Week of 3 Lent - Even - 03/23 - 29/14

Week of 3 Lent - Even

This Bible Study was originally published at:

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It is based on the Lutheran Book of Worship two-year Daily Lectionary for personal devotions p.179-192, Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, 1978.
 
The daily readings are according to a Calendar  based on the Church Year, which begins on the first Sunday of Advent, usually sometime at the end of November in the year preceding the secular calendar year.

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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 3 Lent Even
Sunday 3 Lent Even 
First posted 03/13/04;
Podcast: Sunday 3 Lent Even 

Genesis 44:1-17  --   Joseph’s cup;
Romans 8:1-10  --  Life in the Spirit;
John 5:25-29  --  The Day of Judgment;

Genesis Summary:

Joseph had his steward again put the brothers’ money in their sacks with the grain, and in addition, he had his silver cup placed in Benjamin’s sack. When the brothers set off for home, the steward ran after them and accused them of stealing Joseph’s cup, which was valued for divine attributes, beyond its silver content.

The brothers denied taking anything, for of course they had not, but when the bags were searched, beginning with the eldest brother, the cup was found at last in Benjamin’s sack. They were forced to return to the city, and were brought before Joseph. Supernatural insight was attributed to Joseph. Judah acknowledged that God was punishing them for past sins, and submitted to Joseph’s judgment, but Joseph offered to release all but Benjamin.

Romans Summary:

Those who are in Christ Jesus are no longer under condemnation. “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2). Because of the weakness of our flesh, the law was unable to keep us from condemnation for sin. God sent his own Son in the flesh as an offering for sin, condemning sin to death, so that we might meet the meet the just requirements of the law, not through obedience to the law, but by obedience to the Spirit.

“Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit” (Romans 8:5). Dwelling on the things of the flesh leads to death, but dwelling in the Spirit is life and peace. Those who focus on the flesh are hostile to God and are neither willing nor able to submit to God’s law; those who are focused in the flesh cannot please God.

John Summary:

The hour of Judgment is coming. All who have ever lived will be raised from the dead and will be held accountable before the Lord Jesus Christ. (There is no such thing as reincarnation:  “...it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” Hebrews 9:27). God the Father is eternal and preexistent, and he is our creator and life-giver. Jesus is God in human flesh and he possesses all the nature and attributes of God (Colossians 2:8-9).

God has given Jesus the sole authority to judge the world, and to pronounce and execute judgment of either eternal life or eternal death on each one of us, because Jesus is the Son of man. “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of condemnation” (John 5:28-29 KJV). We are all eternal; the issue is where we will spend eternity.

Commentary:

Judah and Reuben are the two brothers who are credited with trying to save Joseph from the other brothers, when Joseph was sold into slavery (Genesis 37:22, 26). Benjamin, the youngest, was not present and did not participate in that event. Even though Judah and Reuben saved Joseph from death, they were forced to go along with the lie to their father about what had happened to Joseph. And although Reuben had intended to release Joseph from the pit and restore him to Jacob, their father, it was Judah who suggested that, instead of killing Joseph, they sell him to the Ishmaelites (Genesis 37:27).

In Egypt, Joseph recognized his brothers right away, but did not reveal himself to them. Although the brothers had not yet discovered that it was their brother Joseph that they were dealing with, Judah and the others bore guilt for what happened in the past, and Judah accepted this as the just punishment of God for their sins. The “planted” cup is merely the means of bringing resolution to the real issue which had separated the brothers from Joseph.

We have all sinned and fall short of God's righteousness, and the penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 3:23; 6:23). God loves us and doesn’t want us to perish, but to have eternal life with him in Heaven (John 3:16-17, Romans 5:8). Jesus is God’s only provision for our salvation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6). Those who trust in Jesus and obey him are no longer under the condemnation of eternal death for our sins (Romans 8:1-2).

Those who trust and obey Jesus will receive the gift and the infilling of the Holy Spirit, which is the Spirit of God; the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9). God gives the Spirit to those who walk in it (i.e. to those who will obey the Holy Spirit; Isaiah 42:5e) “Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him” (Romans 8:9b). Jesus promised that he will manifest himself to those who love him and obey his commandments (John 14:21).

The Hour of Judgment is coming, when we will all be accountable to Jesus Christ. We are all guilty of crucifying Jesus, just like Joseph's brothers were guilty of plotting to murder Joseph, of selling him into slavery in Egypt, and of going along with the worldly system. We are all guilty of sin. In the story of Joseph it was the cup with divine attributes hidden within Benjamin’s sack which brought him under Joseph's authority. Although the brothers rightly feared Joseph’s power over them, Joseph did not intend to use that power to harm them but to save and restore them.

In our case it is the Holy Spirit within us who brings us under Jesus’ authority, saves us from condemnation, and restores us to relationship with God. In that Hour of Judgment, those who have rejected Jesus and have refused to obey him will receive eternal death and destruction in Hell. Those who have trusted and obeyed Jesus, who have been filled with the Holy Spirit and have lived according to the Spirit will 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 3 Lent Even 
First posted 03/14/04;
Podcast: Monday 3 Lent Even 

Genesis 44:18:34 --  Judah’s appeal on behalf of Benjamin;
1 Corinthians 7:25-31 --   Distractions of family life;
Mark 5:21-43  --  Raising of Jairus’ daughter;

Genesis Summary:

Joseph had planted his silver cup, which had divine attributes, in the sack of Benjamin, and had had his brothers arrested and brought before him. All the brothers had been released except Benjamin. Judah, the brother who had intervened to save Joseph’s life by proposing Joseph’s sale to the Ishmaelites, had convinced their father, Jacob (Israel), to allow Benjamin to accompany them to Egypt by personally guaranteeing Benjamin’s safety to Jacob. Judah made an eloquent appeal to Joseph on Benjamin’s behalf, offering to take Benjamin’s punishment in his place. The central element in his presentation was the grief that his father would suffer over the loss of the beloved only (remaining) son, since the father’s life was bound up in the son’s life (Genesis 44:30).

1 Corinthians Summary:

Paul’s recommendation regarding marriage was that believers should stay in whatever state they are in, but that in view of the conditions of the time, Paul felt it was better not to be encumbered with the obligations of family life.

Mark Summary:

Jesus had been rejected by the Gerasenes (see entry for yesterday). When he returned home a great crowd met him on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, including Jairus, a ruler of the local synagogue, whose daughter was ill. Jairus asked Jesus to come and heal her because she was at the point of death.

The crowd followed them, and there was a woman in the crowd who had had a flow of blood for twelve years. She had consulted numerous physicians but could not be healed and had gotten worse. She had heard of Jesus’ healing power, and she came up behind him in the crowd and touched him, believing that if she just touched his garments she would be healed. Immediately she felt that she had been healed, and Jesus also perceived that power had gone forth from him.

He turned around and asked who had touched him. His disciples thought this was silly, because they were surrounded and jostled by the crowd, but the woman came to Jesus and fell before him, confessing what she had done. Jesus declared, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your disease” (Mark 5:34).

While this was taking place, a servant came from Jairus’ house and said that Jairus’ daughter had died, and that there was no need to trouble Jesus further. But Jesus told Jairus not to be afraid, but to believe. Jesus wouldn’t let anyone accompany them further except Peter, James and John.

At the ruler’s house there were mourners, but Jesus told them the girl was not dead but only sleeping. They laughed at that, thinking that what Jesus had said was ridiculous. Jesus entered the child’s room accompanied only by her mother and father, took the girl by the hand, and told her to get up. Immediately she got up and walked (she was twelve years old). They were amazed, and Jesus told them to tell no one, and to give the child something to eat.

Commentary:

Joseph’s brothers had once abandoned Joseph to his fate, and had lied to their father, convincing Jacob that his beloved son had died, without regard for their father’s feelings or for the fact that Joseph was the first-born and beloved son of Rachel, whom Jacob loved. Now, Benjamin was the only remaining beloved son of Rachel (as far as they knew). Apparently Judah had changed, because now he offered to sacrifice himself for Benjamin, and he was considerate of his father’s feelings. We can readily empathize with Jacob’s love for Benjamin.

Note that this is exactly what God, our heavenly Father, has done for us: In spite of the fact that Jesus is his beloved only begotten Son (John 1:14; 3:16; Hebrews 11:17; 1 John 4:9 KJV), God sent him to die for our sins so that we wouldn’t have to die for them ourselves. Jesus is more to God than Benjamin was to Jacob, but God willingly did that for us. We are like Joseph’s brothers. Joseph’s brothers were really only half-brothers. They were sons of Abraham by concubines rather than by Rachael, whom Jacob loved and considered his only real wife. Jacob had been tricked by his father-in-law into marrying Rachel’s sister, Leah (Genesis 29:21-25), and the other mothers were the maids of Rachel and her sister (Genesis 30:4, 9). Only Joseph and Benjamin were sons by Rachel. 

God did not let his love for his only begotten Son interfere with his desire and plan to save us from condemnation. (Nor did Abraham let his love for his son Isaac, the promised son through whom God’s promise to Abraham was to be fulfilled, interfere with his faith and obedience to God. (Genesis 17:19; Genesis 22:1-14). Believers must not allow family obligations to interfere with their faith and obedience to God.

The only security we can provide for our families is to commit them into Jesus’ care. Only Jesus can heal them; only Jesus can save them from eternal death. Jesus is the only legitimate Son of God. We are only step-brothers and sisters, but those who trust in him and do what he says are adopted into full membership in his family. The woman who was healed of the hemorrhage became God’s daughter by faith in Jesus Christ (Mark 5:34). Our spiritual family relationship has eternal consequences. Whose child are you?

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 3 Lent Even 
First posted 03/15/04;
Podcast: Tuesday 3 Lent Even 

Genesis 45:1-15  --  Joseph reveals himself;
1 Corinthians 7:32-40  --  Undivided devotion to the Lord;
Mark 6:1-13  --  Jesus rejected at home;

Genesis Summary:

When Judah had finished his eloquent appeal to Joseph on behalf of Benjamin and his father, Joseph was filled with emotion, and he sent all his servants out of his presence, so that he could be alone with his brothers. Even so, Joseph wept aloud, and the Egyptians heard him. Then he revealed that he was Joseph, the brother they had sold into slavery in Egypt, and he asked about his father.

The brothers were dismayed at this revelation, but Joseph reassured them. Joseph said that it had been God’s plan to send him to Egypt, so that his family and the descendants of Israel would be saved from the famine. Joseph told his brothers to go and bring his father back to Egypt to dwell during the remaining five years of famine and that Joseph would provide for them there. Joseph forgave his brothers and reassured them. He kissed Benjamin and all his brothers, and their relationship was restored.

1 Corinthians Summary:

Paul’s counsel on marriage was based on his conviction that believers should be undivided in their devotion to the Lord. Marriage and family bring worldly distractions. He felt that marriage is preferable to constant sexual temptation, but that celibacy is preferable for those who are able to do so.

Mark Summary:

Jesus returned to his home and began to preach in the synagogue, but the people took offense at him, asking how Jesus had come to be such an authority, since they knew his family and his background. Jesus replied that a prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own people and in his own house.

Jesus was unable to do much among them, apart from a few healings, because of their unbelief. Jesus went around to the surrounding villages to teach, and he commissioned the Twelve to go forth in pairs to cast out demons and heal the sick. They were instructed to take no supplies with them, but to rely on God’s providence through the hospitality of others.

Commentary:

Joseph had very good reason to be angry with his brothers, and he was in a position of worldly power to get revenge. But instead he recognized and acknowledged God’s plan. He accepted what had happened to him as God’s will, and that God’s plan ultimately was for the good of all. He was able to forgive his brothers, receive them with hospitality and provide for them. Joseph didn’t allow worldly concerns to interfere with his devotion to the Lord.

The point of Paul’s teaching on marriage was that believers not become entangled in worldly affairs. Our primary concern should be serving and pleasing the Lord. No relationship should be allowed to become more important than that.

The people in Jesus’ hometown couldn’t receive the benefits that Jesus offered because they allowed their worldly experience to overrule Jesus' teaching. They thought that they knew his family, and therefore it was impossible for them to accept Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God. Their worldly knowledge interfered with faith. Jesus taught his disciples to trust in the Lord and make him their main priority; that God would supply their worldly needs.

The brothers had wanted to kill Joseph. They had rejected the idea of bowing down to him. If they had had their way, they would have cut themselves off from God’s plan to supply their needs and keep them alive through famine. Their worldly desire for status and success would have cut them off from God’s providence. All the years that they were free to pursue their worldly ambitions while Joseph languished in slavery and prison hadn’t prepared them to withstand the famine.

Ultimately their own efforts proved insufficient, and they were saved only by God’s grace. Jesus’ hometown neighbors were cut off from healing and salvation through Jesus because of their worldly attitudes. Jesus sent his disciples out with just what they had on their backs. Paul taught that believers must put the Lord first, ahead of plans for career, marriage, status, or financial security.

Jesus taught that we must seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and that all these things will ours as well (Matthew 6:33). If we wait to seek God’s kingdom until we have all these things, we’ll never have God’s kingdom or the ultimate satisfaction of our worldly needs either. Jesus is God’s only plan for our salvation (Acts 4:12, John 14:6). We will be saved from the coming spiritual famine and eternal death by God’s grace only by coming to Jesus in faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9).

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 3 Lent Even 
First posted 03/15/04;
Podcast: Wednesday 3 Lent Even 

Genesis 45:1-15  --  Joseph reveals himself;
1 Corinthians 7:32-40  --  Undivided devotion to the Lord;
Mark 6:1-13  --  Jesus rejected at home;

Genesis Summary:

When Judah had finished his eloquent appeal to Joseph on behalf of Benjamin and his father, Joseph was filled with emotion, and he sent all his servants out of his presence, so that he could be alone with his brothers. Even so, Joseph wept aloud, and the Egyptians heard him. Then he revealed that he was Joseph, the brother they had sold into slavery in Egypt, and he asked about his father.

The brothers were dismayed at this revelation, but Joseph reassured them. Joseph said that it had been God’s plan to send him to Egypt, so that his family and the descendants of Israel would be saved from the famine. Joseph told his brothers to go and bring his father back to Egypt to dwell during the remaining five years of famine and that Joseph would provide for them there. Joseph forgave his brothers and reassured them. He kissed Benjamin and all his brothers, and their relationship was restored.

1 Corinthians Summary:

Paul’s counsel on marriage was based on his conviction that believers should be undivided in their devotion to the Lord. Marriage and family bring worldly distractions. He felt that marriage is preferable to constant sexual temptation, but that celibacy is preferable for those who are able to do so.

Mark Summary:

Jesus returned to his home and began to preach in the synagogue, but the people took offense at him, asking how Jesus had come to be such an authority, since they knew his family and his background. Jesus replied that a prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own people and in his own house.

Jesus was unable to do much among them, apart from a few healings, because of their unbelief. Jesus went around to the surrounding villages to teach, and he commissioned the Twelve to go forth in pairs to cast out demons and heal the sick. They were instructed to take no supplies with them, but to rely on God’s providence through the hospitality of others.

Commentary:

Joseph had very good reason to be angry with his brothers, and he was in a position of worldly power to get revenge. But instead he recognized and acknowledged God’s plan. He accepted what had happened to him as God’s will, and that God’s plan ultimately was for the good of all. He was able to forgive his brothers, receive them with hospitality and provide for them. Joseph didn’t allow worldly concerns to interfere with his devotion to the Lord.

The point of Paul’s teaching on marriage was that believers not become entangled in worldly affairs. Our primary concern should be serving and pleasing the Lord. No relationship should be allowed to become more important than that.

The people in Jesus’ hometown couldn’t receive the benefits that Jesus offered because they allowed their worldly experience to overrule Jesus' teaching. They thought that they knew his family, and therefore it was impossible for them to accept Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God. Their worldly knowledge interfered with faith. Jesus taught his disciples to trust in the Lord and make him their main priority; that God would supply their worldly needs.

The brothers had wanted to kill Joseph. They had rejected the idea of bowing down to him. If they had had their way, they would have cut themselves off from God’s plan to supply their needs and keep them alive through famine. Their worldly desire for status and success would have cut them off from God’s providence. All the years that they were free to pursue their worldly ambitions while Joseph languished in slavery and prison hadn’t prepared them to withstand the famine.

Ultimately their own efforts proved insufficient, and they were saved only by God’s grace. Jesus’ hometown neighbors were cut off from healing and salvation through Jesus because of their worldly attitudes. Jesus sent his disciples out with just what they had on their backs. Paul taught that believers must put the Lord first, ahead of plans for career, marriage, status, or financial security.

Jesus taught that we must seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and that all these things will ours as well (Matthew 6:33). If we wait to seek God’s kingdom until we have all these things, we’ll never have God’s kingdom or the ultimate satisfaction of our worldly needs either. Jesus is God’s only plan for our salvation (Acts 4:12, John 14:6). We will be saved from the coming spiritual famine and eternal death by God’s grace only by coming to Jesus in faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9).

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 3 Lent Even 
First posted 03/17/04;
Podcast: Thursday 3 Lent Even 

Genesis 46:1-7, 28-34  --    Jacob’s migration to Egypt;
1 Corinthians 9:1-15  --  The rights of an apostle;
Mark 6:30-46  --  Feeding the five thousand;

Genesis Summary:

From Hebron, Jacob (Israel) went first to Beer-sheba on the way to Egypt, and worshiped and offered sacrifices to the God of Isaac, his father. God spoke to Jacob in a dream and renewed his promise to make of his descendants a great nation. God promised to go with them to Egypt and to bring them back again to the Promised Land. Then they set off from Beersheba in the wagons which Pharaoh had provided, with all their households, possessions and livestock, and traveled to Egypt.

In all, seventy persons of Jacob's clan arrived in Egypt (Genesis 46:27). Jacob sent Judah ahead of the group to announce their arrival, and Joseph went to meet them, and was reunited with his father in Goshen. Joseph instructed them to tell Pharaoh that they were shepherds, so that Pharaoh would allow them to dwell in the delta region where they could graze their animals and be near Joseph. (The capital city was located in the delta during this period.)

1 Corinthians Summary:

Paul had been preaching self-restraint to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 8). Paul points out that he had the same freedom that they had, but that he practiced self-restraint for their benefit. Those who proclaim the Gospel have the same right to earn their living from their work as anyone else. Although as an apostle he was entitled to have his support provided by the Corinthians, he chose to support himself, so that he might make the gospel freely available to them. For their sake, he did not insist upon his rights. Paul received satisfaction from knowing that he was providing the Gospel as a gift.

Mark Summary;

Jesus had sent his disciples out by twos to proclaim the gospel and to heal (Mark 6:7-13). When they returned, they reported all that they had done and taught. Then Jesus took them off by boat to an isolated spot where they could be away from the crowds and rest a while, but the people saw them going and knew where they were headed, and went ahead and were waiting for them when they arrived. Jesus recognized their need for spiritual guidance and had compassion on them, so he began to teach them many things.

It grew late, and his disciples suggested that they send the crowds away to buy food for themselves, but Jesus told the disciples to give them something to eat instead. The disciples thought it would cost a lot to buy enough bread to feed the crowd, but Jesus asked them to see what food might be available. They found five loaves of bread and two fish among the people, so Jesus had the people sit down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Jesus blessed and broke the bread and fish and gave it to the disciples to distribute. All ate and were satisfied, and there were twelve baskets full of pieces leftover from feeding a crowd of five thousand.

Commentary:

Jacob put the Lord first. As they set out to move to Egypt, his first stop was his father Isaac’s altar at Beer-sheba (Genesis 26:23-25) to worship God and pray. God had appeared to Jacob in Bethel at night after he had left Beer-sheba to go to Haran to find a wife, and had given him the promise that God had first made to Abraham, to make of him a great nation; and God promised to bring him back from Haran to the Promised Land (Genesis 28:10).

Now, God renewed his promise to make of him a great nation and to go with Jacob and to bring him back from Egypt to the Promised Land (Genesis 46:4). (Jacob died in Egypt; only his corpse was returned, but the promise was made to the nation his descendents were to become. Further, the earthly Promised Land of Israel is a metaphor for the eternal kingdom of God in Heaven.) God’s people had been raised to be shepherds (Genesis 46:34). God provided for them as shepherds in the land of Egypt, although shepherds were not highly regarded by the Egyptians

Paul put the Lord first, and his primary goal was to serve and please the Lord. It was his pleasure to make the Gospel freely available. Paul wanted others to share in the benefits of the Gospel and he was willing to restrain his own rights and freedom for the benefit of others. Paul was an apostle, sent by the Lord to proclaim the Gospel to the Gentiles. Paul was a good “shepherd” of his “flock” at Corinth. He guided and nurtured them, and brought them back to sound doctrine when they were straying.

Jesus had sent his disciples out to proclaim the Gospel and to heal. When they returned, Jesus wanted them to have some time to rest, relax, and to eat and be restored. But Jesus also had compassion for the needs of the crowds, who were like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus recognized the need of the people for spiritual guidance and nurture. Jesus cares about our spiritual and our physical needs. Jesus was able to meet the needs of the crowd and of the disciples, for spiritual nurture and for physical nurture.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Those who seek him will be fed spiritually, and he is able to meet our physical needs as well. He has promised that if we seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, all these things will be ours as well (Matthew 6:33). Do you realize your spiritual needs? Do you realize that only Jesus can meet those needs? Have you put Jesus first in your 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)?

Friday 3 Lent Even 
First posted 03/18/04;
Podcast: Friday 3 Lent Even 

Genesis 47:1-26  --  Jacob and sons settle in Egypt;
1 Corinthians 9:16-27  --  Paul’s self-denial;
Mark 6:47-56 --  Jesus walks on water;

Genesis Summary:

Joseph told Pharaoh that his family had arrived in Goshen, and he brought five of his brothers before Pharaoh and introduced them. Pharaoh asked their occupation, and they told him they were shepherds and asked permission to dwell in Goshen. Pharaoh granted them permission, and he offered to employ some to oversee Pharaoh’s flocks. Joseph also introduced his father to Pharaoh. Pharaoh asked Jacob how old he was, and Jacob replied that he was one hundred thirty year old, but that his forefathers had lived longer.

Joseph supplied all his father’s clan with food. As the famine continued, the Egyptians ran out of money to buy food from Joseph, so he began to take their land in trade, so that all the land of Egypt became Pharaoh’s. Only the priests of the land were exempt, because they had a fixed allowance from Pharaoh, and so they were able to keep their land. When the Egyptians had nothing left, they sold themselves for food, and became sharecroppers on Pharaoh’s land. Joseph collected a fifth of the produce of the land, and the people kept the rest for themselves.

1 Corinthians Summary:

Paul’s own desire was to preach the Gospel, and it was his pleasure to make the Gospel freely available to others, but he also recognized that he also had an obligation to the Lord to preach the Gospel. Although a free man in both the worldly and spiritual senses, Paul became the servant of others in order to win them to Christ.

Paul emphasized his “Jewishness” to other Jews in order to win them; to those outside the Jewish Law (i.e. Gentiles) Paul became like the Gentiles, in order to win them to Christ, although he himself was not lawless, but under the law of Christ. He empathized with the weak and humbled himself, in order to win the weak to Christ. He did all this because he personally valued the Gospel himself and wanted to share in its blessings.

Paul compared life to an athletic race. A runner must try his best to win the prize, which is eternal life. In order to win, the athlete must train his body, and control it purposefully in the right direction and according to the rules. Paul didn’t just tell others how to do it; he practiced what he preached, because he wanted to obtain the goal himself.

Mark Summary:

After Jesus had fed the five thousand, he went into the hills to pray. When evening came the disciples set out in the boat without him, but they weren’t making much progress because they were rowing against the wind. About the fourth watch (i.e. just before dawn) Jesus came to them, walking on the sea, intending to pass by. The disciples were frightened and cried out, because they thought they were seeing a ghost. Immediately Jesus spoke, identifying himself and reassuring them.

Jesus got into the boat and the wind ceased. The disciples were utterly amazed, because they had not understood the significance of the feeding of the five thousand. The boat landed at Gennesaret; when they got out of the boat, the people recognized Jesus and as the news quickly spread, people from the surrounding area began to bring the sick to him to be healed. Wherever Jesus went, those who were sick were brought to him; and they begged him that they might just touch the fringe of his garment, for all who did so were healed.

Commentary:

God had a plan, which he revealed to Joseph before Joseph was sold into Egypt, to save many people from famine (Genesis 37; 45:5-8). Joseph trusted and obeyed the Lord through years of slavery, false accusation and imprisonment, and the Lord prospered him in spite of Joseph’s circumstances (Genesis 39-40). Pharaoh acknowledged that Joseph was led by the Spirit of God and saw that it was in his best interest to entrust his affairs to Joseph’s administration (Genesis 41:38), and as a result, Pharaoh’s interests were blessed beyond any expectation (Genesis 47:20-26).

The story of Joseph is, in one sense, by God’s deliberate intention, a parable of God’s plan of salvation. Jesus is the “Joseph” who was sent by God to save all people from spiritual famine. All those who trust in Jesus and come to him will receive the bread of eternal life. All who entrust their lives and their worldly interests to Jesus will be blessed beyond imagining. It was in fulfillment of God’s promise to save God's people, but the blessing was extended to the Gentiles as well. God’s people are to be “shepherds” to the “gentiles.”

Paul had trusted and obeyed Jesus; he had personally experienced the risen Jesus, beginning with his encounter on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:5). He knew that the Gospel was truth; he wanted to obtain its promises for himself, he wanted to share it with others, and he recognized that he was obligated as a disciple to share it with others. He preached it and he practiced what he preached.

Jesus’ disciples had seen Jesus feed the five thousand, but they had not understood the significance. Then they had set out on their own, without taking Jesus with them. Sometimes it’s like that in the Church today. They were followers of Jesus; they were learning from him and growing spiritually, but they had not yet been filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts Chapter 2).

After Jesus had risen from the dead, before he ascended into heaven, he told his disciples to “stay in the city (Jerusalem; the modern equivalent is the Church) until you are clothed with the power (of the Holy Spirit) from on high” (Luke 24:49; also Acts 1:4). Without the Spirit of Jesus with us, the winds are against us, and only Jesus can comfort us and give us the courage we need to be his disciples. We can’t accomplish God’s will and our commission from him in our own strength. Is Jesus in the boat with you?

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 3 Lent Even 
First posted 03/19/04;
Podcast: Saturday 3 Lent Even

Genesis 47:27-48:7  --  Jacob’s last days;
1 Corinthians 10:1-13  --  Warnings of scripture;  
Mark 7:1-23  --  The tradition of the elders;

Genesis Summary:

Jacob (Israel) dwelt in Egypt for seventeen years. He lived to be one hundred and forty seven years old. As death drew near, he called Joseph to him and made him promise to carry Jacob’s body to the Promised Land, Canaan, to the family burial place (in Machpelah; Genesis 23; 49:29-30; 50:12-13). Jacob was ill and close to death, so Joseph brought to him, for blessing, Ephriam and Manasseh, Joseph’s sons by Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On (Genesis 41:50-52).

Jacob told how God had manifested himself to Jacob at Luz (Bethel) and had extended to him the promise given to Abraham that his descendants would become a great nation and would inherit the Promised Land as an everlasting possession. Jacob adopted Ephriam and Manasseh as his own sons, as Reuben and Simeon were (his first two sons, born to Leah; Genesis 29:32-33), who would share in the inheritance of Joseph. Jacob expressed regret that his beloved wife Rachel had died on the journey back from Paddan (-aram; Haran; in labor giving birth to Benjamin; Genesis 35:16-20), and that she had been buried on the way to Bethlehem (north of Bethlehem, rather than at Machpelah, which is near Hebron).

1 Corinthians Summary:

Paul warns us that merely receiving Baptism and the Sacrament of Holy Communion do not guarantee our salvation, if our outward behavior and our inner attitude do not conform to God’s ways, any more than the corresponding events saved the Israelites in the wilderness. Paul makes a connection between the incident where God brought forth water from the rock in the wilderness (Exodus 17:3-7; Numbers 20:2-11) with the preexistent Christ (John 1:1-4, 14).

We are not to desire evil, practice idolatry, or indulge in immorality. We must not put the Lord to the test, or be unappreciative of what the Lord has done for us. The scriptures record the experiences of God’s people as an example for us, so that we can learn from them and avoid experiencing the consequences of God’s punishment personally. We must avoid over-confidence; let us examine ourselves carefully, so that we don’t fall short unexpectedly. Temptation is unavoidable, but God is faithful; he won’t allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to resist, and he will provide the resources so that we can successfully resist. We don’t have to succumb to temptation.

Mark Summary:

The scribes (experts in religious law) and Pharisees (religious authorities) criticized Jesus’ disciples for eating with unwashed hands. They asked Jesus why his disciples didn’t keep the tradition of the elders. Jesus replied that the scribes and Pharisees were hypocrites. These religious experts were condemned by scripture for their emphasis on the traditions of the elders, while they failed to follow God’s commandments.

They put great emphasis on outward observance of religious ritual, but their hearts were far from obedience to God’s will. Jesus used, as an example, the tradition by which a person was legally able to avoid financial responsibility for his parents, while violating God’s Commandment to honor father and mother (Exodus 20:12), [and the implicit commandment to love others as much as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-31)].

Commentary:

God had promised Jacob that he would bring him back to the  Promised Land, before Jacob went to Egypt (Genesis 46:4). Jacob believed that word and he acted on it. He went to Egypt trusting that he was in God’s will, and that God would see that he got back to the Promised Land. As he faced death in Egypt, he made arrangements to accomplish God’s will that his body should be returned to the Promised Land for burial at Machpelah.

Jacob adopted the two sons of Joseph as his own (making them Joseph's brothers), equating them with his own first-born sons and treating them as children of his beloved true wife Rachel, not just as those of a concubine, and giving the descendants of Joseph a double portion in the inheritance. That is what God has done for us in Jesus Christ, adopting us into his family and making us brothers and sisters of his beloved first-born and only begotten Son, Jesus.

Paul’s point was that it is not religious ritual that saves us. We must trust and obey Jesus. God does not require more than we can do, and in fact he provides the resources that we need to do what he asks.

Jesus condemned as hypocrites those who kept religious ritual and religious tradition, but did not obey God’s Word.

God’s promises are utterly reliable. He keeps his promises. In Christ, we are adopted as his sons and daughters just like Jacob adopted Ephriam and Manasseh. God’s blessing is big enough to include us. We need to act on his promises and obey his Word. Church membership isn’t going to save us.

The fact that we have been baptized or that we receive Communion regularly, even weekly, won’t save us. We will be saved only through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through faith and obedience to Jesus. Jesus says, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46; see also Matthew 7:21-23).

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)?