Week of 17 Pentecost C - 09/15 - 21/2013

Week of 17 Pentecost C

This is a Three-Year Lectionary based on the Lutheran Book of Worship 3-year Lectionary (for public worship), "Prayers of the Day..." (Propers), p. 13-41, Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, 1978. It is based, with only minor variations, on the Revised Common Lectionary, used by many denominations, including the Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches:

http://www.commontexts.org/

and:

http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/usage.html

The daily readings are the Propers (Lections) for the following Sunday, so that the daily devotions can prepare us for worship. Additional Lections are from Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church, "Scripture lessons for Matins and Vespers," United Lutheran Church of America, General Rubrics VIII. Scripture lessons for Matins and Vespers, p. 299 - 304, Philadelphia, 1918.

The previous 2- year Bible Study based on the Lutheran Book of Worship, Daily Lectionary for personal devotions p.179-192, Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, 1978, is available at:

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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.

I will post weekly by Saturday, noon, (God willing), Pacific time (UTC-8:00) for the week of the Church Season which begins on Sunday. Please scroll down for the desired day, or save the week to your desktop/hard drive.

Podcast Download: Week of 17 Pentecost C 
Sunday 17 Pentecost C 
First posted September 17, 2010;
Podcast: Sunday 17 Pentecost C 

Exodus 32:7-14 – The Golden Calf;
Psalm 51:1-18 – Penitential Psalm;
1 Timothy 1:12-17 – Jesus Saves Sinners;
Luke 15:1-10 – Parables of the Lost;

Exodus Background:

The Israelites had just experienced their deliverance by God from slavery to sin and death in Egypt, and had entered into a covenant with God to be his people, mediated by Moses (Exodus 24:3). Moses went up to God on the mountain, and was gone for forty days and nights (Exodus 24:18). The people didn't know what had become of Moses and figured he was never coming back, so they went to Aaron, the high priest, and told him to make an idol of a calf of melted gold to lead them, they worshiped and sacrificed to it, and declared that this idol was the god who had brought them out of Egypt (Exodus 32:1-6).

Exodus Paraphrase:

The Lord told Moses to go down to the people because they had broken the covenant with God and had corrupted themselves with idolatry. The Lord declared that the Israelites were stubborn and rebellious and that he was going to destroy them; but he would still keep his promise to the patriarchs to make of them a great nation.

Moses pleaded for mercy for the Israelites, saying that the Egyptians would say that God had brought the Israelites into the wilderness to slay them. Moses asked God to remember, Abraham, Isaac, and Israel (Jacob), father, son and grandson, the patriarchs of Israel; and asked God to remember his promise to multiply their descendants, as uncountable as the stars of heaven, and to give them the Promised Land. The Lord changed his mind and decided not to destroy the Israelites.

Psalm Background:

Ascribed to David when he was confronted by Nathan the prophet, because of David's adultery with Bathsheba (see 2 Samuel 11:1-12:13).

Psalm Paraphrase:

O God, be merciful to me, according to your unwavering love; blot out my sins according to your abundant mercy. Wash me and cleanse me thoroughly from my sin!

I acknowledge my transgression, and cannot forget the sin I have committed. This sin is really against you; I have done what you consider evil, so you are justified and blameless in your judgment against me. But remember that I was conceived and born in sin.

You want us to be truthful in our innermost being, so teach me wisdom in my most private thoughts. Purge me of sin as with ceremonial sprinkling with hyssop (an aromatic herb; a Jewish ritual). Wash me as white as snow. Let me be filled with joy and gladness, and let the bones you have broken (the punishment you have administered) be healed and restored to rejoicing. Stop looking at my sins, and blot them out.

Give me, O Lord, a pure heart and a new and right spirit. Don't cast me forever from your presence nor take your Holy Spirit from me. Let me again experience the joy of your salvation and sustain me willingly with you Spirit.

Then I will be able to teach sinners and restore them to fellowship with you. Save me from the penalty of (eternal) death, Lord; you are my Savior, and I will testify aloud of your deliverance.

Enable me to testify and I will declare your praise. You don't want animal sacrifices, or I would gladly give them. The sacrifice you desire is a broken and contrite heart. In your perfect will and timing, do good to Zion and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

1 Timothy Paraphrase:

Paul (Saul of Tarsus) was thankful to God for the ministry of the Gospel which had been given to him, because Jesus had considered him faithful, even though Paul had formerly blasphemed Jesus and persecuted the Church. Paul had received mercy because the Lord recognized that Paul had acted in ignorance and unbelief; and the grace (unmerited favor) and love of God which are in Jesus Christ had overflowed to Paul. It is certainly true that Jesus has come into the world to save sinners.

Paul considered himself the worst of sinners because of his past, but believed that he had been given mercy so that others could see an example of the perfect patience of the Lord, and so could believe in him for eternal life. “To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Timothy 1:17).

Luke Paraphrase:

Tax Collectors (Jews, hated for collaborating with the Roman occupying government) and sinners were coming to hear Jesus' teaching. And Pharisees (members of a strict, legalistic faction of Judaism) and scribes (authorities and teachers of scripture) were criticizing Jesus among themselves for fellowshipping with sinners.

So Jesus told them several parables: What person who had a hundred sheep would not leave the flock to search for one who strayed until he found it? And when it was found he would carry it home on his shoulders and tell his friends, so that they could celebrate with him! Likewise there is great rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine righteous who don't need to repent.

What person having ten silver coins,* who loses one, will not search the house diligently until it is found? And when it is found, won't the person tell his friends so that they can rejoice with him? Likewise, the angels will rejoice in heaven over one lost sinner who repents.

Commentary:

Jesus is our “Moses” who leads us out of the “Egypt” of slavery to sin and death, and through the "wilderness" of this lifetime. Water baptism is the  “Red Sea” through which we were baptized into Jesus Christ. Jesus has ascended into heaven and has promised to return to lead us into the eternal Promised Land of God's eternal kingdom in heaven.

Many think that Jesus' return has been delayed, and that perhaps he is never coming back. Many turn to modern idolatries: money, power, status, career, family, pleasure, and so forth, for worldly security.

We are sinners from the moment of conception, because our flesh wants what it wants. We are all sinners who fall short of God's righteousness (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). The penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). Jesus is our “Moses” who pleads for our forgiveness, but we must receive that forgiveness by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus. Jesus is God's only provision for our forgiveness and salvation (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, right, home).

We are all sinners, but we must be confronted with and confess our sin, as Nathan confronted David. Only when we are willing to acknowledge our sin and repent (change our ways) can we receive forgiveness.

Jesus is truth (John 14:6), and we cannot receive Jesus if we are not honest with ourselves in our innermost being. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is the only sacrifice acceptable to God to cleanse us from all sin and make it possible for the Holy Spirit to enter and abide in us.

The Holy Spirit is the new and right (righteous; doing what is right, good and true according to God's Word) Spirit that can fill us. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9) through whom we experience the close personal daily presence of the Lord and the joy of his salvation.

Only by the guidance and empowerment of the indwelling baptism of the Holy Spirit can we teach sinners, restore them to fellowship with the Lord and to eternal life. Only by the indwelling Holy Spirit can we praise and testify to the Lord (1 Corinthians 12:3; Romans 8:15-17; Zechariah 4:6).

Jesus came into the world not to condemn sinners but to save them (John 3:17). Jesus cannot save us unless we are willing to acknowledge our sin (Matthew 9:12-13).

Saved sinners, including me, realize how much they need and receive forgiveness. They have personally experienced how the baptism of the Holy Spirit guides them and sustains them and has changed their lives. By the indwelling Holy Spirit the Lord is able to use them for the ministry of the Gospel, the “good news” of forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and eternal salvation. By the indwelling Holy Spirit, they are able to testify to the grace (undeserved favor), forgiveness and love that has overflowed to them through Jesus Christ, so that others can see the Lord's perfect patience, and can believe in him and receive eternal life.

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 17 Pentecost C 
First posted September 20, 2010;
Podcast: Monday 17 Pentecost C 

Psalm 113 – Helper of the Poor;

Paraphrase:

Let everyone praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, all his servants; let the Lord's name be praised.

May the name of the Lord be blessed from this time forth and evermore. Let the name of the Lord be praised from dawn to dusk. Exalted above all nations is the Lord, and his glory is higher than the heavens.

Who can compare to the Lord our God? Seated on high, he sees far down, seeing all that happens in heaven and on earth. Out of the dust he lifts the poor, and up from the ash heap he lifts the needy, and lets them sit among princes, the leaders of his people. He gives homes to barren women, and children to make them joyous mothers. May the Lord be praised!

Commentary:

The Lord is worthy of all praise for all that he has done in creating us and this universe. He has created it good (Genesis 1:31). The bad things that exist in this world were caused by mankind's sin (disobedience of God's Word).

God has designed this Creation to allow us the freedom to choose whether to trust and obey God's Word or not. Disobedience of God's Word is the definition of sin.

The name of the Lord is not just his label, but his entire person and character. Jesus is the name of the Lord (Philippians 2:9-11). Jesus is God in human form (Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28).

God is not remote and uninvolved in his Creation. God is near to each one of us, at our very side, and he wants us to seek and find him (Acts 17:26-27). He knows all about each one of us; he sees everything we do. We will all, ultimately, be accountable to him for everything we have done in this lifetime (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).

God has made Creation with abundant resources for all. The reason some don't have necessities is because of economic and social injustice; inequitable distribution of those resources. God is righteous (doing what is right, good, and true) and just. He favors the poor and needy, because they have been victims of injustice. He exalts the humble, and humbles the exalted (Matthew 23:12; 1 Peter 5:5-6). Those who are exalted in this world have nothing to be exalted about before the Lord (Romans 4:2).

There is a day coming when everyone will bow and acknowledge that Jesus is Lord (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)?

Tuesday 17 Pentecost C
First Posted September 21, 2010;
Podcast: Tuesday 17 Pentecost C 

Amos 8:4-7 – Indictment Against Unjust Merchants;

Paraphrase:

Listen, you who abuse the poor and needy, looking for every opportunity to sell food for profit. Listen, you who cheat with small measure and large prices, and scales that overcharge. Listen, you who buy the poor for money, and the needy for shoes, and sell them the lowest quality food (and merchandise).

The Lord has sworn that he will not forget what you have done.

Commentary:

The Lord has created this world “good” (Genesis 1:31), with adequate resources for all. The reason that some don't have necessities is because of social and economic injustice; inequitable distribution of resources.

The evil that exists in this world is because of human sin (disobedience of God's Word). God has designed this Creation to allow us the freedom to choose whether to trust and obey God's Word or not, and the opportunity to learn, by trial-and-error, that God's will is our best interest. But God is not going to allow rebellion and disobedience forever, or at all in his eternal kingdom, so this Creation, and we ourselves, are limited by time.

The Lord favors the poor and needy because he is just and righteous (doing what is right, good, and true), and they are victims of social and economic injustice.

We have all sinned and fall short of God's righteousness (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8-10). The penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). Jesus is God's one and only provision for our forgiveness and salvation from eternal destruction (see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, right, home).

There is a Day of Judgment coming, when everyone who has ever lived will be accountable to the Lord for what we, individually, have done in this lifetime. Those who have acknowledged their sin, have accepted Jesus as their Savior and Lord (“boss”) and have trusted and obeyed Jesus will have been spiritually “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) during this lifetime, and will enter the “Promised Land” of God's eternal kingdom in heaven restored to paradise. Those who have denied their sinfulness, who have rejected Jesus as Savior and Lord, who have refused or failed to trust and obey Jesus will be condemned to eternal destruction in hell with all evil.

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 17 Pentecost C 
First posted September 22, 2010;
Podcast: Wednesday 17 Pentecost C 

1 Timothy 2:1-8 – Prayers of the Church;

Paraphrase:

Paul was teaching his ministerial protege, Timothy, to offer prayers, supplications, intercessions and thanksgivings for all people, including all political leaders, so that the people may lead quiet, peaceable, respectable, and godly lives. This is good and fitting in God's eyes, since he desires all people to come to know (divine, eternal) truth. There is only one God, and there is only one mediator between God and humans: Jesus Christ, who gave himself to ransom us all, and this testimony is given to all, at the right time. Paul (and all “born-again” disciples) have been given this ministry as preachers and apostles (messengers; of the Gospel; the “good news” of forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and salvation from eternal condemnation), and as teachers of the Gentiles (pagans) in faith and truth. This is the truth and no lie.

Commentary:

Paul (Saul of Tarsus) is deliberately intended by God to be the prototype and example of a modern, post-resurrection, “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciple (student) and apostle (messenger; of the Gospel) of Jesus Christ. Paul was converted on the road to Damascus (9:1-22), was discipled by a born-again disciple, Ananias (Acts 9:10-12), until Paul was born-again (Acts 9:17-18), and then began making born-again disciples in obedience to Jesus' Great Commission to his born-again disciples (Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8). One example is Timothy (2 Timothy 1:6-7); and Paul was teaching them to repeat the process (2 Timothy 2:2).

God wants all people to come to know divine, eternal truth. The Word of God, in the Bible, and in Jesus Christ, the “living Word,” the fulfillment, embodiment and example of God's Word lived in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14), is divine, eternal truth, as contrasted with what the world falsely calls truth (1 Corinthians 1:17-25; 2:1-7). Worldly truth changes, as the recent reassessment of the planets in our solar system demonstrates.

Jesus is the only way to know God, the only way to know divine, eternal truth, and the only way to have eternal life (John 14:6). Jesus is God's only provision for our forgiveness of sin (disobedience of God's Word), our only provision for salvation from eternal death, which is the penalty for sin, and our only way to have eternal life (see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, right, home).

Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross is the only sacrifice acceptable to God for the forgiveness of our sin. It is for all people and all time, to be received by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus.

As we receive this message of forgiveness, reconciliation, and salvation, we are called, guided and empowered, by the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17), to share it with others.

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 17 Pentecost C 
First Posted September 23, 2010;
Podcast: Thursday 17 Pentecost C 


1 Timothy 2:1-8 – Prayers of the Church;

Paraphrase:

Paul was teaching his ministerial protege, Timothy, to offer prayers, supplications, intercessions and thanksgivings for all people, including all political leaders, so that the people may lead quiet, peaceable, respectable, and godly lives. This is good and fitting in God's eyes, since he desires all people to come to know (divine, eternal) truth.

There is only one God, and there is only one mediator between God and humans: Jesus Christ, who gave himself to ransom us all, and this testimony is given to everyone at the right time. Paul (and all “born-again” disciples) have been given this ministry as preachers and apostles (messengers; of the Gospel; the “good news” of forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and salvation from eternal condemnation), and as teachers of the Gentiles (pagans) in faith and truth. This is the truth and no lie.

Commentary:

Paul (Saul of Tarsus) is deliberately intended by God to be the prototype and example of a modern, post-resurrection, “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciple (student) and apostle (messenger; of the Gospel) of Jesus Christ. Paul was converted on the road to Damascus (9:1-22), was discipled by a born-again disciple, Ananias (Acts 9:10-12), until Paul was born-again (Acts 9:17-18), and then began making born-again disciples in obedience to Jesus' Great Commission to his born-again disciples (Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8). One example is Timothy (2 Timothy 1:6-7); and Paul was teaching them to repeat the process (2 Timothy 2:2).

God wants all people to come to know divine, eternal truth. The Word of God, in the Bible, and in Jesus Christ, the “living Word,” the fulfillment, embodiment and example of God's Word lived in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14), is divine, eternal truth, as contrasted with what the world falsely calls truth (1 Corinthians 1:17-25; 2:1-7). Worldly truth changes, as the recent reassessment of the planets in our solar system demonstrates.

Jesus is the only way to know God, the only way to know divine, eternal truth, and the only way to have eternal life (John 14:6). Jesus is God's only provision for our forgiveness of sin (disobedience of God's Word), our only provision for salvation from eternal death, which is the penalty for sin, and our only way to have eternal life (see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, right, home).

Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross is the only sacrifice acceptable to God for the forgiveness of our sin. It is for all people and all time, to be received by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus.

As we receive this message of forgiveness reconciliation, and salvation, we are called, guided and empowered, by the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17), to share it with others.

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 17 Pentecost C 
First Posted September 24, 2010;
Podcast: Friday 17 Pentecost C 

Ephesians 4:1-6 – Life Worthy of Calling;

Paraphrase:

Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, was discipling the Ephesian Church (in modern-day Turkey), which he had founded (on his second missionary journey; Acts 19:1-41). He urged the Ephesian Christians to live lives that testified to their Christian commitment, in lowliness and meekness, with love, being patient and forbearing of one another, trying to maintain the bond of peace through the unity of the Holy Spirit.

Christians are one body, called by one Spirit, with one hope (eternal life) which belongs to that calling. There is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism  (Jesus Christ), and one Father, who is in, and through, and above all.

Commentary:

How Christians live is silent testimony to their faith. If we don't apply Jesus' teachings in our daily lives, we aren't good witnesses.

There is a bond between “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) believers. We are one body, motivated by one Holy Spirit, with one hope of eternal life in the presence of the Lord in God's kingdom in heaven.

Jesus is the only way, the only truth, the only true eternal life (John 14:6). Jesus is God's only provision for our forgiveness of sin, restoration to fellowship with God which was broken by sin, and to eternal life in God's eternal kingdom (Acts 4:12; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, right, home).

Jesus is the Lord above all lords (1 Timothy 6:14-15; Revelation 17:14). Salvation from eternal condemnation is only by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Jesus himself did not baptize with water; only Jesus' disciples did (John 4:2). The Church is the heir to the water baptism ministry of John the Baptizer. Water baptism is for repentance to prepare people to receive Jesus Christ personally through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, ongoing, daily event (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).

Only one water baptism is necessary, and it is not the amount of water, or the age of the candidate, that makes it efficacious. I personally testify that I was “sprinkled” as an infant. I believe that water baptism is a covenant between God and the candidate, or in the case of an infant, the candidate's parents or guardians. I do not need to be “immersed” as a believing adult. All I needed to do as an adult was to act in faith upon that water baptism, to learn, trust and obey Jesus' teachings, and I was “baptized” with the indwelling Holy Spirit. Should I be “re-baptized?” I think definitely not!

I believe that water baptism is a sacrament, along with Holy Communion (Eucharist; the Lord's Supper). I believe that a sacrament is a sacred covenant with God involving one or more physical elements and God's Word. In the case of water baptism, the element is water; the covenant is repentance and spiritual cleansing in order to be prepared to receive Jesus Christ (Luke 3:3-5). In the case of Holy Communion, the elements are bread and wine (or grape juice), the body and blood of Jesus Christ, sacrificed on the cross for the forgiveness of sin (Matthew 26:26-28).

Holy Communion is a sacrificial feast. The body is sacrificed and the participants partake. It is not the amount that makes it a feast, but the spiritual result. Wine is an apt symbol because of the alcohol (spirit) it contains.

Jews were specifically forbidden to drink blood or eat flesh with its blood (Genesis 9:4), because of the belief that the blood contained the spirit of the animal. The Lord doesn't want us to be filled with the spirit of animals but with his Holy Spirit. This doesn't mean that anyone who partakes of the wine (or grape juice) of communion is automatically filled with the Holy Spirit. Unbelievers are drinking judgment upon themselves, because they have not believed (1 Corinthians 11:29).

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)?

Saturday 17 Pentecost C 
First Posted September 25, 2010;
Podcast: Saturday 17 Pentecost C


Luke 14:1-11 – Healing on the Sabbath;

Paraphrase:

Jesus went to dinner one sabbath at the house of a leader of the Pharisees (a strict legalistic sect of Judaism). There was a person present who had dropsy (a collection of serous fluid -"serum"- in the body). Jesus asked the Pharisees and lawyers (scribes) present whether it was lawful to heal on the sabbath, but they refused to answer him. Then Jesus healed the person of his dropsy and told him to go his way. Jesus asked the Pharisees and scribes, what person would not help remove livestock that had fallen into a pit on the sabbath, and no one could make a reply.

Then Jesus told a parable about those who are invited guests, and how they choose places of honor. Jesus said that when one is invited to a marriage feast, one should not choose the place of greatest honor, since someone more important may have been invited. Then both host and guest will be embarrassed in front of the other guests to yield the place to the more important guest. Instead, one should choose the least honorable place; then the host will invite one to take a higher place and will be honored before all. The point is that everyone who honors himself will be humbled, and everyone who humbles himself will be exalted.

Commentary:

The scribes and Pharisees believed that they were entitled to positions of honor because they kept Jewish laws and rituals. Abstaining from work on the sabbath was one example, but that rule was intended for their own benefit, not for the disadvantage of others.

Strict observance of the sabbath law would have meant that the person who had dropsy couldn't receive healing because it was the sabbath. Jews routinely made exceptions for livestock, since they considered them valuable, and realized that the livestock couldn't wait to be rescued from danger. Of course they should have recognized that people are more valuable and shouldn't have to wait, either.

The scribes and Pharisees were invited guests in the presence of the Messiah, the Son of God, but they chose to honor themselves more highly than Jesus, because they felt worthy by their keeping of the Law. We may think we're good, compared to other people, but we all fall short of God's standard of righteousness (goodness; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, right, home). We should honestly evaluate ourselves against God's Word, in the Bible, and in Jesus Christ, the fulfillment, embodiment, and example of God's Word in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14).

There are lots of people in the world today who consider themselves “good people,” who think they deserve to go to heaven when they die. That isn't the standard by which they will be judged. Church membership won't save us; teaching Sunday School or singing in the choir won't save us. Only a personal relationship with Jesus through the “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit will save us (Matthew 7:21-27).

Only Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The baptism of the 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).

There is a Day of Judgment coming when Christ returns. Everyone who has ever lived will face that judgment, during our lifetime, or when we die. The judge and the standard of judgment will be Jesus Christ. Those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord (“boss”) and have trusted and obeyed Jesus' teachings will have been spiritually “born-again” during this lifetime, and will enter eternal life in God's kingdom in heaven; paradise restored. Those who have rejected Jesus as Lord, who have refused or failed to trust and obey Jesus, will be condemned to eternal destruction in hell, separated eternally from God and everything good.

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)?