Week of 1 Christmas - A - 01/01 - 07/2017

Week of 1 Christmas - A This is a Three-Year Lectionary based on the Lutheran Book of Worship 3-year Lectionary (for public worship), "Prayers of the Day..." (Propers), p. 13-41, Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, 1978. It is based, with only minor variations, on the Revised Common Lectionary, used by many denominations, including the Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches: http://www.commontexts.org/ and: http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/usage.html The daily readings are the Propers (Lections) for the following Sunday, so that the daily devotions can prepare us for worship. Additional Lections are from Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church, "Scripture lessons for Matins and Vespers," United Lutheran Church of America, General Rubrics VIII. Scripture lessons for Matins and Vespers, p. 299 - 304, Philadelphia, 1918.    The previous 2- year Bible Study based on the Lutheran Book of Worship, Daily Lectionary for personal devotions p.179-192, Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, 1978, is available at: http://shepherdboy.byethost12.com/ (Please bookmark this link). This 'blog is mirrored at: http://shepherdboy-mydailywalk.blogspot.com/ Shepherdboysmydailywalk’s Blog .mp3 Podcasts via Linux Festival text-to-speech and Panopreter Basic text-to-speech are available at: http://shepherdboy.byethost12.com/dw_bible2/a_year/Wklx_a.html http://shepherdboy.byethost12.com/dw_bible2/b_year/wklx_b.html http://shepherdboy.byethost12.com/dw_bible2/c_year/wklx_c.html Please Note: This ‘blog is now available in mobile-optimized format: http://winksite.mobi/shepherdboy/MyDailyWalk Free to distribute; for personal use, Bible Study Groups, and Adult Christian Education. Disk Image and/or .zip file to burn the complete Bible Study to CD are available at: http://shepherdboy.byethost12.com/#Burn_Site_to_CD  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. 1 Christmas - Sunday - A

First posted December 27, 2009;  Podcast: 1 Christmas Sunday-A

Isaiah 63:7-9   -   Our Savior; Psalm 111    -    Great Works of the Lord; Galatians 4:4-7    -   Freedom in Christ; Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23   -    Escape to Egypt; Isaiah Paraphrase: Let us remember, give thanks and praise to the Lord for his goodness to his people, in his mercy and abundant steadfast love. He has treated them like trusted sons, and has become their Savior. He took their afflictions upon himself, “and the angel of his presence saved them” (Isaiah 63:9b); he redeemed them because he loved and had pity upon them; he lifted and carried them throughout their past. Psalm Paraphrase: Let us praise the Lord. I will thank the Lord with all my heart, among the congregation of his upright people. Those who study and recognize the great works of God will take pleasure in them. He is worthy of honor and majesty and his righteousness is eternal. His great works will be remembered for his graciousness and mercy. The Lord provides food for those who fear him; he never forgets his promises. He has revealed his mighty power by his works to his people, and has given them the wealth of nations. Everything he does is faithful and just, and all his teachings are trustworthy. His Word is established for ever, to be obeyed in faithfulness and righteousness. The Lord has sent redemption to his people and established his covenant for ever. Holy and awesome is his name! “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who practice it. His praise endures forever” (Psalm 111:10). Galatians Paraphrase: In exactly the right time God sent his son into the world to be born of a human mother, in Israel, God’s people, under the Covenant of God’s Law, to redeem them from the Law so that they could receive adoption as his children. The gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God’s Son, has been given to his children, through whom they call God “Father”, and who testifies that they are children of God. So by God’s gift we are no longer slaves under the Law, but sons and daughters, heirs of the kingdom and promises of God.  Matthew Paraphrase: An angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Bethlehem, where Mary had given birth to Jesus, warning him to escape with Mary and the child to Egypt, because Herod the Great who ruled over Judah was seeking to kill Jesus. Joseph got up and left for Egypt during the night with Mary and the baby as the Lord had told him. Mary, Joseph and Jesus lived in Egypt until the Lord told Joseph that it was safe to return to Israel because Herod had died. This was the fulfillment of the prophecy of Hosea 11:1, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.” Being warned by the Lord that the son of Herod the Great, Archelaus, was ruling over Judea (the southern province of Israel, Joseph and his family returned to Nazareth in Galilee (the northern province of Israel, separated from Judea by Samaria), where they had lived when the angel had announced the conception of Jesus to Mary (Luke 1:26-38). The name “Nazareth” means “shoot,” or “sprout,” and Jesus was a “Nazarene” and a descendant of David, thus fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 11:1 of a shoot, the righteous branch, from the stump of Jesse (the father of David). Commentary: God’s purpose for this Creation has always been to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly trust and obey God. God has designed this creation to allow the possibility of sin (disobedience of God’s Word) so that we can have the freedom to choose whether to trust and obey him or not, and to learn by trial and error. But God retained control by setting a time limit on Creation and on our lifetimes, and by his terms of forgiveness and salvation. Realizing and having the proper respect for the power and authority of God, who has the power of eternal life or death over us is the beginning of true wisdom. From the very beginning of Creation (John 1:1-5, 14) Jesus Christ has been God’s one and only provision for the forgiveness of sin and salvation from eternal condemnation and eternal destruction (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). God was not surprised when Adam and Eve disobeyed his Word in the Garden of Eden. Jesus is not an afterthought by God to save Creation after sin was introduced. The Bible is the Word of God and the history of God’s relationship with his people in bringing about the fulfillment of his purpose for Creation, beginning with the call of Abraham. The Bible is the record of God’s goodness, mercy, love, and faithfulness, and the progressive revelation of himself and his purpose for Creation. By God’s Word, we have all sinned and fall short of his righteousness (doing what is right according to his Word; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10), and the penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). By his Word through Isaiah, God has promised to become our Savior; he promised to take our sins upon himself, and to provide the “angel” of his presence to save us. In Jesus Christ God became our Savior; Jesus was fully human by his mother, and also fully God by the Holy Spirit (Colossians 2:8-9: John 20:28). Jesus paid the penalty for our sins by his crucifixion, to redeem us from the penalty of the Law. Jesus’ sacrificial death made it possible for us to receive the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 16:7), which is only through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ (John 1:31-34; 14:15-17). The gift of the Holy Spirit is the “angel” of God’s presence within us which God promised through Isaiah (angel can be understood as Spirit (Acts 12:13-15; Revelation 1:1). Jesus is God’s revelation of himself in human form. In Jesus’ crucifixion, death, and resurrection, God’s mighty power was revealed to all Creation. God has established a New Covenant of forgiveness, salvation and eternal life by grace (unmerited favor; a free gift), to be received by faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9). Through faith in Jesus we have been redeemed from the condemnation of the Law of sin and eternal death, provided that we trust and obey Jesus through the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-9). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).   God has given us this lifetime to seek and come to a personal fellowship with him (Acts 17:26-27), and this is only possible through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ, by the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Mary and Joseph are examples of God’s people who trusted and obeyed God’s Word. They accepted and obeyed the guidance of his angel (his Spirit), and by doing so, helped fulfill God’s eternal purpose, and received the fulfillment of his promise. God’s Word is eternal. It is fulfilled over and over as the conditions for its fulfillment are met. God’s Word has creative force: God spoke Creation into being (Genesis 1:3; Hebrews 4:12). Jesus is the “living” Word of God, fulfilled, embodied and exemplified in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus’ word is the Word of God (John 14:10, 24), with the creative force of God’s Word (Matthew 8:25-27). He could command us, but he allows us to choose for ourselves, whether to trust and obey.    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 - January 2 - A             First Posted Jan 2, 2010; Podcast: January 2-A Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18  -  Spirit of Knowledge and Revelation; Paraphrase: Let us bless and thank God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have received every spiritual blessing in heaven. Before the foundation of the world God chose us through Christ to be holy and blameless in his judgment. God destined us to be his children through Christ according to his will and purpose, to the praise of his glorious grace (unmerited favor) which we generously receive in God’s Beloved. Paul’s prayer for all believers is that, through faith in Jesus and love for all the saints (believers), God would give them “a spirit of wisdom and revelation of the knowledge of him” (God; Ephesians 1:17b),” that their spiritual eyes might be enlightened, so that they would know the hope they have been called to share, and the richness of his inheritance in the saints. Commentary: From the very beginning of Creation, God has intended to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly trust and obey God. The meaning and purpose of life in this world is to seek, find and come to personally know God (Acts 17:26-27). Jesus Christ has always been God’s one and only plan (Acts 4:12; John 14:6), through whom we are made holy (consecrated to serve God) and blameless in God’s Judgment (all our sins forgiven; sin is disobedience of God’s Word). Jesus has been designed into this Creation from the very beginning.  God is worthy of praise for his goodness and mercy to us, which we don’t deserve and can’t earn, but which he generously gives to us, with every spiritual blessing in heaven, through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). Believers who trust and obey Jesus will love the saints (their brothers and sisters in Christ; John 13:34), and as they trust and obey Jesus they will receive the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17, 21, 23), the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9), the Spirit of wisdom, revelation and personal knowledge of God (Isaiah 11:2). It is the indwelling Holy Spirit who teaches and reminds us of all Jesus’ teachings and empowers us to know and do God’s will. It is the indwelling Holy Spirit through whom we know and experience the hope and the richness of our eternal inheritance that we are called to share. It is the indwelling Holy Spirit, the Spirit of adoption, (Romans 8:15) by which we are spiritually “reborn” (John 3:3, 5-8), as children of God, to eternal life. Only Jesus gives the gift (“baptism;” “anointing”) of the 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, whether or not one has received the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2). 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 - January 3 - A First posted January 3, 2010; Podcast: January 3-A John 1:1-18  -   The Living Word; Paraphrase: At the beginning of Creation was the Word, the active, creative, eternal Word of God. The Word was with God in unity, and was God (shared the divine nature; was fully God). He existed in the beginning with God. Everything in Creation was made through him and nothing in creation was made without him. In him was (real, eternal) life “and that life was the light of men” (John 1:4b). “The light (of righteousness; eternal life) shines in the (spiritual) darkness, and the darkness (evil) has not overcome it” (John 1:5). John the Baptizer was a man sent from God to bear witness to the light, so that all could believe through his testimony. John was not the light but he came to bear witness to the light. The true light that gives spiritual enlightenment to all people was coming into the world. He was in the world, and he was the creator of everything in the world, but the people of the world did not know and recognize him. He came to his own people and his own town, but his own people rejected him (Luke 4:16-30). “But all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave the power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor the will of man, but of God” (John 1:13). “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace (unmerited favor; forgiving love) and truth (faithful promises); we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only (begotten) Son from the Father” (John 1:14). This is he of whom John said that he came after John in chronological appearing, but was before him in rank and existence. From his abundance we have received grace upon grace. The Law was given through Moses, but grace and truth are through Jesus. No one has ever seen God; but God’s only Son, who is in complete communion with God, has revealed him. Commentary: Jesus Christ is the “living Word;” he is the fulfillment, embodiment, and exemplification of God’s Word lived out in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-3, 14). Jesus’ word is the Word of God (John 14:10, 24). Jesus’ word has the creative force of God’s Word (Matthew 8:23-27). Jesus was fully human and also fully God (Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28). Jesus is God, who became a man; not the other way around. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit; one God in three expressions; in unity; the Trinity (Romans 8:9). The structure of Creation has been designed with God’s promised Messiah, Jesus Christ at its very center (Ephesians 1:9-10). God has intended from the very beginning to create an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly choose to trust and obey him. This lifetime is our opportunity to seek and find God (Acts 17:26-27) and to learn to trust and obey him. God has created this world to allow for the possibility for sin (disobedience of God’s Word) so that we will have true freedom to choose whether or not to trust and obey God’s Word, but he has also fixed a time limit on Creation and our individual lifetimes. All have sinned and fall short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23). The penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). Jesus Christ is God’s one and only provision for the forgiveness of our sin, salvation from God’s judgment of eternal condemnation and destruction, restoration of fellowship with God which was broken by sin, and eternal life in God’s heavenly kingdom (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). Jesus is the “light of the world,” “the light of life” (John 8:12). Light represents righteousness and darkness is sin and evil. Jesus is the true righteousness and he imparts his righteousness to those who trust and obey him (Philippians 3:9; 2 Timothy 4:8). Light also symbolizes true, spiritual enlightenment, eternal truth, the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:17-25; 2:1-8) contrasted with the darkness of spiritual ignorance, false teaching and unbelief (Romans 1:21; Ephesians 4:18). Light also represents eternal life and the eternal kingdom of light (1 Timothy 6:15-16), contrasted with the darkness of eternal death. [For me, from a background of High School Physics many years ago, I understand that the speed of light is a speed limit in this creation. One can never reach the speed of light, because as one does, time slows down and would appear to stop as the limit is reached. The result would be “relative” to the point of view of the observer; outside, time stops; inside, time goes on forever. This is not a scientific argument to prove “eternity,” but I have learned from experience that God’s Word is true, whether we understand everything about this Creation or not.] Jesus came to his own people, Israel, God’s chosen people, who had a covenant relationship with God, who had the Bible scriptures, but many refused to recognize, accept, trust and obey him. Even in Nazareth, his hometown, he was rejected and driven out (Luke 4:16-30). To those who accept Jesus, who trust and obey him, Jesus gives the “power” to become adopted children of God, who are “reborn” 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). Jesus makes it possible for us to be spiritually “born-again,” but we must receive it by obedient trust in him. We cannot buy it, earn it or take it by force or deception. 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). Abraham was the mediator of the Old Covenant of Law between God and Israel. The Law was to restrain evil until the coming of Christ, and to show that no one is able to be saved by doing good works (keeping) of the Law (Galatians 2:16). They were only able to maintain the Covenant by continual sacrifices for the forgiveness of their sin. Jesus’ coming ended the Old Covenant and established the New Covenant of Grace through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus. Jesus initiated the New Covenant at the Last Supper, and at his crucifixion, the curtain of the temple separating the people from the presence of God was torn in two from top to bottom, symbolizing that Jesus was the new and better way into the presence of God (Luke 23:45). Jesus has become the one and only sacrifice acceptable to God, for all time and all people, for the forgiveness of sin. The Old Covenant sacrificial system ended with the destruction of the temple by the Romans in 70 A.D. Jesus provides abundant grace (saving love; unmerited favor) and truth (faithful promises) to those who trust and obey him. Those who believe God’s Word recognize Jesus as God’s Son, and those who see and recognize Jesus, see what God looks like in human flesh. Only through obedient trust in Jesus can we receive the indwelling Holy Spirit and come to know Jesus and God the Father personally and intimately (Revelation 3:20; John 14:21, 23). John was the last of the Old Testament prophets and the first of the New. The true Church, the “born-again” disciples of Jesus Christ, are the heirs of John’s call to announce the coming of Jesus and point others to him. 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 - January 4 - A First posted January 4, 2010; Podcast: January 4-A Ephesians 3:2-12  -  Mystery Revealed; Paraphrase: Paul was an evangelist to the Gentiles because his preaching had been rejected by the Jews, who had caused Paul to be imprisoned (Acts 21:27-22-29). Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus) had become a steward of God’s grace to the Gentiles because of a revelation to him of the mystery of God’s plan. This mystery had not been known to former generations but had now been revealed by the (Holy) Spirit to the apostles and prophets of God. That plan is that Gentiles share with Jews the same inheritance, members of the same body and partakers in the same promise in Jesus Christ through the Gospel. By God’s grace (unmerited favor) Paul was made a minister of the Gospel by the power of God working in and through Paul (by the indwelling Holy Spirit). Paul considered himself the least worthy of the saints (believers) and realized that it was God’s unmerited favor which made it possible for Paul to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of Christ, and to reveal to all people, the mystery of God’s plan which had been hidden for ages past in God, the Creator of everything. Through the Church the great wisdom of God has been revealed to the entire Universe. This is according to the eternal purpose of God which he has accomplished in Jesus Christ, our Lord. By faith in Jesus we can have bold and confident access to God. Commentary: 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 him. This Creation has been designed according to God’s eternal purpose. It has been designed to allow the possibility of sin (disobedience of God’s Word) so that we truly have free choice whether or not to trust and obey God. God will not tolerate disobedience forever; he has placed a time limit on this Creation and on our lifetimes. The meaning and purpose of this temporal lifetime is to seek and come to know God (Acts 17:26-27). This lifetime is our only opportunity to learn to know, trust and obey God, and to be spiritually “re-born” (John 3:3, 5-8) to eternal life. This is only possible through Jesus Christ, around whom Creation has been designed (John 1:1-3, 14). All of us have sinned and fall short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23), and the penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). Jesus is God’s one and only provision for forgiveness of our sin, for salvation from eternal condemnation, and restoration to fellowship with God and eternal life in God’s heavenly kingdom (Acts 4:12, John 14:6). None of us is worthy of salvation and eternal life; it is the gift of God to be received by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). In order to have eternal life one must be “born-again (John 3:3, 5-8), by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Only Jesus baptizes with the 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). Jesus Christ is the revelation of what formerly was the mystery of God’s eternal purpose, now revealed to the “born-again” disciples and apostles (messengers; of the Gospel) of Jesus Christ by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus) is the prototype and example of the “modern,” “post-resurrection,” “born-again” disciple, apostle (messenger; of the Gospel) and prophet (spokesman of God’s Word by the Holy Spirit) of Jesus Christ, as we all can be. Paul had not known Jesus during Jesus’ physical lifetime and was a persecutor of Christians until he was confronted on the road to Damascus by the Spirit of the risen and ascended Christ (Acts 9:1-9). He repented, accepted Jesus as his Lord (Acts 9:5, 8-9), was “discipled” by a “born-again” disciple, Ananias (Acts 9:10-16), until Paul was “born-again” (Acts 9:17-18), and then Paul became an apostle guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:20). Paul’s rapid conversion was exceptional, because he was already formally educated in the scriptures and loved God and God’s Word. The true Church is the body of “born-again” disciples, apostles of Jesus Christ and prophets of God’s Word, stewards of the Gospel. They have received and personally experienced the revelation of the mystery of God’s plan in Jesus Christ by the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 16:12-15), and are guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Gospel and to make disciples of Jesus Christ in fulfillment of the Great Commission which the risen Jesus gave to his disciples (Matthew 28:19-20), to be carried out after they had been “born-again” (Luke 24:49: Acts 1:4-5, 8). 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 - January 5 - A First posted January 5, 2010; Podcast: January 5-A Psalm 72   -   Prayer for the King; Paraphrase: The psalmist prayed that the king would dispense God’s justice and righteousness. O that he would judge God’s people with righteousness and give justice for the poor. May the land prosper and provide favorable conditions. May the king uphold the cause of the needy, give relief to the needy and eliminate the oppressor. May he live as long as the universe exists, through all generations. May he be like refreshing showers on mown grass. In his reign may righteousness flourish and peace abound until the universe passes away. May his dominion be from sea to sea and from the river (Euphrates; cradle of civilization) to the ends of the earth. May he have victory over his enemies and completely subdue them. May the kings of the earth pay tribute to him. May they bring him gifts, fall down before him, and all nations serve him. The Lord’s anointed King delivers the needy, the poor and helpless; he pities the poor and “saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence he redeems their life; precious is their blood in his sight” (Psalm 72:13b-14). May he have long life, “may gold of Sheba (south Arabia) be given to him. May prayer and blessing be offered for him continually” (Psalm 72:15b). May the Land produce food in abundance and its people thrive and prosper. “May his name endure forever, and his fame continue as long as the sun! May men bless themselves by him, and all nations call him blessed” (Psalm 72:17) May the Lord God of Israel be blessed; He alone does marvelous things. May his great name be blessed forever; may the entire earth be filled with his glory! Amen! Amen! Commentary: The Lord was to be the King of Israel. When Israel asked for an earthly king like other nations, the Lord allowed it, although he warned them that their earthly king would tax them and conscript them to serve him, and not deal with them as righteously and lovingly as the Lord  (1 Samuel 8:4-22). Samuel was a priest and prophet of God who began the “anointing” of God’s chosen person to be king (1 Samuel 10:1-2). Of the earthly kings of Israel, David was the closest to the ideal king and prefigured the coming of the Messiah (Messiah and Christ; mean “anointed” in Hebrew and Greek, respectively), the “anointed” eternal king God had intended from the very beginning of Creation. Jesus Christ is the “Messiah,” the “royal Son,” the fulfillment of the psalmist’s prophecy of a king who would dispense God’s justice and righteousness; the righteous judge who would give justice to the poor, needy and helpless, and defeat the oppressor. Jesus is the eternal king who will reign over God’s eternal kingdom in heaven. In his reign righteousness and peace flourish and abound for ever. He will reign over all the earth; he is the King of kings and Lord of lords. His name will continue forever. All people will bless themselves by him and call him blessed. This psalm is messianic prophecy, foretelling the coming of the Lord’s “anointed” eternal King. At Jesus’ birth, wise men (the “three kings”) from the east came seeking the child who had been born King of the Jews (Matthew 2:1-2). They came to the Christ child in Bethlehem and bowed down before him and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Earthly “kings” will be judged by God’s Word according to how they treat the poor, the needy, and the helpless. America claims to be a “Christian” nation, with leaders who claim to be “Christian.” We claim to have a government of the people, by the people, for the people. But increasingly it is the government of the people, by the rich, for the rich. Instead of being a land of equal opportunity it is becoming a society of two classes: the “haves” and the “have-nots,” with a widening separation between the two. Jesus has promised to return on the Day of Judgment in great power and glory, to judge everyone who has ever lived. In that day every knee shall bow and every tongue confess to God (Romans 14:11). Those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and have trusted and obeyed Jesus will receive eternal life in his eternal kingdom in heaven, the fulfillment of the psalmist’s prophecy of a land of righteousness, peace and prosperity. Those who have rejected Jesus and have refused to trust and obey him will be condemned to eternal destruction in Hell with all evil (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?  Friday - Epiphany - January 6 - A First posted January 6, 2011; Podcast: Epiphany January 6 - A Epiphany means "manifestation." The Church commemorates the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, at the coming of the Magi ("Wise Men"). Isaiah 60:1-6   -    Zion Restored; Mathew 2:1-12   -    The Wise Men; Isaiah Paraphrase: [This text was written just prior to the fall of Babylon and looks forward to the restoration of Judah, the remnant of Israel, to the Promised Land after their Babylonian exile.] Zion (Jerusalem, the people of God) is urged to arise and shine, reflecting the glory of the Lord which is rising upon them. There is thick (spiritual) darkness upon the peoples (Gentiles) but the Lord will shine upon Zion and the Gentiles will see the glory of the Lord reflected by Zion, and the nations will come to that light, “and kings to the brightness of your rising” (Isaiah 60:3b).  Look around and see; all gather together and come to Zion, her sons and daughters come from far away. Then Zion will be radiant and rejoice, “because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, and the wealth of nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah (Arab tribes east of the Red Sea); all those from Sheba (Descendants of Noah through Raamah, who settled on the Persian Gulf, to the east; Genesis 10:7) shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord” Isaiah 60:5b-6). Matthew Paraphrase: When Jesus had been born in Bethlehem in Judea (the southern Roman province of Israel; the Kingdom of Judah before the Exile) in the reign of Herod the Great, “Wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him’” (Matthew 2:2).  This upset Herod who caused turmoil throughout Jerusalem, assembling all the priests and scribes to find the scriptural basis of this event. The religious authorities quoted Micah 5:2, saying that the location was to be Bethlehem in Judea (Judah). Herod summoned the wise men and in private found out the date that the star had appeared, and told the wise men to return to Herod when they had found the child, so that Herod could go and worship him also. The wise men left and continued to follow the star until it came to rest over the place where the child was. They were filled with great joy and entering, they found the child with his mother, Mary, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then they presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then they returned to their homes by another route, having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod. Commentary: This is the day that the Church celebrates the visit of the Wise Men (the “Three Kings,” “Magi”) to Christ. It is the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. This text of Isaiah was written prior to the fall of Babylon in 539 B.C.*  God’s Word is absolutely reliable and true, and it is eternal; it is fulfilled over and over as the conditions for its fulfillment are met. The test of God’s Word is its fulfillment (Deuteronomy 18:21-22). The prophecy of Isaiah was marvelously fulfilled in the return of Judah, the remnant of Israel, to the Promised Land after seventy years of exile in Babylon, and it was fulfilled again at the first Advent (coming) of Christ and the visit by the Wise Men.  The prophecy also applies to the Church, the “New Zion,” and to Christians who are the “New Israel,” the “New People of God.”  Christ comes individually and personally through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). He is the one who frees us from captivity in Babylon and restores us to the Promised Land of his eternal kingdom. We are “reborn” (John 3:3, 5-8) by his “birth” within us. Christians are “born-again” disciples of Jesus Christ who are called to rise and shine with the reflected glory of Jesus Christ, the “Light of the World (John 1:9; 8:12).” Light is the symbol of divine righteousness and divine truth, not by worldly standards but by the standard of Jesus Christ and the Word of God.  None of us are righteous in God’s judgment by our own doings (Romans 3:23). Only through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ can we fulfill the requirements of God’s Word. None of us can know eternal truth and divine wisdom except through faith in Jesus Christ (John 14:6; 1 Corinthians 1:17-25; 2:1-8). The fear (appropriate respect for the power and authority) of the Lord is the beginning of true, divine wisdom (Proverbs 9:10, Palms 111:10).  Jesus has called his followers to be his disciples (Acts 11:26c) and to be the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:14-16) in the spiritual darkness of this world, so that we will draw people to Jesus who is the source of righteousness and truth.  The “Wise Men” were wise in worldly knowledge and they were able to see the signs of God in nature which led them to Jerusalem, the “city of God,” but they needed “believers” who were knowledgeable of the scriptures who were able to point them to Christ (“Messiah;” both words mean “anointed” in Greek and Hebrew, respectively; i.e., the promised Savior). The Jewish religious leaders considered themselves wise in religious knowledge, had the scriptures (the Old Testament Bible), and knew God’s promise of Christ, yet failed to trust and act on the scriptures themselves, to seek and find the Christ. In many ways the situation is the same in our society today. Educated people are seeking spiritual answers in the wrong places. Religious people know a lot about God, but don’t know God personally. Leaders have formal education in the Bible, but don’t trust and obey the Word and receive the promises. Some use the Bible to further their own self-interests, instead of seeking to worship and serve the Lord.  Are you Wise? Are you seeking the Lord with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13; Deuteronomy 4:29)? Are you willing to worship him and give him your best gift, your obedience? 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, Introduction to Isaiah, p. 822, New York, Oxford University Press, 1962. Saturday - January 7 A Use only until First Sunday after Epiphany. First posted January 7, 2011; Podcast: January 7-A Psalm 45:7-9; Paraphrase: Because the Lord’s anointed king loves righteousness and hates wickedness, God has anointed him with the “oil of gladness” above others. His robes are fragrant with precious perfumes. In ivory palaces stringed instruments play for his pleasure. Daughters of kings are among the bride’s attendants, and at his right hand is his queen adorned in gold of Ophir (a gold-producing region; perhaps India). Commentary: This psalm was probably written to celebrate a king’s marriage. It also applies to the Messiah (Christ, God’s anointed eternal king) and his bride, the Church. Jesus is the Lord’s anointed eternal King of kings. Jesus had the same standards of righteousness and wickedness as God, and he was obedient to God’s Word unto physical death on the Cross, so God raised him up to eternal life and has given him a name and authority above all others, in heaven and on earth (Philippians 2:8-11; Matthew 28:18). The true Church (as distinct from the “nominal” Church) is the body of “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) “disciples” (Acts 11:26c) of Jesus Christ. The true Church is the bride of Christ (Revelation 19:7-9), the “New Jerusalem” (Revelation 21:2). Those who trust and obey Jesus receive the wedding garment, the “anointing” (gift) of the indwelling Holy Spirit, without which no one will be allowed to attend the wedding (Matthew 22:11-14). Those who trust and obey Jesus receive the “robe” of righteousness and the “garment” of salvation (Isaiah 61:10); it is Jesus’ righteousness and salvation which they are given, not their own, through his indwelling Holy Spirit within them (Romans 8:9; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). Only Jesus baptizes with the 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 whether or not one has received the “anointing” of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2).  The wedding of the king is coming soon! We must get ready for the celebration. The Church is called to be the “ivory palace” of the king, precious and pure; not a social club. Her members are to be clothed in the wedding garments. We’re to be making “music” pleasing to the king. We’re to be serving the Lord, preparing for the wedding and glorifying him. We’re to be alert for his coming, not caught napping; not short of “oil” for our “lamps” (Matthew 25:1-13); not abusing our fellow servants; not indulging our physical appetites (Matthew 24:45-51). 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)?

Week of Christmas A - 12/25 - 31/2016

Week of Christmas A

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

http://www.commontexts.org/

and:

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

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

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

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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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Sunday Christmas – December 25 A;

First Posted December 25, 2010

Podcast: Christmas Sunday A

Isaiah 9:2-7   --    Eternal King; Psalm 96    --    The Lord Reigns! Titus 2:11-14   --   Our God and Savior; Luke 2:1-20  --    The Birth of Jesus; Isaiah Paraphrase: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined” Isaiah 9:2). The Lord has multiplied the people of his kingdom, he has increased their joy. Their joy is like joy at the harvest, or when conquerors divide the spoils. The Lord has delivered his people from their oppressors and bondage, as in the day of Midian (when Gideon and a few hundred men completely defeated a vastly more numerous army of Midianites, by obedient faith in God; Judges 7:15-25). The enemies of God who have attacked and shed blood will be burned as fuel for eternal fire. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called ‘Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). His government and the peace he establishes will never end. He will establish his kingdom upon the throne of David and will uphold it with justice and righteousness for evermore. This will be accomplished because it is the Lord’s fervent commitment. Psalm Paraphrase: Let us sing a new song to the Lord, all the earth. Bless his name and tell of his salvation every day. Let us declare his glory and mighty works to all people and nations. The Lord is great and worthy of great praise! He is to be feared (having proper respect for his power and authority) above all gods, because all other “gods” are merely idols (the creation of humans), but the Lord is the Creator of the universe! His character is honor and majesty; in his sanctuary are strength and beauty. Let everyone on earth acknowledge the Lord’s glory and strength. Give him the glory due his name; bring an offering into his courts. Come to worship him with cleansed garments (see Exodus 19:10-11). Let all the earth fear him. Declare to all nations that the Lord reigns! He rules over the entire world, and his rule cannot be overthrown. He will govern with justice and fairness. Let all heaven and earth rejoice. Let earth and sea and everything in them exalt; let all nature rejoice at the coming of the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world and all people with truth and righteousness. Titus Paraphrase: The grace (unmerited favor; free gift) of God has appeared for the salvation of all people, so that we might turn from unbelief and the pursuit of earthly desires; that instead we might live sober, godly, righteous lives in this world as we wait the fulfillment of our great hope in the glorious return of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus gave himself for us, to redeem (pay the penalty for) us from all our sin (disobedience of God’s Word), “and to purify for himself a people of his own, who are zealous for good deeds” (Titus 2:14). Luke Paraphrase: In about 6-5 B.C.,* Caesar Augustus (27 B.C. to 14 A.D.*) decreed that a census should be recorded throughout the Roman Empire. This was the first such census, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Every head of the house was to return to the city of his birth, and Joseph went with Mary, his betrothed, who was pregnant, from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the city of David, in Judea, since Joseph was a descendant of David. While in Bethlehem, Mary went into labor and delivered her first-born, a son. They were in a stable, because the inn was full, and Mary wrapped the child with swaddling cloths and used a manger for the child’s crib (consider Isaiah 1:3) In a field nearby, shepherds were watching over their flocks during the night, and an angel of the Lord appeared to them, transforming the darkness with the radiant light of God’s glory, and the shepherds were afraid. The angel told them not to be afraid, because the angel had a message of good news and great joy for them and all people. The angel announced that a Savior, Christ the Lord, had been born that day in the city of David (Bethlehem). The Angel told the shepherds that they would find an infant wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly there were a multitude of angels praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased” (Luke 2:14). When the angels left, the shepherds decided to go and see the child which the angels had announced, and they found Joseph and Mary and the child, as the angels had told them. Then they made known what the angels had said, and all who heard wondered about what the shepherds had told them. Mary kept thinking about what the shepherds had said. The shepherds returned to the field praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as the angel had told them. Commentary: In the era long before city streetlights, the shepherds were out in a field in vast darkness. The announcement of Christ’s birth by the angel was intended to be a graphic illustration of the fulfillment of God’s Word through Isaiah (Isaiah 9:2). God’s kingdom of light (righteousness) has appeared in the dark night (of sin) of this world. Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise of a Savior, who saves God’s people from sin, eternal condemnation and destruction. Jesus is the promised Messiah (“Christ;” both mean “anointed” in Hebrew and Greek, respectively), the promised eternal king and heir to the throne of David, the great shepherd-king of Israel. Jesus is the Savior who gives us victory over our spiritual enemy, Satan, as God gave Gideon over the Midianites. Jesus’ sacrificial death on the Cross paid the price of our redemption from the penalty of our sin. Jesus’ blood cleanses us of sin and provides the holy garments we need to enter into God’s presence and worship him in spirit and truth. Jesus’ death and resurrection made it possible for us to be cleansed and made holy so that we could receive the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9),  and so that we could personally know and have fellowship with God our Father and Jesus our Lord and Savior. Only Jesus gives the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace, within us who have been “reborn” (John 3:3, 5-8). 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 shepherds trusted and acted upon God’s Word delivered by the angel, and they experienced for themselves the truth of God’s Word and the fulfillment of God’s promised Messiah. Having experienced God’s salvation for themselves, they told everyone what God had revealed to them, praising and glorifying God. Jesus is the “bread of (eternal) life” (John 6:33-35, 48, 51). Jesus’ placement in the manger was the fulfillment of God’s Word through Isaiah’s prophecy (Isaiah 1:3). An ox knows its owner, and an ass knows its source of food is the manger its master provides, but the people of Israel do not know or acknowledge their master or his providence. Jesus has appeared for the salvation of all people, but that salvation must be received by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus. Jesus is the King of kings, the Lord of the Universe. He reigns now and eternally. Only individually can we choose whether or not to allow him to reign over us, now, in this lifetime. Jesus has promised to return on the Day of Judgment, to judge the living and the dead (in both the physical and spiritual senses; 1 Peter 4:5). Those who have trusted and obeyed Jesus will receive eternal life in God’s kingdom in paradise;  but those who have rejected Jesus and refused to trust and obey Jesus will be condemned to eternal destruction in Hell with all evil (John 5:28-29; Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10). Those who have been “born-again” will pray for, work for and rejoice at Christ’s return, but those who have rejected Jesus will be fainting with fear (Luke 21:26) and trying to hide from the wrath of God. Are you ready for Christ’s Second Coming? 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, Luke 2:1n, p. 1242, New York, Oxford University Press, 1962.

Christmas Monday – December 26 A
Podcast:  December 26 Christmas A

Psalm 111   --     Praise the Lord!

Paraphrase:

In the congregation of the righteous I will praise the Lord with my whole heart. The works of the Lord are great and studied by those who delight in them. He does everything with honor and majesty and his righteousness will endure for ever. His wonderful works will not ever be forgotten.
The Lord is gracious and merciful. He provides food for those who fear him. He is faithful to his covenant. He reveals to his people the power of his works, and has given them the wealth of nations. All his works are faithful and just and his teaching is trustworthy. His Word will endure forever, to be carried out with faithfulness and righteousness.

He has given redemption to his people. His covenant is established forever. Let his name be reverenced and feared. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who practice it. His praise endures for ever” (Psalm 111:10).

Commentary:

God has been progressively revealing himself, first through the goodness of Creation, then through the history of his dealing with Israel recorded in the Bible, in the physical manifestation of Jesus Christ, and ultimately, individually and personally in the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit.
The meaning and purpose of this lifetime is to seek, find and come to personal knowledge of and fellowship with God (Acts 17:26-27). God wants us to trust and obey his Word, so that we can learn that he is powerful and faithful to do what he promises, and that his will is good and our very best interest.

As we trust and begin to act in faith upon his Word in our daily lives we will grow in faith as we experience his power and faithfulness. We will begin to know, study and remember what he has done for us, and we will want to praise and glorify him in worship in the congregation of his people. We will want to study his teachings so that we can live the fullness of life that he wants us to have.
We cannot begin to know anything about ourselves and life in this world until we realize that God exists, that he is much greater than ourselves, and that he has the power and authority of eternal life or death over us. He is Lord, whether we acknowledge him or not.

Creation has been moving toward the coming of the Messiah, the Savior, Jesus Christ, from the very beginning (John 1:1-5, 14). Nothing reveals the power and wisdom of God more clearly than Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 2:6-8). Christ’s birth is the central moment in history, and since that moment has been moving toward its conclusion at Christ’s return on the Day of Judgment.

Jesus is the one and only Redeemer God promised (Acts 4:12). Jesus is the mediator of the eternal covenant between God and his people (John 14:6; Matthew 26:26-28; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

Each one of us will experience Christ’s return either personally and individually through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17), or at the end of our physical lifetime at the throne of judgment. 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). This lifetime is our only opportunity to be “re-born” (John 3:3, 5-8) to spiritual, 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)?

Tuesday December 27 – Christmas A

First Posted December 27, 2010
Podcast: December 27 Christmas A

Isaiah 63:7-9 — Abundant Steadfast Love;

Paraphrase:

Let us remember and declare the steadfast love of the Lord and give him praise, according to all that he has given us. With great goodness and mercy he has dealt with Israel, in accordance with his abundant steadfast love. He acknowledged them as his people, treated them as trusted sons, and became their Savior. He bore their affliction, “and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old” (Isaiah 63:9).

Commentary:
The Bible contains the historical record of God’s abundant steadfast love for his people. In one sense we are all God’s people, because he is our Creator, but in another sense, Christians are the “New Israel.”

God has intended from the very beginning to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly trust and obey him. He designed Creation to allow the possibility for sin in order for us to have freedom of choice, and he built the Savior, Jesus Christ into the very structure of Creation (John 1:1-5, 14).

God loves us and has demonstrated great steadfast love, mercy, and faithfulness to us. He has come into the world in human flesh in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:8-9) to be our Savior; to bear our affliction in our place, and to redeem us from (pay the penalty for) sin (disobedience of God’s Word; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

God has been progressively revealing himself and his purpose throughout history, and the coming of the Messiah is the central point in history. God has designed Creation so that we all need forgiveness, and that forgiveness is a free gift to all those who trust and obey God’s one and only Savior, Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; John 14:6)

The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, is the “angel” of his presence. “Angel” can be understood to mean “Spirit” (consider Acts 12:12-15; Revelation 1:1; 22:16). Only Jesus gives the gift of his 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).

Jesus came to save us from sin and eternal condemnation by making it possible for us to be spiritually “reborn” (John 3:3, 5-8) to eternal life through the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit, his presence within us to lift, empower and guide us.

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 December 28 – Christmas A

First Posted December 28, 2010
Podcast: December 28 Christmas A

Galatians 4:4-7 — Spirit and Sonship;

Paraphrase:

Paul compared the Law of Moses to guardianship of a minor. God’s people were heirs of God’s estate and eternal life, but under control by the Law until the time set by God for them to receive the inheritance.

In the perfect timing of God, God sent his Son, born of a human mother, born into Israel and Judaism, under the Law, so that he could redeem those under the Law, so that they could become God’s adopted children.

Commentary:

It is by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit that we receive adoption. It is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God’s Son, within us, through whom we can call God our Father, and who testifies that we are his sons and daughters. So, through God, by the sacrifice of his Son on the Cross, we receive adoption as sons and daughters by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, who we received through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus. The indwelling Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that we are heirs of God’s kingdom and eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).

It is by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit that we are freed from bondage and condemnation under the Law (Romans 8:1-9). Only Jesus gives the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17).

Jesus won’t give the gift of the Holy Spirit until we make an earnest commitment to trust and obey Jesus. When we make that commitment, he will give us the Holy Spirit so that we can trust and obey God’s Word as we were unable to, under the Law.

God’s Law, God’s Word, the Bible, and the “living Word,” Jesus Christ, the fulfillment, embodiment and example of God’s Word lived out in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14), were given to Israel and through Israel to the world.

The world did not have a covenant to trust and obey God’s Word as Israel did, but we are all ultimately accountable to God and will be judged by the standard of his Word. Jesus is the ultimate standard of God’s Word. Those who have trusted and obeyed Jesus will receive eternal life in Heaven, but those who have rejected Jesus will receive eternal condemnation and eternal destruction in Hell (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; John 3:16-19).

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 December 29 – Christmas A

First posted Dec. 29, 2009;
Podcast: December 29 Christmas A

Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 – Escape into Egypt;

Paraphrase:

After the visit by the Magi (“wise men”), an angel of the Lord warned Joseph to flee to Egypt with Mary and the infant Jesus, because Herod the Great was about to order the male infants in the region under two years old to be killed, in an attempt to destroy the Messiah, Jesus (Matthew 2:16). Joseph left with Mary and the child, in the night, and went to Egypt, as the Lord had told him. They remained there until Herod died. The prophecy of Hosea 11:1, “Out of Egypt I have called my son,” was thus fulfilled.

When Herod had died, an angel of the Lord told Joseph in a dream that it was safe to return to Israel, because those who had tried to kill the child were dead. Joseph returned to Israel with Mary and Jesus, but when he heard that Herod Archelaus (son of Herod the Great) reigned in Judea, they returned and dwelt in Nazareth of Galilee (the northern province of Israel, separated from the southern province of Judah by Samaria). So another prophecy was fulfilled: Nazareth means “shoot” or “sprout” from which came Jesus, the righteous “shoot” and “branch” from the stump of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1).

Commentary:

Nazareth was where Joseph and Mary were living when the angel announced Jesus’ conception to Mary (Luke 1:26-38). Bethlehem, the city of David, was the birthplace prophesied by scripture, and was fulfilled by the necessity of the Roman census, which required Joseph to return to the city of David, since Joseph was a descendant of David (Luke 2:1-7).

Jesus was the promised Messiah (God’s “anointed” Savior and eternal King). David was the great “shepherd-king,” and Jesus was the “Good Shepherd” and eternal King, the “son of David,” who inherited David’s throne as God had promised (2 Samuel 7:5-13; Psalm 89:20-29).

God was able to fulfill his promise in every detail, and was able to protect Jesus until God’s purpose was fulfilled. God’s promise was fulfilled in God’s perfect timing, in every detail, when all the events were aligned: the Roman census, crucifixion (which was the Roman form of execution), and the circumstances which led Joseph to return to Nazareth.

God’s will and purpose for Creation has always been to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly choose to trust and obey God. He has designed this creation with the possibility of sin (disobedience of God’s Word) so that we can have free choice whether or not to trust and obey God, but he has set a time-limit on this creation and on our lifetimes. God’s eternal Savior and King, the Messiah, Jesus Christ is God’s one and only provision for our forgiveness and salvation from eternal condemnation and destruction (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). Jesus Christ has been designed into the very structure of Creation (John 1:1-5, 14).

God’s will and purpose will be accomplished whether we cooperate with it or not. Herod the Great tried unsuccessfully to prevent Jesus from fulfilling God’s purpose. The Jewish religious leaders tried unsuccessfully to prevent Jesus’ fulfillment by having him crucified, but their rejection of Jesus actually fulfilled God’s purpose. Judas rejected and betrayed Jesus, but only accomplished God’s purpose (1 Corinthians 2:6-8; Acts 13:27). But their rejection cost their eternal lives in the kingdom of God in Heaven.

God’s will and purpose will be accomplished whether we cooperate with it or not, but our choice will have personal, eternal consequences. Mary and Joseph trusted and obeyed God’s Word, became part of the fulfillment of God’s plan and received the blessing of its fulfillment. Are we willing to cooperate with God’s plan, or do we expect God to cooperate with our plans and our agenda?

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 December 30 – Christmas A

First Posted December 30, 2010
Podcast: December 30 Christmas A

Isaiah 11:1-5 – The Righteous Branch;

Paraphrase:

Isaiah foresaw, by the Holy Spirit, a shoot coming forth from the stump of Jesse (David’s father), a branch growing from his roots. He would be known by the Spirit of the Lord upon him, the spirit of (divine) wisdom and understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and the fear of the Lord (awe and respect for his power and authority). He will delight in the fear of the Lord.

He will be the righteous judge, not influenced by what people say or do outwardly. He will judge with righteousness for the poor and meek. His word will correct the errant and slay the wicked. His judgment will be controlled by righteousness and faithfulness.

Commentary:

Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the “Son (descendant) of David,” the “Nazarene” from Nazareth (the name means “shoot”). John the Baptizer testified that he had witnessed the Holy Spirit descend and rest upon Jesus physically as a dove at Jesus’ baptism by John, and testified that the Lord God had told him that this sign would identify the Son of God, the Messiah, who would “baptize” with the Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34).

Jesus promised that his disciples who trusted and obeyed Jesus would receive the “baptism,” the “anointing” with the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17), and that the Holy Spirit would counsel, guide, teach, and remind them of all that Jesus taught (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit would give Jesus’ disciples what to say at the moment they were required to testify (Luke 12:11-12).
Jesus’ promise began to be filled on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13). Peter, who recently had denied knowing Jesus three times to a maidservant of the high priest (John 18:15-27), was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave a great first sermon (Acts 2:14-36).

Before Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, only a few individuals like Isaiah had a personal relationship with God through the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ coming made it possible for his disciples to share in the indwelling Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ and experience a personal relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ (John 14:21, 23). We can experience the wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, and knowledge, and delight in the fear of the Lord.

Only Jesus baptizes with the 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).

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 December 31 – Christmas A

First Posted December 31, 2010;
Podcast: December 31 Christmas A

Hebrews 2:9-16 – Suffering of Christ;
Luke 2:22-32 – Light of Revelation;

Hebrews Paraphrase:

Citing the prophecy of Psalm 8:4-6, the author of the Letter to the Hebrews shows that Jesus is the fulfillment of that prophecy. Jesus was for a time made lower than angels, but now has been crowned with glory and honor because he was willing to suffer death for us (he died for our sins so that we would not have to die eternally for them ourselves).

Jesus is the one for whom and by whom all things exist (Matthew 28:18; John 1:1-3, 14). Jesus is the “pioneer” (the one to show us the way) of our salvation, who has been made “perfect” (spiritually mature) through suffering. The sanctifier (Jesus; one who purifies and consecrates to God’s service) and those who are sanctified [who receive salvation through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus] have the same origin: God the Father. So Jesus can unashamedly call us brethren, in fulfillment of Psalm 22:22. Jesus has proclaimed God’s name to his brethren and has glorified God’s name in the midst of God’s people. Jesus has trusted in God to the point of death on the Cross, and his disciples are the “children” God has given him (Isaiah 8:17c-18a).

“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage” (Hebrews 2:14-15). Jesus’ ministry was not to angels, but to mortal humans.

Luke Paraphrase:

Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the temple for the rite of purification of Mary and the Child, according to the Law of Moses (Leviticus 12:2-8), to present Jesus to the Lord (because every first-born male is holy to the Lord), and to offer the required sacrifice. There was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon who was righteous and devout, who was looking for the coming consolation of Israel (the Messiah), “and the Holy Spirit was upon him” (Luke 2:25c). The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would see the Christ (“anointed;” Messiah; Savior) of God before Simeon died.

Led by the Spirit, Simeon entered the temple, and when Mary and Joseph presented the young Jesus, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to thy people Israel” (Luke 2:29-32).

Commentary:

Jesus is the fulfillment, embodiment and example of God’s Word, lived out in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus is fully God and fully human (Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28). Jesus set his divine nature aside and became obedient to God (Philippians 2:8-11).

Jesus is God’s promised, “anointed” eternal Savior and King. He was attendant at Creation, and everything in Creation was made by him and for him (John 1:1-5, 14).

This Creation has been designed by God to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly choose to trust and obey God. This lifetime is our only opportunity to learn by trial and error to trust and obey God, to seek and come to know personally God, our Creator (Acts 17:26-27), and this is only possible through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ (John 14:6).

Jesus came to be the only sacrifice, once for all time and all people, which is acceptable to God for the forgiveness of sin, salvation from eternal condemnation, and restoration to fellowship with God and eternal life in his heavenly kingdom (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

Jesus came to show us, by word and example, how to be God’s children. He came to show us the way to eternal life in God’s kingdom in heaven. He came to make it possible for us to be cleansed and consecrated so that we could be “anointed” with the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. He came to make it possible for us to be spiritually “reborn” (John 3:3, 5-8) to eternal life by the indwelling Holy Spirit. By his Resurrection, he demonstrated that there is existence beyond physical death! He came to free us from the fear of physical death. Jesus came to free us from slavery to sin and eternal condemnation.

Simeon was one of only a few people before Jesus’ coming who was “anointed” (filled with) the Holy Spirit. He prefigures the “anointing” 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).
Simeon believed God’s Word promising the Messiah and had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would witness the birth of the Messiah. He trusted and obeyed the Holy Spirit and the revelation of the Holy Spirit was fulfilled. Simeon praised God by the Holy Spirit, and was unafraid of, and accepting of physical death.

As we believe and obey God’s Word, revealed through Jesus Christ, Jesus will reveal himself to us (John 14:21) and will make God the Father known to us (John 14:23; John 14:8-11; Luke 10:22). We will know with certainty that we are in Christ and have eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).

We are called to trust and obey Jesus and to follow his example and teaching, to seek the fulfillment of the promises of God’s Word, and to grow to spiritual maturity by the guidance and empowerment of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

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)?