Week of 4 Advent - Christmas 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
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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
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Podcast Download: Week of 4 Advent C
4th Advent – Sunday C
First Posted December 20, 2009;
Podcast:
Sunday 4 Advent C
Micah 5:2-4 – Shepherd-King of Israel;
Psalm 80:1-7 – Prayer for Restoration;
Hebrews 10:5-10 – New Covenant;
Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) – Mary and Elizabeth;
Micah Paraphrase:
The Messiah (Christ; God's “anointed” Savior and eternal King of Israel)
will come forth (like David) from Bethlehem, one
of the lesser tribes of Israel.
His “origin is from of old, from ancient days (from everlasting)” (Micah 5:2d).
God will let them be until the Messiah is born. “Then the rest of his
brethren will return to the people of Israel” (Micah 5:3c). The Messiah
will be like a shepherd of the flock of Israel, in the strength, majesty,
and character of the Lord his God. From then on God's people will dwell in
security, for the Messiah will be great to the ends (most distant places, and
also the end of time) of the earth.
Psalm Paraphrase:
The psalmist cries out to the Lord, the “Shepherd of Israel ...who leads
Joseph (denoting Ephraim and Manasseh; the Northern Kingdom of Israel; the
people of God)” to rise up and come to save his people.
“Restore us, O God; let thy face shine, that we may be saved” (Psalm 80:3,
7, 19; a series of a refrain).
How long will the Lord, God of hosts (an army; a multitude), be angry with
the prayers of his people? God has given them bread and drink of tears, in
abundance. The Lord has made his people the scorn of their neighbors, and the
derision of their enemies.
Hebrews Paraphrase:
The anonymous author of the Letter to the Hebrews quoted Psalm 40:6-8,
saying of Christ (Messiah) when he had come into the world that God doesn't
desire animal sacrifices and offerings, but has given his Messiah a body (or
has opened his spiritual ear). God isn't pleased with burnt offerings or sin
offerings. The Messiah declared that he had come to do God's will, in
fulfillment of prophecy concerning him which is recorded in the Bible.
Luke Paraphrase:
After the angel had told Mary that she would give birth to Jesus, the
Messiah, he told her that her kinswoman was also pregnant. Mary hastily went to
visit Elizabeth.
Entering Elizabeth's house she greeted her, and
at her greeting, the Elizabeth's
baby leaped in her womb. Elizabeth,
filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke forth, saying that Mary was blessed above
other women, “and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Luke 1:42b). Elizabeth considered
herself honored that the mother of her Lord had come to visit. She told Mary
that Elizabeth's
baby had leaped for joy at Mary's greeting. “And blessed is she who believed
that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord”
(Luke 1:45).
Commentary:
The ancient name of Bethlehem
is Ephrath (Genesis 35:19). Micah was a prophet of the Southern Kingdom of
Judah. His ministry was during the reigns of Kings Jotham (742 B.C,*) through
Hezekiah, which ended in 687 B.C..* He prophesied the destruction of the
Northern Kingdom and the capital, Samaria (Micah
1:2-7), which was fulfilled in 721 B.C.,* by the armies of King Sargon of Assyria, the successor of Shalmaneser. The Northern
Kingdom and the ten tribes of Israel
ceased to exist. He prophesied the fall of Jerusalem
(Micah 3:9-12), which was fulfilled in 587 B.C,* by the armies of
Nebuchadnezzar of Chaldea (Babylon).
God had declared through Jeremiah, that Judah,
the remnant of Israel (the
whole people of God), would be exiled in Babylon
for seventy years, from 587 B.C.* to 517 B.C., dated from the destruction of
the temple (Solomon's Temple) to the dedication
of the restored temple (the Second
Temple). God let them
alone for the next six hundred years, fulfilling the prophecy of Micah 5:3a.
They went into exile, and they returned a renewed people having learned to
trust and obey God.
Note that they were not the same people who went into exile, because seventy
years is a virtual life sentence for those who were adults at the time of the
exile. Recall also that the people who went into the forty-year wilderness
wandering all died in the wilderness, except for Joshua and Caleb, who had
spoken for Israel to trust and obey God's command to enter and possess the
Promised Land the first time (Numbers 14:6-10; 26-38).
Malachi was the last of the Old Testament prophets for four-hundred fifty to
five hundred years before the birth of Christ. His virtually last word from God
was for Israel
to watch for the return of Elijah, the prophet, to precede the “great and
terrible day of the Lord” (Malachi 4:5).
The exiles returned to the Promised Land after seventy years, and through
Jesus Christ, his brethren are restored to the people of God (compare Micah
5:3c). Christians are the New Israel, the new people of God.
Jesus is the “Good Shepherd” (John 10:11-14). Jesus is God made visible in
human flesh (John 14:9b-10; Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28). Jesus' words are the
Word of God (John 14:10, 24), with the creative force of God's Word (Mark
4:39-41; compare Genesis 1:3, 9). Jesus is the Lord of all the earth, from now
on, for all eternity.
The psalmist cried out to God to bring forth the promised Messiah, the
shepherd-king of his people, to come and save them. God does not desire
religious ritual; he wants our obedient trust. Religion is mankind's attempt to
manipulate God to do our will. Christian discipleship is our commitment to
seek, know, and do God's will.
God is not obligated to hear and answer our prayers, if we are not willing
to trust and obey God's Word. God is not obligated to hear and answer our
prayers just because we add Jesus' name to the end. God withholds his favor and
protection from us so that we can learn that we need him and can trust him.
Jesus came into the world in human flesh to accomplish God's will. The Old
Covenant of Law required constant sacrifices for the forgiveness and cleansing
of sin. Jesus came to bring a New and better Covenant of Grace (unmerited
favor; a free gift) which we can receive by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus
Christ. Jesus' blood sacrificed on the cross is the only sacrifice acceptable
to God for the forgiveness and cleansing of our sin, once for all time and for
all who are willing to receive it by faith (obedient trust).
Jesus' first advent (coming) in human flesh was to demonstrate how to live
in obedience to God's Word in human flesh in this world. Jesus is the fulfillment
of God's promise of an eternal Savior and King.
Jesus' resurrection from physical death to eternal life demonstrates that
there is life after physical death. Jesus' resurrection was witnessed by over
five hundred eyewitnesses (1 Corinthians 15: 3-8), and by countless
“born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) Christians ever since.
The authors of the New Testament interpreted this passage as a prophecy of
the Messiah's birth (Matthew 2:1-6; John 7:40-42). Bethlehem
was the birthplace of David, the great human “shepherd-king” of Israel. David
was intended by God to be the prototype and illustration of the Messiah to
come. Jesus is the “son (descendant) of David (Matthew 1:1; Matthew 1:20;
Matthew 21:9, 15). He was the fulfillment of God's promise to David of an
eternal heir to David's throne (2 Samuel 7:5-13; Psalm 89:20-29).
Jesus pre-existed with God before Creation, and was designed into Creation
from “of old, from ancient days;” the beginning of Creation (John 1:1-5, 14).
Barrenness in women was considered a punishment from God. Elizabeth's pregnancy restored her to God's
favor. Pregnancy of a young unmarried maiden was considered a sign of
immorality and promiscuity. It was much easier for Elizabeth to accept God's will than it was
for Mary. Because she trusted and obeyed God's Word, Mary was blessed beyond
others. She is an example of how trusting and obeying God's Word, when it seems
impossible, will be rewarded.
Mary is blessed above all other women, but she is merely an example of a
faithful servant of the Lord. She's still just a mortal. Mary does not have any
divine or supernatural nature. She is not to be worshiped or prayed to.
There are many false teachers and false "churches" in the world
today. Unless one has read the Bible for oneself, one cannot be protected from
false doctrine. It is easily possible for an average reader to read the entire
Bible for oneself in one year. There are several plans available (see Free
Bible Study tools, sidebar, top right, home).
Satan can (mis)quote scripture (Matthew 4:6), to deceive us if we are
Biblically illiterate. Jesus is the only way to have access to God (John 14:6).
There are conditions which must be fulfilled to have prayers answered (see
Conditions for Answered Prayer, sidebar, top right, home).
One of Satan's strategies is to get us to pray to anyone other than Jesus
Christ. Another strategy is to get us to to repeat a phrase over and over, as
in the rosary, “blessed art thou (thee) among women, and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb” over and over. Yes, it is scripture, but by mindless repetition,
one is prevented from real Spirit-assisted prayer and communion with God
(Romans 8:26). Another is to get us to regard a human religious authority as
our spiritual Father (Matthew 23:8-9); to talk to him and expect him to
intercede to God on our behalf. Another is to discourage laymen from reading
the Bible for themselves.
Religion is mankind's attempt to manipulate God to do our will; Christianity
is our attempt to seek, know and trust and obey God's will.
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)?
4th Advent- Monday - C
First Posted December 21, 2009
Podcast: Monday 4 Advent C
Psalm 98 – God's Coming Kingdom;
Paraphrase:
Let us sing a new song to the Lord, praising his wonderful deeds! His “right hand and holy arm” (symbols of power and authority) have won victory. His victory has been made known, and his vindication has been revealed to all the nations. He has not forgotten his steadfast love for Israel. The farthest-most places on earth have seen the victory of our God.
Let all the earth make a joyful noise and join in joyous songs of praise! Sing his praises with stringed instruments and horns. Let us rejoice in the presence of the Lord, our King.
Let all nature join in the sound of rejoicing “before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the people with equity” (Psalm 98:9).
Commentary:
God's kingdom is coming, and it begins now for those who accept Jesus as their Lord and trust and obey him. This lifetime is our only opportunity to be spiritually “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) to eternal life and personal fellowship with God the Father and with Jesus Christ. This is only possible by the “baptism” (gift) of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The 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).
Jesus Christ is the holy arm and right hand of God (Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:19-20; Colossians 3:1), with the authority and power of God (Colossians 2:8-9). Jesus Christ has won the victory of God over his enemies, which are ultimately Satan and death (Hebrews 2:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:54-57).
God has been progressively revealing himself and his purpose for Creation to us, first in the goodness and complexity of Creation, then through his Word in the Bible and in the “living Word,” Jesus Christ (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus is the fullest revelation of God to the world in human flesh. The gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit is the fullest revelation of God and Jesus Christ to us personally and individually.
Through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit we experience the presence of the Lord, our King, daily. Only by the indwelling Holy Spirit can we truly praise our Lord (1 Corinthians 12:3; Romans 8:15-17). The Holy Spirit helps us experience and express the goodness, victory and vindication of God which Jesus won for us on the cross.
In the “Autobiography of Peter Cartwright,” quoted in “From Sea to Shining Sea,”* Cartwright describes his experience at a “camp meeting” (outdoor revival) held around the early 1800's by Presbyterian minister James McGready with several Methodist ministers participating. Cartwright said that (when he had been filled with the Holy Spirit) he was filled with unspeakable joy. As he looked around, the trees, their leaves and everything (their branches) seemed to be praising God; as if they were lifting their “hands” to God in praise. I have personally had similar experiences.
Jesus has promised to return at the Day of Judgment at the end of time. Jesus is the righteous judge and also the standard of judgment by whom all people who have ever lived will be accountable for what they have done in this lifetime. Those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord, who have trusted and obeyed Jesus, will enter eternal life in God's kingdom in Heaven. Those who have rejected Jesus, who have refused or failed to trust and obey Jesus will be condemned to eternal destruction in Hell with all evil Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
Cartwright, Peter, The Autobiography of Peter Cartwright, pg 38, New York: Carlton & Porter 1856.
4th Advent- Tuesday - C
First Posted December 22,, 2009
Paraphrase:
God's people are called to go through the gates and prepare the highway, leveling it and clearing it of stones. Raise up an ensign over the peoples. Watch and see; the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the world (the most distant places and also the end of time): Tell the “daughter of Zion” (the people of God; the Church is the new daughter of Zion) to watch and see; her salvation is coming. Note carefully; he is bringing reward and also punishment. God's people will be called holy people, the redeemed of the Lord. We will be known as those who are sought out, a city not forsaken.
Commentary:
The people of God are to prepare for Christ's return, to open their gates and prepare a smooth, wide highway for his coming. The (empty) cross of Jesus' crucifixion is the ensign which God has raised up over his people (John 12:32-33). It is the ensign that marks us as God's people by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus.
God has made his Word, in the Bible, and in Jesus Christ, the “living Word (John 1:1-5, 14), known to the uttermost corners of the world. Jesus is the fullest revelation of God to the world, in human flesh. Jesus has promised that he will return on the Day of Judgment at the end of time. That moment comes for each of us at the moment of our death, if we are not still living at Christ's Second Coming.
Jesus is the righteous judge and the standard by which all will be judged. Jesus is coming to judge the living and the dead, in both physical and spiritual senses (1 Peter 4:5). Those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord, who have trusted and obeyed Jesus will have been spiritually “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) in this lifetime, and will enter eternal life in God's heavenly kingdom. Those who have rejected Jesus, who have refused or failed to trust and obey Jesus are spiritually dead, and will be condemned to eternal destruction in Hell with all evil (see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home).
Christians are by definition “born-again” disciples of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26c). Only Jesus gives the gift (“baptism;” “anointing”) of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). The gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit is a discernible ongoing event (Acts 19:2); it is impossible to be “born-again” and not be personally aware of one's “rebirth.”
Several mainline denominations today are teaching that the Holy Spirit is received through some Church ritual, such as “baptism” or “confirmation” (“affirmation”) of baptism. These nominal “Churches” are not only not doing their members any service; they are actually spiritually harming them by discouraging them from becoming “born-again,” “saved” disciples of Jesus Christ.
The saved are those who have received the indwelling Holy Spirit. We will be vindicated at Jesus' Second Coming. We can rejoice greatly in his coming because he is bringing our reward (Luke 21:28). The unsaved are those who have refused or failed to trust and obey Jesus, and many nominal “Christians” will be among them (Matthew 7:21-27). The unsaved will be fainting with fear (Luke 21:25-26), and will seek a place to hide from God's wrath, but there will be none. At that Day it will be too late to change our eternal destinies.
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)?
4 Advent - Wednesday - CFirst Posted December 23, 2009 |
Podcast: Wednesday 4 Advent C
|
| Titus 3:4-7 – Our Savior; Paraphrase: The goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior are revealed in Jesus Christ. God saved us not because of any good deeds we've done, but because of his mercy, “by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ, our Savior” (Titus 3:5-6). So we have been justified (found “not guilty”), by God's grace (unmerited favor; as a free gift) and we are heirs of the hope of eternal life. Commentary: God is our Savior through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the revelation of God to the world in human flesh (John 14:8-11; 20:28; Colossians 2:8-9). God designed a Savior into this Creation from the very beginning (John 1:1-5, 14). God designed Creation to allow us to choose for ourselves whether to trust and obey God, and the opportunity to learn by “trial and error” that God's way is good, possible for us to do, and our very best interest (Romans 12:2). In giving us free will, God knew that we would all choose to do our will rather than God's. Disobedience of God's Word is the definition of sin, and we are all guilty (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). The penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). God loves us and doesn't want anyone to perish eternally (Romans 5:8; John 3:16-17), so he's given salvation as an undeserved free gift to all who are willing to receive it by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home). God has always intended to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly trust and obey God. This lifetime is our opportunity to seek and come to know and have fellowship with God our Creator (Acts 17:26-27). God is not willing to tolerate rebellion and disobedience forever, or at all in his eternal kingdom. Otherwise it wouldn't be Heaven; it would be just like this world, with all its sin and evil. So God has limited this Creation and we ourselves by time. God is holy and cannot tolerate sin. Our sin has separated us from his presence. I have become convinced that the Church is the heir to the role of John, the Baptizer (Matthew 3:11). The role of the Church is to call people to repent and be baptized with water for the spiritual cleansing of sin, to prepare us to receive Jesus, “discipling” believers until they have been “born-again by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Only Jesus baptizes with the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). We are all eternal souls in physical bodies (John 5:28-29). The question is where we will spend eternity. The gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit is the cleansing of regeneration (spiritual “rebirth:” John 3:3, 5-8) and renewal. Before we are “born-again” we are moving from physical life to eternal death; after spiritual “rebirth” we are moving from death to eternal life. There is a Day of Judgment coming when everyone who has ever lived will be accountable to the Lord for what we have done in this lifetime. Those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord, who have trusted and obeyed Jesus, will have been “born-again” in this lifetime, and will enter eternal life in God's kingdom in Heaven. Those who have rejected Jesus and have refused or failed to trust and obey Jesus will be condemned to eternal destruction in Hell with all evil (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10). Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)? |
4 Advent - Thursday - C |
| First Posted: December 24, 2009 |
Podcast: Thursday 4 Advent C
|
| Luke 2:1-20 – Birth of Christ; Paraphrase: At the time of Christ's birth, the Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus, had ordered a census in Judah, as well as the rest of the Roman Empire, for tax purposes. All Judeans returned to the city of their birth. Since Joseph was a descendant of David (the great human shepherd-king of Israel), he and Mary, his betrothed, who was pregnant, left Nazareth in Galilee where they were living, to go to Bethlehem in Judea, the city where David (the great human shepherd-king of Israel) was born. While there, Mary gave birth to her first-born son. She wrapped the baby in cloths as was the custom. She used a manger, an animal food trough, for a crib. Because of the census the inn was full and there was no other place to stay except in the stable. There were shepherds in the nearby fields with their sheep. An angel of the Lord appeared, and the glory of the Lord shone around them like a bright light. The shepherds were afraid, but the angel reassured them, saying that the angel was bringing good news of great joy for all people. The angel told them that a Savior, the Christ (Messiah; God's “anointed”) and Lord had just been born in the city of David (Bethlehem). The angel told them that they would find a new-born baby in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger, to confirm what the angel had told them. Suddenly the angel was surrounded by a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased” (Luke 2:14)! When the angels departed, the shepherds decided to go to Bethlehem and see for themselves what the angel had told them. They went quickly, and found Mary and Joseph and the babe in the manger. Then they began to tell everyone what the angel had said, the good news of a Savior and Lord. All who heard them were amazed and pondered what the shepherds had told them. Mary stored all these things in her memory and contemplated them in her heart. The shepherds returned to their flocks, praising and glorifying God for the wonderful things they had seen and heard. Commentary: The author of the Gospel of Luke was careful to date Christ's birth (as well as other events; for example: Luke 3:1-2, 23) with the terms of secular rulers so that the dates could be determined. God's promise of a Savior and eternal King to inherit the throne of David was fulfilled, and is confirmed by secular history at a particular place and time. Herod the Great reigned from 37-4 B.C..* Caesar Augustus reigned from 27 B.C. to 14 A.D..* Quirinius was governor of the Roman province of Syria, north of Galilee, beginning in about 12 B.C..** In 6 B.C., Quirinius was appointed governor of Judea to carry out formal annexation. As part of this process he conducted a census for tax purposes. This census was also recorded by Josephus (Ant. 27.13.5; 28.1.1) and also in an archaeological inscription found in Aleppo.** Herod the Great was alive when the magi, the Wise Men from the East, came seeking the “King of the Jews.” Herod ordered all the male children under two years old in the region around Bethlehem killed, in hopes destroying a rival (Matthew 2:16-20). But God preserved Jesus by warning Joseph and Mary to flee to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15). Herod died in 4 B.C., so Jesus' birth must have been in that year. Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promise to David of a descendant to inherit the throne of David eternally (2 Samuel 7:5-13; Psalm 89:20-29). God used David as the prototype to prefigure the Christ. David was the great human shepherd-king of Israel, but David wasn't sinless. Jesus is the fulfillment of that image of the Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14-15), the Son of David (Matthew 1:1; 21:9, 15), and perfect, sinless Son of God. Jesus is the ultimate shepherd-king of Israel; how appropriate to announce his birth to shepherds! God intended for Jesus to be placed in a manger for a crib. Jesus is the “bread” of eternal life (John 6:33-35, 48. Dumb farm animals know how to find their food in a manger, but God's people apparently don't. Jesus is “good news” of great joy for all people who are willing to receive it by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus. The “good news” is that although we are all sinners (disobedient of God's Word; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10), God wants to forgive us and save us from eternal condemnation, which is the penalty for sin (John 3:16-17; Romans 5:8; 6:23; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home). God designed this Creation to accomplish his purpose of establishing an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly choose to trust and obey God. This lifetime is our only opportunity to seek and find God, our Creator, and to be spiritually “reborn” (John 3:3, 5-8) to eternal life. God designed this Creation to allow the possibility of sin, so that we could have the freedom to choose whether to trust and obey God or not, and the opportunity to learn by “trial and error” that God's way is good, possible for us to do, and our very best interest (Romans 12:2). God's Word comes to us first in the Bible. As we begin to read the Bible God invites us to “come and see” for ourselves, whether his Word is true. But we must remember to interpret the Old Testament from the perspective of the New Testament. No one is ready to “come and see” until they have read the entire Bible. By the time one has read the entire Bible, one is ready to decide for oneself whether to accept or reject Jesus as Lord. The way to begin is to set aside time each day to read a portion of the Bible with prayer and meditation. There are a lot of “Bible-in-one year” reading plans (see Free Bible Study Tools, sidebar, top right, home). After completion continue the daily reading using a schedule of daily Bible reading for personal devotions. Many denominations publish booklets for private devotions, and may also include them in the denominational Worship and Hymnal Book. As we begin to seek God's will for us personally, one day at a time he will reveal it to us. As we feel that God is telling us his personal will for us, we should pray it back, to make sure we have understood correctly and then we should begin doing it. God wants us to trust and obey his Word, so that he can show us that his Word is absolutely true and reliable. 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, “Chronological Tables of Rulers, “C” p. 1534, New York, Oxford University Press, 1962. **Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible, David Noel Freedman, “Quirinius,” pg 1104, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids Michigan, 2000, ISBN 0-8020-2400-5 |
Friday - Christmas Day, December 25 C
First Posted December 25, 2009;
Podcast: December 25 C
Isaiah 62:10-12 -- Your Salvation Comes;
Psalm 98 – The Victory of Our God;
Titus 3:4-7 – Jesus, Our Savior;
Luke 2:1-20 -- The Birth of Jesus;
Isaiah Paraphrase:
Go through the gates and prepare the way for the people. Build a highway, level it and clear it of stones. “Lift up an ensign over the peoples” (Isaiah 62:10e). The Lord has proclaimed, “Watch and see, your salvation comes; note that he is bringing his reward and his punishment with him. His people will be called holy (cleansed of sin and consecrated to God's service), the redeemed of the Lord. They shall be known as “Sought out; a city not forsaken” (Isaiah 62:12c).
Psalm Paraphrase:
Let us sing a new song to the Lord, for the wonderful things he has done. He has won victory by his right hand and holy arm. His vindication has been revealed to all nations. He has not forgotten his steadfast love and faithfulness to Israel. The victory of God has been displayed to the ends of the earth (both geographically and temporally).
Let all the earth rejoice in the Lord; let all people break forth in joyous songs of praise. Praise the Lord with stringed instruments and horns. In the presence of God our King praise him with joyful song.
Let all nature join in praise to the Lord; the sea earth, rivers and hills, and everything in them, because he is coming to judge the world and its peoples in righteousness and equity.
Titus Paraphrase:
When the goodness and loving kindness of God, our Savior, were revealed, he saved us not because we were deserving, but because of his mercy. He cleansed us by the “baptism” of regeneration (spiritual “rebirth;” the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit) and renewal by the Holy Spirit, which were given in abundance through Jesus Christ, so that we could be justified (found “not guilty”) by grace (unmerited favor; a free gift), and become heirs of the hope of eternal life.
Luke Paraphrase:
Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus commanded that a census for assessing taxes be conducted in Judea, and Quirinius was appointed to carry it out.
Every Jew returned to his ancestral city for the census. Joseph, and Mary, his betrothed, who was pregnant, went from Nazareth in Galilee, where they were living, to Bethlehem in Judea, the city of David, the great shepherd-king, because Joseph was a descendant of David.
Because of the census, there were no vacancies at the inn, and Mary and Joseph stayed in a stable. While there, Mary began childbirth labor, and delivered her first-born, a son. She wrapped him in swaddling cloths, according to the common practice, and laid him in a manger (an animal feed trough -which was not common practice).
Commentary:
God's people are to open the gates of the city and prepare a highway for the coming of the Lord. The (empty) Cross of Jesus Christ is the ensign of God's people (John 12:32-33: “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me”).
God designed the Savior into Creation from the very beginning of Creation (John 1:1-5, 14). At the perfect time, God revealed the coming of the Savior (the Messiah; the Christ; both mean God's anointed Savior and eternal King): Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus commanded that a census for assessing taxes be conducted in Judea,* and Quirinius,** the Roman governor of Syria was appointed to carry it out. By establishing the dates of secular authorities, Luke documents the time of Jesus' physical advent (coming).
Jesus is the fulfillment of the long-awaited Savior and eternal King, the Messiah (Christ). Jesus' first advent (coming) was as a new-born baby. Jesus has promised to come again, on the Day of Judgment, to judge everyone who has ever lived.
Jesus is the righteous judge, and the standard by which all will be judged. He will be bringing both reward and punishment. Those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord, who have trusted and obeyed Jesus will have been spiritually “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). Those who have rejected Jesus, who have refused or neglected to trust and obey Jesus will be condemned to eternal destruction in Hell with all evil (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).
Jesus is the right hand and holy arm of God, who has won the eternal victory over sin and death at the Cross (Acts 5:30-31; 1 Peter 3:22). The enemies of God hoped to get rid of Jesus through his physical death, but Jesus rose again to eternal life. Jesus' resurrection demonstrates that there is existence after physical death. Jesus manifested himself to over five hundred people after his resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). Every truly “born-again” Christian has personal daily fellowship with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and testifies that Jesus is risen and is eternally alive. Jesus' resurrection frees us from slavery to sin and death (Hebrews 2:14-15).
When we are baptized with water by the Church for repentance we are cleansed of sin (disobedience of God's Word) and prepared to receive the “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit which only Jesus gives. Through the indwelling Holy Spirit we are “regenerated” (by spiritual re-birth) and are guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit to be “renewed” (Ephesians 4:22-24). We are being transformed from our spiritual likeness to Adam, our earthly ancestor, into the likeness of Christ (Colossians 3:9b-10).
Jesus is the spiritual “bread of life” (John 6:47-51), true eternal life. Farm animals can find their feed in a manger, but most of Israel couldn't find the true spiritual bread of life in the manger of their Messiah Jesus Christ.
Christ came physically at the perfect time to accomplish God's purpose, which is to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who trust and obey God. Jesus came to be the only sacrifice acceptable to God for forgiveness of sin (we're all sinners: Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10) and salvation from eternal condemnation, eternal death, which is the penalty for sin (Romans 6:23; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home).
Crucifixion was the method of execution of the Roman Empire; the Jewish method of execution was by “stoning.” Jesus' advent (coming) coincided, by God's will, with the circumstances of Christ's crucifixion.
In the period of wilderness wandering, Israel had been beset with fiery serpents and many people were bitten and died. God told Moses to make a fiery serpent of bronze and put it on a pole (horizontally through a hole in the middle). Then when anyone was bitten, he could look to the fiery serpent on the pole and would be saved (Numbers 21:6-9). God had forbidden Israel to make an image of any animal, but God intended this serpent on a pole to prefigure the Cross of Jesus Christ (John 3:14-15; 12:32-33; Deuteronomy 21:23; Galatians 3:13).
By God's deliberate will, Jesus' birth also coincided with the first Roman census (Luke 2:2), so that Jesus' birth fulfilled Old Testament prophecy (Micah 5:2). Jesus was the fulfillment of God's promise to David (the great human shepherd-king of Israel, whom God intended to prefigure Christ), to give him a descendant, a Son of David (Matthew 1:1; 21:9, 15), who would reign on David's throne eternally (2 Samuel 7:5-13; Psalm 89:20-29). Jesus is the “Good Shepherd” (John 10:11, 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)?
**Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible, David Noel Freedman, “Quirinius,” pg 1104, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids Michigan, 2000, ISBN 0-8020-2400-5
December 26 C
First Posted December 26, 2009;
Podcast: December 26 C
Psalm 111 – Redemption for His People;
Paraphrase:
Let us praise the Lord! Let us give thanks to him with all our hearts. Let us praise him in the congregation of his people, in the company of the righteous.
The works of the Lord are great, the delight of those who study them. His works are completely honorable and majestic, and his righteousness is eternal. He has done his works of wonder to be remembered; gracious and merciful is the Lord.
To those who fear him he provides food; he never forgets his covenant. His works reveal his great power to his people. He has given them the heritage of the nations.
Faithful and just are his deeds; trustworthy are his teachings; they are eternally true. They are to be performed faithfully in righteousness.
“He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever” (Psalm 111:9). The name of the Lord is holy and awesome! “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who practice it. His praise will endure forever' (Psalm 111:10)!
Commentary:
The Lord has done great things for us, and when we realize his goodness and faithfulness we will want to praise him and give him thanks, along with all God's people. Those who take the time to study God's great works will delight in them.
God has been progressively revealing himself and his purpose to the world from the very beginning of Creation, first through the goodness and complexity of the universe itself. Then he revealed himself to one man Abraham (Abram), who was willing to trust and obey God, and who became the father of the people of Israel, by faith in God's Word. Through Israel, God has given us his Word, the record of his great deeds on behalf of all people, in the Bible.
In his perfect timing, God revealed himself through Jesus Christ, the “living Word,” fulfilled, embodied and exemplified (John 1:1-5, 14), the fulfillment of his promise of an eternal Savior and King. Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God to the world. The gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit is God's ultimate revelation of God the Father and Jesus Christ to us personally and individually.
Only Jesus “baptizes” with the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). It is possible for one to know with certainty for oneself if one has received the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2).
God has always intended from the very beginning of Creation to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly choose to trust and obey God. This lifetime is our opportunity to seek and find God (Acts 17:26-27) and to be spiritually “reborn” (“born-again;” John 3:3, 5-8) to eternal life by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. All this is only possible through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ, because God designed Creation that way.
The place to begin to seek a personal relationship with God is to read the Bible completely, but from the perspective of the New Testament, either by reading portions of both testaments each day, or by starting with the New Testament. I prefer and recommend the first (see Free Bible Study Tools, sidebar, top right, home).
The Bible is the record of God's great deeds done for his people through the history of Israel. When we begin to trust and obey God's Word in our own lives, we will begin to experience great deeds done for us personally. God intends to show us his goodness and righteousness through his deeds, for the world and for us personally. When we face times of trouble and difficulty, we can remember God's love and faithfulness in other circumstances and trust him to do similar things for us again. As we experience his faithfulness, he will cause our faith to grow to spiritual maturity (see Personal Testimonies, sidebar, top right, home).
Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise of a Redeemer. We have all sinned (disobeyed God's Word) 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 only provision for the forgiveness of our sin and our salvation from eternal death (Romans 5:8; John 3:15-16; Acts 4:12; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home).
God initiated a Covenant (Testament) of Law through Moses, which was intended to restrain sin until the first advent (coming) of Jesus Christ. Through Jesus Christ, God initiated an New Covenant of Grace (unmerited favor; a free gift) to be received by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:26-28, RSV note “g;” Hebrews 8:8-10, 12:24. Under the Old Covenant we are all condemned to eternal death through sin; under the New Covenant we are released from the condemnation of the Old Covenant, provided that we are obedient to the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-14).
God is faithful to his Covenant. If we accept Jesus as our Lord, and learn to trust and obey him, we will receive the promise of the “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit. By the presence of the Holy Spirit within us we are spiritually “reborn” to eternal life.
Until one learns to fear (have appropriate awe and respect for the power and authority of God), one doesn't know anything eternally useful. God's wisdom is unlike what the world falsely calls wisdom. Man's wisdom is constantly changing, because there's so much we don't know. The status of Pluto in our solar system is a recent example. God's wisdom is eternally true (1 Corinthians 1:17-25; 2:1-8). Jesus Christ is the only way to know divine, eternal truth, the only way to restoration of fellowship with God which was broken by sin, and the only way to have true, eternal life (John 14:6).
It is not true that one can never know for certain if there is existence after physical death until one dies. The only people who do not know where they are going to spend eternity are those who are spiritually “unreborn” and eternally “lost.” Those who trust and obey God's Word in Jesus Christ, will be “born-again.” By the indwelling Holy Spirit they will know personally that Jesus is risen from physical death and is eternally alive. Jesus' resurrection from physical death to eternal life is attested to by every “born-again” Christian, and demonstrates to the world that there is existence beyond the grave.
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)?
