptizer was trusting and obeying God’s Word and God’s call. He was calling people to repent and prepare for the coming Messiah, which God had promised in his Word (the Bible). As John carried out God’s call, God promised to reveal the Messiah to him, and when he had done so, John testified to what God had revealed to him; that Jesus was the “Passover Lamb” of God whose sacrifice would remove the sin of all who accept and believe in him as God’s anointed Savior and (only begotten) Son. John testified that only Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34).
The disciples believed John’s testimony and acted on it, following behind Jesus. Jesus asked them what they wanted and they asked to become his disciples (students) and to stay with him, and for him to be their teacher. Jesus invited them to come and see (to give it a try). Andrew immediately found his brother Simon, and told him that he had found the Messiah.
Commentary:
This is the Gospel experience. God’s Word promises the coming of his anointed Savior and the baptism with the indwelling Holy Spirit. Those who trust and obey God’s Word are seeking his coming.
The Church is the heir to John’s mission to call people to repent and be baptized with water for spiritual cleansing in preparation to receive the Messiah, God’s anointed eternal Savior, who will baptize his disciples who trust and obey Jesus with the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17).
Christians are “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) “disciples” of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26c) who trust and obey Jesus' teachings and have been baptized with the indwelling Holy Spirit. God has revealed Jesus to them personally by his Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9) within them, and they point to Jesus and declare that he is the Messiah; the Savior; the “Lamb of God.” To those who hear, believe their testimony and begin to follow Jesus, Jesus says, “Come and see.”
To come and see, we must turn from what we were doing and follow Jesus, stay with him and accept and learn to apply his teachings. As we begin to trust and obey Jesus he will baptize us with his indwelling Holy Spirit, 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).
Only after the Lord has revealed himself to us through his Holy Spirit (John 14:21-23; Luke 24:45; Acts 1:4-5, 8), can we testify to others that we have found the Messiah, and seek our brothers and sisters and invite them to come and see.
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 18, 2008;
Podcast: Friday 1 Epiphany A
Deuteronomy 18:15-19 - The Prophet of God;
This was Moses’ farewell address, preparing the people to enter the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua.
Paraphrase:
Moses declared that the Lord their God would raise up a prophet like Moses from among the people who would proclaim God’s Word, and that they were to obey the prophet’s proclamation. When God had revealed himself at Mt. Sinai (Horeb) the people were so frightened by the visible and audible manifestation that they begged not to hear or see God directly. God accepted their request, and declared that he would raise up a prophet like Moses from their people who would speak God’s Word and all that God commanded. God also declared that whoever did not heed to the prophet’s proclamation of God’s Word would be held accountable by God.
Commentary:
After the Israelites entered the Promised Land, God kept his Word and raised up prophets who proclaimed God’s Word throughout Israel’s history. Moses had been the first and ideal human example of a prophet of God. He had received the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai directly from God and proclaimed them faithfully to the people. Israel, on the other hand, throughout history, had disobeyed the prophetic Word and rejected and killed the prophets (Matthew 23:37), beginning with their return to idolatry after receiving the Ten Commandments (Exodus 32:1-35).
Whenever Israel turned from obedience to God’s Word spoken by the prophets, God lifted his providence and protection from them and allowed them to experience the consequences of their disobedience. The ultimate examples were the obliteration of the Northern Kingdom of the Ten Tribes by the Assyrians (721 B.C.*) and the Babylonian exile of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, the remnant of Israel in (587 B.C.*).
The Jews were expecting Elijah, the great prophet who was carried up alive to heaven in a whirlwind, to return to herald the coming of the Messiah (God’s “anointed” Savior and eternal King). John the Baptizer was the fulfillment of God’s Word of the return of Elijah (Matthew 17:10-13).
John the Baptizer proclaimed God’s Word in God’s timing (Luke 3:1-3), calling the people to repent and be baptized with water in preparation for the coming of the Messiah. John was the last of the Old Testament prophets and the first of the New Testament prophets. Those who heeded John’s prophetic Word were ready to accept and follow Jesus, like Andrew and his brother, Simon Peter (John 1:40-41; see entry for yesterday, 1 Epiphany, Thursday, “A” year).
Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise to raise up a prophet from among Israel who would declare God’s Word. 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 proclaims God’s Word in a gentle, non-threatening way, and reveals God’s love and faithfulness. Jesus is God making his appeal in a way that we can accept and receive.
In the Old Testament times, only a few individuals had a direct relationship with God, like Moses and the prophets. Jesus came to make it possible for every believer to have a personal knowledge of and relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ (John 14:23; Romans 8:9), through 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).
Through the indwelling Holy Spirit Jesus’ disciples directly experience the love of God. The Holy Spirit of the risen Jesus (Romans 8:9) opens our minds to understand the Scriptures (the Bible; Luke 24:45), reveals all (divine) Truth (John 14:15-17), teaches us all things, and brings to our remembrance all that Jesus teaches (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit guides and empowers us to know and do God’s will (Zechariah 4:6) and to accomplish all the Lord has prepared for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). 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 “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8) disciples of Jesus Christ are to carry on Jesus’ mission of forgiveness and reconciliation to a lost and spiritually, eternally dying world (Matthew 28:19-20; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). We are to proclaim the Word of God, to call people to repent and be baptized with water in preparation to receive Jesus and the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is only through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus. How to do that is by seeking and following the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus has promised to return on the Day of Judgment at the end of this temporal age to judge the living and the dead (in both the physical and spiritual senses; 1 Peter 4:5). God will hold accountable all who have not trusted and obeyed God’s Word proclaimed and revealed in Jesus Christ. Those who have rejected and refused to obey Jesus will receive eternal destruction in Hell with all evil, but those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord, who have trusted and obeyed Jesus, and have been “born-again” by his indwelling Holy Spirit will spend eternity in God’s kingdom in Heaven with the Lord (Matthew 25:31-46; John 5:28-29; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).
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)?
*Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible, David Noel Freedman, “Samaria,” p. 1158 William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids Michigan, 2000, ISBN 0-8020-2400-5
Saturday 1 Epiphany A
First Posted January 19, 2008;
Podcast: Saturday 1 Epiphany A
Ephesians 5:21-33 - Christian Household;
Luke 19:1-10 - Zacchaeus;
Ephesians Paraphrase;
Let us be mutually submissive to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives should submit to their husbands as to the Lord. The husband is the head of the family as Christ is the head and Savior of the Church, his body. As the Church submits to Christ, the wife should also submit in everything to her husband. Husbands are to love their wives and surrender themselves for her as Christ loved and gave his life for the Church, to sanctify (purify and dedicate to God’s service) her, cleansing her by water baptism according to God’s Word, so that the Church can be holy and without blemish (as the bride of Christ).
Husbands should love their wives as much as they love their own bodies. We love, nourish and protect ourselves as Christ does us, as members of his body, the Church. Paul quoted Genesis 2:24: “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one.” This also applies to the spiritual union of Christ with his Church. Men are to love their wives as themselves, and women are to respect their husbands.
Luke Paraphrase:
Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem where he knew crucifixion awaited him (Luke 18:31-34). As he was passing through Jericho, a tax collector named Zacchaeus was anxious to see Jesus, but couldn’t see over the crowd because Zacchaeus was of short stature. So Zacchaeus ran ahead and climbed a tree along where Jesus would pass.
When Jesus came to the tree he called Zacchaeus to come down, because Jesus needed to stay at his house that day. So Zacchaeus came down and received Jesus gladly as his guest. The crowd criticized Jesus among themselves, for having fellowship with a sinner, since tax collectors were despised for collaborating with the Roman government.
Zacchaeus vowed to give half of all his possessions to the poor, and to restore fourfold to anyone he had defrauded. Jesus replied, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:9-10).
Commentary:
Paul (Saul of Tarsus), the apostle, taught that Christians should model their family relationships according to the relationship of Christ to the Church. This should also be the model of our relationships within the Church “family,” and in our personal union with Jesus through the indwelling Holy Spirit. We are to allow Jesus to be the Lord of ourselves, our families, and our Church.
Jesus was on his way to the Cross to submit his body to die as the one and only sacrifice acceptable to God for the forgiveness of our sin (disobedience of God’s Word). Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus as he passed by, and he made the effort to get himself into position so that he could. Jesus knew the intentions of the heart of Zacchaeus and called him by name. Jesus needed to stay with Zacchaeus that day because Zacchaeus needed Jesus; he needed the forgiveness and restoration that only Jesus can give.
Because Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, and welcomed Jesus into his home, Zacchaeus’ heart was changed. He repented of his former way of life and vowed to change and become obedient to God’s Word and example in Jesus. Salvation came to Zacchaeus in Jesus, because Zacchaeus recognized his sin and his need for repentance and forgiveness, while the crowd around Jesus did not.
Jesus is passing by us as we go about our lives in this world. Are we so involved with ourselves that we don’t notice? Are we willing to take the effort to come to where he can be seen? Are we willing to recognize our sin and our need for the Savior? Are we willing to allow him to come into our lives and change what needs changing? Are we willing to apply his Word and example in our work, our family, our spirituality, and our “Church?”
Christian baptism is the continuation of the ministry of John the Baptizer: water combined with God’s Word as an act of repentance, to cleanse and prepare us to receive Jesus. As we seek to “see” Jesus he will come to us, reveal himself to us and change our hearts, so that we will be able to apply his Word and teaching in our lives.
As we trust and obey Jesus, he will fill us with his indwelling Holy Spirit in a spiritual union like God intended physical marriage to be. Our union with Christ’s Spirit causes our spiritual “re-birth” (John 3:3, 5-8).
Jesus is the fulfillment, embodiment and example of God’s Word lived out in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-3, 14). Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise of a mediator like Moses who will proclaim God’s Word, by word and example, and intercede for and save us from God’s eternal condemnation.
Paul is the prototype and example of a “modern,” “post-resurrection,” “born-again” disciple and apostle (messenger; of the Gospel) of Jesus Christ. Paul is the example of an apostle and prophet who receives and proclaims God’s Word through Jesus by the Holy Spirit.
Paul was carrying out the Great Commission which Jesus gave his disciples (Matthew 28:19-20) to be carried out after they had been “born-again” by the “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5,8; 2:1-13). Paul had been “discipled” by a “born-again” disciple (Acts 9:10-17), until he had been “born-again” (Acts 9:18-20), and then he made “born-again” disciples and taught them to do the same (2 Timothy 1:6; 2:2).
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)?
