Week of 2 Epiphany 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).
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http://shepherdboy.byethost12.com/dw_bible2/c_year/wklx_c.html
Please Note:
To
get the most from these studies, it is suggested that you first read
the scripture texts for the entry, and then the paraphrase and
commentary. It is also recommended that you look up the scripture
references, unless you recognize and recall them from memory.
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Podcast Download: Week of 2 Epiphany A
Sunday 2 Epiphany A
First Posted January 16, 2011;
Podcast: 2 Epiphany Sunday A
Isaiah 49:1-6 - The Lord’s Servant;
Psalm 40:1-12 - The Lord’s Deliverance;
1 Corinthians 1:1-9 - Thanksgiving;
John 1:29-41 - John’s Testimony;
Isaiah Paraphrase:
The
Lord’s Servant calls the coastlands (of the Mediterranean Sea;
neighboring countries) and the people from far off. God called his
servant from his mother’s womb and named him before he was born (Matthew
1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38). God put God’s Word, the sharp two-edged sword
of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12), in his mouth and
protected him in the shadow of God’s hand; God made him a polished arrow
and hid him in God’s quiver. God declared him his servant, Israel, who
would glorify God. The servant seemed to have labored in vain to
exhaustion, but trusted in God to bring forth results.
The
Lord created him in his mother’s womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob
(renamed Israel by God; the inheritor of the birthright; father of the
heads of the twelve tribes of Israel) back to God, and gather Israel to
him. God has honored the servant and has become his strength.
God
declares that the salvation of Israel alone is too small a thing
(compared to the sacrifice of God’s Son); his sacrifice must be a light
to the nations (Gentiles), “that his salvation may reach to the end of
the world” (Isaiah 49:6c).
The Lord, the Redeemer and
Holy One of Israel, declares “to one deeply despised, abhorred by the
nations, the servant of rulers: ‘Kings shall see and arise; princes, and
they shall prostrate themselves; because of the Lord who is faithful,
the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you” (Isaiah 49:7).
Psalm Paraphrase:
Those
who have trusted, obeyed, and waited patiently for the Lord, including
the psalmist and myself, testify that the Lord hears and answers our
cries. He draws us up from the pit of trouble, the quagmire of evil, and
even the grave of physical death. He sets our feet upon the rock (of
salvation; Jesus Christ) and guides and protects our daily path. He
gives us a new song of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done
for us and will fear (have appropriate respect for the power and
authority of) God and put their trust in the Lord.
“Blessed
is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the
proud, to those who go astray after false gods” (Psalm 40:4)! The Lord
has blessed us with goodness far beyond our awareness and ability to
recall (compare John 21:25).
God doesn’t want
sacrifice, offering, or religious ritual; he wants us to use our
spiritual ears to hear, trust and obey him. He wants us to come to him,
to store up his Word in our hearts, and have delight in doing his will,
as the Scripture (the Bible) has said.
When we have
experienced his deliverance, we are intended to and should want to
testify and share the good news in the congregation of believers, and
among our neighbors in the world. Let us not restrain our testimony or
hide God’s saving help within our hearts. Let’s not keep to ourselves
the Lord’s steadfast love and faithfulness, and his power to deliver and
save.
If we trust and obey him, the Lord will not
withhold his mercy, steadfast love and faithfulness from us when we are
beset with trouble; he will preserve us forever. When evil and sin
overtake and threaten to overwhelm us, and we see no way of escape, the
Lord will deliver us without delay.
1 Corinthians Paraphrase:
Paul
(Saul of Tarsus) was called by God to be an apostle (a messenger; of
the Gospel; Acts 9:1-21; NB v. 15) of Jesus Christ. He was writing to
the Church at Corinth which had been established through Paul’s
ministry; to those who had been sanctified (purified and consecrated) in
Jesus Christ, called to be saints (“sanctified” Christian believers;
i.e., “born-again” Christian disciples) together with all Christians
everywhere who accept and acknowledge Jesus as Lord. Grace (unmerited
favor) and peace (with God and mankind) are only from God through Jesus
Christ.
Paul was thankful to God for the grace the
Corinthian Christians had received through Jesus Christ, through whom
they received every spiritual blessing, by which their testimony to
Christ was confirmed. Paul was confident that the Lord Jesus Christ
would preserve and sustain them without guilt as they waited for Christ
to be revealed at his Second Coming on the Day of Judgment, because God,
who had called them into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ, our
Lord, is faithful.
John Paraphrase:
John
the Baptizer was preaching and baptizing in the wilderness, and saw
Jesus passing by, after Jesus had been baptized by John. John told the
people to look and see the “Lamb of God (the sacrificial lamb of
Passover), who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29b). John had
said that this man was coming after John, in chronological appearance,
but was before John in importance and existence (John 1:1:26-27; John
1:1-3, 14).
John had been sent by God (Luke 3:1-3), to
preach water baptism for repentance, to prepare the people for the
revealing of the Messiah. John himself did not know who the Messiah was,
but God had given him a sign: the one on whom the Holy Spirit descended
from heaven as a dove and remained was the Messiah. God had told John
that the one on whom the Spirit had descended would baptize with the
Holy Spirit. John saw the sign, and testified that Jesus is the Messiah,
the Son of God.
The next day John was talking to two
of his disciples when Jesus again walked by, and John told his disciples
to look and see the Lamb of God. The two heard what John said and
followed after Jesus. Jesus turned and asked them what they were
seeking, and they asked Jesus where he was staying. Jesus invited them
to come and see, and they stayed with Jesus that day because it was
already 4:00 PM. One of the disciples was Andrew, the brother of Simon
Peter. Andrew went and found Simon and told him that they had found the
Messiah.
Commentary:
Jesus is the
perfect fulfillment of the prophecy by Isaiah of the Lord’s servant. God
called him forth from the womb of a virgin by the power of the Holy
Spirit (Luke 1:26-38) and named him before he was born (Matthew
1:18-25). Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise to raise up
a prophet who would declare God’s Word; Jesus is the fulfillment,
embodiment and example of God’s Word lived out in this world in human
flesh (John 1:1-3, 14).
Jesus came to his own people,
Israel, and his own hometown, Nazareth, but they did not welcome (Luke
4:16-29), trust and obey him. Instead they crucified him. It seemed that
the Lord’s servant had labored to exhaustion and physical death in
vain, but he trusted in God the Father to bring forth results. Jesus
rose from physical death to eternal life, demonstrating existence beyond
physical death, and victory over sin and evil. God has honored Jesus
(Philippians 2:9-11) and has become his strength.
Jesus
was and is despised and abhorred by nations including Israel, but God’s
Word of prophecy, that kings would see, arise and prostrate themselves
before him, began to be fulfilled at his birth, in the visit of the Magi
(“Wise Men;” the “Three Kings;” Matthew 2:1-11). It will be fulfilled
ultimately at his Second Coming on the Day of Judgment, when every knee
shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord (Philippians
2:10-11).
Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the
prophecy of God’s servant, but Israel was intended to follow that
example. Instead, Israel turned aside from that call. The Church and
each believer is the New Israel, the heir to God’s call to servanthood,
to carry on the mission of Christ to bring forgiveness and
reconciliation to a spiritually lost and dying world.
This
lifetime is our only opportunity to seek and come to know, trust and
obey God (Acts 17:26-27), and this is only possible through Jesus
Christ, by the gift of his 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 Bible is the record of God’s dealing with his
people. God’s Word is faithful and eternally true. As we trust and act
on his Word, we experience God’s faithful mercy, love and deliverance
for ourselves, and our faith grows. If we want his deliverance we must
be willing to trust and obey his Word.
If we have
experienced for ourselves the truth of God’s Word and his deliverance
from trouble we will want to share our testimony with others. We must
follow the example of Jesus and carry on his call to proclaim his Gospel
of salvation to the end of the world. The Lord will provide his
strength (and guidance) and make our efforts productive through his
indwelling Holy Spirit.
Paul is intended to be our
example of a “modern,” “post-resurrection,” “born-again” disciple and
apostle of Jesus Christ. God called him to be the Lord’s servant, to
learn from Jesus and then to testify to the Lord’s deliverance and
salvation (see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right) to the end
of the world. Paul demonstrates “discipling” ministry and personal
testimony.
John the Baptizer was the last Old Testament
prophet and the first New Testament prophet, and yet his role was less
than the least of all “born-again” disciples (Matthew 11:11). John
trusted and obeyed God’s Word and Spirit, experienced the fulfillment of
God’s promised sign, and testified to his experience.
Andrew
is intended to be an example to us of a disciple and apostle. Andrew
heard and acted upon the testimony of John, he came to personally
experience Jesus, and immediately went, found his brother, Peter, and
testified to his experience. All he needed to do was say, ‘Come, and see
for yourself.’
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 Epiphany A
First Posted 01/16/05;
Podcast: Monday 2 Epiphany A
Psalm 27:1-9 - My Light and Salvation;
Paraphrase:
Those
who make the Lord their light (understanding; standard of
righteousness) and their salvation (from evil; sin; death) need not fear
any person or thing. When evildoers attack and slander the Lord’s
people they will not prevail. Even though the enemy seems to greatly
outnumber God’s people they can be confident.
The one
important thing to pray for and seek is to spend all the days of our
life in the house of the Lord, to experience his beauty and learn his
teachings. In the day of trouble the Lord will conceal and shelter his
people, and set them high “upon a rock” above their enemies. Then his
people will bring offerings and rejoice and sing to the Lord.
The
Lord will hear and answer those who call upon him in faith (obedient
trust; Hebrews 11:6). God wants us to seek his presence (Deuteronomy
4:29; 1 Chronicles 16:10-11), and when we seek him with our hearts he
will not hide from us.
Commentary:
What
is the meaning and purpose of life? For most people it seems to be to
maximize pleasure and avoid troubles for as long as possible. All effort
is directed at achieving “security” by our own resources. But security
is never achievable by worldly resources; it always seems to take just a
little more than we have.
I believe that the meaning
and purpose of life is to seek and come to personal knowledge and
experience of God (Acts 17:26-27), who is the only true source of
security; and the security he provides is eternal. This lifetime is our
only opportunity to be “re-born” (John 3:3, 5-8) to spiritual, eternal
life. Our personal relationship with God and spiritual “rebirth” is only
possible through Jesus Christ, God’s one and only provision to
accomplish that purpose (Acts 4:12; John 14:6).
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 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 to know with certainty for oneself whether or not one has
received the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2).
Jesus
taught his disciples to seek God’s kingdom and righteousness first,
ahead of even daily necessities like food and clothing (Matthew
6:25-33). If we put God first in our lives he will provide all those
other things as well, and we will have security in the assurance that we
have eternal life in paradise restored in heaven. Nothing can happen to
us in this world that the Lord cannot deliver us from.
True
wisdom and understanding come from God, not what the world falsely
calls wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:17-25; 2:1-8). The standard of
righteousness by which everyone is judged is Jesus Christ, not the
worldly standard of goodness.
The one important thing
to seek in this lifetime is the presence of the Lord, to experience his
goodness, faithfulness and love, and to learn his teachings; to learn to
trust and obey his Word, fulfilled, embodied, and exemplified in Jesus
Christ (John 1:1-5, 14). The Lord wants us to seek him. When we begin to
trust and obey him he reveals himself to us (John 14:21, 23).
The
Lord does not ask what is impossible for us. The place to begin to seek
God is in his Word, the Bible. The way to put God first in our lives is
to set aside time each day to read his Word, meditate on it, pray
seeking his will and guidance for us for that day and then remember and
apply it.
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 Epiphany A
First Posted 01/17/05;
Podcast: Tuesday 2 Epiphany A
Isaiah 9:1b-4 - The Light of Life;
Background:
Zebulun
and Naphtali were part of what became the Roman province of Galilee,
beyond the Jordan (on the west bank). The way of the sea was the highway
from Damascus, probably by which the Assyrians had invaded the Northern
Kingdom of Israel.*
In former times the Lord brought that region into contempt, but later glorified it (by bringing forth the Messiah from it).
Paraphrase:
“The
people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt
in a land of deep darkness (or “shadow of death;” KJV), on them has
light shined” (Isaiah 9:2). The Lord has multiplied the nation of Israel
and increased its joy; they rejoice before the Lord as at a great
harvest, or as at a great military victory they divide the plunder.
The Lord has broken Israel’s yoke and burden and the rod of its oppressor as in the day of Midian (Judges 7:15-25).
Commentary:
The
Northern Kingdom of the ten tribes was invaded by the Assyrians in
733-732 B.C.* because the leaders and people disobeyed God’s Word,
practiced idolatry, and refused to heed the Lord’s prophets. In the time
of Jesus, Galilee was a Roman province, “Galilee of the nations (i.e.
Gentiles). It was generally regarded with contempt. Nathanael, who
became one of Jesus' Twelve disciples, asked if anything good could come
from Nazareth (in Galilee; John 1:43-46). The religious leaders of
Israel rebuked Nicodemus over whether the Messiah could arise from
Galilee (John 7:45-52).
Jesus was given as a light to
the “nations” (not just to the Jews; Luke 2:32; Isaiah 49:6). Jesus has
and gives the light of (true, eternal) life (John 1:4-5, 9; John 8:12).
We
are all in the spiritual darkness of sin (disobedience of God’s Word)
and ignorance of divine wisdom and knowledge (1 Corinthians 1:17-27,
2:1-8). Jesus is the fulfillment, embodiment and example of God’s Word
lived out in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-3, 14). Jesus is the
revelation of God and the revealer of divine enlightenment (John 1:9,
14:8-9; 16:13).
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 Holy Spirit within us who
cleanses us, makes it possible for us to know the Lord personally, and
makes it possible for us to know, remember and do God’s will. It is by
the gift of the Holy Spirit that we are spiritually “born-again” (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 true Church of all
“born-again” disciples is the “New Israel.” It is by the Holy Spirit
that we experience and express the joy of salvation and eternal life,
beginning now in this world. The Holy Spirit is the “first-fruit” of the
harvest of eternal life in the presence of the Lord.
Jesus is our Savior who has broken the yoke and burden of sin, and the rod of Satan, which is death (Hebrews 2:14-15).
The
day of Midian was the great victory of Gideon and three hundred men
over the vastly larger army of Midian, by faith (obedient trust) in the
Word of God (by prophetic dream; Judges 7:15-25) and the Holy Spirit
(Zechariah 4:6; Judges 6:11-21).
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, Isaiah 9:1n, p. 833, New York, Oxford University Press, 1962.
Wednesday 2 Epiphany A
First Posted 01/18/05;
Podcast: Wednesday 2 Epiphany A
Amos 3:1-8 - Warning of God's Impending Judgment
Amos Paraphrase:
Through Amos the Lord declared a Word of judgment against his people, the whole family of descendants of Israel whom he had delivered from Egypt. Because God has had a personal covenant relationship with Israel alone, of all the people of earth, God will punish them for their iniquities (disobedience, immorality, idolatry, injustice, and superficial religion).
The prophet uses proverbial wisdom to show that there are consequences to their actions. Two people do not walk together without prior arrangement. Lions don’t roar when they are hungry (or they’d never catch any prey). Birds cannot be caught without setting a snare, and snares do not trip without something tripping it. The watchman doesn’t blow his trumpet unless there’s a reason for warning. Evil does not befall a city unless the Lord allows it.
"The lion hath roared, who will not fear? The Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?" (Amos 3:8).
Commentary:
God’s Word contains great promises but also ominous warnings. God has given us forgiveness and salvation through Jesus Christ as a free gift to be received by faith (obedient trust; Ephesians 2:8-9). But for those who refuse God’s gracious gift there will be eternal condemnation and punishment.
Amos was a shepherd who was called by God to proclaim God’s warning of Judgment to the Northern Kingdom of the ten tribes of the divided monarchy. The Northern Kingdom was at the height of its prosperity and power, and the people considered themselves God’s chosen and favored people. But Amos denounced them for their disobedience of God’s Word, reliance on their own human ability and resources instead of on God, and of idolatry, immorality, social injustice, and superficial religion.
Amos called them to repent and return to obedient trust in the Lord, but they refused to heed the prophetic warnings. The religious leaders of the Northern Kingdom forbade Amos to prophesy and sent him away. The Assyrians came by “the way of the sea” in 733-732 B.C.* (Isaiah 9:1), and the Northern Kingdom was completely destroyed and ceased to exist in 721 B.C. .*
America and the Church, at least in America, are each, in a sense the New Israel, the “chosen” people of God in the national and spiritual senses. We’re in the same position as Israel at the time of Jesus. In many ways our religious and political leaders regard their office as their private empire for their benefit, rather than as stewardship on behalf of God’s people. We need to hear the prophetic Word of God’s judgment as much today as Israel did in the time of Jesus or of Amos.
Haven’t many Americans and Christians turned away from obedient trust in God’s Word? Haven’t many become immoral and idolatrous? Aren’t there great social injustices in our land? Hasn’t religion become a meaningless ritual for many?
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, Isaiah 9:1n, p. 833, New York, Oxford University Press, 1962.
Thursday 2 Epiphany A
First Posted 01/19/05;
Podcast: Thursday 2 Epiphany A
1 Corinthians 1:10-17 - Church Unity;
Paraphrase:
The Church at Corinth had been founded by Paul’s ministry and Paul continued to “disciple” the members, by letter. One of the families had reported to Paul that there was dissension among the members, and Paul urged them to reconcile and be unified in mind and judgment. The members had been divided by loyalty to various leaders. One group identified with Apollos, another identified with Peter, and some with Paul. Each group thought they were superior to the others.
By whom one is baptized is not important; the name of Christ in whom they were baptized is what is important. Christ is the one who was crucified for them, not Paul, or Apollos or Peter. Paul made his point by saying that he was glad that he had baptized only a few individuals there, so that being baptized by Paul wouldn’t be a source of division. Paul said that his role in the Congregation had not been to baptize, but to preach the Gospel, and not with eloquence or human wisdom, so that their faith would not depend upon human ability but on the power of the cross.
Commentary:
Instead of focusing on our common Apostolic doctrine recorded in the New Testament, denominations emphasize distinctions in interpretation (see 2 Peter 1:20). Instead of making “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciples of Jesus Christ, Churches have made “members,” and “disciples” of a particular denomination or pastor. Many members are biblically illiterate, and prefer to adopt a list of denominational distinctions rather than to read and learn the Apostolic doctrines recorded in the New Testament.
Instead of reading the Bible and being led by “born-again” disciples to spiritual rebirth and a personal relationship with the Lord through the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit, people seek a personal relationship with the pastor or leader and seek guidance through him (or her). People choose eloquent oratory over sound Biblical teaching, because they don’t know the Bible. In many instances the Church has become a “consumer” religion instead of a “disciple-making” ministry.
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 Epiphany AFirst posted January 21, 2011;
Podcast: Friday 2 Epiphany A
Matthew 4:12-23 - Jesus’ Ministry Begins;
Paraphrase:
Jesus had been baptized by John the Baptizer and had been tested in the wilderness for forty days. Then, after John had been arrested (by Herod Antipas; Luke 3:19), Jesus left Nazareth and dwelt in Capernaum, on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, in Galilee, the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 9:1-2: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles- the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region of the shadow of death light has dawned.” From that time, Jesus began to preach, calling the people to repent because the kingdom of heaven was imminent.
As Jesus walked on the shore of the Sea, he saw Simon Peter and Andrew fishing with a net on the shore and invited them to follow him and become "fishers of men." They immediately left their net and followed Jesus. Further on, Jesus saw James and John the sons of Zebedee, with their father, mending their nets. Jesus called them and they immediately left their father, the boat and the nets, and followed Jesus
Jesus began traveling throughout Galilee and teaching in the synagogues, preaching the Gospel of God’s kingdom, and healing every disease and disability.
Commentary:
According to Luke’s Gospel, Jesus was not well-received in his hometown, Nazareth (Luke 4:16-31), and was literally thrown out, so he moved to Capernaum. In Capernaum he called Peter, Andrew, James and John, commercial fishermen. They were making a living fishing, but at Jesus' invitation, they left their jobs and the tools of their trade and followed Jesus, learning to become “fishers of men.”
John the Baptizer had preached repentance (returning from disobedience to faith in God) in order to prepare for the coming Messiah (Christ; both words mean “anointed in Hebrew and Greek; i.e. God’s “anointed” eternal savior and king). When Jesus began his ministry, John’s role was completed. John was imprisoned and later beheaded (Matthew 14:3-12).
Jesus continued John’s call to repentance, announcing that God’s kingdom was coming (in Jesus). Jesus preached the Gospel of God’s plan of salvation [from sin (disobedience of God’s Word) and eternal condemnation which is the consequence of sin; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 1 John 1:8-10; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right]. Jesus’ healing miracles were to reveal who Jesus was, and to demonstrate that Jesus can also heal spiritually. Jesus’ resurrection from physical death to eternal life demonstrates the reality of existence beyond physical death, and the promise of eternal life in him.
Jesus is the light of God’s righteousness in a world of spiritual darkness (John 3:16-21). Jesus is the light of divine wisdom and knowledge in a world of spiritual ignorance and foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:17-25; 2:1-8; John 1:9). Jesus is the light of eternal life (John 1:4-5, 9; 8:12) in a spiritually dying world.
Jesus used the imagery of fishing with a net to illustrate the fulfillment of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 13:47-50) at the end of this age. At that time, the angels of God will gather all who have ever lived, and they will be accountable to the Lord for what they have done in this life (Matthew 25:31-46), like net fishermen fill their nets and then toss out what is bad and keep the good.
When we answer the call of the Gospel in Jesus Christ we must leave the worldly life we had in order to follow Jesus, but when we do, he will show us and teach us a better life. We’re called to be his disciples, to learn the Gospel by first-hand personal experience with Jesus, 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). Then we’re to carry on Jesus’ ministry to preach repentance and healing to the sinful and spiritually dying world.
At the end of the age (or the end of our lives), repentance and restoration will no longer be an option. In that day, our eternal destinies will be forever fixed.
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 Epiphany AFirst Posted 01/21/05;
Podcast: Saturday 2 Epiphany A
Jeremiah 33:6-9 - Promise of Restoration;
Hebrews 11:1-16 - Examples of Faith;
Luke 17:5-10 - The Mustard Seed;
Jeremiah Paraphrase:
Judah was about to go into exile in Babylon because of their disobedience of God’s Word, and their idolatry. But the Lord promised that he would heal them and restore them to health, security and prosperity, and rebuild them (Jerusalem and the temple) as they were before. The Lord promised to cleanse them and forgive them of all their sin and guilt, and their rebellion against the Lord. Jerusalem’s name will become a joy, a praise and a glory to God among the nations of the world, and they will tremble with fear before God because of all the good and prosperity the Lord will give Jerusalem.
Hebrews Paraphrase:
Faith means being certain of receiving what has been promised, and believing in what is not seen. Throughout Israel’s history, people who had faith in God received his approval.
By faith, Abel’s offering was more acceptable to God than Cain’s and received God’s approval, attested to by God’s acceptance of the sacrifice. Although Abel died, his example testifies to his faith. Enoch was taken up to heaven because he had faith and had pleased God. “And without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6 MKJV; emphasis mine). Noah believed God’s warning and acted in faith without having seen the events God had foretold. He built the ark and saved his family. By his faith the world was condemned “and he became the heir of the righteousness which comes by faith” (Hebrews 11:7b).
Abraham obeyed God’s call by faith, when God told him to go to a place he had never seen, and didn’t know where it was, which he was to receive as an inheritance. Abraham, and his descendants, Isaac, and Jacob, who shared the promise, lived in tents in the Promised Land as visitors without ownership or citizenship in the land, because they looked forward to the eternal city of God where they would have permanent homes (instead of tents). By faith in God’s promise Sarah conceived when she and Abraham were beyond the age for conception. So from one man who was at the end of his life, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky or the grains of sand on the seashore.
All these people died believing but not having received the fulfillment of God’s promise, although having seen it coming as from far away. They all recognized and acknowledged that they were aliens and visitors on this earth seeking an (eternal) homeland. They could have returned to the land of their birth, but instead they desired a better, heavenly country. “Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city” (Hebrews 11:16).
Luke Paraphrase:
Jesus’ disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith. Jesus replied that faith as small as a tiny mustard seed is sufficient to accomplish the most seemingly impossible things.
A servant’s duty to his master doesn’t end at the end of the day’s work. He still has the duty to attend to his master’ needs first, before receiving his compensation. The master doesn’t thank the servant for the performance of his duties; so we also should not expect special commendation for doing our duty to God and fulfilling his commands.
Commentary:
God’s Word is absolutely true and trustworthy. The hallmark of God’s Word and the test of prophesy is its fulfillment (Deuteronomy 18:21-22). God warned Judah, the remnant of Israel, through the example of the destruction of the Northern Kingdom of the divided monarchy, and through his prophets, to repent and return to obedient trust in God’s Word or suffer the consequences, but Judah refused to listen and obey.
Through Jeremiah, God promised Judah, before it happened, that Babylon was going to attack and carry them off to exile for seventy years. Even then, they could have repented and avoided exile up until the moment Jerusalem fell to the enemy, but Judah refused to repent and return to the Lord. So God withdrew his favor and protection and allowed Judah to be carried off to Babylon by the armies of Nebuchadnezzar in 588/587 B.C.*
God promised to bring Judah back from exile after seventy years and restore them to what they had before, and God fulfilled his promise. In 517 B.C.,* after the seventy years of exile, Judah dedicated the Second Temple replacing the one destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar.
Seventy years of exile was a virtual life sentence for those who were adults at the time of the exile. The Israelites who went into exile in Babylon because of disobedience and unbelief died in Babylon. But those in exile who believed God’s promise of healing and restoration returned to the Promised Land a healed and restored people.
The Old Testament of the Bible is the history of God’s relationship with Israel, but it is also intended to be a parable and metaphor for life in this world. If we know and believe God’s Word we can learn to avoid the same mistakes Israel made.
In one sense Babylon is a metaphor for Hell. Those who refuse to trust and obey God’s Word will be condemned to eternal death in the “Babylon” of Hell.
In another sense, Babylon symbolizes our life in this world. We are all born into exile in “Babylon,” and the only way out and to the Promised Land of God’s kingdom in heaven is by knowing, trusting and obeying God’s promise in God’s Word.
Jesus is the fulfillment, embodiment and example of God’s Word lived out in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-3, 14). Jesus is the (only) way to God and eternal life in God’s kingdom in heaven; the (only divine, eternal) truth, and the only way to (true, eternal) life (John 14:6). Jesus is God’s only provision for the forgiveness of our sin (disobedience of God’s Word), salvation from eternal condemnation and destruction in Hell, restoration to fellowship with God which was broken by sin, and eternal life which begins now in this lifetime (Acts 4:12; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).
The Bible contains great promises and also ominous warnings. We will either believe the promises or we will experience the grave misfortunes that the warnings are intended to help us avoid. In order to receive the promises we have to know what they are so that we can claim them by faith.
Faith is obedient trust. People in this world believe in all sorts of things, but faith in God and God’s Word is the only faith which will not ultimately prove untrue and disappoint us. Lots of people think faith is getting whatever they believe if they believe “hard enough.” Faith is not wishing something is true. One cannot truly believe something without acting accordingly.
“Religion” is mankind’s attempt to get God to do their will and favor them. The true relationship with God is faith, seeking to know and do God’s will. If we want God’s approval, we must trust and obey him.
God is our master and we are his servants. Do we expect God to wait on us and serve us? Do we expect God to give us special recognition and reward for doing God’s will and his commandments? Do we expect God to give us what we want without first doing what he wants?
Abraham’s life is intended to be an example. Each one of us is called by God to leave where we are, where we feel comfortable at home, and go to a place we’ve never known, can’t see, and don’t know how to reach, except by trusting and obeying God’s Word and guidance. The journey is for our lifetime, beginning with the first step in faith, and continuing one day at a time. We will be aliens and travelers heading for a place we will never reach in our lifetime. But as we walk in faith we will see the goal from afar, as we experience God’s faithfulness and love daily and see the fulfillment of God’s promises along the way.
Faith is like a mustard seed, the smallest of seeds, indivisible, the least amount possible. If we have any faith in God’s Word at all, if we “plant” it by acting upon it in obedient trust, God will cause it to grow to maturity and to a size that is supernatural beyond our earthly expectations.
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)?
* Easton’s Bible Dictionary, “Exile,” digital edition, bibledatabase.org - http://bibledatabase.org/eastons.html
