EXODUS 34:29-35

THE BACKGROUND

Way back in Exodus 19, the wandering People of God arrive at Mt. Sinai.  They set up camp at the foot of this holy mountain.  Moses goes up the mountain, and receives the Ten Commandments. The two stone tablets were written “by the finger of God” on the front and back.  Meanwhile, down in the camp, the “people of God” have other ideas. They pool their gold, and cast a golden calf idol.  When Moses returns to camp, he is so angry that he throws down and breaks the stone tablets.  Bad things happen.  People died.

In Exodus 34, God tells Moses to cut two more tablets, and he’ll write it down for him again.  Our reading begins with Moses descending the mountain from this meeting.

THE DETAIL

• Moses is coming down the mountain with the stone tablets.  What he doesn’t realize is that his face is shining because he has been in conversation with God.  (v. 29)
• What we do know is that for those back at camp, Moses’ shining face was too much to take.  They were afraid to come near him.  (v. 30)
• But they got over it, to a degree.  Once Moses read the law written on the tablets, he covered his face with a veil. When talking with God, he’d remove the veil.  But when talking with the people, he’d wear that veil.  (vv. 31-35)

THE TAKEAWAY

What was this face-shining thing???  Was it shiny, or emitting light?  We don’t get any details.  Sometimes, heavenly apparitions are just too hard to describe in human terms.  But it was weird enough that it made the people “afraid to come near Moses”.  Keep in mind that 1) the people had recently made a golden calf idol to worship.  And 2) Moses had just come back looking all holy and shiny and all.  So, maybe their fear was because of their feelings of guilt.  The consequences of the golden calf incident were dire. Maybe they feared another round of reprisals. 

 But the grace in this story comes with the veil.  Rather than Moses saying something like “just deal with it”, he puts a veil on his face to calm them down.  
 

2 CORINTHIANS 3:7-4:2

THE BACKGROUND

Paul had established the Christian church in Corinth.  After things were going well, he moved on to share the good news with others.  During his absence, a group of evangelists come to Corinth.  They are more eloquent in their preaching than Paul.  They are clever.  They think nothing of putting Paul down just to raise themselves up.  They seem to lack true Christian values.  Much of this letter is Paul’s answer to these accusations. We won’t talk too much about his defense in this study, but you may sense the tension.  At one point, which I will note, he takes a little “dig” at these evangelists.  But Paul defend himself by attacking his opponents.  Instead, he teaches us the simplistic beauty of the Gospel. 

Two things to note

1. The passage to be read in church begins with verse 12.  To help with our full understanding, I’ve begun this study with verse 7. 
2. I found the New Revised Standard made it difficult to understand what Paul was saying.  I’ve used The Message in today’s handout.

THE DETAIL

• In verses 7 & 8, Paul is contrasting the old way (law/sin/death) with the new way (sin/faith/forgiveness/life).  He uses an odd expression.  In the NRSV and the King James, the word “ministry” or “ministration” of Death is used. The Message uses “government”.  Using the word “government” helps explain Paul’s intent, but it is still seems a little odd.  If I were to try to boil this paragraph down, it would be something like this:  “Do you think the giving of the law on Mt. Sinai was a dazzling experience?  The forgiving way of the Holy Spirit is far more dazzling!”  Also, the comment about it “fading soon” was Paul’s way of saying that the Law was temporary, and would fade away once the way of the Spirit takes over.  He mentions this again in verse 13.
• Verses 9-11 express the same thoughts in different words.  The “Government of Affirmation (or Spirit)” is way better than that old law that only condemns.
• The little word to circle in this next paragraph occurs just a few words in—hope.  This hope of forgiveness and life is exciting!  We don’t need a silly veil—we have nothing to hide!  Then, referring to those Jews who have not accepted Jesus as their Messiah, he says that their understanding of God is “veiled”.  It takes Jesus and only Jesus to lift that veil! (vv. 12-15)
  Verses 16-18 are just dripping-rich with Good News!  No longer is God present in chiseled stone laws.  No!  He’s a living Spirit!  Those old laws are obsolete!  Yes, that’s what it says.  They are obsolete, and we are free of them.  We now live in the Spirit.  No wonder our faces should be shining.  The ending phrase is so sweet that I need to repeat it here:  “And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.” 
• Verses 1 & 2 are the words of encouragement to us who now have seen God’s salvation plan which Jesus has brought us.  It is not a time for wearing masks and playing games.  We don’t twist God’s words to suit ourselves.  (This is a little slam on those other evangelists.) What we are to do is put the whole gospel truth on display for the whole world to see.

THE TAKEAWAY

Now that I understand this passage (thank you for requiring me to do the work), I see the difficulties in living under the strain of the Law of Moses, and the hopelessness & death that results.  I also more fully appreciate the blessed freedom we have, living our lives in the Spirit.  I am thankful and praise God that he has seen fit to send his only son to live, teach, die, and be resurrected for our salvation.

LUKE 9:28-36

THE BACKGROUND

On the last Sunday of the season of Epiphany, we look at the story of the transfiguration of Jesus. Since we’re working our way through Luke this year, we’ll look at Luke’s description of the event.  To fully understand what was going on, I looked up the word “transfigure” in the dictionary.  It means “to give a new appearance to something, usually for the better”.

THE DETAIL

• Jesus has been teaching and healing.  After eight days, he takes three of the apostles up a mountain to pray.  (v. 28)
• While Jesus was praying, his face and clothes change.  (v. 29)
• Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appear.  These are God’s all-star prophets, by the way.  They talk to Jesus.  (v. 30)
• They are talking with Jesus about his “departure”.  The other word that can be used here is “exodus”.  They are talking about what is about to happen, once he gets to Jerusalem.  (v. 31)
• If that wasn’t weird enough, Peter says something strange.  The three apostles were tired, maybe even sleeping.  But in his sleepy stupor, he offers to make some tents, so they could all spend a little more time together!  (vv. 32-33) 
• The prophets disappear into a cloud.  Then, in another cloud, “a voice” declares Jesus to be His Son, his Chosen.  They are told to listen to Jesus.  (vv. 34-35)
• Once God has spoken, it was all over.  Jesus is alone.  Presumably, his appearance reverted to its original condition.  The interesting thing is that they kept all this to themselves, at least until after the resurrection.  (v. 36)

THE TAKEAWAY

It is interesting that Moses and Elijah are discussing Jesus’ “exodus” or “departure” with him. Are they filling him in on the details? Or are they offering words of encouragement to him for what lies ahead is God’s plan?  We don’t know.  In fact, Luke’s gospel is the only one that tells us what they were talking about. 

But the main point is that here on this mountain, not only is Jesus’ appearance glorified by transfiguration, but he receives an encounter with these two prophets.  And if that isn’t enough, God himself speaks, telling us who Jesus truly is, and that we need to heed his words. 

JEREMIAH 17:5-10

THE BACKGROUND

During Jeremiah’s time, both the Egyptians and the Babylonians were strong adversaries. God’s people were threatened from both sides.  Some advocated forming an alliance with Egypt against the Babylonians, others supported doing the opposite.  In today’s reading, Jeremiah begins by saying “Thus says the Lord…”  This indicates that he is not offering the hearers his opinion; he is alerting the listener that the words about to be spoken come directly from God.  We are about to hear what God has to say about the situation.

THE DETAIL

• The first sentence is a real attention-getter.  If you put your trust in “mere mortals”, and turn away from the Lord, you are cursed.  Note that this is an either/or statement.  There is no room for trusting in both.  (v. 5)
• The Lord says that trusting in other people is like planting a shrub in the desert. There’s no hope of survival.  (v. 6)
• Instead, those who trust in the Lord will be blessed.  (v. 7)
• Trusting in Him is like a tree planted by a river, growing rich and strong.  It is able to withstand threats of heat or drought, and will bear fruit continuously.  (v. 8)
• Here, God asks a rhetorical question.  It’s sort of like the question that men ask about women—“Who can understand them?” (v. 9)
• Finally, God reminds us that He tests our minds and our hearts.  He knows in whom we place our trust.  (v. 10)

THE TAKEAWAY

This passage uses the word “trust”.  You could easily substitute the word “faith”.  The meaning would be the same.  It is clear from this passage that we should put our faith and trust in God.  We should not pin our hopes on promises made by mere mortals.  All too often, we put too much trust in our friends, family, and elected officials.  Yet, they come and go.  Our trust should be devoted to God and God alone.   Anything else is asking for trouble. 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

I’d like to say that I ascribe to this message totally.  But is this really true?  I trust my wife.  I trust my family and certain friends.  We must depend upon others to successfully navigate our daily lives.  But ultimately, it is only our faith that saves us. Trusting in the Lord is our only true hope for the future.

1 CORINTHIANS 15:12-20

THE BACKGROUND

Much of Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth was written to address concerns that had arisen there.  There was some disagreement within the congregation about the resurrection of the dead, as stated in the opening verse of today’s passage.  You may recall from last week’s reading, that Paul provides a good list of eye-witnesses of the resurrected Jesus. (1 Cor. 15:5-8)

THE DETAIL

• It is clear from this first verse that some in Corinth claimed that there is no such thing as the resurrection of the dead.  Paul challenges them with logic, stating that you cannot say that Jesus was resurrected, and yet not believe in resurrection.  (v. 12)
• Paul continues with this logical line of reasoning, stating that if there is no resurrection, then even Jesus did not rise from the dead.  And if Jesus did not rise from the dead, then our faith is in vain. In other words, if Jesus did not rise from the dead, then he was simply jus another very good preacher.  (vv. 13-14)
• To make matters worse, if Jesus was not risen from the dead, it makes all the apostles liars! (v. 15)
• The remainder of the paragraph addresses the consequences of not believing in the resurrection (vv. 16-19):
  • This king of faith is futile—it gets us nowhere.  It is like believing in the Easter bunny.
  • Our sins have not been forgiven, so we still bear them all.
  • Our loved ones who have died have no hope of eternal life.
  • If we pin our hopes on an un-resurrected Christ, we are a pitiful lot.
• But since we do (don’t we?) believe in the resurrection, Jesus is the “first fruits” of the dead.  [And the little list above is null and void.]  (v. 20)

THE TAKEAWAY

I will be the first to admit that I find the resurrection of the dead a difficult concept to comprehend. I have many unanswered questions about the details.  But Paul makes it clear in this chapter of his letter that:

1. There were many, many eyewitnesses to the resurrected Jesus.
2. Without believing this, Jesus was just a really nice guy.  Nothing more.

Since we are all disciples (followers) of Jesus Christ, we know that Jesus was the son of God.  We trust in the witness of those who have gone before us.  We proclaim the resurrection of the dead when we recite the creeds, even if we do not have all the details.  We have faith.

LUKE 6:17-26

THE BACKGROUND

Today’s reading goes to the core of Jesus’ teaching.  This passage is usually called Jesus’ “Sermon on the Plain”.  In Matthew 5 & 6, we read of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Here, Luke describes a different location—a level place.  But if you read the Sermon on the Mount, you will notice some similarities as well as some differences.  We don’t go into that sort of analysis here, but I encourage you to do that for yourself. 

I have often wondered: “Why would Jesus repeat himself, once on a hillside and once on a level place?” This is what I’ve surmised.  When a presidential candidate is on the campaign trail, he or she gives a speech to the listeners.  Some of this speech is tailored to the needs of the crowd, but the core of the speech will be the same throughout the entire campaign.  The conclusion that I’ve come to about Jesus’ speeches is that its contents are the core of Jesus’ ministry-mission.  They are part of reason why he was sent to us in the first place—to tell us what is important to God.  I have a feeling that Jesus spoke this message more than twice in his life.  These two gospel writers chose to only include one occurrence in each of their accounts.   

THE DETAIL

• In the previous verses, Jesus was on a mountain, praying with his apostles (the 12). Afterward, at the beginning of our passage, he came down [off the mountain], where he was joined by his disciples*, and a “great multitude”.  Note that this large group also included people from Tyre and Sidon.  These were gentile areas.  (v. 17)
• We read about the people who came to hear and see Jesus.  Some wanted to hear his teachings.  Others came out of desperation.  They were ill, either physically, mentally, or spiritually. They came to be healed.  (v. 18)
• Jesus cared for them, healing them, and teaching them.  What a sight it must have been, to see “the power came out from him”, as he healed the sick!  As you may recall from my explanation of previous healing accounts, Jesus did this for two reasons.  First, he did this out of love and compassion for those in need.  Second, these miraculous healings alert those around him that Jesus is something out of the ordinary; somebody who requires them to stop, listen, and contemplate.  (v. 19)
• Now that Jesus has accomplished his two-fold purpose in healing, it is time for him to teach.  These next verses sound very much like the Beatitudes of Matthew 5.  We’ll summarize them in the takeaway.  (vv. 20-23)
• New to this speech are a series of “woes”.  These are in direct contrast to each of the “blessed” statements.  You can make a little chart, if you like, to line each up with the other.  (vv. 24-26)

THE TAKEAWAY

Most of Jesus’ teachings, the Sermons on the Mount and Plain, as well as his parables tell us about what is most important to God.  Jesus uses the phrase “the kingdom of God” to explain these priorities. Since we are unfamiliar with kingdoms, the words lose their value to us.  I suggest that we consider these teachings to explain to us what God’s World is like.  These are the priorities and values He holds dear.  They should be the priorities and values we also hold dear.  This is how we should think and behave in “God’s World”. If you take a close look at these, they are in direct contradiction to normal human values.  We value the “woes”!  This is not good.  If we are Jesus’ disciples, then we need to try to embrace Jesus’ values, not our own human values. 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

In case you’d like a list of human values, here’s a starter list for you.  Compare this to Jesus’ “blesseds” in today’s reading, as well as his parables about the lost sheep and coin, the Good Samaritan, etc.

• Look out for #1, because nobody else will. 
• Keep your own back yard clean, and don’t worry about the others.
• It’s all about getting ahead, about being Top Dog. 
• The lead dog in a dog sled team has the best view.  BE THE LEAD DOG!
• Avoid the sick, lame, and lazy at all costs.  They just want to take your money.
• I’ve worked hard for my money.  It is all mine.  I don’t owe anybody anything.
• Don’t worry, be happy!
• Life is short, grab for the gusto!

I think we have a long way to go, before our world conforms to God’s world, don’t you?

* In Luke, the apostles are the 12 that Jesus chose to be his inner circle of pupils.  Luke uses the word “disciples” to include not just the 12, but all of the followers of Jesus.  This is why we are all Jesus’ disciples.  We, too, follow Jesus in our daily faith-walk.

JEREMIAH 1:4-10

THE BACKGROUND

Today’s reading is the story of the call of Jeremiah to become a prophet.  Jeremiah lived during the time before and during Judah’s exile.  In the early years Jeremiah’s life, Judah was full of prophets.  But they did not speak for God.  These so-called “holy men of God” told the people what they wanted to hear, not what God wanted them to hear.  God called on Jeremiah to be a beacon of truth- God’s true spokesman- in a time of trouble, even if it was bad news.

THE DETAIL

• Our passage is the conversation between Jeremiah and God.  God tells him that  He had chosen him long before he was born.  (vv. 4-5)
• Jeremiah tries to weasel out of it, by claiming that he is too young.  (v. 6)
• God won’t hear of it.  He seems to say “I don’t want to hear it!  You’re gonna go where I tell you to go, and say what I tell you to say.”  Jeremiah’s not getting off the hook easy.  No, he’s not getting off the hook at all.  (v. 7)
• God takes a softer approach.  He touches Jeremiah’s mouth and says that He’ll supply the words.  (vv. 8-9)
• Then, He inaugurates Jeremiah’s mission as prophet.  (v. 10)

THE TAKEAWAY

God had big plans for Jeremiah. Jeremiah tried to get out of doing this, because he realized it was going to be a difficult job. But God prevailed, providing Jeremiah with the strength and the words to do God’s work.

We, too, are called to do God’s work in our time and place.  It’s not a good idea to resist the call.  Better to accept God’s plan for us, and look to Him for the strength and words to carry out the task.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Can you think of any modern day “feel-good” preachers?  Do you think they are truly speaking for God?
 

1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-13

THE BACKGROUND

Chapters 12-14 address the problems that this church was having with spiritual gifts, especially with the gift of speaking in tongues.  We’ve just spent two weeks studying the twelfth chapter of 1 Corinthians.  Some like to call these three chapters an Oreo cookie on this subject of the abuse of spiritual gifts.  If that is so, then today we get to study that white creamy filling.

The last words of chapter 12 were: “But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.” 

THE DETAIL

• Paul starts out with a bang.  He gives three examples of outstanding gifts.  But then to each he says “without love, I am nothing”.  (vv. 1-3)
• In the next paragraph, Paul gives us a beautiful description of what love is and what it is not. It is patient, kind, rejoices in the truth, ears all things believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. It is not envious, boastful, arrogant or rude, and does not rejoice in wrongdoing.  (vv. 4-7)
• He goes on to say that many gifts will fade away, but love will never end.  (v. 8)
• As for the other gifts, we receive them only partially.  More is yet to come.  (vv. 9-12)
• His parting words tell us which gifts to treasure the most—faith, hope and love.  And love is the best of all.  (v. 13)

THE TAKEAWAY

We always read this chapter 13 at weddings.  We call it the love chapter.  But I have news for you.  Paul is not talking about romantic love, the love between two people.  He is talking about the love that we share as a community of Christ.  He’s talking about the love that comes with sharing each other’s burdens and weaknesses; relying on each other’s strengths and spiritual gifts.  When we all shed ourselves of our petty grudges, and embrace one another with this love, we truly become Christ’s body in this time and place.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Have you ever experienced this sort of love at your church, or within a group of Christian friends?  It is a rare and beautiful thing.  In this reading, Paul is saying “GET THAT LOVE!”  How do we make this happen within our faith-group?

LUKE 4:21-20

THE BACKGROUND

As we read last week (in Luke 4:14-20), this story occurs at the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry.  He starts in the region surrounding his home village of Nazareth.  Now, he’s speaking in his home “church” (synagogue, actually).  He has just read a prophecy from Isaiah, which proclaims a golden jubilee year.  People look to him for his explanation.

THE DETAIL

• He surprises them by telling them that the prophecy has been fulfilled by his reading it. (v. 21)
• At first, they were amazed at his reading and his words.  But then, they had second thoughts.  “Wait a minute, isn’t this is that carpenter Joseph’s son?” (v. 22)
• Jesus takes the offensive.  He knows where this is headed; he knows what they’re going to say  He’s heard it all before.   (v. 23)
• He reminds them of another saying—that a prophet is never accepted in his own land.  Then, he goes on to give them examples from two all-star prophets, Elijah and Elisha. 
  1. When there was a 3-year famine in the land, Elijah went to live with a widow in a foreign land, instead of with one of the many widows in Judah.
  2. Elisha cleansed a Syrian (non-Jewish) leper instead of one of the many Jewish lepers.

Jesus was clearly telling them that their hearts were hardened to the point that they could not see who he really was.  (vv. 24-27)

• This was more that they could bear, so they drove him out of town in a rage.  They were prepared to throw him off a cliff, but he mysteriously just walks away.  (vv. 29-30)

THE TAKEAWAY

On the one hand, I can see the scene from the perspective of the Nazarene villagers.  They weren’t expecting much from this son of a carpenter. After all, they had watched him grow up. Of course they had heard about the great things he had done in other Galilean villages, and they wanted to see this for themselves.  “But this Jesus has changed.  He’s talking crazy stuff…”

We, of course, know the whole story. We know that Jesus was actually not Joseph’s son, but the son of God. 

This is a classic case of people’s misguided expectations coming in conflict with God’s plan.  They had it all figured out, but they were wrong. 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

I wonder how often we allow our human perspective to interfere with the work of God?  We allow our frustrations and opinions to affect our actions.  We end up doing a lot of things that Jesus would never do.  Can you think of an example from your life?

GENESIS 45:3-11, 15

THE BACKGROUND

The story of Joseph and his coat of many colors is loved and known by all. There’s even a hit play about it. The whole story takes up the last thirteen chapters of the book of Genesis.  Our passage intercepts the story right at the climax.  Joseph has become Pharaoh’s right-hand man. Joseph’s brothers are seeking food, since there’s a famine in the land.  Joseph reveals his identity.  They can’t believe that the brother they despised and sold into slavery is sitting on the throne before them.

THE DETAIL

• Joseph reveals his identity to them, and asks about his beloved father.  His brothers are struggling with a wild array of emotions, and cannot answer.  (v. 3)
• Joseph draws them nearer, so that they might recognize him.  He identifies himself again, and adds “…Joseph, who you sold into Egypt.”  (v. 4)
• He goes on to explain that they should not be distressed that they almost killed him and sold him into slavery, because it was part of God’s plan.  (vv. 5-8)
• He sends them to get their father, and bring everybody back to Goshen in Egypt.  The famine is going to rage on for five more years, but they will be protected, fed, and prosper there.  (vv. 9-14)
• Then, he kissed all his brothers, and cried tears of joy.  They were reunited, and forgiven.  They sat and talked with each other.  (v. 15)

THE TAKEAWAY

I could talk about the recurring stories in Genesis about sibling rivalry, beginning with Cain and Able. But I won’t.

There are two things that I draw from this story.  First, that God has a plan to save a “remnant” of the house of Abraham.  His plan was announced to Joseph many years earlier in a dream.  Sharing that plan was one of the things that got him sold off to Egypt by his brothers in the first place.  But God’s plan was not to take away the famine, but to save his chosen ones.  We will read about God saving a remnant of His beloved people time and time again.

Mainly, though, this story is about reconciliation.  Joseph had every right to hold a grudge against his brothers.  After all, they almost killed him, and even sold him off as a slave.  But Joseph recognized God’s plan.  He forgave his brothers, and wept tears of joy at their reunion.  We should be so loving and forgiving!

1 CORINTHIANS 15:35-38, 42-50

THE BACKGROUND

As you may recall, last week we studied the first half of chapter 15.  The subject was the resurrection of the body—our resurrection. This week Paul gives us some detail. 

THE DETAIL

• Finally, someone asks the question that has been on my mind all along—“How does the resurrection happen?”  They want details, and so do I.  (v. 35)
• Paul calls me a fool for even asking the question!  But then he goes on to explain it.  He uses the analogy of a seed.  The seed is the product of a plant, often of a flower.  The flower must die and the seed buried in the ground for new life to begin.  (vv. 36-38)
• Paul says that it’s just like this with our resurrection.  (vv. 42-43)
• Now, we get a glimmer of knowledge or truth—There is a distinction between our physical body and our spiritual bodies.  The physical body dies, but our spiritual bodies live on.  (v. 44)
• In this next section, Paul uses an interesting concept.  He calls the Adam of Genesis 1&2 “the first Adam”.  Then, he calls Jesus “the second Adam”.  Jesus is the first of a new “race” of resurrected humans. So, in these verses, Paul contrasts the first Adam with the second Adam, Jesus.  We, like the first Adam are of the earth; we are from dust, and will return to dust.  But the second Adam, Jesus, is from heaven, and will return to heaven.  (vv. 45-48)
• Since we are now Jesus’ brothers and sisters, we are both “dusty” and heavenly.  (v. 49)
• Then, we are encouraged not to focus on the perishable, “dusty” aspect of our bodies, because they are temporary.  It is the spiritual body that will inherit the kingdom.
• The last verse of this chapter is not in today’s passage.  But verse 58 is worth adding to our thoughts and meditation.  It is a beautiful conclusion to this whole discussion:

“Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

THE TAKEAWAY

Paul offers some insight into the mysteries of the resurrection.  In last week’s reading, he made it clear that the resurrection is an essential part of our faith.  In this week’s reading we receive the seed analogy, and the idea that our physical bodies are not part of this process, only our spiritual bodies.  This is the Good News that I wish I had shared with one of my nursing home friends years ago.  She had serious concerns about the resurrection, since her body was in pretty bad shape.  She didn’t want it back!  I could have shared this with her, to assure her that the body she no longer appreciated would be returning to dust.  But the parts that were talking to me would live on.  Now, she is with the Lord, and is at peace.  We live on, and are told to “be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord”.  Our labor will not be in vain!

LUKE 6:27-38

THE BACKGROUND

This is the second half of Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain.  Jesus is teaching us about what matters most to God—our thoughts and actions.  God sent Jesus to earth to instruct us on how to live, think, and act.  Today’s reading is a prime example of how God wants to behave.

THE DETAIL

Rather than do the usual bullet points, I’m going to make a list of Jesus’ main points.  I’ll reserve my comments for the takeaway.

1. Love your enemies. (v. 27)
2. Do good to those who hate you. (v. 27)
3. Bless those who curse you. (v. 28)
4. Pray for those who abuse you. (v. 28)
5. Turn the other cheek. (v. 29
6. If someone steals your coat, give them your shirt, too. (v. 29)
7. If someone steals your belongings, don’t try to get them back, let it go. (v. 30)
8. Do to others as you would have them do to you. (v. 31)
9. Lend like you’re never going to get it back. (v. 34, 35)
10. Be merciful. (v. 36)
11. Do not judge. (v. 37)
12. Do not condemn. (v. 37)
13. Forgive. (v. 37)
14. Give. (v. 38)

THE TAKEAWAY

This is a tough list!!! Why is it that we take only one of these, number 8, put it in a picture frame, and call it the Golden Rule?  It’s the easiest of the whole lot!  Are we saying that we’ll work on the easy one for now, and maybe the tough ones later? Some of these are downright impossible. 

BUT

This is God’s way, God’s plan for us.  This is how God would like us to behave with one another.  This is what God’s World should be like.  This is part of the reason He went to the trouble to send His only son to earth.  He wants us to reorder our thinking and priorities to be like his.  He wants us to become His World.  But He has set the bar high.  We have a long way to go, don’t we?

THE GOOD NEWS

God is all of the things on this list.  He is loving, giving, merciful, and forgiving.  He expects us to be like him.  He also forgives us when we fall short of His expectations.

Nehemiah was not the cup bearer for the king of Babylon.  That was a mistake.  He served the king who conquered the Babylonians.  He served King Artaxerxes I, the king of Persia.

NEHEMIAH 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10

THE BACKGROUND

Our first reading is from the book of Nehemiah.  The books of Ezra and Nehemiah are considered by biblical scholars as one book.  Both books are the memoirs of each person, and each book includes the other in their account.  They both lived during the same time period and the same place.  Both were Jews in exile in Babylon.  Ezra was a scribe & priest, Nehemiah was a cupbearer for the Babylonian king.  Cupbearers were charged with tasting the king’s wine first to ensure that a) it was good wine, and b) not laced with poison.  They lived in Babylon at the time that the Jews were allowed to return to the Promised Land.    Ezra went with the first wave, Nehemiah with the second.  Ezra was responsible for the spiritual guidance of the returning Jews.  The king assigned Nehemiah to the job of leading the work crews in repairing Jerusalem’s city walls and gates.

The fortifications were just completed when our passage begins. 

THE DETAIL

• A meeting has been called.  Attendance is not optional, everybody must attend. (v. 1)
• Ezra brought the scrolls containing the law of Moses.  He read the law to the people, and it took all morning.  Everybody was very attentive.  (vv. 2-3)
• Ezra opened with prayer, and the people said Amen.  (vv. 5-6)
• The book of the law was read with interpretation.  You see, the scrolls were in Hebrew.  By this time in Judah’s history people were speaking Aramaic.  It was like the difference between modern English and the English of the 10th century.  I’ve put a piece of literature at the bottom, written in ancient English.  This is why they needed it translated and explained. (v. 8)
• The next paragraph consists of words of comfort from Ezra and Nehemiah.  They tell the people not to weep, because the law is good and just. “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Why might they be weeping?  It does not say, specifically.  For sure, reading the law is like standing before a magnifying mirror; you see all your wrinkles, stray hairs, warts, etc.  Those assembled in Jerusalem had not heard the law in a very long time, if ever.  They had a lot of “warts”.  (vv. 9-10)

THE TAKEAWAY

Self-examination is not easy, but it is necessary.  We all need to take an honest look at ourselves, from time to time. It is good to remember that “The joy of the Lord is our strength”.  The way of the Lord is good.  But sometimes we stray off the path.  It is good to read Holy Scripture, and periodically reflect on our actions.  Lent is coming soon.  We’ll have plenty of time for self-examination.

WHY A TRANSLATION AND AN EXPLANATION?

To understand the situation in Jerusalem, let’s look at the difference in the English language between today and what it looked like centuries earlier.  Here is a short clip from the epic poem Beowulf, written in England around 900 A.D. The original Old English version is on the left, a modern English translation on the right.

I don’t know about you, but I’m even having a hard time understanding the modern translation!   To understand this poem, I’m going to need somebody to explain the meaning to me.  I think that something similar to this was going on in Jerusalem that day.  Maybe you can see why the people of Nehemiah’s day needed both a translation and  an explanation!

1 CORINTHIANS 12: 12-31a

THE BACKGROUND

This week’s second reading is a continuation of last week’s.  In verses 1-11, Paul addressed an issue they were having in the church in Corinth.  Those who had received the gift of speaking in tongues from the Holy Spirit claimed a spiritual superiority over the other members of the congregation.  Paul has already made his point.  But, since he is a caring father to this congregation, he follows it up with a metaphor, to drive the point home.

THE DETAIL

• Paul likens the church to a human body.  Our bodies have many parts, but we are still only one body.  He reminds the people of their diversity (Jews and Greeks, slaves and free), even so, they are all one body together.  (vv. 12-13)
• In verses 15-21, Paul goes into great detail.  It would be absurd for any one part of the body to exist without the other.
• I love verse 22, where it says “even the weaker parts are indispensable.”  I think Paul is using a little sarcasm here, aimed at the so-called “stronger” members who speak in tongues.  We all know that we need to honor and respect our bodies, even the lesser body parts.  There was little honor or respect for the “lesser” members of that congregation. (vv. 22-25)
• Paul concludes this metaphor by saying something like “When you hurt in one place, your body hurts all over.”  They need to fix this. (v. 26)
• Starting in verse 27, Paul presents a short list of gifts of the Holy Spirit.  The gift of tongues in last in this list.  Nobody has all of these gifts.  We are all given one or another.  It takes all of these to make a full body in Christ.  (vv. 27-30)
• He concludes the discussion by urging us to strive for the greater gifts, which he will tell us about next.  We’ll look at that next week. (v. 31)

THE TAKEAWAY

The important thing to take away from this lesson is that every single baptized Christian has been blessed with at least one spiritual gift.  Not only is it important for us to identify and use ours to build up the body of Christ, we must also need to realize that everybody has a gift.  There are some members at my church whose gifts are obvious, and it is a beautiful thing to see these gifts in action.  But there are other members whose gifts are not as obvious.  Like some body parts, they are more hidden.  But God gives us all whichever spiritual gift He chooses.  Let us learn to love and respect each other, knowing that together, we are one body. 

LUKE 4:14-21

THE BACKGROUND

This year, we will be working our way through the gospel of Luke.  Today, we are only in the fourth chapter.  So far in Luke, We’ve read about the birth of Jesus, the work of John the Baptist, and Jesus’ baptism.  Last week, we read (in John) that three days after his baptism, he performed his first miracle (or sign).  What happens next in Luke is the temptation of Jesus, but we’re saving that for Ash Wednesday (March 5th).

THE DETAIL

• After Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, he was filled with the Holy Spirit.  He traveled about in Galilee, teaching in his homeland. (v. 14)
• At that time, worship in the synagogue consisted of two scripture readings followed by an explanation.  The first scripture reading was from the law of Moses, from one of the first five books of our bible.  The second was a reading from “the prophets”.  Oftentimes, visiting teachers would be invited to explain the readings. As Jesus traveled around Galilee, his reputation grew.  He was asked to read in synagogues, and give an explanation of the text.  People liked what they heard, and spread the news. (v. 15)
• He came back to his home town of Nazareth, and went to the synagogue on the Sabbath.  The attendant gave him the scroll containing “the prophets”.  Standing, Jesus searches the scroll, and finds the text he’s looking for:  Isaiah 61:1-2a.  He reads it and sits down.  (vv. 16-20a)
• All eyes were on Jesus, waiting for the explanation.  (v. 20b)
• His explanation is simple:  “Now is the time Isaiah was talking about. This scripture is fulfilled now!”

THE TAKEAWAY

You might remember how the crowd reacted to his explanation.  We’ll get to study that next week.  This week, we’re going to focus on why Jesus chose that passage, and what it meant.  Verses 18-19 are from Isaiah.  Jesus said:

• “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
• because he has appointed me to bring good news to the poor.
• he has sent me to proclaim release of the captives 
• and recovery of sight to the blind, 
• to let the oppressed go free, 
• to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

In modern business, it is expected that companies have what is called a Mission Statement.  It is a statement that captures who they are and what they do.  Churches even have them.  I believe that when Jesus stood up, chose this passage, and read it, he was stating his mission statement.  In other words, Jesus was saying “God sent me here to fulfill this prophecy, and I’m going to do just that.”

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Jesus’ mission is also our mission here in this time and in this place.  Reread his mission statement above.  How do you and I continue his work here and now?

ISAIAH 42:1-9

THE BACKGROUND

These words of Isaiah were written during exile.  They present an unnamed servant of God.  The attributes are given to this servant are unusual for a prophet or king.  Over the centuries, Christians have felt that this passage points to God’s #1 servant, Jesus.  While this certainly is a valid argument, it does not explain what it meant to people for the 500 years between the writing of these words and Jesus.  Let’s look at what the passage says.

THE DETAIL

• Right off the bat, the first verse sounds a lot like verse 17 in today’s gospel lesson. God is delighted with this servant of His.  God’s Spirit will rest on him, and he will serve the nations.  More on “the nations” in The Takeaway.  (v. 1)
• The servant is not your ordinary leader.  This servant is soft-spoken; he is gentle.  Yet, his influence reverberates far and wide.  People will listen to him, even way out there on the coast.  (vv. 2-4)
• Now, God gives His servant his marching orders.  He is to be a covenant or promise to the people.  He is to free people from their chains, and open their eyes. (vv. 5-8)
• God says all this will happen exclusively to His chosen servant.   (v. 9)

THE TAKEAWAY

God presents us with a role model; with the type of behavior that He would value in someone who is His servant.  Jesus, being God’s son, came to earth to give us an example of this behavior.  But we, too, are God’s servants in this time and place. As such, we should also strive to emulate these traits.  We should act with gentle authority.  We should work to free the unfortunate from their burdens, and open their eyes to the love of God through our actions. 

When “the nations” appears in the bible, it is a reference to the rest of the world.  It means “out there”, those other people, not us Israelites. God is telling His people through Isaiah that His vision is for all peoples to know and love Him.

ACTS 10:34-43

THE BACKGROUND

During Jesus’ time, the People of God were a closed society.  The Hebrew people kept to themselves, except for whatever they were forced to do by the occupying Romans.  Jesus’ ministry, with a few exceptions, was focused primarily on the Jewish community. In the early years of the church, nearly all of the believers were Jewish Christians.  This is about to change.  In the first part of chapter 10 (not included in today’s reading), God sends Peter a dream, sanctifying all food, even non-Kosher foods. 

God also sends a messenger to Peter.  The messenger is from the household of Cornelius, an officer in the Roman army. Cornelius is a “God-lover”—a Gentile who loves Yahweh, but has not fully converted to Judaism.  God prompts Cornelius to have a messenger go and fetch Peter. 

As soon as Peter finishes the dream, there’s a knock on the door.  It is Cornelius’ messenger.  Peter follows, and meets Cornelius.  It is clear to Peter that he has been called to preach the gospel to this Roman Gentile soldier!

THE DETAIL

• Peter’s first words are loaded with meaning—“I truly understand that God shows not partiality…”  It is clear to Peter that the Good News of Jesus is not just for His Chosen People, but for “…every nation…” (vv. 34-35)
• Peter goes on to explain the life and ministry of Jesus, his death, and his resurrection. (vv. 36-41)
• He tells them that their mission is to “tell the people… that Jesus is the one…”, and that “everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins…” Everyone.  Even an officer in the Roman army.  (vv. 42-43)

THE TAKEAWAY

The season of Epiphany began on January 6th.  As we studied last week, Epiphany marks the coming of the wise men “from the East” to worship Jesus.  These men, as well as Cornelius, are not Hebrews.  They signal the coming of a new age; God sent his son for all nations, including Gentiles like you and me.  In the words of Isaiah, “… the former things have come to pass, and new things I [God] now declare..”  (Is. 42:9)

MATTHEW 3:13-17

THE BACKGROUND

After the story of the visiting of the wise men, and the aftermath of their visit, the gospel of Matthew fast-forwards to John the Baptist’s work.  We join this scene, to find that Jesus has come to seek John out.

THE DETAIL

• Jesus comes to John to be baptized.  John tells Jesus that Jesus should be baptizing him!  He’s right, you know.  (vv. 13-14)
• But Jesus wants to do this “to fulfill all righteousness”.  This is a confusing phrase.  Apparently, John got it, but I didn’t at first.  I had to think about the words.
  • To “fulfill” indicates the completion of something that was planned or foretold. 
  • “Righteousness” can mean two things.  It can mean adherence to the law, but it can also mean a right action.

“Fulfilling all righteousness” now means to me that Jesus had planned to do this. It also means that Jesus felt that baptism was a “right action”, or a good thing for people to do.  He wanted baptism to be part of what it is to be a disciple of Jesus.  (vv. 15-16a)

• So Jesus was baptized by John.  Then things got wild.  God, Father and Spirit, appeared to bless the event.  The words spoken by God are very close to the first verse in today’s passage from Isaiah.  Yes, Jesus’ baptism most certainly was part of God’s plan.  (vv. 16b-17)

THE TAKEAWAY

Jesus’ life was one big example of living a godly life.  I believe that he was leading by example by being baptized by John.  Did Jesus need to repent?  Of course not!  But I believe that he wanted to make it known that repentance and baptism are good and righteous actions for us all.