Week of 2 Advent - A -12/04 - 10/2016

Week of 2 Advent - 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.

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

Podcast Download: Week of 2 Advent A
Sunday 2 Advent A
First posted December 9, 2007;
Podcast: 2 Advent-Sunday-A

Isaiah 11:1-10 -- The Messianic King;
Psalm 72:1-14 (15-19) -- Prayer for the King;
Romans 15:4-13 -- The Root of Jesse;
Matthew 3:1-12 -- The Coming King;

Isaiah Paraphrase:

Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would come from the stump, the root, of Jesse (the father of David, the great shepherd-king), like a shoot, a branch. The Spirit of the Lord will be upon him, marked by divine wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and the fear (appropriate awe and respect for the power and authority) of God. The fear of the Lord will be his delight.

The Messiah will not judge according to outward appearance or human testimony, but with righteousness, in accord to God’s Word. He will give justice and equity to the poor and the meek.

The Word of his mouth will be like a rod to strike and punish worldly people and destroy the wicked. His judgment will be controlled by the righteousness and faithfulness of God.

In the Day of Judgment he will establish a new eternal creation restored to paradise, in which all will dwell in peace and security. There will no longer be predator or prey; all will live together in harmony, “and a little child shall lead them” (Isaiah 11:6d). There will no longer be injury and destruction, in God’s eternal kingdom, because all will be full of the knowledge of the Lord.

In that day the root of Jesse (the Messiah; Jesus Christ), will stand forth as a signal flag, and all nations and peoples will seek and glorify him.

Psalm Paraphrase:

The people of God pray for a King, the royal Son, who will possess God’s righteousness and justice, so that he can judge the people with righteousness and give justice to the poor. May the land be blessed with prosperity as the people follow God’s righteousness. The King will defend the rights of the poor, deliver the needy, and crush the oppressor.

The Messiah will reign forever, throughout all generations. He will refresh and sustain his people like rain on mown grass. Peace will last forever. The Messiah will reign from sea to sea; from the river (Euphrates; cradle of civilization) to the ends of the earth. His foes will bow down before him and his enemies will be completely vanquished. The kings of the earth will pay him tribute and bow before him; all nations will serve him.

The Lord delivers the needy, the poor and helpless, has pity on them and saves their lives; their blood is precious to him.

Romans Paraphrase:

The Bible record of God’s dealing with Israel has been written down for our instruction, so that we might be encouraged and have hope in the steadfastness of God’s Word. God is the source of steadfastness and encouragement; may he help us live in harmony with one another and in accord with Jesus’ teachings, that we may glorify God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ with “one voice.”

Since God has graciously welcomed us into his family, we should be gracious and welcoming to other people. Jesus became a servant to the Jews so that God’s truthfulness in fulfilling his promise to their patriarchs could be clearly seen, and the Gentiles can thank and glorify God for his mercy in including them in salvation.

Paul used quotes from Psalm 18:49, Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalm 117:1 and Isaiah 11:10 to show that God’s plan of salvation in Jesus Christ has always been intended for the Gentiles (“nations;” non-Jews) as well as for the Jews. Paul’s prayer is that the Gentile Christians would be filled with the joy and peace, with God and with others, by the power of the Holy Spirit who gives us hope.

Matthew Paraphrase:

In God’s timing, John the Baptizer began preaching in the wilderness east of Jerusalem, calling people to repent (turn from disobedience to obedient trust in God’s Word), because the coming of the kingdom of God was imminent. John was fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah, of a voice crying in the wilderness, for the people to prepare for the coming of God’s kingdom, straightening their ways so that they could receive the Messiah; God’s “anointed” eternal Savior and King.

John was dressed in the manner of Old Testament prophets (2 Kings 1:8), and lived off food he gathered in the wilderness, like locusts and wild honey. Crowds came to him from a wide area around Jerusalem, confessing their sin, and were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

Pharisees and Sadducees (Jewish religious leaders) also came for baptism, but when John saw them he said, “You brood of vipers (poisonous snakes)! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit that befits repentance, and do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father;’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matthew 3:7-10).

John declared that he was baptizing with water for repentance, and was the most menial servant of the Lord, but the Messiah, who would be much greater than John, was coming and would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. John described the Messiah’s coming as that of a thresher of grain. The Messiah would thresh the wheat and separate it from the chaff. He would gather the wheat into his granary, but would burn the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Commentary:

The Word of God through Isaiah, his prophet, promised that the Messiah (Christ; both words mean “anointed” in Hebrew and Greek, respectively) would come forth like a shoot from the “stump” of Jesse (the father of David, the shepherd-king). God had promised that the Messiah would be the eternal heir to David’s throne (2 Samuel 7:5-13; Psalm 89:20-29).

The Lord fulfilled his promise in Jesus Christ, the “son of David” (Matthew 1:1-17; Matthew 21:9). The “stump of Jesse” indicates that Judaism and the Old Covenant of Law comes to an end and the Messiah initiates a New Covenant. Judaism effectively ended at the crucifixion of Jesus. The veil (curtain) of the temple was torn in two (Mathew 27:51a), symbolizing that Jesus Christ has opened a new and better way into God’s presence. Jesus initiated the New Covenant of grace (unmerited favor) through faith (obedient trust) at his “Last Supper” on the night of his betrayal (Matthew 26:26-29 NKJV; Hebrews 9:15).

God lifted his favor and providence from Israel, and Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D. The Jews were scattered throughout the world and Israel ceased to exist as a nation until reestablished following World War II. The temple, on which the Old Covenant depended, has never been rebuilt. Jesus’ death on the cross has become the one and only sacrifice acceptable to God for our forgiveness and salvation.

Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophetic hope of the psalmist for a royal Son and eternal King of kings. The magi (wise men; the “Three Kings”) came to worship Jesus at his birth, bringing gold, incense and myrrh (Psalm 72:10-11, 15; Matthew 2:1-2, 11)

The Messiah is God’s anointed Savior and eternal King, but he is also God’s appointed righteous Judge. Jesus’ word is the Word of God (John 14:10, 24). There is a Day of Judgment coming, when Christ returns. The standard of judgment will be God’s Word, and Jesus is the fulfillment, embodiment and example of God’s Word in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14). Those who trust and obey Jesus will be forgiven their sins (disobedience of God’s Word) and will be saved from God’s eternal condemnation and eternal death in unquenchable fire in Hell. The Word of God will punish and destroy eternally those who have rejected Jesus and have refused trust and obey Jesus (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

At the Second Coming (Advent), when Christ returns, he will establish a new eternal Creation, restored to paradise, with no sin, evil, injury or death, where his people will live eternally in peace, security and harmony. Everyone will know the Lord and live according to his Word. The people of God, who know and believe God’s Word, long for the coming of the kingdom of God.

In this world there is no true justice or equity. The rich and powerful prey upon and oppress the poor and the weak. God’s Word should be a warning to us, particularly in America, that if we want to continue to enjoy the prosperity of our land which God has blessed us with, we cannot continue to prey upon and oppress the poor, the needy and the weak. God lifts his providence from nations which pervert justice, as the Bible record documents.

Living as citizens of the kingdom of God begins now, in this lifetime. This is our opportunity to seek and know God (Acts 17:26-27), to discover and understand his will so that we can do it. As we begin to apply God’s Word in our daily lives, we learn personally and individually that God’s Word is true, faithful and good, and our very best interest (Romans 12:2).

As we begin to trust and obey Jesus, he will reveal himself to us (John 14:21) and give us the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit. 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). We must be “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) in this lifetime, in order to see God’s kingdom coming, now, in this world, and to live in God’s kingdom eternally in heaven. 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 is the example of what obedient trust in God’s Word “looks like,” lived out in this world, in human flesh. He was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he alone can fill us with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit imparts spiritual, eternal life, and also divine wisdom (not what the world falsely calls “wisdom;” 1 Corinthians 1:17-25; 2:1-8), understanding, guidance, power and ability, knowledge, and awe and respect for God’s power and authority (Luke 24:45; John 14:25-26; Mark 13:11). Through the indwelling Holy Spirit we experience the truth and faithfulness of God’s Word and the joy, peace and assurance of hope which only Jesus gives only through his indwelling Holy Spirit.

John the Baptist was the last of the Old Testament prophets, and the fulfillment of God’s Word of the return of "Elijah" to herald the coming Messiah. Before the coming of Jesus, only certain individuals had a close personal relationship with God. John is an example, and he was led and empowered by God’s Holy Spirit. John began the call for repentance and return to obedient trust in God’s Word, in preparation for the coming of the Messiah, and the Church continues that call today.

John was the fulfillment of God’s Word and his prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus. God’s Word is always fulfilled, over and over, as the conditions for its fulfillment are met. The test of prophecy is its fulfillment (Deuteronomy 18:21-22). Jesus has promised to return to judge the earth, and his return is imminent in the sense that each of us will face his judgment within our lifetimes. No one can be certain of living until tomorrow. Today is the only opportunity we can be sure of, to repent of our disobedience and commit to Jesus Christ as our Lord in obedient trust. Today is the Day of Salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2b).

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 2 Advent A
First posted December 10, 2007;
Podcast: Monday 2 Advent A

Psalm 146 -- The Lord Reigns;

Psalm Paraphrase:

Let us praise the Lord! With my soul I will praise the Lord as long as I live and exist. “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no help. When his breath departs he returns to his earth; on that very day his plans perish” (Psalms 146:3-4).

Those whose hope is in the Lord their God, who rely on the Lord for help, will be blessed. It is the Lord God who has created heaven and earth and sea, and everything in them. His faithfulness is eternal; he gives justice to the oppressed and feeds the hungry.

The Lord frees the prisoners, opens the eyes of the blind, and uplifts those who are brought low. The Lord loves those who do right (according to his standard; his Word). The Lord watches over sojourners, upholds widows and orphans, but he brings the wicked to ruin.

The Lord will reign forever; our God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord!

Commentary:

It is tempting to put our hope and trust in human achievement and material possessions. Our culture emphasizes “self-reliance,” worldly success and human achievement. Worldly security is an illusion, which can never be achieved by our efforts. So many people spend so much of their life and effort trying to get hold of and hang on to what cannot satisfy or provide security, which is not eternal, and which will soon pass away. The more we have the more we have to lose; the more we have to worry about.

When we entrust ourselves, our families and our possessions to the Lord, he will show us his faithfulness and power to help and bless us and provide what we truly need, and we will grow in faith (obedient trust) and security in him. Nothing can happen to us in this world that he can’t handle.

Only the Lord can set us free from slavery to the “gods” of this world. Only he can open the eyes of the spiritually blind. Only he can deliver us from the fear of physical death (Hebrews 2:14-15) and give us eternal life.

The Lord cares for the poor, the oppressed, the weak, the needy, and the down-and-out; people that our culture rejects. On the Day of Judgment, everyone who has ever lived will be accountable to him for what they have done in this world, in this lifetime. This Creation is God’s “garden” and we will be accountable for our stewardship of its resources (Matthew 21:33-43). Have others gone without necessities, because we tried to provide our own material security by hoarding resources? Have we neglected our spiritual health while trying to retain physical youth, beauty and health?

Jesus warned that as we treat the least of our fellow humans, we are doing so to Jesus. He warned that it is not those who call Jesus their Lord, but those who do what he teaches who are his disciples and have eternal life (Matthew 25:31-46).

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 2 Advent - A
First posted December 11, 2007;
Podcast: Tuesday 2 Advent A

Isaiah 35:1-10 -- The Coming of Messiah;

Isaiah Paraphrase:

The barren wilderness will blossom and become lush, fertile and beautiful, with joy and singing. Lebanon, Carmel, and Sharon are examples of beauty, lushness and fertility. The glory and majesty of the Lord will be revealed and they will rejoice.

Let those with weak hands, feeble knees and fearful hearts be strengthened and encouraged and fear not, because our God is coming, with vengeance and recompense, to save us.

Then the sight of the blind and the hearing of the deaf will be restored, the lame will become agile, the mute will sing for joy. Springs of water will break forth in the wilderness and streams will irrigate the desert. Instead of burning sand there will be pools of water. Barren wastelands will become swamps.

There will be a highway, known as the Holy Way. The unclean (unrepentant sinners) won’t be allowed, and fools shall not make mistakes on it. Predators and ravenous beasts will not be found there; the highway is for the redeemed of the Lord, who have been ransomed (from sin and death) and they shall return to Zion (the eternal city of God) rejoicing. They will have everlasting joy and gladness, and there shall be no more sorrow or suffering.

Commentary:

John the Baptizer heralded the first advent (coming) of the Messiah in the wilderness (Luke 3:1-17). The glory and majesty of the Lord are revealed in Jesus. Jesus opened the fountain of salvation in the “wilderness” of this world and the barrenness of human hearts. It is that spiritual fountain which causes the wilderness of our lives to blossom and become fertile, and that fountain is the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39), which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). It is that spiritual fountain which gives eternal life. 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’s Word promised that the coming of the Messiah would be attended by healing and restoration of the blind, deaf, mute and lame, and this was fulfilled in Jesus (Matthew 11:2-6). Jesus healed physical disabilities in fulfillment of the Scripture, but that physical healing was intended to show that he can also heal spiritual disabilities, spiritual blindness and deafness, and can raise us from physical and spiritual death to eternal life.

The gift of the Holy Spirit within us is the fullest revelation of God the Father and Jesus Christ to us personally and individually. It is the testimony of the Holy Spirit within us that strengthens and reassures us and calms our fears. Through the Holy Spirit we experience God’s love. We can rejoice in and pray for the Second Coming, knowing that the Lord will vindicate and save us.

Jesus is the (only) way (John 14:6); the highway to Zion, the eternal city of God in Heaven, and to eternal life. No evildoers, no unrepentant sinners (disobeyers of God’s Word) will be allowed on that highway. The way of salvation is not too difficult for even the simplest, least “educated” of people, but those who are spiritually reckless and insincere will not be allowed.

Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross is the one and only sacrifice acceptable to God for the forgiveness of our sins (disobedience of God’s Word) and our salvation from God’s eternal condemnation and destruction (Acts 4:12; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). Jesus paid the price which ransoms us from the slavery and punishment of sin and eternal death. Jesus is the only way to everlasting joy and gladness in paradise restored in Heaven. Forgiveness and salvation are free gifts from God, to be received by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).

God fulfilled his promise to send a Savior and eternal King in Jesus’ first coming, and God’s Word promises that Jesus will return on the Day of Judgment and will judge the living and dead (1 Peter 4:5; in both the physical and spiritual senses). Everyone who has ever lived will be accountable to him for what they have done in this lifetime (John 5:28-29). Those who have trusted and obeyed Jesus will receive eternal life in Heaven with the Lord; those who have rejected and have refused to obey Jesus will receive eternal destruction in Hell with all evil (Matthew 25:31-46).

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 2 Advent A
First posted December 12, 2007;
Podcast: Wednesday 2 Advent A

James 5:7-10 -- The Lord is at Hand;

James Paraphrase:

Christians are urged to wait patiently for the coming of the Lord. For example, the farmer must wait for the precious fruit of the harvest, patiently tending it through the growing cycle. So we also must be patient, settling our hearts, because the Lord’s return is at hand. Let us not complain or argue with one another, so that we will have no cause to be judged, because the judge is at the very door. Be encouraged by the example of the prophets of the Lord who spoke in his name.

Commentary:

It is easy to become distracted by the things of this world, when we begin to think that the Lord’s return is delayed, especially in this season and this culture. Preparations for the secular celebration of the holiday take our attention away from our spiritual preparation.

Spiritual harvest is like farming. The seed has to be planted, and then tended through a period of growth until it is ready for harvest. The seed can’t be planted and then neglected; there’s no harvest without the planting and patient nurturing.

Christmas is a celebration of the first Advent (coming) of Christ, and the anticipation of his return. Israel had waited for hundreds, even thousands of years, for the promised Messiah (Christ; God’s “anointed” Savior and eternal King) to come, but suddenly he was revealed, he proclaimed his Gospel, was crucified and resurrected, and ascended into Heaven in the matter of about three years. Many in Israel were unprepared for the coming of the Messiah. Some non-Jews were more willing to receive him than many of the Jews, although the non-Jews hadn’t had the testimony of God’s Word, the Bible.

The world is in the same situation today as that of Israel at the time of Jesus’ first advent. Many have been told that Christ will return to judge the earth. Many consider themselves the people of God, the “New Israel” and citizens of the “New Jerusalem.” They have access to the Biblical testimony.

A Christian is a disciple of Jesus Christ who knows Jesus’ teaching, who trusts and obeys Jesus, and has been “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). It is possible for one to know with certainty for oneself whether or not one has received the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).

Discipleship is a process of spiritual growth. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the seed. “To all who received him, who believed on his name (his character and person) he gave the power to become children of God” (John 1:12). But that power must be received and appropriated by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus. We must invite Jesus to be our Lord, to be our Master, to teach us his way, and we must be committed to following his teaching (Revelation 3:20).

Spiritual maturity isn’t instantaneous. It’s a process of learning to trust and obey by trusting and obeying; by trial and error. “The Twelve” original disciples were with Jesus twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week for about three years, and yet were not ready to continue Jesus’ ministry until they had received the indwelling Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13). Jesus told them to wait for their “rebirth” before going into the world with the Gospel (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8). We should thank God that he’s been patient with us and has given us time to prepare for Jesus’ return (2 Peter 3:9).

Christ’s Second Coming is imminent. We can be certain that he will return within our own lifetime, because this lifetime is all the time we have to be “reborn” through obedient trust in Jesus, by the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit, and no one can be certain of living until tomorrow. Today is the only time we can be certain of; Today is the Day of Salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).

The Bible is God’s Word of encouragement to those who trust and obey him. God’s dealing with Israel was recorded in the Bible for our instruction (1 Corinthians 10:11). Any average reader can read the entire Bible in one year (see Free Bible Study Tools; sidebar, top right). Those who haven’t read the whole Bible and don’t read it daily for guidance are missing the great promises, encouragement and divine wisdom it contains.

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 2 Advent A
First posted December 13, 2007;
Podcast: Thursday 2 Advent A

Matthew 11:2-11 -- Fulfillment of God’s Promise;

Matthew Paraphrase:

Herod had imprisoned John the Baptizer for preaching against Herod’s marriage to the wife of his brother, Philip (Mark 6:17). In prison John heard about what Jesus was doing, and he sent his disciples to Jesus to ask him if he was the Messiah prophesied to come.

Jesus replied by telling John’s disciples to tell John what they saw and heard Jesus doing: healing the blind and lame, cleansing lepers, restoring hearing to the deaf, raising the dead, and preaching good news to the poor. Those who are not offended by Jesus will be blessed by him.

When John’s disciples left, Jesus spoke to the crowd, asking them why they had gone out to John in the wilderness. Surely they hadn’t gone out to see a reed shaken by the wind, nor a person in fine clothes, because such people are in palaces. Hadn’t they gone out to see a prophet? Indeed John is more than a prophet.

Jesus declared that John was the fulfillment of Scripture (Malachi 3:1) of a messenger to prepare the way for the coming Messiah. Jesus declared that John was the greatest of the Old Testament prophets, and yet those who are least in the kingdom of God are greater than he.

Commentary:

John was languishing in prison and needed reassurance that his hope in Jesus as the Messiah was true. He was hearing rumors about what Jesus was doing, but was unable to witness them himself. John sent his own disciples to ask Jesus to declare whether Jesus was the Messiah.

Jesus answered by telling John’s disciples to tell John what they saw and heard Jesus doing. Jesus was doing the miracles (“signs”) prophesied as accompanying and revealing the Messiah’s identity (Isaiah 29:18-19; 35:5-6; 61:1; compare Luke 4:17-21).

Jesus is the fulfillment, embodiment, and example of God’s Word in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus’ word is the Word of God (John 14:10, 24), and has the same creative power (Genesis 1:3; compare Mark 4:37-41). Jesus was careful not to tell people who he was, because he wanted them to be free to decide for themselves who Jesus is. That is the reason Jesus usually referred to himself as the Son of man, which was true (and was a scriptural hint; see Daniel 7:13), but allowed them to decide for themselves whether he was also the Son of God.

John is the fulfillment of God’s Word of the “Elijah” who was to return to herald the coming of the Messiah, if people choose to accept his message. Jesus is the fulfillment of the promised Messiah, but people are free to accept or reject him and his message.

Those who accept John’s message are prepared for the coming Messiah, but those who reject him miss the fulfillment of God’s promised Messiah for themselves. The Jewish religious leadership rejected John. Herod was offended by John’s message.

Those who accept Jesus, who are not offended by him, will be blessed. Many Jews including Jewish religious leaders took offense at Jesus and missed the promise and blessing of God. Many today are offended by Jesus Christ and by God’s Word.

If John’s message was meaningless, like the rattling of a dry reed by the wind in the wilderness, why would people go out to find him in the wilderness? If they judged John’s message by his clothing and appearance, would they accept his message over that of the religious leaders who wore the robes of their leadership position, or over the secular Roman governors?

Jesus declared that John was the (last and) greatest of the Old Testament prophets, who had the privilege of announcing and witnessing the coming of the long awaited Messiah promised in God’s Word. In Old Testament times only a few individuals, God’s chosen prophets (spokespersons) had a personal relationship with God. John had a personal relationship with God, who guided John to begin his ministry and gave him the message he was to proclaim, but the least disciple of Jesus has a better personal relationship with Jesus and God the Father through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit which Jesus’ coming was to make possible.

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). It is the indwelling Holy Spirit through whom Jesus personally and individually reveals himself to us and through whom we have fellowship with God the Father (John 14:21, 23). It is the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit which causes us to be “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) to spiritual, eternal life. 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).

If we do not read the Bible completely and daily, we have no basis on which to make spiritual decisions which have personal and eternal consequences. God’s Word has been given to us so that we can know God’s will and purpose, and recognize God’s prophets and God’s Messiah.

The Lord wants us to be free to accept or reject him. To receive his blessings, his promises, in God’s Word personally, we must trust and obey God’s Word, fulfilled, embodied and exemplified in Jesus Christ. Jesus is God’s only provision for the forgiveness of our sin (disobedience of God’s Word) and salvation (from our eternal condemnation and destruction by God’s judgment; Acts 4:12; John 14:6; 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 2 Advent A
First posted December 14, 2007;
Podcast: Friday 2 Advent A

Malachi 3:1-6 -- Messenger of the Lord;

Malachi Paraphrase:

Malachi proclaimed God’s Word that God would send a messenger to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah, the Lord, who would “suddenly come to his temple” (Malachi 3:1). He is the Lord of the (new) covenant, in whom they delight. But who will survive his coming?

The Lord will be like a refiner’s fire and a fuller’s soap (bleach). He will first purify the Church (the sons of Levi; lay leaders) as a refiner purifies silver and gold by fire. Then they will present offerings acceptable to the Lord as they had in the past.

Then the Lord will judge all people, and will destroy those who practice sorcery, adultery, lying, those who deny workers a just wage, who oppress widows, orphans, and sojourners (non-citizens). God’s Word is faithful and unchanging; he has shown forbearance to Israel and not destroyed them outright.

Commentary:

Four or five-hundred years before the birth of Christ, Malachi declared God’s Word of the coming (advent) of the promised Messiah. John the Baptizer was the fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy of the messenger God would send to prepare Israel for the coming Messiah (Luke 3:1-9; Matthew 17:10-13).

To God’s people who delight in a covenant relationship with God, the Messiah is bringing a New Covenant, not based on fear of punishment, but on God’s grace (a free gift; unmerited favor), to be received by faith (obedient trust) in the Messiah (Ephesians 2:8-9; Jesus; God’s “anointed” Savior and eternal King; “Christ” is the Greek equivalent).

The prophecy of the coming of Messiah applies to his first advent, his birth, ministry, death, and resurrection, but also to his Second Coming, when he will return to judge the “the living and the dead” (in both the physical and spiritual senses; 1 Peter 4:5). The Lord’s judgment will begin with the Church (Malachi 3:1; compare 1 Peter 4:17), so that they will again make acceptable offerings to the Lord. The purified, “reborn” (John 3:3, 5-8) Church is to be the New Messenger, the New John-the-Baptizer,” to continue his call to repent and prepare for the Second Coming.

Jesus came to Israel, God’s covenant people of the Old Covenant of Law, sacrifice and punishment. He came to establish a New Covenant of Grace (unmerited favor) through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus, who is the mediator of the New Covenant between God and his people. Jesus established the New Covenant at his Last Supper on the eve of his crucifixion (Luke 22:20 RSV note “j;” Hebrews 9:15).

The Lord’s refining judgment is intended to refine and purify God’s people so that they will be acceptable to him, but will remove and destroy the wicked who do not obey the Gospel (1 Peter 4:17).

A "fuller" was someone who whitens cloth. Fuller’s soap whitens cloth and removes stains. Jesus’ blood, shed on the cross as a sacrifice for our forgiveness and salvation removes the stains of sin and provides the white robes of righteousness in God’s judgment through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus (Revelation 7:14).

A refiner of precious metals uses fire to separate and remove the dross (contaminations) from silver and gold to purify them. Fire doesn’t destroy what is precious, but only what is corrupt.

God and God’s Word are eternal and unchanging. What he promises is fulfilled. God warns us that he will not tolerate sin (disobedience of God’s Word). What God hated thousands of years ago and recorded in the Bible is still unacceptable to him, but he has had great patience with us to allow us to learn to trust and obey his will by trial and error. He doesn’t destroy the wicked immediately, but within our lifetimes we will all face his judgment, and then he will destroy the wicked, unrepentant sinners

Jesus has received all power and authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18), and has promised to return on the Day of Judgment, to judge everyone who has ever lived. The standard of judgment will be Jesus Christ, the fulfillment, embodiment and example of God’s Word lived out in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14). Those who have trusted and obeyed Jesus will receive eternal life in the paradise of the New Creation of God’s eternal heavenly kingdom. Those who have rejected Jesus and have refused to trust and obey him will receive eternal destruction in the unquenchable fire of Hell (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)?
Saturday 2 Advent A
First posted December 15, 2007;
Podcast: Saturday 2 Advent A

Romans 1:16-25 - God’s Judgment on sin;
Luke 1:39-56 - Mary’s Testimony;

Romans Paraphrase:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to every one who has faith, the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). God’s righteousness is revealed to those who believe, so that their faith might increase and be strengthened. Those who trust and obey Jesus in faith are accounted righteous by God and have eternal life.

The wrath of God is upon the ungodly and wicked who by wickedness suppress the truth. Although God is invisible, God has revealed himself, his eternal power and deity to all people through Creation. So people have no excuse; it isn’t that they don’t know that God exists, but they refuse to honor and give thanks to him. By denying the truth, their minds have become darkened and their thinking futile. They claim to be wise but have become fools, exchanging the glory of the immortal God for images of man or animals.

God allowed them to pursue the impure lusts of their hearts, and they dishonored their own bodies. “…they have exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen” (Romans 1:25).

Luke Paraphrase:

After the Angel of the Lord had revealed to Mary that she was pregnant with the Messiah, she went from Nazareth to the house of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Elizabeth was Mary’s kinswoman, and was also supernaturally pregnant with John the Baptizer (Luke 1:5-25).

When Mary greeted Elizabeth, the baby within Elizabeth leaped for joy. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and proclaimed that Mary was blessed above all other women, and praised and glorified Mary’s baby, acknowledging that Mary was the mother of Elizabeth’s Lord (the Messiah). She praised Mary for believing that the Word of the Lord would be fulfilled as Mary had been told.

Mary praised the Lord and acknowledged God as her Savior. Almighty God had exalted and done great things for Mary, a lowly maiden, who would be exalted through all generations.

Mary testified that God’s mercy is on those who fear (have proper respect for the power and authority of) God. God has revealed his great power. God scatters the proud who imagine that they are great, he dethrones the mighty, but he exalts the humble. God feeds the hungry with good things, but turns away the rich empty-handed. God has been merciful and has fulfilled his promise to help his people who serve him, as he promised to our ancestors, to the posterity of Abraham forever.

Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months, and then returned to her home.

Commentary:

The Gospel of Jesus Christ applies the power of God to save us from sin (disobedience of God’s Word) and (eternal) death (the penalty for sin; Romans 6:23) for all who believe (trust and obey). God brought the Gospel of Salvation to the Jews first, but it has always been intended for all people.

The meaning and purpose of this lifetime is to seek, find and come to personal knowledge of and fellowship with God, our Creator. This is only possible through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus is God’s only provision for our forgiveness and salvation from God’s eternal condemnation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

God has been progressively revealing himself to all people, first through Creation itself, then through the history of God’s relationship with Israel, recorded in the Bible. Then through Jesus Christ, recorded in the Bible, and ultimately revealed individually and personally through 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).

God’s Word reveals the righteousness (doing right, according to God’s standard) of God in the Bible. Jesus is the fulfillment, embodiment and example of God’s Word in human form (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus is the righteousness of God revealed in human flesh. Those who believe (trust and obey) God’s Word experience God’s righteousness through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which causes our faith to grow to spiritual maturity (John 14:21, 23; 16:7-11).

God has given us the freedom to choose whether or not to trust and obey God’s Word. The wicked and ungodly want to be their own “god.” They appear to thrive now, in this world, but God has appointed a Day of Judgment, when we will all be accountable for what we have done in this lifetime.

Jesus is (divine, eternal) truth (John 14:6). Satan is the “god” of this world and he is a liar and the father of lies. If we refuse to accept, trust and obey Jesus, we are blinding ourselves to eternal truth. If we refuse to worship the Lord we will be slaves of Satan and have exchanged the love and goodness of the Lord for our own wicked desires.

Mary and Elizabeth are examples of faith. Mary was a virgin and Elizabeth was old and barren. An angel of the Lord gave them God’s Word that they would each become pregnant. The child of Mary was the long-awaited Messiah, and the child of Elizabeth was John the Baptizer, the “new Elijah” (Matthew 17:10-13), who was expected to herald the coming of Messiah. Through the obedient trust of those two women, God’s plan of salvation was fulfilled, for all who trust and obey God’s Word.

Mary and Elizabeth knew from first-hand personal experience that the Lord lifts up the humble, and blesses the faithful with good things, but those who are arrogant and selfish will be brought low. In the advent of the Christ as a child, Jesus Christ, God has fulfilled his promise of a Savior who was to come through Abraham and his descendants to be a blessing to all people who trust and obey Jesus.

God’s Word is eternally true. We can choose whether or not to trust and obey it. Those who trust and obey will experience God’s love, truth and faithfulness. Those who refuse will ultimately receive God’s wrath and the due penalty for sin.

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)?