5 Epiphany

5 Epiphany - Sunday

first posted 02/07/04

Genesis 24:50-67 Rebekah becomes Isaac’s wife
2 Timothy 2:14-21 Depart from iniquity
Mark 10:13-22 The rich man

Abraham’s servant had been sent to obtain a wife for Isaac from among Abraham’s relatives. He had found Rebekah, the daughter of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, and she and the family had agreed that she would be Isaac’s wife (Genesis 24:1-49). When they had accepted, the servant brought out gifts of gold and silver and fine clothing to give to Rebekah, and also gifts for her mother and brother.

The servant and his men spent the night there, but in the morning the servant was anxious to return to his master, although the family urged him to stay longer. They called Rebekah to ask her if she was willing to leave immediately, and she was. So the family blessed her and sent her off accompanied by her personal servants.

When the servant returned, Isaac saw the camels coming from a distance and came to meet them. When Rebekah saw him she asked who he was, and when she learned it was Isaac she covered herself with her veil. The servant told Isaac all that he had done, and then Isaac took Rebekah into his tent, and Rebekah

The counsel of veteran missionary to young pastor is applicable to all believers. Paul urges Timothy to avoid arguing over semantics with false teachers. Rather, one should try to be a skilled craftsman in the Gospel, correctly handling the “word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Godless chatter, in general, and false doctrine, in particular, are to be avoided as corrosive to faith. God’s foundation is not shaken by human controversies, because God knows who belong to him, and those who truly come to him turn away from doing evil. The author uses the analogy of household utensils to show that although there are a variety of vessels, it is the use to which they are put that determines the nature of the vessel.

People were bringing children to Jesus for him to bless, and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus told the disciples not to hinder them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are innocent and trusting like children.

As Jesus prepared to leave on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and addressed him as the Good Teacher, asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus asked him why he had called him good, because no one is truly good but God. Jesus told the man that the man knew the commandments. The man said that he had obeyed the commandments from his youth. Jesus loved the man, so he told him that he lacked one thing; he should sell his possessions and give to the poor. Then he would have treasure in heaven, and would be free to come and follow Jesus. At that, the man became sad and turned away, because he had many possessions.

Isaac was the son and heir of a wealthy man, but he couldn’t be truly happy without someone to love and be loved by. His mother had died (Genesis 23), his father, Abraham was old, and would not be around much longer, and he was a young man who wanted a wife. He was happy to give up some of his possessions in exchange for Rebekah. He trusted in God to provide a wife for him, and he was well satisfied with the result. His alternative would have been to defy his father and take a wife from among the local girls. He would have lost his relationship with his father and lost his inheritance. He would have lost the blessing and protection of God. Any pleasure he might have had from an alternative would not have lasted long.

The rich man had a choice of how to use his life. He could have eternal life, lasting treasure in heaven, and the love and close daily fellowship of Jesus, but he was unwilling to give up his possessions. This world places a lot of value on material possessions. Here people are valued according to their wealth. I’ve heard recently of people who have gold fixtures in their bathrooms, but a toilet is still a toilet, even if it is solid gold.

In the Lord’s household material wealth won’t count. It’s not just a matter of material wealth, though; it’s about giving up our desires, and surrendering our wills, in order to be obedient to the Lord. Jesus said, “Whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What will it profit a person if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life?” (Matthew 16:25-26).

Our Father is incredibly wealthy; he owns everything! If we accept Jesus as our Lord we will receive an eternal inheritance and precious gifts which begin right now. We will also experience true love, because God is love, and he loves us. No matter what we've done in the past, Jesus can cleanse us so that we are worthy to be used by God for his glory. We must choose whether to give up what is only temporarily ours to gain what is eternal.

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? 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)?

5 Epiphany - Monday

posted 02/08/04

Genesis 25:19-34 The birth of Jacob and Esau
Hebrews 13:1-16 Our worship of God
John 7:37-52 Living water

Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah. Rebekah had not become pregnant after almost twenty years of marriage, so Isaac prayed to the Lord for a child; and then Rebekah conceived twins. The children struggled within her womb, so she sought an oracle from the Lord. She was told that she would give birth to the founders of two nations which would be rivals, and that the younger twin would prevail over the older. When she delivered, the firstborn was ruddy and hairy, so they called him Essau (the Hebrew word for red is a play on the word for Edom; the word for “hairy is a play on Seir, the region of the Edomites).

When the boys grew up Essau was a hunter, while Jacob was a shepherd. Isaac preferred Essau because he enjoyed eating the game EssauRebekah was partial to Jacob. Once when Jacob was cooking lentil stew, Essau came in from the fields and was famished. EssauEssau was the oldest son, he was entitled to a leadership of the family and a double portion of the estate. Because he was hungry and he did not have great regard for the birthright, Essau

Believers are encouraged to love one another and to show hospitality to others; that by so doing, some have entertained angels unknowingly (see Genesis 18:1-16). We are urged to remember those who are in prison, and those ill-treated for the Gospel. We are to uphold the sanctity of marriage and to avoid immorality, since we will all face God’s judgment. We are to shun greed and be content with what we have, trusting in the Lord to provide our necessities.

We should follow the example of those who shared the Gospel with us; faith in Jesus is unchanging. Let us not be led astray by false doctrine, but be sustained by grace rather than relying on physical sustenance. We worship at an altar which those who serve it have no right to eat; those sacrifices are burned outside the gates of the city as an offering for sin. Jesus became that sacrifice so that we might be sanctified. So let us join him outside the security of the city, sharing in abuse for him, because this city is not our eternal home. Through Jesus let us offer up a continual sacrifice of praise to God, which is the result of lips which acknowledge him as Lord, sharing what we posses with others as an offering to God.

On the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus declared that he is the source of living water; that he will satisfy spiritual thirst, and that his Spirit would become a flowing spring which would become a river of living water flowing outward to others. When the people heard him some said he was the forerunner of the Christ, while others thought he might be the Christ himself. But some doubted, since the Christ was to arise from Bethlehem, the city of David, and they thought that Jesus had come from Galilee (not realizing that Jesus had indeed been borne in Bethlehem). Some wanted him arrested, but they didn’t act on their beliefs.

When the religious police returned to headquarters, their superiors asked them why they had not arrested Jesus. They replied that Jesus’ speaking had been compelling. Their superiors suggested that they were gullible since the religious authorities had not accepted Jesus’ doctrine. It was suggested that the masses of common people were ignorant. Nicodemus, who had come to Jesus by night, and who was one of the religious ruling council, challenged the leaders for not giving Jesus a fair hearing. Their response was to ask if Nicodemus was an uneducated rural also.

Essau didn’t value his right of inheritance as the firstborn; to him, inheritance was a long way off, and he chose to gratify his immediate physical desire; to satisfy his hunger. He gave up his eternal reward for a meal which satisfied only temporarily.

Jesus offers the eternal satisfaction of our spiritual thirst. He not only will satisfy our spiritual thirst but he becomes an artesian well flowing out from us to satisfy the spiritual thirst of others.

We have a choice. We can gratify our physical desires of the moment, at the cost of our eternal inheritance; but that instant temporary gratification will never satisfy. We don’t need to give in to our physical hunger; if we choose to feed our spiritual hunger instead, we will find true satisfaction.

Believers are encouraged to follow the example of those who have experienced true spiritual satisfaction, and have allowed it to flow outward to others. We are warned not to succumb to temptation to indulge our physical cravings at the expense of our eternal inheritance.

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? 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)?

5 Epiphany - Tuesday

first posted 02/09/04

Genesis 26:1-6, 12-33 God reaffirms his covenant with Isaac
Hebrews 13:17-25 Closing exhortations
John 7:53-8:11 The woman caught in adultery

During a famine, Isaac went to Gerar to Abimelech, king of the Philistines. The Lord had told him not to go to Egypt, but to remain in land which he had promised to give to the descendants of Abraham. The Lord renewed the promise which he had given to Abraham to bless his descendants. Isaac stayed there and the Lord prospered him and he became very wealthy, with large flocks and herds and a great household, so that the Philistines were jealous of him.

Abimelech asked Isaac to leave, fearing that he was becoming too powerful and posed a threat to the Philistines. So Isaac moved away from the city to the surrounding valley. The Philistines had filled in the wells which Abraham had dug in the valley, so Isaac had to re-dig them. As they were digging they discovered an artesian spring, and the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen over it.

Isaac moved eastward to Beersheba, where the Lord appeared to him that night and renewed his promise. So Isaac built an altar to the Lord there. Abimelech came to Isaac at Beersheba seeking a treaty with him, because he had seen how the Lord had blessed Isaac. So they had a feast, and the next day they made a covenant between them before Abimelech departed. That same day Isaac’s servants dug a well there and found water. They named the well Shibah, which is how Beersheba got its name.

Believers are encouraged to obey their leaders and to submit to them; for the leaders will be accountable to God. Leaders should perform their duties gladly, for the benefit of their charges. We are urged to act honorably in all things and thus maintain a clear conscience, and to pray for one another. “May the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good, that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21).

Early in the morning Jesus came again to the Temple, and he sat down and taught a large crowd. The Temple leaders brought a woman who had been caught in adultery. According to the Law of Moses, she was to be stoned, but they asked Jesus what he thought they should do with her. Jesus was writing, and continued what he was doing, not answering at first, but when they persisted, he said “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7b). Then Jesus went back to writing. One by one the accusers began to leave, beginning with the eldest, until only the woman remained. Jesus asked her where her accusers were. She replied that no one had condemned her, and Jesus said that he did not condemn her either; that she should go and not sin again.

Egypt was a tempting refuge in time of famine, but it also represented sin and bondage. The Lord wanted Isaac to learn to trust in God’s providence, rather than conforming to this world and its rulers. Isaac obeyed the Lord, and the Lord provided so abundantly for him that the surrounding people were jealous. Isaac’s clan was seen as a threat to the nation of the Philistines. The Philistines had squandered the water resources which Abraham had developed, perhaps allowing the wells to become clogged with debris. When Isaac had the wells re-dug his men found artesian springs which the Philistines envied. Eventually the Philistines realized that it was to their advantage to cooperate with Isaac.

Believers must follow the Lord, rather than conforming themselves to the standards of this world. If we are obedient to the Lord, he will provide for us. As long as we do what is right in the Lord’s eyes, we can be obedient to our governments and leaders, knowing that they will be accountable to God. We have peace with God through the blood of the eternal covenant of Jesus Christ.

Jesus came to save us from sin; not to condemn us (John 3:16-17). Among those in the Temple the day the adulteress was brought to him, Jesus was the only one who was without sin. He alone was qualified to condemn and execute her, but he didn’t do that. He forgave her, but he also told her not to sin again.

Believers are “nomads” in this world. Our allegiance is to the heavenly kingdom. We are called to obey the Lord. Isaac didn’t crowd his neighbors and force himself on them. When they asked him to give them some space, he moved off. The Lord continued to bless Isaac, and Isaac continued to dig the wells that his neighbors had neglected. Eventually Isaac’s good behavior and the Lord’s evident providence caused his neighbors to seek a covenant with him so that they could benefit from the wells that he had dug. Are we digging the wells of salvation, or are we plugging them up?

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? 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)?

5 Epiphany - Wednesday

first posted 02/10/04

Genesis 27:1-29 Jacob receives Essau’s blessing
Romans 12:1-8 The consecrated life
John 8:12-20 Jesus’ testimony is true

When Isaac was old and near death, he sent his firstborn son Essau, a hunter, out to hunt game to prepare for him and receive the blessing confirming his inheritance. Rebekah wanted Jacob to have it, instead, so she counseled Jacob to prepare a meal from the flock, while Essau was out hunting, and pretend to be Essau. Jacob doubted that he could pass for Essau, since Essau was hairy and Isaac was smooth-skinned, but Rebekah gave him Essau’s clothing and used goatskins to disguise Jacob so he would feel hairy to Isaac, who could no longer see. Jacob did as she had told him. Isaac recognized the voice as that of Jacob, but the smell of the clothes and the hairiness of the goatskins convinced him, and he gave the blessing to Jacob instead of Essau.

Paul urges his hearers to present themselves as a living sacrifice to God, being transformed in their thinking, rather than conforming to the ways of this world, so that they may prove what is the “good, acceptable, and perfect” will of God. They are not to be conceited, but to think with sober judgment. Like members of a human body, members of the Church, the spiritual body of Christ, do not all have the same function but are to work together to accomplish the purpose of the body. Believers are to use their individual gifts for the common good.

Jesus proclaimed that he is the light of the world; that those who follow him will not walk in darkness. The Pharisees criticized Jesus for making false claims about himself. Jesus asserted that his testimony was true. Since Jesus’ origin was from heaven and not of this world, he alone among men knew his origin and mission, and was qualified to testify to it. Further, God his Father who sent him, bears witness to Jesus. So the Pharisees asked Jesus where his Father was. Jesus replied that they did not know either Jesus or his Father, because if they knew God they would recognize Jesus (and the only way to know God is to know Jesus). He said this in the treasury of the Temple, but no one arrested him, because it was not yet in God’s timing.

Isaac was an old man; he could no longer see. Jacob and Essau were twins. They had struggled in Rebekah’s womb (Genesis 25:22). Essau was born first, but Jacob had grabbed him by the heel (Genesis 25:26). Essau sold his birthright to Jacob for a meal of bread and lentil soup (Genesis 25:30-34). Isaac preferred Essau, but Rebekah favored Jacob (Genesis 25:28). Jacob passed himself off as his brother, and received his brother’s birthright.

Believers are called to turn from the ways things are done in this world, and instead demonstrate, in their daily lives, the “good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.” They are to renounce conceit, self-interest, and underhanded ways, striving to work in harmony with their brethren in the faith to build one another up.

The ways of the world are darkness. Those who are truly in Jesus do not continue to do the deeds of darkness, but they walk in Jesus’ light. Jesus was not making his claims out of conceit or self-interest, but for our benefit. His behavior testifies that what he proclaimed is true.

All of us are heirs of God’s promise of forgiveness and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. Essau was the heir of his Father's inheritance, but Essau didn’t appreciate and value that inheritance. He traded it in a moment of hunger for brief physical satisfaction. Essau thought he couldn’t live without that immediate gratification, but how long did the pleasure of that one meal last? To Essau, his inheritance seemed a long way off, but later he discovered that he had been cheated out of it. That’s what Satan does. He tempts us with immediate physical gratification, and if we give in we only later learn that we have been cheated out of what was rightfully ours, if we had valued it and not given it up.

God is not some blind old man who is easily confused and deceived. Don’t imagine that God is going to give the inheritance to someone who merely disguises himself to look like a Christian.

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? 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)?

5 Epiphany - Thursday

first posted 02/11/04

Genesis 27:30-45 Essau plots revenge

Romans 12:9-21 The Christian lifestyle

John 8:21-32 Continue in Jesus’ word

While his brother was out hunting, Jacob had impersonated Essau and received the blessing from his father, Isaac, which was intended for Essau (Genesis 27:1-29). When Essau returned, he prepared game for his father and took it in to him, expecting to receive the blessing. Isaac discovered that he had been deceived, but could not retract the blessing once it had been given.

Essau begged his father to come up with a blessing for him also, so Isaac blessed him with an inversion of the blessing which he had given Jacob. Essau hated Jacob because of the blessing, and realizing that his father would soon die, plotted to kill Jacob after his father's death. But Rebekah knew Essau’s plans, and she sent Jacob away to her brother Laban in Haran (in present-day Syria) until Essau got over his anger at what Jacob had done.

Paul taught that Christians are to love what is good and true, and hate evil. Believers are to love and honor one another, to be radiant with the Holy Spirit, and serve the Lord with enthusiasm. We are to rejoice in our hope, be patient in tribulation, and constant in prayer. We are to bless even those who persecute us; to care for others and share their joys and sorrows. We are to live in harmony and peace with others, not being conceited or haughty toward others. We should not repay evil for evil, but think and do what is noble; never take vengeance on our own behalf, but leave it to the Lord to repay. Instead, show kindness to your enemies. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).

The Pharisees were expecting the coming of Messiah, but they did not recognize that Jesus was the Messiah (Christ). Those who do not believe in Jesus will die with their sins unforgiven (John 8:24). Jesus declared his origin and unity in God, but the Pharisees did not accept his claim (John 8:27), although many did (John 8:30). Jesus told those who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:31-32).

The relationship between Jacob and Essau illustrates our human condition. Brother cheats brother, and the other seeks vengeance. The Pharisees thought that they were righteous because of their works – their outward observance of the Law of Moses. They claimed to “know” God and to believe the Bible, but they didn’t recognize Jesus as the Messiah. They believed in resurrection of the dead, and that they were worthy of it.

When Jesus said that where he was going they could not come (John 8:21) they supposed that he was going to commit suicide (John 8:22) (and thus be condemned to Hell. Hell was considered to be under the earth, whereas Heaven was above.) Notice how Jesus’ reply refutes that: “You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world” (John 8:23). And Jesus told them that they would die in their sins unless they believed in Jesus. (John 8:24)

All of us have sinned and fall short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). The punishment for sin is eternal death and destruction in Hell (Romans 6:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10). “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (not reincarnation; not “nothingness;”Hebrews 9:27). We will all be held accountable to the Lord (John 5:28-29, Matthew 25:31-46). God loves us and doesn’t want us to perish but to have eternal life (Romans 5:8, John 3:16-17). We are saved by grace (unmerited favor; free gift) through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus; not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Jesus is God’s only provision for our salvation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; 1 John 5:11-12). We must receive Jesus (John 1:12) by opening our heart to him and inviting him to be our Lord (Revelation 3:20).

Jesus came to show us a better way. We do not have to be overcome by evil. We can live victoriously over evil, rejoicing in our hope of forgiveness and freedom from the power of sin and death, through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Through his Holy Spirit we can resist temptation to sin, and we can do good to those who hate us and do us harm. Jesus was obedient to God’s will and he taught us by his example. Those who believe in him are to continue doing what Jesus taught (John 8:38; see Luke 6:46).

5 Epiphany - Friday

first posted 02/12/04

Genesis 27:46-28:4, 10-22 Jacob’s Ladder
Romans 13:1-14 Love fulfills the Law
John 8:33-47 True descendents of Abraham

Essau hated his twin brother Jacob for stealing Essau’s blessing, and planned to kill him. Their mother, Rebekah, knew his plot and wanted to send Jacob away until Essau got over his anger, so she told Isaac, her husband, that she didn’t want Jacob to marry a local girl, and Isaac agreed to let him go to Rebekah’s father’s home in Aram (present day Syria) to find a wife. Jacob left Beer-sheba (which is in southern Israel, south of Jerusalem) and as he traveled he came to Bethel (then known as Luz; slightly north of Jerusalem).

Jacob slept on the ground there that night (using one of the stones for a pillow) and he had a dream in which he saw a ladder into heaven, on which angels ascended and descended. The Lord stood above, and extended the promise of Abraham to Jacob. The Lord promised that he would give the land to Jacob and his descendents forever; that his descendents would be vast beyond counting, and that all the families of earth would be blessed through Jacob. The Lord promised to keep Jacob wherever he went and bring him back to the Promised Land, because the Lord would be faithful to his promise.

When Jacob awoke, he realized that he had experienced God’s presence in the place, and that the place was the house of God and the gate of heaven, so he set up a pillar as a monument to mark the spot, and named it Bethel (“House of God”). Jacob vowed that if God would protect and provide for him on his journey, Jacob would serve God and he would give a tithe (a tenth) of all he had to the Lord.

Believers are to be subject to secular government; authority is delegated to civil authorities by the Lord, and they are his instruments to enact justice. Those who obey the Lord’s teaching have no need to fear civil authorities. The commandment to love one another is the fulfillment of the law. If we truly love one another, no other commandments are necessary, because we will do no wrong to our neighbors.

Realize that the day of salvation is at hand, and be alert. The “night” of sin is ending, so don’t participate in the works of darkness, but put on the “armor” of light: Let us apply Jesus’ teachings in our daily lives, and resist our sinful urges.

Jesus told the Jews that if they did as he taught them, they would know the truth and the truth would set them free (John 8:31-32). They asserted that they were descendents of Abraham and denied that they had ever been in bondage to anyone. Jesus replied that everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. Jesus is the Master; he alone can free us from slavery to sin. They thought they possessed the truth, because they had the scriptures and the Law of Moses, but they didn’t recognize that Jesus was the Truth (John 14:6).

Although they were physical descendents of Abraham, their failure to accept Jesus and their desire to kill him showed that they were not spiritual descendents of Abraham. They claimed that their spiritual Father was God, but their actions and attitudes revealed that they were children of Satan.

As Jacob began his adult life, God revealed himself to Jacob, and Jacob made a personal decision and commitment to accept God as his Lord. He discovered that God is not limited to a particular time and place (that God would be with him wherever he went – God was not just local to Jacob’s hometown), and that God is to be experienced in a personal relationship (he was not just the God of Abraham and Isaac).

The Lord promised that Jacob would inherit the promise that God had made to Abraham: As Abraham’s descendent, Jacob's descendents would become a great nation, through whom all the people of the earth would be blessed. The Lord gave him a vision of a “stairway” to heaven from which blessings would come down to the peoples of the earth, and up which people could reach God and eternal life.

Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise and vision (John 1:51). Jesus is the “way” by which all the people of earth receive God’s blessings and the only “way” by which people can come to personal fellowship with God and eternal life (John 14:6). Each one of us must make a decision and commitment to accept and obey Jesus as our Lord. It isn’t sufficient to claim him as our father’s Lord. If he is truly our Lord then we will be obedient to his teachings. What we do will reveal whose children we are.

5 Epiphany - Saturday

first posted 02/13/04

Genesis 29:1-20 Jacob seeks a wife

Romans 14:1-23 Love for others

John 8:47-59 Obedience to God’s word

Jacob went to Haran (in present-day Syria) to find a wife from among his mother’s people. He came to a well, and saw that there were flocks and shepherds gathered, so he asked the shepherds if they knew his uncle Laban and they did. They told Jacob that Laban’s daughter was on her way to the well since she was the shepherd of Laban’s flock.

The well was covered with a large stone. All the shepherds gathered at the well to water their flocks, so that all could get a fair share, and because the stone was too large for one person to move alone. When Rachel arrived, Jacob went and rolled away the stone and watered her flock. He kissed her and wept, and told her that he was her father’s kinsman, and Rebekah’s son.

Rachael ran and told her father and he came and received Jacob warmly. Jacob stayed with them a month, and then Laban offered to pay him for his labor. Laban had two daughters; Leah, the eldest, was homely, but Rachael, the younger one, was beautiful. Jacob told Laban that he would work for him for seven years for Rachael to be his wife. Laban agreed, and the time passed quickly for Jacob, because of his love for Rachael.

There were differences of opinion among early Christian believers over the eating of meat and drinking of alcohol, and about Sabbath observance. Paul urges believers to respect differences of opinion among believers. What is important is that we glorify the Lord in our behavior, and that we love one another. We should not allow such differences to cause dissention, and we should not allow our personal sense of freedom to damage the faith of other believers. It would be more loving to restrict our own freedom, rather than to allow the exercise of our freedom to injure the faith of others. So let us avoid passing judgment on others, and instead pursue peace and mutual upbuilding.

The Jewish leaders claimed to be children of God, but did not recognize and acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah (John 8:33-47). Jesus told them that those who know God recognize God’s word. Jesus had told them that the reason they didn’t recognize him was because they didn’t know God; they were spiritual children of Satan (John 8:44).

The Jewish leaders retaliated by suggesting that Jesus was a Samaritan (Samaritans were regarded as “mongrels;” not true Jews in genetically or in religious practice) and that he had a demon. Jesus said that he did not have a demon; that he glorified God and that they dishonored Jesus. But Jesus did not seek his own vindication; instead he left judgment to God.

Jesus said that those who keep Jesus’ teachings will never see death. The Jewish leaders replied that Abraham and the prophets had died. They asked Jesus if he claimed to be greater than Abraham. Jesus replied that he didn’t seek his own glory; he was obedient to God, and trusted God to vindicate him.

Jesus claimed that Abraham rejoiced to see Jesus’ earthly manifestation. The Jews challenged this claim, suggesting that Jesus was not old enough to have been seen by Abraham. Jesus replied, “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58; a claim of pre-existence and oneness with God; see Exodus 3:14). The Jews took up stones to stone Jesus, but he hid from them.

When Rachael arrived at the well and Jacob saw that she was pretty, he wanted to impress her so he rolled back the stone from the well all by himself, although normally the local shepherds relied on each other’s help to do it. Jacob told Rachael and Laban that he was family, and they received him with gracious hospitality.

Christians should be considerate and helpful to one another. Instead of trying to build ourselves up in the eyes of others by an outward show of spiritual strength, our goal should be to glorify the Lord and build up one another in faith. We should welcome brothers in the faith, without argument and without passing judgment on them in inconsequential differences of opinion or practices.

The Jewish religious leaders claimed to be God’s people, looking for the coming of God’s Son, but they didn’t accept Jesus’ word, or the evidence of his behavior. They didn’t receive him with gracious hospitality because he claimed to come from God; instead, they wanted to kill him. They were focused on making themselves look like spiritual giants, and condemning the righteousness of others.

Jesus didn’t try to vindicate himself; he trusted that God would vindicate him, and he declared that those who believed in him would also be vindicated by God with the reward of eternal life (John 8:51). Notice that Jesus was not trying to pick a fight with the Jews; he spoke the truth in reply to their questions. It was they who were defensive and argumentative. They chose to be offended by his replies, and they sought to offend him in return. They sought their own glory and self-vindication. Jesus’ didn’t seek his own glory, but sought to glorify God by his obedience to God’s word.