Week of 4 Lent - 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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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.
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Podcast Download: Week of 4 Lent A
Sunday 4 Lent - A
First Posted March 2, 2008;
Podcast: Sunday 4 Lent A
Hosea 5:15-6:2 - Hope in the Lord;
Psalm 43 - Repent and be Healed;
Romans 8:1-10 - Life in the Spirit;
Mathew 20:17-28 - True Greatness;
Hosea Paraphrase:
Hosea was a prophet of the ten tribes of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, during the time that they were under attack by the Assyrians.
The Lord declared, through Hosea, that he would withdraw from the (northern) Israelites until they acknowledged their guilt and sought the Lord’s presence and help in their distress, acknowledging that the Lord wounds but also heals, and strikes, but also comforts. “After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him” (Hosea 6:2).
Psalm Paraphrase:
Vindicate us, O Lord; give us justice and deliver us from ungodly, unjust and deceitful people. You are our God in whom we have taken refuge; do not forsake us. Why are we mourning under the oppression of our enemy?
Send forth your light and truth, so that we may be led by them and be brought to your holy hill and your house. Then we will sing praise to you before your altar with great joy, O Lord, our God. “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God” (Psalm 43:5).
Romans Paraphrase:
Those who are in Christ are no longer under (God’s eternal) condemnation. The Old Covenant of Law convicted us of sin (disobedience of God’s Word) and condemned us to eternal death, but the law of the Spirit, in which we live, through Christ, has freed us from condemnation. Because of the weakness of our flesh, we were unable to fulfill the requirements of God’s law, but God has sent his Son in human flesh to deal with sin and condemn sin, so that we could fulfill the just requirements of the law, as we live according to the Spirit, rather than according to our sinful human nature.
Those who live according to their human nature and desires have their minds set on their physical bodies and appetites. But those who live according to the Spirit focus on spiritual things. Focusing on the flesh leads to eternal death, but focusing on the Spirit leads to true, eternal, life. Those who focus on their physical nature and live in the flesh refuse to submit to God’s law and cannot and will not please God.
“But you are not in the flesh, you are in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God really dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although your physical bodies are dead because of sin, your spirits are alive because of righteousness” (Romans 8:9-10).
Matthew Paraphrase:
Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem where he knew he would be crucified. On the way he called the twelve (original disciples) together and told them that the “Son of man” (Jesus) would be condemned by the Jewish religious authorities and given to the Roman civil authorities to be mocked, beaten, and crucified, “and he would be raised on the third day” (Matthew 20:19b).
Then the mother of James and John brought them to Jesus and asked Jesus to let James and John sit at Jesus’ right and left hands (positions of status and authority) in Jesus’ kingdom. Jesus told them they didn’t understand what they were asking. Were they able to endure the same destiny that Jesus faced? They assured him that they were able, but Jesus told them that the position they asked for had already been determined by God and was not within Jesus’ authority to grant.
The other ten disciples were indignant at James and John for their request, so Jesus gathered them around him and told them that Gentiles (worldly people) sought status and authority, and worldly leaders exalted themselves over their subjects, but Jesus’ followers were to live by a different standard. Those who want to be great in God’s kingdom must be the servants of others and the greatest is the one who is the servant of all the others. They were to follow the example of the Son of man (Jesus), who “came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).
Commentary:
The Northern Kingdom of Israel had turned away from obedient trust in God, and turned to idolatry. They had been warned by the prophets of God, but had refused to heed the warnings. God declared, through Hosea, that he would withdraw his presence, his providence, and protection from them until they acknowledged their guilt and sought his presence and help, believing that the Lord who wounds also heals, and who strikes also comforts. God promised to revive his Servant after two days, and raise him up that he may live (eternally) before the Lord.
Those who hope in the Lord and make him their refuge will never be forsaken and will be vindicated and delivered from those who are ungodly, unjust and deceitful. We will rejoice in his deliverance.
The Lord has sent forth his light and truth, in the Bible, and in Jesus, the “living Word” (John 1:14), to lead us and bring us to the dwelling of God in heaven. Jesus is the Word of God fulfilled, embodied and demonstrated in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-3; 14).
Jesus is both fully human and fully divine (Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28). Jesus usually referred to himself as the Son of man, which is true, but emphasizes his humanity. This allows us to decide for ourselves who Jesus is, with a hint from Scripture (Daniel 7:13-14).
Jesus is the Light of the World; the light of righteousness (John 1:5; 3:19-21; doing what is good, right and true according to God’s Word), the light of spiritual enlightenment (John 1:9); and the light of eternal life (John 1:4). Jesus is the only way to salvation from God’s eternal condemnation (Acts 4:12; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right); the only way to have fellowship with God, to know divine truth, and to have true, eternal, life (John 14:6).
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 Spirit of Truth (John 14:17), the Spirit of spiritual enlightenment (John 1:9) who will lead us into all (divine) truth (John 16:13).The Holy Spirit is the pillar of fire (Exodus 13:21) that leads us through the spiritual darkness of this world into God’s kingdom of light. 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’s Word is eternally true, and is fulfilled over and over as the conditions for its fulfillment are met. Jesus came to earth to teach us, by word and example, how to live in obedient trust in God’s Word. Jesus was the perfect Servant of the Lord. God’s Word promises that he will revive his servant and raise him from physical death to eternal life, and he fulfilled that promise in Jesus’ resurrection. That promise also applies to all those who are servants of the Lord,* who trust and obey Jesus. We will be raised from death to eternal life just as Jesus was.
Jesus promised to give the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit to his disciples who trust and obey him. We receive that promise as we meet the conditions for its fulfillment.
Christians are disciples of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26c) who trust and obey Jesus, applying Jesus’ teaching and example in their lives daily. We are to live no longer according to worldly standards; instead we are to learn to live according to God’s Word and the guidance and empowerment of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Jesus came to be the one and only sacrifice acceptable to God for the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus died on the Cross for our sins, so that we wouldn’t have to die eternally for them ourselves; Jesus paid the penalty for our sins. Our forgiveness and salvation are a free gift, to be received by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Is Jesus your Savior and 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)?
*But note that the Lord will never lead us to harm ourselves or others (consider Matthew 4:6-7).
Monday 4 Lent - A
First Posted March 3, 2008
Podcast: Monday 4 Lent A
Psalm 116:1-8 - Thanksgiving for Deliverance;
Paraphrase:
Because the Lord has heard my cry for help, I love him; I will call upon him as long as I live. When I was ensnared by death and the pangs of the grave, I was greatly distressed and in anguish. Then I called on the Lord to save my life.
The Lord our God is gracious and merciful. He helps the weak; he saved me when I was in great danger. My soul will be at rest knowing that the Lord has dealt bountifully with me. “For thou has delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling” (Psalm 116:8).
Commentary:
The Lord is worthy of our love for all the goodness he has done for us. He is the only true eternal help and refuge for us when we are in distress and anguish. He can deliver us even from death and the grave.
When we call upon him in faith and sincerity he hears us and will help us. He wants to show us that he is faithful and able to help us far beyond our greatest need.
The greatest danger we face is not physical death, but eternal death, separated eternally from the Lord, the giver of life and the sustainer of all things. Jesus has already paid the penalty for our sins on the Cross. All we have to do is accept and receive forgiveness and salvation through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ (see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).
I personally join with the Psalmist in testifying that the Lord has delivered me from danger and death, from sorrow and stumbling. The Lord hears and responds when I cry out to him and has given me peace and rest for my soul (see Personal Testimonies, 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)?
Tuesday 4 Lent - A
First Posted March 4, 2008;
Podcast: Tuesday 4 Lent A
Ezekiel 37:1-3 (4-10) 11-14 - Dry Bones;
Paraphrase:
Ezekiel was a prophet to Judah before and after the fall of Jerusalem in 587 B.C., and during the exile in Babylon. This passage was written after the fall.
The “hand of the Lord” was upon Ezekiel and he was transported by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley (or plain) covered with human bones. There were many bones and they were very dry. The Lord asked Ezekiel if the bones could be brought back to life, and Ezekiel answered that God alone knew. The Lord commanded Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, telling them to hear the Word of the Lord. Ezekiel was to declare that God would cause breath (or wind, or spirit)* to enter them and cause them to live. The Lord declared that he would join the bones, cause sinew, flesh, and skin to cover them and put breath* them and cause them to live. Then they would know that God is Lord.
Ezekiel prophesied as the Lord had commanded, and there was the sound of rattling as the bones began to be joined together in their proper relationship. Then sinew, flesh and skin came upon them, but there was no breath* in them. The Lord told Ezekiel, addressing him as the “son of man” (Ezekiel 37:9), to prophesy to the breath,* commanding it to come from the four winds* and breathe upon the dead so that they may live. So Ezekiel prophesied as the Lord had commanded, and breath* came into them and they stood up, a very great multitude.
The Lord said to Ezekiel, the “son of man,” that the bones represent the entire “house” (family; dynasty) of Israel. The remnant of Israel in exile felt that they were dead and dried up, that they had no hope, and were cut off forever (from their land, life and their Lord). Ezekiel was to prophesy to the people that God promised to open their graves and raise them to life and bring them back to their “Promised Land.” Then Israel would know that God is Lord. The Lord will put his Spirit* within them so that they will live, and he will restore them to their land. Then they will know that the Lord has spoken and has accomplished what he promised.
Commentary:
Judah, the remnant of Israel after the destruction of the Northern Kingdom of the ten tribes, felt completely cut off from their Lord and their heritage, and without hope, but no situation is beyond God’s power to heal and restore. God called Ezekiel to prophesy God’s Word of hope to God’s people in exile in Babylon.
Israel had gotten into that situation because they had refused to hear and obey God’s Word and turn away from idolatry (valuing and serving any one or thing as much or more than God). God removed his protection from them and allowed them to be taken into exile. The exile was discipline intended by God to teach them to trust and obey God. He promised to restore them after seventy years (from 587-517 B.C.), and he fulfilled his promise.
The test of God’s Word is its fulfillment (Deuteronomy 18:21-22). God’s Word is eternally true and it is fulfilled over and over as the conditions for its fulfillment are met. The history of God’s dealing with Israel in the Bible is also intended to be a metaphor, a “parable,” about life in this world.
In a sense we are all in “exile” in the “Babylon” of this world for about seventy years (a lifetime). This is our opportunity to learn to trust and obey God. God’s Word promises to revive us who were spiritually eternally dead through sin (disobedience of God’s Word), fill us with his indwelling Holy Spirit, raise us from the literal and metaphorical grave to eternal life, and lead us into the eternal Promised Land of his heavenly kingdom.
In the era before Christ, only a few individuals like Ezekiel were guided and empowered by God’s Holy Spirit to proclaim God’s Word. Jesus came to die as the only sacrifice acceptable to God for the forgiveness of our sin (see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right), to make it possible for us to be cleansed of sin and filled with the Holy Spirit (John 16:7). The indwelling Holy Spirit within us causes us to be spiritually “reborn” (John 3:3, 5-9) to new, eternal life. 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).
Ezekiel is a forerunner of Christ, the “Son of man” (for example, Matthew 16:13) who proclaims the Gospel of forgiveness, salvation and restoration to those who trust and obey God’s Word. Jesus is the fulfillment, embodiment and demonstration of God’s Word, lived out in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-3, 14). Jesus is God’s only provision for our forgiveness, salvation and restoration (Acts 4:12; John 14:6).
We, particularly in America and the American Church, are in a very similar position as Judah at the time before the exile. They had the outward form of religion, but they didn’t hear, know, trust and obey God’s Word, and were spiritually “adulterous” by allowing other “gods” to rule them. Whatever we worship and serve is our “god.” Our Church and nation are filled with dry bones. We desperately need the mighty wind of the Spirit to breathe new, eternal life into us (Acts 2:2). Then we will know that God is Lord.
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)?
*This is a play on words; the same Hebrew word means breath, or wind, or spirit.
Wednesday 4 Lent - A
First Posted March 5, 2008;
Podcast: Wednesday 4 Lent A
Romans 8:11-19 - Life in the Spirit;
Paraphrase:
If the Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in us he will give immortal life to our mortal bodies also, through his indwelling Holy Spirit. So we are obligated to the Spirit, not to our mortal flesh. If we live according to our fleshly desires we will die (eternally) in our flesh, but if we follow the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit we will put to death the desires of the flesh, and we will live (eternally).
“All who are led by the (indwelling) Spirit of God are sons (and daughters) of God” (Romans 8:14). The Spirit does not enslave us in fear, but makes us sons (and daughters). When we call ecstatically in worship to God our Father in praise and prayer, the indwelling Holy Spirit is testifying with our spirit that we are children of God. If we are children of God then we are his heirs, with Christ, provided that we join in the mission of Christ’s Gospel and bear suffering with Christ (for the Gospel), so that we can also be glorified in him.
The sufferings in this temporal world are insignificant, compared to the glory that we will experience (in eternity). All creation eagerly awaits the revealing of God’s children.
Commentary:
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God; the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9). The indwelling 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 gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit is the “first-fruits” (Romans 8:23), the “security deposit” of eternal life.
By the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit we are “reborn” (John 3:3, 5-8) to spiritual, eternal, life. 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). In order to receive the gift we must commit ourselves to be obedient, trusting disciples of Jesus Christ. We must commit to living in obedience to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
If we live according to the Holy Spirit, we are freed from bondage to God’s law, and to sin and death (Romans 8:2; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). We die spiritually to sin and the flesh so that we can live spiritually and eternally with Christ (Romans 8:10).
We fulfill the requirements of God’s law by his love and help, expressed through his indwelling Holy Spirit, and by our response in love and gratitude to him, rather than by fear of his eternal condemnation. We are his beloved children, not his slaves. Jesus is his only begotten son, but we become his adopted children and share in God’s love for Jesus and share Jesus’ glory and eternal inheritance. But we must be willing to surrender and sacrifice our will and become obedient to his will, as Jesus did, and we can expect that we will encounter rejection and abuse from worldly people as Jesus did.
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 4 Lent - A
First Posted March 6, 2008;
Podcast: Thursday 4 Lent A
John 11:1-53 (or 47-53) - Raising of Lazarus;
Paraphrase:
Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, all close friends of Jesus, was ill. They lived in Bethany (two miles from Jerusalem. His sisters sent word to Jesus (at Bethabarah, 25 miles from Nazareth, east of the Jordan River*) that Lazarus was ill, but when Jesus got the message he declared that Lazarus’ illness would not result in death, and that God would be glorified.
Jesus loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus, but he delayed going to Bethany for two days. Then Jesus told his disciples that he was going into Judea again. The disciples cautioned him, saying that the Jewish authorities were seeking an opportunity to stone Jesus to death. Jesus told them that he must fulfill his work while he was able.
When Jesus and his disciples arrived, Lazarus had been dead four days. Many Jews from Jerusalem had come to console Mary and Martha. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming she went to meet him. She said to Jesus that her brother would not have died if Jesus had been there, and even now she believed that God would do whatever Jesus asked. Jesus told her that Lazarus would rise to life again. Martha declared her belief in the resurrection of the dead at the “last day” (Day of Judgment).
Jesus declared that he is the resurrection and the life; those who believe in Jesus will live even though they die, and those who live and believe in Jesus will never die. Jesus asked Martha if she believed what Jesus said, and she declared that she believed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world (according to God’s Word).
Mary was summoned and the Jews who were consoling her followed, and they went to the tomb with Jesus. Jesus commanded the stone covering the entrance to be rolled away. Jesus prayed aloud to God (so that God would be glorified for and by the miracle), and then called aloud for Lazarus to come forth, and Lazarus came out, still wrapped in funeral cloths. Jesus told the people to unbind him and let him go.
Many of the Jews who witnessed the miracle believed in Jesus. But some of the witnesses went and told the Pharisees (Jewish religious authorities), what Jesus had done.
The Pharisees were afraid that the people would believe in Jesus and the Romans would destroy the temple and nation as a result. Caiaphas, the High Priest refuted that, saying that it was advantageous for one person to die for the people so that the whole nation would not perish. He spoke prophetically, because of his office as High Priest. From then on the Jewish leaders plotted to put Jesus to death.
Commentary:
Jesus deliberately delayed going to Bethany until Lazarus had died. He wanted to reveal that he could not only heal the sick, but also raise the dead. He wanted to prepare his disciples and the people for his own resurrection, and to show that there is existence after physical death.
Jesus had raised others from the dead: the widow’s son (Luke 7:11-17), and Jairus’ daughter (Luke 8:41-42, 49-56). But these took place in Galilee. Lazarus’ resurrection took place in Judea, two miles from Jerusalem, and was witnessed by many people from Jerusalem, virtually in the face of the Jewish authorities.
Lazarus’ resurrection was the precipitating event which led to Jesus’ crucifixion. The Jewish authorities were afraid that Jesus would destroy “their” temple and “their” nation; “their” authority and status. To them, Judaism had become their “religion” to serve them, instead of them serving God.
As High Priest, Caiaphas prophetically spoke God’s Word when he declared that it was expedient that one person should die for the people, not just for the nation, but for all of God’s people (including the Gentiles). By crucifying Jesus, the Jewish leaders actually brought about the destruction of the temple, Jerusalem, and the nation, by the Romans in 70 A.D. Because they rejected and crucified Jesus, God lifted his favor and protection from them. They were scattered throughout the world, and the nation ceased to exist, until re-established following World War II.
In one sense we’re all God’s people because he is our creator. In another sense, God’s people are those who trust and obey Jesus, the Son of God; God’s promised, “anointed” Savior and eternal king, the Christ (Messiah; both words mean “anointed” in Greek and Hebrew, respectively).
Jesus waited long enough before resurrecting Lazarus so that he was undeniably dead. Jews believed that the soul lingered near the body for three days, and Lazarus had been dead four days. The smell of death when the tomb was opened was undeniable.
Jesus is the resurrection and the life (John 1:4-5; 1 John 5:11-13). Jesus is the only way to forgiveness of sin (disobedience of God’s Word), restoration to fellowship with God, the only way to know divine eternal truth and to have eternal life (John 14:6). Jesus is God’s only provision for our salvation from eternal death, which is the penalty for sin (Romans 6:23; Acts 4:12; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).
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). Through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, Jesus’ disciples are “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) to spiritual, 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).
There is a Day of Judgment coming when everyone who has ever lived will be accountable to God for what each has done individually in this lifetime (John 5:28-29). Those who have trusted and obeyed Jesus and have been “born-again” by the gift of the Holy Spirit will receive eternal life in God’s kingdom in heaven; those who have rejected Jesus, and have refused or failed to trust and obey Jesus will receive eternal destruction in Hell, with all evil (Matthew 25:31-46; 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)?
* “Bethabara” Easton’s Bible Dictionary, digital module, BibleDatabase freeware, see Free Digital Bible Study Tools, sidebar top right.
Friday 4 Lent - A
First Posted March 7, 2008;
Podcast: Friday 4 Lent A
Genesis 12:1-3 - The Call of Abraham;
1 Corinthians 1:21-31 - Our Call in Christ;
Genesis Paraphrase:
God spoke to Abraham (Abram) and told him to leave his country and family and go to a land God would show him. God promised that he would make a great nation from Abraham’s descendants and make Abraham’s name great, so that he would be a blessing. Those who bless Abraham would be blessed by God and those who curse him would be cursed by God; and all the families on earth would be blessed by Abraham.
1 Corinthians Paraphrase:
In his wisdom God designed Creation so that mankind cannot know God through worldly human wisdom, and chose to save those who believe what seems foolish to human wisdom. Jews demand “signs” (“proof”) and Greeks (Gentiles; non-Jews) seek (worldly) wisdom, but the Gospel we proclaim, Christ crucified, causes Jews to stumble, and seems foolish to Gentiles. But to those who are called, both Jew and Greek, Christ is the power and wisdom of God. God, when he is most foolish, is wiser that any human, and at his weakest, is stronger than we are.
Not many believers, those who were called (and responded), were wise, or powerful, or of high social position. God chooses what is foolish and weak to shame those who, according to worldly standards, consider themselves wise and strong. God chose what the world regards as low and despised and worthless to bring to nothing what is valued by the world, so that no human can boast in God’s presence. God is the source of our life in Jesus Christ, “whom God made our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30). So, as scripture says (Jeremiah 9:23-24), “Let those who boast, boast of the Lord.”
Commentary:
God’s plan for Creation has always been to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly choose to trust and obey God. This lifetime is our opportunity to seek, find and learn to know God (Acts 17:26-27) and this is only possible through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ has been designed into the structure of Creation (John 1:1-5, 14). We have all been created as eternal beings in temporal bodies in a temporal world (John 5:28-29).
God began to reveal his plan with his call to one man, Abraham. Abraham responded to God’s call with obedient trust, and God fulfilled his promise to Abraham. At the time of his call Abraham was already old, and had no children through whom the promise could be fulfilled, and it was a long time before God gave him the son. From the time of his call, Abraham was learning day by day to walk in obedient trust in God, and he learned that God is abundantly able and faithful to do what he promises.
Through Abraham, God fulfilled his promise to send a Savior, God’s “anointed” eternal king, Jesus Christ, into the world, and through Jesus, everyone in the world is blessed (or cursed). Through Jesus we have all been called by God to leave where we’re at, spiritually, to walk in obedient trust in God, and learn to live according to God’s will and direction for our lives.
God has designed Creation so that we cannot know God through human wisdom. Creation has been designed so that we cannot fulfill the requirements of God’s Word by our own human ability, and none are righteous (doing what is right and good and true according to God’s standard) compared to the Lord.
God’s call through Jesus is to everyone, but those who consider themselves wise, powerful, and “good,” according to human standards, do not respond to that call in obedient trust. They don’t recognize and acknowledge their need for a Savior and Lord; they think they can “save” themselves, and want to be their own Lord. They want to see “proof” in order to believe, and the Gospel seems foolish in their worldly wisdom. The physical world and the things in it seem so solid and seem to offer security, while what is spiritual seems “unreal” and “unsubstantial,” but God’s Word declares that this World was created from nothing by God’s Word (Genesis 1:1-3), and will pass away (Matthew 24:35), and only what is spiritual will endure.
Jesus Christ is the only source of righteousness, truth and true, spiritual, eternal life (John 14:6). Jesus is God’s only provision for our salvation from eternal destruction (Acts 4:12; See God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). Only through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus can we fulfill the requirement of God’s standard of righteousness. Only through faith in Jesus can we have personal knowledge of and fellowship with God the Father and Jesus Christ, his only “begotten” Son. Only through Jesus can we know divine wisdom and truth (Luke 24:45). Only through Jesus can we be “sanctified;” (cleansed of sin; sin is disobedience of God’s Word) and dedicated to God’s service. Only through Jesus can we be redeemed from condemnation to eternal destruction, which is the penalty for sin (Romans 6:23)
Divine wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30) are possible only 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). The indwelling Holy Spirit is the means of our spiritual “rebirth” (John 3:3, 5-8) to eternal life, which begins now, in this temporal world. 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).
Have you heard and responded to God’s call in Jesus Christ? 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)?
Saturday 4 Lent - A
First Posted March 8, 2008
Podcast: Saturday 4 Lent A
Matthew 10:32-42 - Call to Discipleship;
Paraphrase:
Jesus said that every one who acknowledges Jesus to other people, Jesus will acknowledge to God the Father in heaven, and those who deny Jesus to people, Jesus will also deny to God.
Jesus did not come to “get along” with worldly values; he came to bring change, and his ways are going to collide with worldly ways. His coming will cause division and opposition even among close family relationships. Believers must be willing to sacrifice even family relationships in order to follow Jesus. Believers must be willing to give up their own will and plans for their lives, in order to do God’s will and follow God’s plans. Believers must be willing to bear their own cross in order to follow Jesus; to be willing to make sacrifices.
Those who think that their worldly lives are more important than God’s plan will discover that they never found real life and meaning in this world and have lost the opportunity for true, eternal life. But those who are willing to give up what they have in this lifetime will discover real meaning and purpose in life now and for eternity.
Those who receive a disciple of Jesus receive Jesus, and those who receive Jesus receive God the Father. Those who receive a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and those who receive a righteous person because he is righteous will receive the reward of those who are righteous. Any one who does the slightest favor for a disciple of Jesus because he is a disciple will be rewarded.
This lifetime is our opportunity to seek and come to know God, our creator (Acts 17:26-27), and this is only possible through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ, through the "baptism" 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). Spiritual rebirth through the baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, ongoing, daily experience (Acts 19:2). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
God has always intended to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly choose to trust and obey God. We have the choice of cooperating with God’s plan or pursuing our own plans, but the consequences are eternal. If we reject Jesus now, he will reject us on the Day of Judgment at the end of this temporal age. Jesus is Lord, whether we acknowledge him or not, but the consequences are personal and eternal.
Jesus knew that he would cause division and opposition, but it is the result of human rebellion against God and God’s chosen Savior and Lord of Creation. “Family” is one of the major “idols” of our time. Family is good, but anything or any person we value as much as or more than the Lord is idolatry. “Career,” “success” and “self” are other modern idols.
We need to surrender these things to the will of God. Not that we need to quit our jobs, but that we seek God’s guidance and empowerment to serve him, in whatever our circumstance may be. If God wants to change our circumstance he will make that possible. We will discover that God’s will for our lives is better than what we think we want. When we learn to live to serve the Lord rather than ourselves, we will experience real life, now and for eternity. I personally testify to these truths.
Jesus Christ is the great divide. We will either love and serve him or we will reject and despise him. Those who love God will love Jesus. Those who love Jesus will love Jesus’ disciples. Those who love God’s Word will love the apostles (messengers; of the Gospel) and prophets of God’s Word. What we do in life testifies to what we believe and love, and we will be rewarded accordingly in the Day of Judgment (Matthew 7:21-27; 25:31-46).
Jesus is calling us to be his disciples. He wants us to know that discipleship is costly. We will have to make sacrifices, but we will also be abundantly rewarded now, and eternally.
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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