Week of 6 Easter - B - 05/13- 19/2012

Week of 6 Easter - B

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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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 6 Easter B
Sunday 6 Easter B
First Posted May 17, 2009;
Podcast: Sunday 6 Easter B

Psalm 98 -- The coming reign of God on earth; Acts 11:19-30  -- The Gospel proclaimed to Gentiles; 1 John 4:1-11 -- Discernment of spiritual truth; John 15:9-17  -- The Christian life;  Psalm Paraphrase: The whole world is called to give thanks and praise to God. God’s plan for our forgiveness and salvation has been revealed to all in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The promises of God’s Word have been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. All Creation will rejoice at the coming reign of the Lord. He will come to judge all who have ever lived on earth. He will judge with true righteousness and justice. Acts Paraphrase: After the stoning of Stephen, believers were scattered from Judea into the surrounding area. Some traveled as far as Phoenicia (on the Mediterranean coast of Syria, Lebanon and northern Israel), Cyprus (the island off the coast of Syria), and Antioch (in Syria). The believers generally sought out Jewish exiles and shared the Gospel only with Jews, but some converts from Cyprus and Cyrene (in modern Libya in North Africa) shared the Gospel of Jesus with Gentiles also, and there were a great number of Gentile converts. This news reached Jerusalem and the Church sent Barnabas (an apostle originally from Cyprus who had advocated for Paul -then known as Saul- at Jerusalem after Paul’s conversion; Acts 9:26-27) to Antioch. Barnabas was a good man “full of the Holy Spirit” and he rejoiced at the new Gentile believers and “exhorted them to remain faithful to the Lord” (Acts 11:23 RSV). Since there was a large company of new believers Barnabas went to Tarsus and brought Paul back to Antioch, where for a whole year they taught (“discipled”) the new believers. It was at Antioch at this time where Jesus’ disciples were first called “Christians.” A prophet named Agabus came from Jerusalem to Antioch and foretold by the Holy Spirit that there would be a worldwide famine, and this took place (probably in A.D. 46*), as foretold, in the days of Claudius (the fourth Roman emperor, who succeeded Caligula in A.D. 41, and died in A.D. 54*). The disciples took an offering for the Christians who lived in Judea, sending it to the elders (in Jerusalem) carried by Barnabas and Saul (Paul). 1 John Paraphrase: The first letter of the Apostle John is a guide for the new believer. We are warned not to believe every spirit, but to test the spirits, because there are many false christs, false prophets and lying spirits in the world, employed ultimately by the antichrist. Any one who denies Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of God’s Word is of an evil spirit and a deception by Satan. Those who place their trust in Jesus Christ, the Word of God incarnate (embodied in human flesh), have overcome the ruler of this present world, the antichrist, Satan, the liar and father of lies (1 John 2:22). Those who are worldly are under the power and deception of Satan and will not accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Any one who knows the true God will be able to discern the divine truth of the Gospel, [and through obedient trust in Jesus will come to knowledge of and personal fellowship with God, by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey him (John 14:15-17)]. If we know God, we know that God is love, and we will love God and love one another, even those who hate and abuse us, because we will realize that God loved us and sent his Son to die for us so that we could be forgiven, when we were enemies of God through disobedience of his authority. Jesus is the visible manifestation of God’s love for disobedient sinners. If God loved us, we should be able to love others as he has loved us. God is invisible, but if we have experienced God’s love for us we will be able to love others, and our love for the “unlovable” will demonstrate the love and guidance of God’s Spirit within us. John Paraphrase: Jesus has loved us as much as God has loved his only begotten, sinless son, Jesus Christ. If we have experienced God’s love for us in Jesus Christ and want to remain in that love, we will keep Jesus’ teachings as Jesus has obeyed God his father. Obedience to Jesus’ teachings will result in true eternal joy. All Jesus’ teachings can be fulfilled by love for God and one another. The greatest act of love is self-sacrifice for others. We can receive the benefit of Jesus’ self-sacrifice if we trust and obey his commandments. Jesus is our Lord and Master (whether we acknowledge him or not), and could compel our obedience, but he chooses to treat us as his friends. He hasn’t withheld anything (of God’s Truth) from us. Commentary: None of us have sought forgiveness and reconciliation from God. If we have been saved it is because the Lord has pursued us despite our rebellion and disobedience, until we have recognized our limitations and submitted to him. The Lord wants us to succeed spiritually and bear the fruit of eternal life. He doesn’t need us to fulfill his eternal plan, but allows us to participate in that purpose, and will provide what we need to accomplish it. Commentary: God’s plan from the very beginning of Creation has always been to create an eternal kingdom of his people who will trust and obey him. This temporal lifetime is our only opportunity to seek and come to personal knowledge of and fellowship with God (Acts 17:26-27), and this is only possible through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ, by the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34) only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). Jesus is God’s only plan for our forgiveness and eternal salvation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6) and has been built into the very structure of this creation from the very beginning (John 1:1-3, 14); Jesus is not an afterthought! Jesus is God’s anointed eternal king and his kingdom is coming, whether we accept and cooperate with it or not. God has allowed us the freedom to choose whether to live in his eternal kingdom. We will either choose eternal life with God in Heaven, or we will spend eternity eternally separated from God’s love and providence. The eternal kingdom of God begins now, with believers who learn to live according to Jesus’ commandments and to be guided by his indwelling Holy Spirit. Paul and Barnabas were “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciples making “born-again” disciples at Antioch, teaching the new believers to trust and obey Jesus’ teachings in fulfillment of Jesus’ Great Commission to his disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). Paul is the example and prototype of the modern “post-Resurrection” born-again Christian (Acts 9:1-20), as all of us can be. In order to give us genuine freedom to choose or reject the Lord, Creation has been designed with the possibility of sin (disobedience of God’s Word), and the presence of the spirit of antichrist, as well as the Spirit of Christ. But God is not going to tolerate rebellion and disobedience for ever; we’re limited by our physical lifetime, and by the coming Day of Judgment. The Apostle John was teaching new believers to recognize and discern divine truth from false spirits and demonic deception. God’s Word is divine truth, and the only standard by which we can discern divine eternal truth from error and deception. Jesus is the fulfillment, embodiment and illustration of God’s Word in human life (John 1:1-3, 14). It is through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit that we personally experience the love of God for us. The Holy Spirit opens our minds to understand God’s Word (Luke 24:45), guides and empowers us to fulfill God’s will for our lives and to grow to spiritual maturity. The gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that we are in Christ and have 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)? *The Oxford Annotated Bible, Revised Standard Version, Ed. by Herbert G. May and Bruce M. Metzger, Acts 11:27-30n, p. 1333, New York, Oxford University Press, 1962.

Monday 6 Easter B
First Posted  May 18, 2009;
Podcast: Monday 6 Easter B

Psalm 47 – God Reigns as King of all Nations; Paraphrase: Shout to the Lord God, everyone! Raise up loud songs of joy! The Lord is awesome; high above all things; ruler over all the earth! He has subdued people and nations under his people. He has prepared a heritage for us, the progeny of Jacob, of whom he is proud. ("Selah" is a liturgical directive; indicating perhaps an instrumental interlude at this point.*) God has ascended with a shout, at the sound of a trumpet! Let us sing praises to God, our King! Let us sing praises to him with a psalm (or: with understanding; wisdom**). God is enthroned in holiness (sacredness)! God reigns over all the nations of the earth. The princes (nobles)  of the people gather willingly as the people of God. All the defenses of the earth belong to God; he rules over all. Commentary: The people of God call all nations to praise and rejoice in God’s dominion of all the earth. The Lord is God and ruler of all Creation, whether we accept his reign or not. His will will be done, whether we accept it and do it or not. God is Lord and king of all creation, but he has no obligation to us to be all that a gracious and loving God implies, unless we are willing to trust and obey him. The people of God are those who have experienced God’s reign in their own lives and testify that God’s will is for our good and in our very best interest. God wants us to come to know him and have personal fellowship with him (Acts 17:26-27), and that is only possible through Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; John 14:6), the fulfillment, embodiment and demonstration of God’s Word in human flesh (John 1:1-3, 14). Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)? *The Oxford Annotated Bible, Revised Standard Version, Ed. by Herbert G. May and Bruce M. Metzger, Psalm 3:2n, p. 691, New York, Oxford University Press, 1962. **The New Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Hebrew, #7919,  James Strong, LL.D., STD, Nelson, NY 1984 ISBN 0-8407-5360-8  http://www.apostolic-churches.net/bible/strongs.html

Tuesday 6 Easter B
First Posted May 19, 2009;
Podcast: Tuesday 6 Easter B

Acts 1:15-26  -- Waiting for the Holy Spirit; Paraphrase: The eleven remaining Apostles of the original Twelve (minus Judas Iscariot, the betrayer) and the rest of Jesus’ followers (about a hundred and twenty; the Church) had been told by Jesus to remain in Jerusalem until they had received the promised Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8). Peter suggested that they choose a replacement for the apostleship of Judas, and they prayed and then chose Matthias by lot (by chance; like rolling dice). Commentary: The Church had not yet received the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and should have waited for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit before making this choice. Matthias was appointed to the office, but was never heard from in scripture again. I believe that God’s choice for that office was Paul (Saul of Tarsus). Instead of a disciple who had been present during all the earthly ministry of Jesus, Paul was the first “born-again” disciple of Jesus Christ who had not known Jesus during his earthly ministry, and is the example for us to follow. 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 6 Easter B
First Posted May 20, 2009;
Podcast: Wednesday 6 Easter B

1 John 4:13-21 - Abiding in love;

Paraphrase:

We know by the “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit which Jesus gives his disciples that we abide in him and he in us. His “born-again” disciples know Jesus and testify that he is God's only [begotten] Son, God's one and only “anointed” (designated) Savior, whom God has sent into the world.

All who confess that Jesus is God's Son abide in God and God in them. So we know (by the indwelling Holy Spirit) and believe the love God has for us. God is love and those who abide in love, who love others as God loves us, abide in God and God abides in them.

When God's love is perfected (mature) in us we will not fear his judgment. We are in this world but so is God. When we love God and know that God loves us there will be no room for fear, because fear is caused by the foreboding of punishment, and one who fears has not grown mature in love. It is only when we realize God's love for us that we can love him in return.

We cannot hate our brother and love God. If we cannot love our brother whom we see, how can we love God whom we do not see? And he who loves God has been commanded to love his brother also.

Commentary:

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). Only Jesus “baptizes” (anoints) with the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34) only upon his disciples who trust and obey his commands (John 14:15-17). If we realize that Jesus is the Son of God we will know the love God has for us demonstrated in Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the Cross, and will experience his love in the touch of his Holy Spirit within us. We come to a personal knowledge and experience of Jesus Christ and God our Father through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

We will keep Jesus’ commandments, not from fear, but from love in response to the love God has shown us in Jesus Christ. Jesus’ commandments are that we should love God and our fellow people (Mark 12:30-31). We are to grow in our ability to love God and others through practice. If we seek to trust and obey Jesus, we will not have any reason to fear the Day of Judgment. Our love for others will reveal our obedient trust in the Lord (John 13:35).

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 6 Easter B - Ascension Day
First Posted May 21, 2009;
Podcast: Thursday 6 Easter B

John 17:11b-19 -- Jesus’ prayer for his Church;

Paraphrase:

On the eve of his betrayal, Jesus knew that he would no longer be physically with his disciples in this world. He prayed that the Father would keep Jesus’ disciples in God's name (the whole character and person of God; as Jesus shared in God’s name); that they would be one as Jesus and the Father are one. During his physical earthly ministry Jesus had guarded his disciples from evil, with the exception of Judas Iscariot, who chose to leave that protection (thus fulfilling scripture).

Jesus prayed that his disciples would experience the joy of Jesus fulfilled in themselves. Jesus had transmitted God’s Word to his disciples. The world is opposed to God’s Word and hates Jesus’ disciples as it hates Jesus.

Jesus' disciples are in the world to witness to the world. They can’t avoid persecution by the world, but the Lord can preserve them from evil. Jesus sends his disciples to carry to on and complete the mission to the world which the Father sent Jesus to accomplish.

Jesus consecrated himself to God’s service, so that his disciples could also be consecrated to God’s service. Jesus prayed that his disciples would be sanctified (purified and rendered fit for God’s service) by God’s Word (the Bible, Jesus Christ, the living Word, fulfilled, embodied and demonstrated in Jesus (John 1:1-3, 14), and by his indwelling Holy Spirit.

Commentary:

Christians are “disciples” of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26d), who have been "born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8), by the "baptism" of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:3-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). They are commissioned to carry on and complete the mission of Jesus Christ to bring forgiveness, restoration of fellowship with God, and salvation from eternal condemnation and death to all people who are willing to receive it (Matthew 28:19-20; note Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8).

Jesus’ earthly ministry was a demonstration and example of the mission of Jesus Christ. Jesus made “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8; Acts 2:1-12) disciples. People who responded to Jesus’ Gospel of forgiveness and salvation followed Jesus, learned to trust and obey his commands over a period of time in fellowship with him, and ultimately received the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-12).

Jesus’ Resurrection from the dead, testified to by over five hundred eyewitnesses (1 Corinthians 15:5-8), demonstrated that there is life beyond physical death. After his Resurrection, Jesus commanded his disciples to go into all the world and make “born-again” disciples, teaching them to obey all Jesus’ teachings (Matthew 28:18-20).

Through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we can be discipled, guided, empowered, and guarded from evil by the Risen Jesus as his original disciples were, during Jesus’ earthly ministry. We can have a personal fellowship with Jesus through his indwelling Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the unifying Spirit of Christ within his disciples that gives unity of purpose and guidance to his Church (1 Corinthians 6:17; 12:13; Ephesians 2:18; 4:4; Philippians 1:27). Through the indwelling Holy Spirit we personally experience the joy of Jesus’ presence within us, comforting us, although we may be persecuted for the Gospel by the 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).

Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

Friday 6 Easter B
First Posted May 22, 2009;
Podcast: Friday 6 Easter B

2 Kings 2:9-15 -- Elisha seeks the gift of the Spirit; Paraphrase: The gift of the Holy Spirit was rare in Old Testament times. The Spirit of the Lord can only abide in those who were completely consecrated to the Lord and who trust and obey the Lord. Under the Old Covenant of Law, most were unable to fulfill the requirements of holiness, but God always raised up a few faithful prophets, on whom he poured out his Spirit. Elijah was probably the greatest of the Old Testament prophets. Elijah had daily personal fellowship with the Lord. When he knew that he was about to be taken into heaven, he was guided by the Spirit of God to choose Elisha to be his successor (1Kings 19:15-21). The Lord had told Elijah that Elijah would not die physically but be taken up into heaven alive [as Enoch had (Genesis 5:21-24)]. The sons of the prophets were the disciples of the prophets, who also knew by the Spirit that Elijah would be taken into heaven that day. Elijah had placed his mantle (cloak) upon Elisha symbolizing the passing of the prophetic office, but the real prophetic “mantle” is the Lord’s Spirit. Elisha asked for a double portion of the Holy Spirit which had rested upon Elijah. Elijah told Elisha that his request was more than Elijah could grant; it was up to the Lord, but if Elisha saw Elijah taken into heaven Elisha would know that the Lord had granted his prayer. Elijah kept exhorting Elisha to stay behind, as Elijah continued on into the wilderness to be taken by the Lord, but Elisha was committed to be with Elijah until the very moment Elijah was taken. Elijah had rolled up his mantle and struck the Jordan River to part its waters, allowing Elijah and Elisha to cross on dry land on his way to meet the Lord. Elisha did see Elijah taken up into heaven by a whirlwind and what appeared to be a horse-drawn chariot of fire. Then Elisha returned, walking in the way his master, Elijah, had come, and Elisha parted the Jordan River as Elijah had done. Jesus is our Master, who calls us to follow him. Jesus is the Master who makes it possible for his Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34) to rest upon his disciples who trust, obey and follow Jesus (John 14:15-17). Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross made it possible for us to be cleansed by his blood, so that his Holy Spirit can dwell within us. As we walk in the way he walked, his Holy Spirit will do great things through us. We will have daily fellowship with the Lord, and his Spirit will guide us as he guided Elijah and Elisha. We must ask for and seek the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit, with the commitment to follow and obey Jesus. God’s Word promises that those who have been “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) to spiritual life and are still physically alive at the time of Jesus’ return on the Day of Judgment will be caught up with him in a cloud (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), as Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9-11). 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)? Saturday 6 Easter B First Posted May 23, 2009; Podcast: Saturday 6 Easter B Acts 1:1-11 -- Jesus’ ascension; Paraphrase: After Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, he appeared to his disciples over a period of forty days. There were over five-hundred eyewitnesses to the risen Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:1-8). During these forty days Jesus commanded his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all the world, and  to make disciples of Jesus, teaching them to obey all that Jesus taught, beginning in Jerusalem (Matthew 28:19-20). But Jesus told them to wait to carry out his command until they had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8), which Jesus had promised to his disciples who trust and obey him (John 14:15-17). Jesus told his disciples not to be distracted by trying to figure out God’s plans and timing (Acts 1:6-7). The disciples were expecting the Lord to reestablish Israel’s sovereign kingdom. That still applies to us today. We’re not to get caught up in speculation about the “End Times:” Jesus’ second coming. Jesus tells his disciples, then and now, to await the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and then concentrate on the task we’ve been given to proclaim the Gospel, beginning where we are. According to Luke (the author of both Luke and Acts) Jesus and his disciples went outside Jerusalem a couple miles, near Bethany, where Jesus ascended into heaven as his disciples watched (Luke 24:50-51). Two angels appeared to his disciples and told them not to stand around waiting and looking for Jesus’ return, but instead to get on with the work Jesus had given them to do (to wait for the anointing of the Holy Spirit and then to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples). Christians are, by definition, disciples of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26), who have been "born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8) by the "baptism" of the indwelling Holy Spirit. We’re to wait in the Church, being discipled by “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciples until we have received the gift of the Holy Spirit, and then we’re to go into the world to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples (2 Timothy 2:2), beginning right where we are. We’re not to stand around staring into the heavens, or speculating on when Jesus will return. Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?