Week of 26 Pentecost C and
Following
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:
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and:
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The daily readings are the Propers (Lections) for the following
Sunday, so that the daily devotions can prepare us for worship.
Additional Lections are from Common Service Book of the Lutheran
Church, "Scripture lessons for Matins and Vespers," United Lutheran
Church of America, General Rubrics VIII. Scripture lessons for
Matins and Vespers, p. 299 - 304, Philadelphia, 1918.
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Podcast Download: Week of 26 Pentecost C
Sunday 26 Pentecost C
To Be First Posted November 17, 2013;
Podcast: Sunday 26 Pentecost C
Malachi 4:1-2a - The Day of Judgment;
Psalm 98 - The Coming Kingdom;
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 - Exhortation to
Diligence;
Luke 21:5-19 - The End of the Age;
Malachi Paraphrase:
The Lord of the Universe declares, (through Malachi, the prophet)
that the Day (of Judgment) is coming; it will be like a hot oven,
burning up all those who are arrogant, and all evildoers. They will
be completely destroyed; no root or branch of them will remain. But
the Sun of Righteousness, on wings carrying healing, shall rise upon
those who fear the name (the whole person and character) of the
Lord.
Psalm Paraphrase:
Let us sing a new song to the Lord for the marvelous things he has
done! By his right hand and his holy arm he has won the victory; his
vindication has been revealed to all people. He has not forgotten
his steadfast love and faithfulness to his people, Israel. God's
victory has been witnessed to the ends of the earth.
Let us make joyous music to the Lord, singing praises to the Lord,
the King, accompanied by lyres and horns and melodious music. Let
the sea's roar, and all sea creatures, the earth and all inhabitants,
the hills and floods (and all nature) join in joyous singing before
the Lord, as he comes to judge the earth. With righteousness and
equity he will judge the earth and all its peoples.
2 Thessalonians Paraphrase:
Paul commanded the Thessalonians (and all Christians) to they avoid
idleness in themselves and in others. Instead they are to follow the
example of Paul and his fellow missionaries. Paul worked for his
living expenses (at the trade of tent-making), so that the
Thessalonian believers would not be burdened financially. He didn't
expect to be fed (or housed) without working to earn it, although by
his ministry to the Thessalonians he deserved it (2 Thessalonians
3:8-9; Acts 18:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 2:9).
Paul had commanded the Thessalonians that anyone who would not work
should not be fed, because some of them had chosen to live in
idleness, as merely busybodies, indulging in the business of others,
without doing anything productive themselves. Paul, in the name and
authority of Jesus Christ, commanded these people to work quietly to
earn their own support, and he exhorted all believers not to become
tired of doing good deeds.
Luke Background:
In the last week of Jesus' ministry before his crucifixion, Jesus
had come to Jerusalem with his disciples and was with them daily in
the temple. The rebuilding of the Second Temple, commissioned by
Herod the Great, had been completed, and finishing embellishments
were being added.*
Paraphrase:
People were commenting on the beauty of the temple embellishments of
precious stones and memorial gifts. Jesus said that the day was
coming when the temple would be destroyed so that not one stone
would be left in place upon another. Jesus was asked what sign would
appear when this was about to take place. In reply, Jesus warned
that we must be careful to not be deceived, because many imposters
and deceivers would come, declaring false messiahs and the end
of the world. We are warned not to believe them and not to be
afraid. There will be wars and tumults, and all this will take place
first, but the end will not come directly following.
Jesus then told them that nations and kingdoms will war against each
other, there will be earthquakes, famines and epidemic diseases, and
there will be terrifying disturbances of nature and astrological
manifestations. Before this, Christians will be arrested and
persecuted and brought to account before rulers and judges for
proclaiming Jesus' name. This will be an opportunity for Christians
to give their testimony publicly.
Believers are advised not to plan what to say in advance, but
instead rely on the Holy Spirit to supply and guide our testimony to
fit the circumstances at the moment it is needed. Jesus promised to
give us words and wisdom at the moment needed, and which cannot be
contradicted or refuted by our adversaries.
Believers will be hated by all worldly people, and will be turned
over to worldly authorities even by their own parents, children,
relatives, and friends. As a result, some will even be put to
(physical) death. But Jesus assures us that we will not perish
spiritually, eternally, in even the slightest degree, and by
enduring persecution we will secure our eternal lives.
Commentary:
The Lord of the Universe is God, its creator and sustainer! Jesus
Christ is the Sun of Righteousness, the only one who gives the light
of enlightenment of divine, eternal truth (John 1:9; John 14:6), the
light of righteousness (John 1:5, 3:19-21), the light of eternal
life (John 1:4; 8:12).
Jesus is also the Son of Righteousness, because God alone is
righteous (doing what is right, good, and true; the standard by
which to judge what is righteous; Luke 18:19). Jesus is the Son of
man by his human mother, and Son of God by his conception by the
Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:30-35). Jesus is God in human
flesh (Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28).
We are all spiritually terminally ill because of sin (disobedience
of God's Word in the Bible and in the example of Jesus Christ, the
“living Word,” fulfilled, embodied, and exemplified (John 1:1-3,
14), because we have all 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 our spiritual healing and
restoration to spiritual life from death (Acts 4:12; John 14:6).
Jesus' earthly ministry of physical healing, feeding, and
resurrection miracles were intended to demonstrate that Jesus is
also, and more importantly, able to spiritually heal, feed and raise
us to life from death.
We are all born into this world physically alive but spiritually
“unborn.” This lifetime is our only opportunity to be spiritually
“born-again” (John 3:3, 5-9), by the “baptism” (“anointing;” “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). One can know with certainty for oneself if one has
received the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2).
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good
understanding have all those who practice it” (Psalm 111:10). Anyone
who doesn't fear the Lord doesn't understand the meaning of
lordship, and the power of God. Through a personal relationship by
the indwelling Holy Spirit with Jesus we are able to respond in
obedient trust from love, instead of from fear of the Law (God's
Word; the Bible; Romans 8:1-9).
Jesus is the right hand and holy arm of God. Jesus has won the
victory over Satan, sin and death at the cross (Hebrews 2:14-15;
Colossians 2:14; 1 Corinthians 15:57, 1 John 5:4). Jesus' victory
has been revealed by his resurrection, and has been revealed to the
ends of the earth (in the senses of both distance and time). Jesus'
resurrection was seen by over five hundred eyewitnesses, and is
testified to by every truly “born-again” Christian since, beginning
with Paul (Saul of Tarsus; 1 Corinthians 15:3-9).
Only by the indwelling Holy Spirit are we able to truly praise the
Lord. The Holy Spirit enables us to join in and experience ecstatic
worship and praise to the Lord (1 Corinthians 12:3; Romans 8:14-16;
my personal experience and testimony).
In America today, we are living in the greatest recession since the
Great Depression, and many people are unemployed. Other parts of the
world are experiencing economic problems as a result. Paul's command
is not addressed to people who want to work but are unable, because
of disability, or by inability to find a job.
Paul's command addressed those in the Corinthian congregation who
believed that Christ's Second Coming was so imminent that they had
quit working and were sitting around waiting. It also addresses
people who are living in spiritual idleness today: Church members
who have secular jobs, but are not inclined to seriously work at
proclaiming the Gospel through evangelism and social ministry
(concern for the poor and those in need), and nominal “believers”
who want to speculate about the “End Times” instead of making the
effort to become Jesus' disciples (1 Timothy 1:4 RSV). Paul exhorts
such people to not become lazy or discouraged with doing good deeds.
I have personally known such people.
Jesus' prophecy of the destruction of Herod's temple was fulfilled
in 70 A.D.,* when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. The
Jews were scattered throughout the world and Israel ceased to exist
until following World War II. Israel was reestablished, and Jews
returned to their “Promised Land,” but to this day, the temple has
not been rebuilt.
There have been many earthquakes, famines, epidemics, natural and
astrological disturbances. Even today Christians are being arrested
and persecuted for the name of Jesus throughout the world, even in
America. Christians have been and will be denounced and rejected
even by close family and friends. I have personally experienced many
times when the Lord gave me what to say at the time it was needed,
and which my adversaries could not refute. I have personally
experienced rejection and abandonment even by close family and
friends for the sake of the Gospel. But we have the assurance that,
by our endurance, we will not be damaged spiritually, if we trust in
the Lord. He is able to preserve us unto 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)?
*The Sword Project digital Bible tools:
http://www.crosswire.org/sword/
Easton Bible Dictionary module:
http://www.crosswire.org/sword/modules/ModInfo.jsp?modName=Easton
EASTON'S 1897 BIBLE DICTIONARY. M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897, “Temple, Herod's.,” digital edition.
http://shepherdboy.byethost12.com/HTML_Bible_Tools/EBD/T0003600.html#T0003611
Podcast Download: Week of 27 Pentecost C
Monday Before Christ the King
27 Pentecost C
First Posted November 15, 2010;
Podcast: Monday 27 Pentecost C
Psalm 95:1-7a – God's Kingship;
Paraphrase:
Let us sing the praise of the Lord together; let us make joyful music to the Lord, our rock and salvation! Let us enter his presence with thanks, joyful shouts and songs of praise! Great is the Lord our God; a great king above all gods. He holds the heights and depths of the earth in his hand. He created the sea and dry land. “O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand” (Psalm 95:6-7a).
Commentary:
The Lord is worthy of our praise and thanks because he is our rock of solid foundation, our refuge and salvation. We will experience great love and joy when we enter his presence, both by the indwelling Holy Spirit within us in this lifetime, and in his eternal presence in his kingdom in Heaven.
The Lord is the Creator of the universe and everything in it. He is the great king above all worldly "gods" (idols) and earthly rulers.
The Lord our God is our Creator and Shepherd. He provides us with the good pasture of every earthly necessity in abundance. We are his sheep, whom he protects and for whom he provides.
In one sense we are all God's people, because he is our Creator. In another sense God's people are his sheep who follow in obedience to his Word (in the Bible, and in Jesus Christ, the “living Word” (John 1:1-5, 14). We are all called through the Gospel [the “good news” of forgiveness of sin (disobedience of God's Word), salvation from eternal condemnation which is the penalty for sin, and restoration to fellowship with God our Creator, which was broken by sin] to be people of God by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ.
The Lord is the (only truly) Good Shepherd. God has designed a savior into the fabric of Creation from the very beginning. The “Good Shepherd” was intentionally prefigured in Moses, in Joshua, and in David, and foretold in every book of the Old Testament. That promise was fulfilled in Jesus Christ in the New Testament.
We can begin to experience the love and joy of the Lord only through the “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, ongoing, daily experience (Acts 19:2). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
The baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit is the source of spiritual rebirth to eternal life. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ within believers (Romans 8:9). It is only possible to praise and glorify the Lord through the indwelling Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3; Romans 8:15-17; Zechariah 4:6).
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 Before Christ the King
27 Pentecost C
First Posted November 16, 2010;
Podcast: Tuesday 27 Pentecost C
Jeremiah 23:2-6 – Messianic Oracle;
Paraphrase:
Through Jeremiah, the prophet, God declared that the shepherds (religious leaders) of Israel had not given God's people proper care, but instead had scattered and driven them away. The Lord promised to punish the shepherds' evil doings. When he had done that, the Lord promised he would gather the remnant of God's flock out of all the countries where they had been scattered, and would bring them back to God's fold, where they would be fruitful and multiply. The Lord promised to raise up shepherds who would properly care for them; they will no longer be afraid or dismayed, and none shall be missing.
The Lord promised to raise up a righteous Branch from the descendants of David. That one will reign as king; he will reign with wisdom, justice and righteousness. In his day, Judah will be saved and Israel will live in security. He will be known as, “The Lord is our righteousness.”
Commentary:
The test of prophecy is its fulfillment (Deuteronomy 18:21-22). This text is a Messianic oracle, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the son (descendant) of David, the great human shepherd-king who prefigures the Christ (Messiah; both mean “anointed” in Greek and Hebrew, respectively).
God promised David that David's throne would be eternal; that his descendant would reign forever (2 Samuel 7:5-13; Psalm 89:20-29). Jesus is the descendant of David through his earthly father, Joseph (Matthew 1:20-21). Jesus was recognized by the people of Israel as the son of David, the heir to the promise (Matthew 21:9) of a Savior and eternal King.
Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promise of a “Good Shepherd,” who takes care of his people and brings them back to the safety of God's “sheepfold” (John 10:11-18). Jesus has other sheep (the Gentiles) beside the Jews (John 10:16), and they will be united in one flock through Jesus Christ.
At the time of Jesus' first, physical, coming, the religious leaders of Judaism (the Pharisees and Sadducees), were using their position to their own benefit (Matthew 23:2-7), instead of caring for God's “flock” (consider Matthew 27:3-5). In many instances the conditions within the nominal Church today are the same as they were in Judaism at the time of Christ's physical ministry. Too often, ministry is a “career choice,” the congregation is regarded as the leaders' personal “empire,” the church teaches what members want to hear, and false doctrines which lead members astray (2 Timothy 4:3-4; see False Doctrines, sidebar, top right, home).
Jesus asked whether he would find faith (obedient trust) when he returned, as he promised (the Second Coming; the Day of Judgment). From the time God called Abraham and began to establish Israel as his “flock,” until the first coming of Christ, was about two thousand years. From Jesus' crucifixion until now, about two thousand years have passed. Jesus' Second Coming is imminent.
Jesus is the righteous judge who will reign with wisdom, righteousness, and justice. Jesus is God's anointed eternal king (Matthew 28:18). Jesus has promised to return to judge everyone who has ever lived in this world (John 5:28-29). He will judge the “living” (“quickened”) and the “dead” in both physical and spiritual senses (1 Peter 4:5).
Jesus is the example of righteousness (doing what is right, good, and true, according to God's Word). He came in human flesh with all its weaknesses. He was tempted in every way just like we are, yet without sinning (disobeying God's Word; Hebrews 4:15), even to the extreme of submitting to crucifixion, the most “excruciatingly” (meaning “from the cross”) painful death ever devised.
Jesus is the standard of judgment by which all will be judged. Those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and have trusted and obeyed Jesus' teachings will have been spiritually “reborn” (John 3:3, 5-8) in this lifetime by the “baptism” 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). At the Day of Judgment, they will enter eternal life in God's heavenly kingdom.
Those who have rejected Jesus as Lord, who have refused or failed to trust and obey Jesus, will be spiritually “un-reborn” and will be condemned to eternal death and destruction in hell with all evil (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, ongoing, daily experience (Acts 19:2). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
Judah is the remnant of God's “flock” who were scattered, and have been brought back, historically from exile in Babylon (Jeremiah 25:11-12; Psalm 126:1-3; 2 Chronicles 36:17-23; Ezra 1:1-4), and spiritually from the “Babylon” of this world to the eternal “Promised Land of God's eternal heavenly kingdom.
The Church is the “New Israel,” the new people of God. Jesus is the “New Moses” who leads us out of bondage to sin and death, through the “sea” of water baptism into Jesus Christ, through the “wilderness” of this lifetime, by the baptism of the Holy Spirit, who is the “pillar of fire and cloud” (Exodus 13:21-22); Jesus is the “New Joshua” (Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name, “Jeshua;” that is: “Joshua”) who leads us through the “river” of physical death, and into the eternal “Promised Land” of God's kingdom in heaven.
We are all sinners,who fall short of God's righteousness (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). The penalty for sin is (eternal) death (Romans 6:23). Jesus is God's only provision for our forgiveness of our sin, our salvation from eternal condemnation and death, and the restoration of our fellowship with God which was broken by our sin (see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar top right, home).
We cannot “earn” salvation by doing “good works.” By faith (obedient trust) in Jesus, we receive the righteousness of Christ, not that of our own (Romans 3:21-22).
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 Before Christ the King
27 Pentecost C
First Posted November 17, 2010;
Podcast: Wednesday 27 Pentecost C
Colossians 1:13-20 – The Image of God;
Paraphrase:
God has delivered us from our domination by darkness (evil; sin) and transferred us to the kingdom of his Son, through whom we receive forgiveness of sin (disobedience of God's Word) and by whom we are redeemed from the penalty of sin (eternal death; Romans 6:23).
Jesus is the image of the invisible God made visible. He is the first-born (pre-existent and supreme) of all Creation. Everything in Creation was was made in, by and for Christ. He existed before all things, and the entire universe is held together by him. He is the head of the Church, which is his body; he is the beginning of all things, and the first-born from the dead, so that in everything he is pre-eminent. God in all his fullness dwells in Jesus (Colossians 2:8-9; Matthew 11:27; John 14:7). Through Christ he reconciles to himself and makes peace with all things, in heaven and on earth, by the blood sacrifice of Jesus' crucifixion.
Commentary:
Jesus is the light of the World: the light of (eternal) life (John 8:12), the light of righteousness in the darkness of sin and evil in this world (John 1:5), the light of (spiritual) enlightenment (John 1:9), in the darkness of spiritual ignorance and what the world falsely calls wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:18-30; 2:1-8).
I'm intrigued by the association of light and eternal life. Light is the cosmic speed limit in this world. Science says that it is impossible to exceed the speed of light, because as the speed of light is approached, time slows down, and at light-speed, time stops: the definition of eternity.
God's Word declares that this Creation and we ourselves are limited by time. At the end of this age of time and grace (the free gift of God of forgiveness and salvation) there will be a Day of Judgment. At that Day, time will cease and our eternal destinies will be fixed and unchangeable.
At that Day, Christ will return to judge the living and the dead (1 Peter 4:5; John 5:28-29), in both physical and spiritual senses. Those who have accepted Jesus as Lord (One who has power and authority; a master; a ruler; a governor; a prince; a proprietor), and have trusted and obeyed Jesus, will have been spiritually “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) to eternal life by the “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). Those who have rejected Jesus as Lord, and have refused or failed to trust and obey Jesus will be spiritually “un-reborn,” and will enter eternal destruction and death in hell with all evil (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).
Jesus is God's only provision for our forgiveness of our sin (disobedience of God's Word) and salvation from eternal death, which is the penalty for sin (Romans 6:23). God has been teaching us that there is no forgiveness of sin without the shedding of blood (Hebrews 9:22). At Jesus' crucifixion, Jesus became the only sacrifice acceptable to God for our forgiveness (Hebrews 9:11-15; 25-28; Acts 4:12; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home).
God is a spirit (the Holy Spirit; the Spirit of God; Romans 8:9). Jesus is the very image of God made visible in human flesh. Jesus said that those who have known Jesus personally have known God the Father also (Matthew 11:27; John 1:18; 14:7).
Jesus was pre-existent with God from the very beginning of Creation (John 1:1-2). Jesus was not only with God; he was fully God from the beginning (John 1:1c). Jesus was designed into Creation from the very beginning; he was not some afterthought, after mankind sinned. The entire Creation was begun in, by and for Christ. The entire Creation is held together by him; otherwise Creation would be pointless.
Jesus is the head (Lord) of the Church. The Church is the body of Christ; each believer is a part of the body, each having unique abilities and roles assigned by God (Romans 12:4-8).
Jesus is the first-born and only begotten Son of God, begotten by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:31-35). Jesus is the first-born from the dead; the first to die physically and be raised to eternal life (Matthew 28:5-7a). In Jewish Law, the first-born son had pre-eminence over the other sons (Hebrews 12:10-15), and received a double portion of the inheritance (Genesis 25:31-33; 43:33; Exodus 13:2; 2 Chronicles 21:3).
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 Before Christ the King
27 Pentecost C
First Posted November 18, 2010;
Podcast: Thursday 27 Pentecost C
Luke 23:35-43 – The Thieves on the Cross;
Paraphrase:
When Jesus was crucified, the Jewish religious leaders who had demanded his crucifixion ridiculed him, telling Jesus that since he had saved others, to come down from the cross and save himself, if he truly were the Christ, God's Chosen One (God's “Anointed;” both Christ and Messiah mean “anointed,” in Greek and Hebrew, respectively). The Roman soldiers also mocked Jesus, telling Jesus to save himself if he truly were the King of the Jews. A sign had been placed on the cross, which said, “This is the King of the Jews” (Luke 23:38; John19:19-22).
Jesus had been crucified between two thieves (Luke 23:32-33). One of them also asked Jesus to save himself and the criminals, if Jesus were truly the Christ. The other thief rebuked the fellow criminal, saying that he should fear God, since he was also under condemnation. The second thief acknowledged that both deserved their condemnation, while Jesus had done nothing wrong. The second thief then asked Jesus to remember him, when Jesus had received his kingly power, and Jesus replied that repentant thief would be with Jesus in paradise that very day.
Commentary:
The Jewish religious leaders ridiculed Jesus, because although they knew that Jesus had done many miracles, including raising the dead, they still didn't believe that Jesus was God's anointed eternal Savior and King. Even if Jesus had come down from the cross they still wouldn't have believed. Jesus had been tempted to not go through with his crucifixion (Luke 22:39-46, but realized that it was necessary to fulfill God's Plan of Salvation (which see; sidebar, top right, home). When Jesus did arise from the dead, they still didn't believe (Matthew 28:11-15). The Roman soldiers also mocked Jesus while he was dying on the cross, but when he died, at least one was converted (Matthew 27:3-4).
One of the thieves believed in Jesus (Luke 23:40-42), and he was saved from eternal death. Jesus promised that the repentant thief would enter eternal life in paradise, because of the thief's faith (Luke 23:43).
We are all “criminals” in God's judgment, because we have all sinned and fall short of God's righteousness (doing what is right, good, and true according to God's Word). We are all under condemnation to (eternal) death, which is the penalty for sin (Romans 6:23). Only those who recognize and acknowledge their guilt to God in faith in Jesus can be saved from eternal condemnation, and receive eternal life in paradise restored in God's eternal kingdom. Will we continue to deride Jesus until that moment, or will we turn to him in faith?
An “ordained” (licensed) Christian minister once suggested that one must be “baptized” with water (by the Church), in order to be “saved.” I asked her if there was any instance in scripture of a person being saved without having been baptized, and she could not recall any. So I reminded her of the repentant thief.
That is a symptom of a problem within the “nominal” Church today. Some religious authorities think they have received a “franchise” to grant salvation by Church ritual.
This extends to the issue of spiritual rebirth. Some mainline denominations assert that one is automatically “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) only by the Church ritual of water baptism. I assert that the Church is the heir to the ministry of water baptism of John the Baptizer (Luke 3:2-3; John 1:26-27). Remember that only Jesus baptizes with the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). Jesus did not baptize with water; only his disciples did (John 4:2).
In too many instances the nominal Church is failing to make born-again disciples, because they do not require discipleship and obedience to Jesus' teachings. It takes born-again disciples to make born-again disciples. The unregenerate (un-born-again) don't know what they are lacking or how to get it, or they wouldn't be unregenerate (Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8; 2 Timothy 2:2). If the Church fails to make born-again disciples, there will be no born-again candidates to choose for Church leadership.
Christian discipleship is not an “optional” category of "super-Christians;" Christians are by very definition, disciples of Jesus Christ who have been born-again by the baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 11:26c; John 3:3). Born-again disciples are called to make born-again disciples (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-5, 8; 9:10-17; 2 Timothy 2:2).
Faith is not getting whatever one believes, if one believes “hard enough.” Faith is not like wishing on a star or when blowing out birthday candles. Saving faith is obedient trust in Jesus Christ.
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 Before Christ the King
27 Pentecost C
First Posted November 19, 2010;
Podcast: Friday 27 Pentecost C
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 – Christ's Return;
Paraphrase:
Believers don't need to hear “times and seasons” (speculation on the Day of Jesus' Second Coming), because they know that the Day is unpredictable, like a thief's break-in at night. When people begin to think they have peace and security, the Day will come like labor-pangs to a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape.
But believers are not in darkness (spiritual ignorance; comparable to the preferred time of thievery), that they should be taken by surprise. We are children of light (spiritual enlightenment; of God's Kingdom), not of the night; not of spiritual darkness. So let us not be be sleeping (or drunk); let us be awake and sober. Those who sleep, sleep at night, and the drunk get drunk at night. But we belong to the day (the kingdom of light) so let us be (alert and) sober.
Let us put on the armor of God: the breastplate of faith and love, the helmet of hope of salvation, because it is not God's will for us to be eternally destroyed, but to be saved from eternal destruction by the Lordship of Jesus Christ (who is the one who has power and authority; a master, ruler, governor, prince, proprietor over us, by our faith -obedient trust- in him). So then it is our responsibility to encourage and strengthen the faith of one another, as the Thessalonian Christians were doing.
Commentary:
Believers are called to trust and obey Jesus as our Lord. As we do so we will personally experience his power, love and faithfulness to deliver us from troubles and temptations in our lives, and we will come to know (that Jesus and his Gospel are true; John 6:68-69).
We can't really testify to what we haven't personally experienced. Unless one has personally witnessed a crime, one cannot take the witness stand in court and testify.
Church membership and Church ritual, such as water baptism, don't qualify us to testify about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to have a personal relationship with Jesus through the “baptism” 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). How can one encourage and strengthen another in faith in Jesus Christ, when one has not believed and has not personally experienced the certain conviction of faith.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, ongoing, daily experience (Acts 19:2). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
Watch out for false teachers who claim to know the time or season of Christ's return and the Day of Judgment. We can be sure that we will all be accountable to the Lord for what we have done in this lifetime, whether we have died or are still living (“quickened;” in both physical and spiritual senses) at the Second Coming (John 5:28-29; 1 Peter 4:5). But none of us can be sure of living until tomorrow. Today is the only day we can be certain of; today is the Day of Salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2); the only chance we may have to be saved from eternal condemnation. At the moment of our physical death (or at the moment of mental disability, such as stroke, or the onset of dementia, preventing cognition), our eternal destiny will be fixed and unalterable.
Expecting the Lord to return today is the only way to be ready. Any other expectation lulls one to think one can do whatever one pleases today, because one has plenty of time to prepare (Matthew 24:44-51; Luke 12:39-40). Faith and hope in salvation in Jesus Christ are the only “armor” which can preserve us from temptation and eternal destruction.
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 Before Christ the King
27 Pentecost C
First Posted November 20, 2010;
Podcast: Saturday 27 Pentecost C
Matthew 25:1-13 – Wise and Foolish Maidens;
Paraphrase:
Jesus told the parable (a fictional story of a common earthly experience used to teach spiritual truth) of ten maidens who went, with oil lamps, to meet a bridegroom. Five of the maidens were wise and took extra oil for their lamps, while the other five were foolish and did not. The bridegroom was delayed, and the maidens fell asleep waiting.
At midnight, a cry announced the bridegroom's arrival. The maidens awoke and trimmed their lamps. The oil in their lamps was running low, and the foolish maidens asked the wise for oil to replenish their lamps, but the wise were worried that then their own lamps might run out. They suggested that the foolish maidens hasten to dealers to purchase more oil for themselves.
While the foolish maidens were out buying oil, the bridegroom arrived and those who were ready went in to the wedding feast with him, and the door was closed. Later the foolish maidens returned and knocked at the door, to be let in, but the bridegroom denied knowing them. Jesus warned that we must be watchful, because we don't know the day or hour (of the “bridegroom's” -Christ's- return).
Commentary:
This parable is based on the custom in Israel at the time, of the the bridegroom fetching his bride from her parents home. Jesus is the “bridegroom,” whose time of return is not known. His bride is the Church; the wedding feast is the fulfillment of the Lord's Supper, instituted by Jesus on the eve of his trial and crucifixion, with his disciples in Heaven (Matthew 26:26-29).
We are the “maidens,” members of the wedding party who have been invited to attend the feast. Now is the time for us to obtain oil for the lamps of salvation (which is the “oil of gladness” of the “baptism” of the Holy Spirit; Psalm 45:7; Exodus 29:7; Leviticus 8:12; 21:12b). Those who are wise will seek the “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit now, while there is time; when Christ's return is announced, it will be too late to seek and acquire it.
If we are “born-again” (by the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17), we will enter the marriage feast (the “New Passover”) in heaven. Then the door will be shut, and those who were not “reborn,” now, while possible, will be “unknown” to Jesus, because they have not had a personal relationship with Jesus in this lifetime by the indwelling Holy Spirit. They will not be able to enter.
The baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, ongoing, daily experience (Acts 19:2). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). The indwelling Holy Spirit is our “invitation” which we must have to enter the eternal wedding feast in heaven.
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)?
