3 Epiphany

3 Epiphany - Sunday

first posted 01/22/05

Isaiah 47:1-15, Downfall of Babylon
Hebrews 10:19-31, Exhortations and warnings
John 5:2-18 Jesus relation to God

Babylon will be stripped of her royalty and power. She who was once unconquered will become a slave. Her nakedness will be exposed and her shame revealed. Babylon will no longer be exalted as ruler of kingdoms. Babylon did not recognize that it was only by God’s will that she had punished God’s people, and she did not learn, from Judah’s experience, to honor God.

Babylon pursues her own pleasure, thinking that she is secure and has no rival; she thinks nothing bad will befall her, but in a moment disaster will come upon her, despite her reliance on the worldly wisdom and the occult (idolatry, sorcery, demonic powers). Babylon feels safe in her wickedness, imagining there is no one who sees, and no one to punish her. Her worldly wisdom and knowledge have led her astray. Evil and disaster will befall her, from which she cannot escape or make amends.

Her ruin will come upon her suddenly with no advance warning, despite her worldly wisdom and her faith in sorceries. She has many “wise men” and counselors to advise her, but none sees Babylon’s downfall and none can deliver her. They will be like stubble consumed by fire. They cannot save themselves. The fire of God’s wrath will be no pleasant little fire to warm oneself by. The advisors upon whom Babylon has depended will be wandering every which way in confusion, trying to save themselves, but there will be no one to save Babylon.

The writer of Hebrews compares the believers’ access to God with the temple practices of Judaism. Jesus’ blood sacrifice on the cross makes it possible for us to enter into God’s presence (the Heavenly equivalent of the inner sanctuary of the Temple, called the Holy-of-Holies) through the veil (of Jesus’ flesh). (Formerly, only the High Priest was allowed to enter the Holy-of-Holies, and only once a year, carrying a blood sacrifice for himself and the people; Hebrews 9:24-25).

Because Jesus is our High Priest, who has made atonement for our sins, we are to draw near to God in faith, with a true heart and a clean conscience. We must hold on to our faith in the Lord without wavering, trusting in the Lord’s faithfulness, and we are to encourage one another to live according to Jesus’ teachings (obedience to God’s word and love for one another (Hebrews 10:24). We are to meet together regularly for worship and fellowship (in the Church) not neglecting this, as some are in the habit of doing, especially as the Day of Jesus’ return approaches.

Those who abandon their faith and return to a life of deliberate sin, after having come to know the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ face eternal punishment. Rejecting Jesus after once having come into personal fellowship with him through his indwelling Holy Spirit has fearful eternal consequences. Spiritual rebirth is not possible more than once.

There was a bathing pool in Jerusalem called Bethesda (or Bethzatha) which had five porticoes (covered porches), where invalids gathered. It was believed that an angel disturbed the water from time-to-time, and if one bathed in the water while it was thus disturbed, that he would be healed.

Jesus saw a man who he knew had been lying there for a long time. The invalid had been ill for thirty-eight years. Jesus asked the invalid if he wanted to be healed. The sick man replied that he had no one to help him get into the water at the right time. Jesus told the sick man to rise, pick up his mat and walk. Immediately the man was healed, and he did as Jesus had told him.

It was on the Sabbath that the man was healed, and the Jews told the healed man that he was violating the Sabbath Laws by carrying his mat. The healed man replied that the person who had healed him had told him to do so. The Jews asked who had healed him, but the man did not know, and Jesus was not around.

Afterward Jesus found the healed man again in the temple. Jesus told him to sin no more, so that nothing worse would happen to him. The healed man went his way and told the Jews that Jesus was his healer. The Jews persecuted Jesus because he had healed and had told the healed man to carry his mat on the Sabbath, and since Jesus had answered their criticism by saying that his Father (God) was working and so was Jesus (on the Sabbath) they hated Jesus and sought to kill him because Jesus had called God his Father, making himself equal with God.

Babylon thought that she had become great and powerful by her own works, not knowing or acknowledging God or realizing that it was by God’s will, to accomplish God’s purpose. God had allowed Babylon to become powerful in order to punish Judah for their disobedience of God’s word and their refusal to heed God’s prophets.

Babylon sought counsel from worldly advisors and sorcerers instead of seeking God’s guidance and God’s Word. Babylon thought there was no one who would recognize and punish her wickedness, but Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled. Babylon was taken over by Cyrus of Persia in 539 B.C., and Israel, after seventy years of exile in Babylon, was allowed to return to the Promised Land. Is America the New Jerusalem or the New Babylon?

God wants us to have access to him. He wants us to know his will so that we will do it. He has given us his Word in the Bible. Through Jesus’ sacrifice we are forgiven and cleansed of sin so that we can have access to the Lord through his indwelling Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is to be our helper, our counselor.

Christians are to spend time regularly in worship and prayer, and in learning God’s Word and seeking his guidance, so that we can accomplish the “good works” which he has prepared for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). Are we getting our counsel and guidance from the Lord and his Word, or are we relying on worldly counsel?

All of us are sinners who fall short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23); we are crippled and dying from sin (Romans 6:23). Jesus is the only spiritual Healer and Savior (Acts 4:12; John 14:6). Are we hoping we can be healed by following worldly beliefs and remedies, trusting in superstition, or are we willing to trust and obey Jesus? Are we willing to do what Jesus tells us, even if it conflicts with our secular society?

Jesus warned the healed man that if he reverted to his former life something worse would befall him. Having been physically healed by Jesus by trust and obedience, the man needed to continue trusting and obeying Jesus or something worse would befall him. Eternal spiritual death is a lot worse than being a physical invalid for many years.

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first 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)?

3 Epiphany - Monday

first posted 01/23/05

Isaiah 48:1-11, Hear and see
Galatians 1:1-17, Against false Gospel
Mark 5:21-43 Jairus’ daughter

Listen, descendants of Jacob (father of the heads of the twelve tribes), who are called by the name of Israel (the name given Jacob by the Lord, which became the name of God’s people), descendants of Judah (fourth son of Jacob by Leah, whose name was given to the Southern Kingdom of the divided monarchy; at the time of this prophecy, in exile in Babylon). Although they are members of God’s people by genealogical descent, and they swear by the name of the Lord and claim that the God of Israel is their God, their actions reveal that they are not truly serving the Lord.

In the past the Lord has revealed what would take place before it came to pass. This was necessary because humans are stiff-necked (proud), hard-headed (stubborn) and obstinate (unyielding); otherwise they would give credit for what God did to someone or something other than God. The Lord is revealing new things to them of which they have never before heard; otherwise they would claim that they had previously known them.

Humans are treacherous and rebellious from birth. God has been forbearing towards us for his name's sake. The Lord purifies us with the furnace of affliction to remove impurities, like silver is refined. The Lord won’t allow his name to be profaned.

Paul’s authority was not given him by other humans, but by God through Jesus Christ. He was writing to the churches of Galatia in central Asia Minor (present-day Turkey). Paul prayed that they might have the grace and peace which are only possible from God in Jesus Christ, who gave himself as a sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins, so that we might be delivered from the present evil age, in accordance with God’s will.

Paul immediately began by saying “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and turning to another gospel, not that there is another gospel, but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received (from Paul; i.e., the apostolic faith), let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:6-9). Paul was not interested in modifying his message to please humans; his only concern was to please the Lord who entrusted him with the message.

The gospel which Paul preached was not the creation of humans, and Paul did not get it from other humans, but by revelation from Jesus Christ. Paul reminded the Galatians that he had previously persecuted Christians and the Church, because of his zeal for Judaism. But the Lord had created Paul for the ministry of preaching Christ to the Gentiles. Although Paul had done nothing to deserve his calling, by God’s grace (unmerited favor) God revealed Christ to Paul (Saul of Tarsus; on the road to Damascus; Acts chapter 9), so that Paul could fulfill God’s purpose for his life.

After Paul’s conversion he didn’t seek human teaching or human authorization. Instead Paul went into Arabia (the Nabataean kingdom, the capital of which was Petra, southeast of Israel, between southern Israel and the Red Sea), and returned to Damascus (capital of Syria, where Paul had been converted and had begun his ministry; Acts 9:19b-22).

Jesus was surrounded by a large crowd on the shore of the Sea of Galilee when one of the rulers of the synagogue, a man named Jairus, came to Jesus begging him to come and heal is dying daughter. Jesus went with Jairus, and the great crowd followed, thronging around him.

There was a woman in the crowd who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and who had consulted numerous physicians, spending all her money but only getting worse. (She would have been regarded as ritually unclean as would any she touched). She had heard about Jesus and she believed that if she would only touch his garment she would be healed, and so she touched Jesus’ robe and her hemorrhage ceased instantly.

Jesus knew immediately that healing power had gone forth from him, and he asked who had touched him. The disciples thought that obviously the crowd had just jostled against him. The woman who had been healed came fearfully and knelt before him, confessing all had happened. Jesus told her that her faith had healed her and said she could go her way in peace, healed.

While Jesus was saying this, Jairus’ servant came to tell Jairus that his daughter had died and that it was unnecessary to bother Jesus further, but Jesus told Jairus not to be afraid but to keep believing. Jesus allowed no one to accompany Jairus any further except for Peter, James and John.

At the house there was a large group of mourners weeping and wailing loudly. Jesus asked why they were mourning, because the girl was not dead but sleeping. They laughed at Jesus, but he put them outside, and Jesus, the child’s mother and father and the three disciples went in to where the child lay. Jesus took the child, a twelve year old girl, by the hand and told her to arise, and she immediately got up and walked. Those with Jesus were amazed, but Jesus told them not to tell anyone; he also told them to give the girl something to eat.

Salvation is not a matter of being born into the Church or of being a Church member. We aren’t saved by being the children of Christians, or by praying or affirming an oath by the name of the Lord. Our prayers won’t be answered just because we add Jesus’ name to the end of the prayer (see Conditions for Answered Prayer, sidebar, top right). Keeping Christian traditions doesn’t make us Christian: Setting up a crèche (Nativity Scene) under the Christmas tree or on the mantle or front lawn doesn’t make us Christians. Claiming to be Christian doesn’t make us one. What we do reveals what we truly believe. A Christian is a disciple of Jesus Christ who trusts and obeys Jesus (Matthew 7:21-24; Acts 11:26c).

The Gospel that Paul and the other Apostles preached is not the creation of humans. It was a revelation by God through Jesus Christ, and Paul’s experience (Acts 9:1-21) demonstrates that clearly. The Galatians were being misled by false teachers, and were turning away from the Biblical Apostolic Gospel (as taught by the Apostles and recorded in the Bible) preached by Paul, and turning to a false gospel. Paul was committed to proclaiming the Gospel fully and accurately just as he had received it from the Lord, without being influenced by humans to make it more “popular” and acceptable to people. Paul did not seek human instruction, authorization or commendation for his ministry.

On the way to heal Jairus’ daughter, a woman in the crowd had faith in Jesus’ power to heal her, and she acted on that faith. As she acted on her faith she received healing. When Jesus asked who had touched him she was afraid, but she confessed all that had happened. Jesus told her that she had been healed by faith and could go in peace.

While this was taking place, Jairus’ servants came saying that his daughter had died, and there was no reason for Jesus to go further. Jesus told Jairus not to be afraid, but to keep believing. Jesus told the mourners that the girl was not dead and would arise. Jairus’ friends and relatives, the mourners, laughed at Jesus, but Jairus did keep believing in Jesus, and Jairus and the mourners found that what Jesus says is absolutely reliable.

What the Lord declares has its fulfillment. There are lots of skeptics, lots of false teachers and false doctrines. Faith is not like "wishing on a star;" we don’t get whatever we want if we believe "hard enough." It matters who and what we believe. Faith in anything other than Jesus and God's Word will be betrayed. What does what we do reveal about our faith?

3 Epiphany - Tuesday

first posted 01/24/05

Isaiah 48:12-21 (22), No peace for the wicked
Galatians 1:18-2:10, Paul and the Church at Jerusalem
Mark 6:1-13 Rejection at home; commissioning the disciples

The Lord is the first and the last, the creator of earth and heaven by the power of his Word. Assemble, Israel. God alone has declared his purpose (to give Babylon and the Chaldeans over to the power of Cyrus, King of Persia). The Lord has called Cyrus and will prosper him for this purpose. The Lord’s servant has been involved from the very beginning and has not spoken in secret. “And now the Lord God has sent me and his spirit” (Isaiah 48:16c).

The Lord, the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel, declares that he shows his people what is productive, and the way we should live. If God’s people kept God’s commands they would have peace like a river, and “righteousness like the waves of the sea” (Isaiah 48:18); their descendants as countless as the sands of the sea. “Their name would never be cut off or destroyed from before me” (Isaiah 48:19c).

God’s people will be released from their exile in Babylon by God’s redeeming act (through Cyrus), recalling Israel’s exodus from Egypt, God’s leading them through the wilderness and providing water in the desert from the rock. “‘There is no peace’, says the Lord, ‘for the wicked.’”

Paul (formerly “Saul”) had received the Gospel from God through Jesus Christ, not from humans (Galatians 1:1 & 11). After his encounter with the risen Jesus (Acts chapter 9), he immediately began to proclaim the Gospel, and it wasn’t until three years later that he first went to Jerusalem for fifteen days to visit Cephas (Aramaic for “Peter”), but saw none of the other apostles, except James, the brother of the Lord.

After the visit Paul went into Syria and Cilicia (in southeast Asia Minor; present-day Turkey. The capital, Tarsus, was Paul’s native city). The Churches in Judea had never seen Paul, but only knew him by reputation, as a former persecutor of Christians, then preaching the Gospel of Jesus, and they glorified God for Paul’s conversion.

After fourteen years Paul brought Barnabas and Titus with him to consult the Apostolic Council at Jerusalem about the Gospel to the Gentiles (over the issue of requiring Gentiles to keep Jewish Law, which Paul opposed, and the Council concurred with Paul; Acts 15:2). Titus was a Greek (a Gentile), but the Council did not require his circumcision. The controversy in the Church over this issue was stirred up by “false brethren” who wanted to restrict Christian freedom by imposing the bondage of the Law, but Paul strove to preserve the true Gospel for us.

Paul didn’t gain any new insight into the Gospel from the other Apostles, and Peter, James and John (Jesus’ inner circle; Matthew 17:1) recognized Paul as a fellow Apostle and Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles as equally valid as Peter’s ministry of the Gospel to the Jews, since the same Lord inspired and directed them both. They only asked Paul to take an offering for the poor (persecuted Judean Christians; Acts 11:29-30).

Jesus went to his hometown (Nazareth; Luke 4:16, 23) and on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue. The people were amazed at his words and his miracles, and they took offence at Jesus because they knew Jesus’ father, mother, brothers and sisters, and couldn’t understand where Jesus had acquired his wisdom and power. Jesus replied that “a prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own kin and in his own house” (Mark 6:4). Jesus was amazed at their unbelief, and he was unable to do many miracles there, with the exception of healing a few sick people.

Jesus began teaching among the villages, and he appointed the Twelve and gave them power to heal the sick and the demon-possessed. He sent them out in pairs, telling them to take nothing with them on their journey except a walking stick; no extra cloths; no food or money. He told them that when they entered a house they were to stay there until they left the village. If any place would not receive them and refused to listen they were to shake the dust from their feet as a testimony against those people. The disciples went as Jesus had told them, preaching for people to repent, and they cast out many demons and healed many who were sick.

God, the creator of the Universe, has had a purpose, from the beginning of Creation, to produce a redeemed people (see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). I believe that the meaning and purpose of our lives in this world is to seek and find God; to come into fellowship with him (Acts 17:26-27; see also entry for Christ the King, Thursday, odd year).

If we would keep God’s commandments we would have peace with God and would have eternal life with him. But the problem is that we cannot keep God’s commandments; we are all sinners (Romans 3:23 1 John 1:8-10) and the penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). We need a Redeemer. The only way we can get from where we are (as sinners) to where God is (the Holy One) is through the Redeemer, Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; John 14:6).

God has been declaring his purpose of redemption from the very beginning in his Word; from the time of Mankind’s fall from fellowship with God through sin in the Garden (Genesis chapter 3). The history of God’s dealings with Israel provides repeated illustrations of God’s plan of Redemption; God delivered his people from bondage to sin and death in Egypt, bringing them through the Sea and the wilderness and into the Promised Land. The return of Judah from exile in Babylon repeats the illustration. Moses was God’s servant to deliver them from Egypt; Cyrus was God’s servant to deliver Israel from Babylon; Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s Redeemer to lead his people from the “Egypt,” the “Babylon,” of this world into the eternal Promised Land, the kingdom of God in Heaven.

Paul (as Saul of Tarsus) was a persecutor of Christians who was converted in an encounter with the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-21). He came to realize his spiritual blindness, accepted Jesus as his Lord (and Redeemer), and he came into a personal relationship with the Lord through the indwelling Holy Spirit who guided and empowered Paul.

Paul was a changed person, and he spent the rest of his earthly life, was imprisoned, and probably died defending and preserving the true Biblical Apostolic Gospel of Jesus Christ against “false brethren” who wanted to add to or take away from that Gospel. Paul had been a Jew and a Pharisee, and he loved his Jewish brethren and wanted them to receive redemption through Jesus.

Jesus was the Jewish Redeemer, but many of his Jewish brethren would not receive Paul’s message (Acts 13:45-46). Paul is the prototype, the model, of the "modern," "post-resurrection," "born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8) Christian disciple (having aparently never known Jesus during Jesus' lifetime, but led and empowered by the Holy Spirit; see also entry for Monday, 7 Easter, even year)

Jesus was rejected by his own people in his own hometown, in his own synagogue, he was rejected in Jerusalem, and he was rejected by Judaism. Jesus was the Redeemer God promised to send to his people, but God’s people didn’t recognize and believe in him. Those who do recognize and believe in Jesus have the power to become God’s children (but they must claim and take hold of that promise; John 1:10-12). Those who did, followed him, became his disciples, were filled with his Holy Spirit, were empowered to preach and heal, and spent the rest of their lives doing what the Lord had commanded them to do.

Is Jesus your Redeemer and Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first 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)?

3 Epiphany - Wednesday

first posted 01/25/05

Isaiah 49:1-12, The Lord’s servant
Galatians 2:11-21, Justification by faith
Mark 6:13-29 John the Baptizer beheaded

Listen, coastlands (nations surrounding the Mediterranean) and peoples from afar. God called his servant from the womb and named him before his birth (see Luke 1:31). God made his servant’s mouth like a sharp sword (Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 1:16). God protected him and made him like a sharp weapon.

Israel is to be God’s servant, in whom God will be glorified. The servant’s ministry seems unproductive, but he looks to God for his reward. The Lord created him to restore Jacob, so that Israel would be brought back to the Lord. The Lord has honored him and given him strength. The Lord declares that his servant is not just to restore Israel, but is to be a light to the nations, and his salvation is for all people on earth.

The Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One declares that though his servant is despised and abhorred by the nations and is the servant of rulers, the Lord is faithful and will cause the rulers of the nations to honor the Lord’s chosen servant. God has seen the need of his people and in the right time has answered and provided help in the day of salvation.

The Lord has preserved his servant and has given him as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, and to apportion the inheritance to those who are desolate. He calls prisoners and those in darkness to come forth. The Servant will feed, protect and lead them to springs of water like a shepherd (Compare Psalm 23). His flock will come from afar, from north, west, and south (Syene; i.e., Aswan, on the southern border of Egypt).

When Peter visited the Church in Antioch Paul confronted him over the issue of requiring Gentile Christians to keep the Jewish Laws. The issue had officially been resolved by the Council of apostles and elders in Jerusalem, at which Peter had supported Paul’s position, citing his own vision ending Jewish dietary restrictions, (Acts 10:10-35; 15 6-11.) and yet Peter had allowed peer pressure from the circumcision party (Judaizers; the group who insisted on enforcing Jewish Law among Gentile Christians) to behave contrary to what Peter believed and declared.

Peter had eaten at first with the Gentiles, but when the Judaizers arrived, he withdrew, and his insincerity caused other Jewish Christians to also withdraw from table fellowship with the Gentile Christians. Paul rebuked Peter for deviating from the true Gospel.

Paul pointed out the hypocrisy of Jewish Christians living like Gentiles, but requiring Gentile Christians to live like Jews. Paul said, “We ourselves who are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners, yet who know that a man is not justified (reckoned righteous) by works (keeping) the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified (Galatians 2:15-16).

If we sin while trusting in Christ for our salvation, it is not Christ who has caused us to sin. But if, after trusting in Christ, we continue to try to be righteous through keeping the law all we will accomplish will be to prove that we are sinners, and Christ will be of no benefit to us (see Galatians 5:2-4).

King Herod had heard of Jesus, as word of Jesus’ miracles spread. Some said that Jesus was John the Baptist who had risen from the dead. Others believed that Jesus was Elijah (who, according to scripture, was to return before the Messiah). Others thought he was a prophet like the prophets of old. Herod believed that he was John the Baptist, whom Herod had beheaded, raised from the dead.

Herod had imprisoned John because John had rebuked Herod for marrying Herod’s brother’s wife, Herodias. She hated John and wanted to kill him, but Herod believed John was righteous and holy and although John’s message was troubling, Herod wanted to hear him.

But Herod gave a party on his birthday for the leading people of Galilee, and Herodias’ daughter danced to entertain the group. Herod was delighted and promised in front of his guests to give her whatever she wanted, even half of his kingdom. The daughter asked her mother for help in deciding what to ask for, and her mother told her to ask for John’s head on a platter. The daughter did so and Herod was forced to behead John because of his public promise. The daughter gave the head to her mother, and John’s disciples claimed the body and buried it.

Isaiah’s prophecy originally applied to Israel as the Lord’s servant, but it also clearly refers to Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, who is the Savior of the World. It also applies to Jesus’ disciples and his Church. The Lord’s servant will be despised and abhorred by the nations. Christians are not going to be popular among worldly people. The disciples’ ministry to proclaim the Gospel of salvation may often seem futile and unproductive, but we are to remember that the Lord is faithful, and trust in him for our reward.

There is a lot of pressure in the secular world for Christians to conform to the world’s standards. Christians need to decide to be guided by the God’s Word and his Spirit, rather than yielding to worldly peer pressure. God sent Jesus into the world to seek and save the lost, and Jesus has commissioned his followers to carry on his mission of salvation.

Peer pressure is a hazard to discipleship. It can also be an obstacle within the Church. Christians should read the Bible for ourselves, and spend time daily in prayer and the scriptures seeking God’s direction for our lives. We should be more concerned with serving the Lord than with pleasing our peers.

Peter was guilty of acting one way among certain people, and acting differently with others, rather than following his convictions. Peter’s inconsistency, as a leader in the Church, had a harmful effect on others. Our justification is by faith in Jesus, not by “good works” (Ephesians 2:8-10), but it is important to live and act in a manner that is consistent with what we believe.

Peer pressure was Herod’s undoing. Herod wanted to hear John’s message even though the message troubled him and made him uncomfortable. He was open to receiving the Gospel. But at a party he wanted to impress his step-daughter and his guests and he made an unwise public promise. From then on he was locked into doing something he really didn’t want to do, because he didn’t want to loose face in front of his friends and supporters.

He killed John, who might have led Herod to repentance and prepared him to receive Jesus. Then, when Herod heard of Jesus, he was “haunted” by his unjust murder of John, a righteous and holy man, and was unable to realize who Jesus was, and come to receive forgiveness and salvation through Jesus.

3 Epiphany - Thursday

first posted 01/26/05

Isaiah 49:13-23 (24-26), Zion rebuilt and restored
Galatians 3:1-14, Faith, not works
Mark 6:30-46 Feeding the five thousand

The Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted. Zion (Jerusalem; God’s people; the Church) feels that the Lord has forgotten her, but the Lord can no more forget her than a mother can forget her suckling children. Even the mother might forget but the Lord won’t. The Lord is so constantly aware of her that it is as if she were tattooed on his hand.

The Lord will prosper Zion’s builders and thwart those who would tear her down. Her people will gather to her, adorning her like a bride with jewelry. Her once destroyed and desolate land will be filled to capacity with children born in the time of her exile, in her bereavement and barrenness.

The Lord will signal the beginning of Israel’s restoration, and her sons and daughters shall return. Her oppressors shall be her servants “Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who wait for me shall not be put to shame” Isaiah 49:23c, d, RSV). The Lord will rescue the captives from the mightiest of tyrants; The Lord will contend with those who contend with his people, and will save Zion's children. The oppressors of God’s people will consume one another, and all people on earth will acknowledge Israel’s God.

False teachers (Judaizers) had been telling the Galatian Christians that they must keep Jewish Laws. Paul wrote this letter to correct that false teaching. Paul asked them to consider their own experience: They had received the Holy Spirit by faith, not by keeping the Law. If they had begun their new life in the Spirit, did they now want to return to life in the flesh?

Abraham is the example and spiritual patriarch of all who have faith, because Abraham believed God, and was reckoned as righteous in God’s eyes (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:16 RSV). God planned from the beginning to justify the Gentiles by faith, and he told Abraham that in Abraham the nations would be blessed. Those who rely on keeping the law for their righteousness are under a curse (Deuteronomy 27:26): In order to be righteous according to the Law, one must keep and do everything in the Law (which is impossible).

God’s Word says that those who have righteousness by faith shall live (Habakkuk 2:4b). The Law is not based on faith but on works (keeping; Leviticus 18:5). We have been freed from the curse of the Law by Jesus, who took the curse upon himself on the cross (Deuteronomy 21:23), so that the blessing of Abraham could be received by the Gentiles, “that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:14b).

The disciples had returned from a missionary assignment, and after reporting to Jesus what they had done, Jesus invited them to come away to a secluded place to rest awhile, because the throngs of people coming to Jesus offered no free time even to eat. Jesus and the disciples departed by boat across the Sea of Galilee to a secluded place, but the crowds saw them go, and guessing where they were headed, went there on foot and were waiting for Jesus when he and the disciples arrived.

Jesus “had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd” (Mark 6:34), so Jesus began to teach them. It grew late, and the disciples suggested that Jesus send the crowds to the surrounding villages to eat, but Jesus told the disciples to feed the people. The disciples asked Jesus if he wanted them to go and buy enough food to feed the crowd, estimating that it would cost around two hundred days’ wages just to buy enough bread. Jesus asked his disciples what food they had with them, and they said they had five loaves and two fish.

Jesus had the people sit down on the grass, and Jesus took the food, blessed and broke the loaves and fish, and gave them to the disciples to distribute. They all ate their fill, and there were twelve baskets full of leftovers, after feeding around five thousand people. Jesus made his disciples depart in the boat without him, while he dismissed the crowds, and then Jesus went into the hills to pray.

The Lord loves us all, not just some of us. In one sense we are all his people, because he is our creator. The Lord wants us to trust and obey him because his will is in our best interest. His people are those who choose to be; who acknowledge him and trust and obey him.

The Lord is building an eternal kingdom and that kingdom is the Church. He will prosper those who build it up, and will thwart those who oppose it. Jesus is the signal of the restoration of God’s people. The Lord has compassion on us. He doesn’t want us to die eternally for our disobedience. He wants to give us eternal life in the New Jerusalem in Heaven. Those who oppose God’s kingdom will be destroyed.

God has compassion on us. He doesn’t require us to do the impossible. He sent Jesus Christ to give his life as a sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins. All of us have sinned and fall short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1: 8-10). Salvation is a free gift (Ephesians 2:8-10); all we have to do is received it (John 1:12; Revelation 3:20).

God wants to give us his Spirit to cleanse, comfort, help and guide us. The Spirit does not enslave us but frees us from the curse of the law (Romans 8:15). If we believe in Jesus we will trust and obey what he says. Jesus is God’s only provision for our salvation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6). Good works won’t save us, but our works will reveal our faith. False teachers were already working to tear down the Church in Paul’s time, with the false doctrine of justification by “good works,” There were other false teachers teaching the false doctrine of salvation by “cheap grace;* grace without discipleship; grace without obedience (James 2:18-23; see entries for Epiphany - January 8, odd year, and Sunday, 11 Pentecost, even year). Both those false doctrines are still circulating in the Church today.

Jesus had compassion for people. He gave respite to his disciples when they returned from ministry. He took them away so that they could eat, and he accomplished that while also having compassion on the crowd who had followed them. Jesus provided them with spiritual as well as physical nurture.

He has compassion for us because we are like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for us (John 10:11), who gives the gift of his Holy Spirit to comfort, guide and sustain us to eternal life. The Lord gives his Spirit to his disciples who trust and obey him (Isaiah 42:5e; John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that we are in Christ and have eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16; see entry for Monday 1 Epiphany, odd year). Those who do not have the (Holy) Spirit of Christ do not belong to him (Romans 8:9b). It is possible for one to know with certainty whether he has received the indwelling Holy Spirit or not (Acts 19:2).

Jesus says, “Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do what I tell you” (Luke 6:46; compare Matthew 7:21-24). The feeding of the five thousand is an illustration of how the Lord, by his Spirit, enables his disciples to do what he tells them.

*See: The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Collier Books, Macmillan Publishing Co., NY 1963 ISBN 0-02-083850-6

3 Epiphany - Friday

first posted 01/27/05

Isaiah 50:1-11, The Lord’s obedient Servant
Galatians 3:15-22, The true purpose of the Law of Moses
Mark 6:47-56 Jesus walks on water

The Lord has not divorced or sold Israel into slavery, but the Lord has punished his people for their unfaithfulness and disobedience. The people had not heeded God’s call through his prophets, and they did not recognize and acknowledge God’s power. God has the power to redeem and deliver; he also has the power to afflict and punish.

The Lord’s servant has been given divine wisdom so that his words can sustain the weary (God’s people). The Lord has opened the ear of his servant (to hear God’s voice) and the servant was not rebellious nor did he turn away, but endured abuse and shame for his obedience to God’s will. The servant is confident of the Lord’s help and his ultimate vindication, and is thus determined to persevere.

Since God is with him to help him, who will be able to contend with the Servant; who can oppose him or accuse him? His enemies “will wear out like a garment; a moth will eat them up” (Isaiah 50:9b). “ Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant, who walks in darkness (this present world) and has no light, yet trusts in the name of the Lord and relies upon his God” (Isaiah 50:10)? Those who walk through darkness by their own lights will be condemned by the Lord to eternal torment (Isaiah 50:11).

Paul used an example from common legal practice to illustrate the precedence of faith over works for justification (judgment of righteousness). Just as one cannot alter a person’s legal will or contract, after it has been ratified, God’s promise of inheritance to the descendants of Abraham had been made with Abraham by Abraham’s faith in God’s promise. The Law which was given more than four hundred years later does not annul the covenant previously made by God. If God’s promise was by (keeping the) Law, then it wouldn’t be a promise (it would be wages due, or entitlement).

Paul also shows that God’s promise is fulfilled through only one descendant of Abraham: Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:16). The purpose of the Law was to reveal God’s will so that we would be conscious of our sinfulness, and it was to be our “governess” (“nanny”) to keep us out of “trouble” until the coming of Christ, through whom the promise would be fulfilled. The Law is not in contrary to God’s promises, but the Law cannot make us righteous. “But the scripture consigned all things to sin, that what was promised to faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe” (Galatians 3:22).

It was evening, and Jesus had fed the five thousand, and then had sent is disciples off in the boat, while he dismissed the crowd and spent time in prayer (see entry for yesterday, Thursday, 3 Epiphany, odd year). When Jesus had finished, he saw that the boat with the disciples was on the Sea of Galilee, not making much progress because the disciples were rowing against the wind.

Just before dawn, Jesus came to them, walking on the Sea. Jesus intended to pass by them, but they saw him and cried out in terror, because they thought he was a ghost. Jesus immediately spoke to them, identifying himself and calming their fears. When Jesus got into the boat the wind ceased, and the disciples were completely astounded, because they had not understood what had occurred at the feeding of the crowd.

The boat landed at Gennesaret (on the western shore of the Sea, southwest of Capernaum) and when they got out of the boat the people recognized Jesus and immediately ran to bring the sick to him. Whenever Jesus came, the people brought the sick to him, begging to touch the hem of his robe, and those who touched it were healed.

Although Israel was in exile in Babylon, God had not abandoned his people. God was disciplining his unfaithful and disobedient children. What parent allows his small child to willfully and repeatedly disobey him? God has the power to redeem and save, but he also has the power to condemn and punish.

Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise of God’s obedient servant. Jesus was obedient to God’s will all the way to his crucifixion. He did not turn away from it (Matthew 26:39). He endured physical abuse at the hands of his people (Matthew 26:67; compare Isaiah 50:6).

Jesus is also our example of how we are to be the Lord’s obedient servants. The Lord will give his disciples “the tongue of those who are taught;” He will open our ears to hear God’s voice (Isaiah 50:4-5), through the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit. Disciples can expect mistreatment for the Gospel, but the Lord will deal with those who oppose us and will vindicate us (Isaiah 50:7-9).

Jesus is the light of the world; those who follow him will not walk in darkness (John 8:12). Those who trust and obey the voice of God’s obedient Servant, Jesus Christ, through his indwelling Holy Spirit, will have eternal life in Heaven. Those who try to walk through the spiritual darkness of this world by their own light will be condemned to eternal torment and death in Hell (Isaiah 50:11 RSV).

God gave his Law, the Ten Commandments, to Moses, to be a guardian, a custodian, for his people until the coming of Jesus, through whom God’s promise to Abraham (of an inheritance of eternal life in the Promised Land of God’s kingdom in Heaven) would be received by faith in Jesus. The Law was given so that we could be aware of our sinfulness. All have sinned and fall short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23). The penalty for sin is eternal death in Hell (Romans 6:23). There is no forgiveness of our sins apart from faith in Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:12; John 14:6). Jesus’ death and resurrection made it possible for his disciples to receive his indwelling Holy Spirit (John 16:7). The Holy Spirit is the new Guardian and Counselor who replaces the role of the Law. If we are obedient to the Holy Spirit we are no longer under the condemnation of the Law (see Romans 8:1-11).

If the disciples had fully understood what had taken place at the feeding of the five thousand, they would not have been amazed to see Jesus walking on the water. Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise of the obedient Servant. He has all the power of God to save and to condemn (Isaiah 50:10-11; Colossians 2:8-9). He can provide for our needs, he cares for us and can comfort and reassure us, he can calm the storm around us, and he can prosper our journey through life and deliver us safely to the eternal shore. He can heal us and give us life.

3 Epiphany - Saturday

first posted 01/28/05

Isaiah 51:1-8, Deliverance draws near
Galatians 3:23-29, One in Christ
Mark 7:1-23 Tradition of the elders

Listen, those who desire deliverance, those seeking the Lord. Look to the history of God’s dealing with Israel. Look to examples of faith like Abraham and Sarah, and see how the Lord has fulfilled his promises. The Lord will comfort Zion (God’s people; the Church). Zion’s wilderness shall become like Eden (paradise; the garden of the Lord; creation will be restored to its original perfection). She will be filled with joy, gladness, and thanksgiving. The Lord’s law and justice will be a light for all peoples.

God’s salvation has gone forth and his deliverance draws near. God will reign over all the peoples. Wait and hope for his deliverance. Watch and see: “The heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell on it will die in like manner” (Isaiah 51:6d RSV, note “o”) but the salvation of the Lord is for ever and his deliverance is eternal. Those who know righteousness and uphold God’s law need not fear the reproach of humans who will pass away like a garment consumed by moths or worms. But the Lord’s deliverance and salvation are for eternity.

God’s law, given to Moses, was intended to be our guardian to restrain us until the coming of the Messiah (Christ), when we could be justified (reckoned righteous) through faith in Christ. Now that faith has come we are no longer under the guardian, because in Christ Jesus we’re (adopted) children of God. Those who have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ (like a robe of righteousness). We are no longer to be divided and categorized by race, nationality, sex or social category, but are united in Christ Jesus (through his indwelling Holy Spirit). If we are in Christ, we are spiritual descendants of Abraham, and heirs to God’s promise.

Pharisees (the predominant, legalistic sect of Judaism) and scribes (teachers of Jewish Law) had come from Jerusalem to Galilee and were observing Jesus. They noticed that some of Jesus’ disciples didn’t wash their hands before eating, which is a violation of Jewish legal tradition, and they questioned Jesus about this. Jesus replied that these legalists were hypocrites who thus fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy, honoring God with their lips, but not with their hearts. Their worship is in vain; they teach human tradition as religious doctrine (Isaiah 29:13 RSV).

Jesus declared that they abandoned obedience to God’s Word and, instead, enforced human traditions. As one example, Jesus cited the tradition by which Jews could avoid providing support for their (elderly) parents, by claiming that they had given it to God instead, thus violating the Fourth Commandment, which requires us to honor our fathers and mothers. Jesus told the crowd that it is not the external things which enter a person which make him spiritually unclean (unrighteous), but rather the things which come from within the person that defile him. Jesus declared that all foods are spiritually acceptable.

When they were alone, his disciples asked Jesus what he had meant by this parable, and Jesus told them that foods don’t make a person unclean, since they do not affect his heart (moral or spiritual character). It is the things which come out from one’s spiritual character that make him unclean. Evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride foolishness, are examples of such spiritually defiling things.

Christianity is not just a “New Testament” faith. The whole Bible is the Word of God. God’s Word has been given as a spiritual light for all people in the spiritual darkness of this world. Jesus is the fulfillment and the personification of God’s Word, God’s light, and God’s justice in this world (John 1:1-5, 14; 8:12; compare Isaiah 51:4b). Jesus is God’s anointed Savior and King.

Jesus has promised to return to judge the earth. Those who recognize God’s righteousness in God’s Word and in Jesus Christ and trust and obey will be delivered from God’s condemnation and will receive eternal life in the new creation; in the new Eden.

Those who have been baptized into Christ, by water and by the infilling of the Holy Spirit are in Christ and are clothed with Christ’s righteousness. Those who are truly disciples of Jesus, who are trusting and obeying Jesus will receive the indwelling Holy Spirit (Isaiah 42:5e; John 14:15-17). It is the indwelling Holy Spirit who is the seal and guarantee that we are in Christ and have eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16; see entry for Monday, 1 Epiphany, odd year). It is the indwelling Holy Spirit who seals us and bears witness that we are the adopted children of God (Romans 8:15-16). It is those who are filled with and guided by the Holy Spirit who are no longer under God’s Law and condemnation (Romans 8:1-11; see also God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar top right).

A Christian is a disciple of Jesus Christ who trusts and obeys Jesus. Attending Church on Sunday doesn’t make one a Christian. Are we honoring God with our hearts, or are we merely following human traditions? Keeping the Old Testament laws doesn’t make us Christians either. A Christian is one who has a personal relationship with the risen Jesus Christ through Christ’s indwelling Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9b). There are lots of human traditions being taught as religious doctrines in churches today. Those who desire deliverance, those seeking the Lord (Isaiah 51:1) and all who call themselves Christians need to read the Bible fully, from cover-to-cover, and regularly on a daily basis, prayerfully seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit; and they need to begin applying God’s word in their daily lives.