First Sunday After Christmas

Psalm: Psalm 148 

Old Testament: Isaiah 61:10-62:3 

Gospel: Luke 2:22-40 

Epistle: Galatians 4:4-7

Although the secular calendar says Christmas has come and gone, the Church calendar has us right in the middle of Christmastide. This Sunday marks the 4^th day of Christmas, so we should be looking for “four calling birds” or something like that. Just like other seasons of the church, such as Advent and Lent, things that we typically associate with a 1 day celebration are actually seasons to be celebrated. I like that Christmas is actually a season and not just a day because it means that we can keep the decorations up longer and sing Christmas songs for a few more days. But, it also gives us more time to celebrate the birth and early days of Jesus life. It seems like Christmas Eve and the rare year when Christmas falls on a Sunday are always reserved for Jesus’ birth. But more things happened in those early years of Jesus’ life than just a stable and some shepherds.

Advent Week 4

Psalm: Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 or Luke 1:47-55 
Old Testament: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 
Epistle: Romans 16:25-27

Welcome to the final week of Advent. Hopefully at this point most of us are done with our preparations for Christmas. (Other then maybe the whole cooking the meals thing.) After reading our passage from Luke this week, I have been thinking about about the song "Mary, did you know?" If you don't know the song, it asks the question of whether Mary knew exactly who and what the child Jesus would become. One reason I like the song is because it reminds us that Jesus was fully God from the moment of his conception. Even at his birth in the manger, Jesus was God incarnate-fully God and fully man.

Advent Week 3

Psalm: Psalm 126 or Luke 1:47-55 

Old Testament: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 

Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28 

Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

The third week of Advent is here and we are getting closer to Christmas. This week, our church did the annual tradition in some churches of the Christmas Cantata. It is one of those things where I can’t say it is bad theologically to do or even impractically, yet it seems like a service out of a different decade. Choral arrangements just don’t seem like an effective way to reach people. But, it is a holiday tradition that some can’t let go. No doubt we all have little traditions in our families, churches, workplaces, wherever that we would like to see die, but others in the group hold fast to it. It is moments like this where we just have to recognize that not every element of a church or group pleases everyone and just move on. If some people enjoy that style of service, then there is no harm in doing it once a year. There is not really any point to bringing this up, but you might be in the same situation at your church and the Christmas musical is just one of many traditions we do during December.

Advent Week 2

Psalm: Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 

Old Testament: Isaiah 40:1-11 

Gospel: Mark 1:1-8 

Epistle: 2 Peter 3:8-15a

Welcome to the second week of Advent. Holiday cheer and maybe colder weather is coming in. It definitely does not feel like Christmas or winter here. But hopefully you have begun to do some of the Christmas traditions like putting up lights or other decorations, going to holiday parties, and buying presents. We do all of these things as tangible ways of preparation, i.e. getting gifts for the family to open on Christmas morning. But we also do things like decorating and sipping eggnog (but not me) because it prepares us in an intangible and internal way. We have a whole host of traditions and practices in our homes and churches that we only do during the seasons of Advent or Christmas. In a sense, we are preparing our homes, churches, and hearts to celebrate Christmas to the fullest extent.

Advent Week 1

Psalm: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 

Old Testament: Isaiah 64:1-9 

Gospel: Mark 13:24-37 

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Welcome to the first week of Advent, the beginning of the Christian Year. I was asked today why we should even celebrate the Christian Calendar. The question wasn’t accusatory, but it still brings up a good point-- why should we celebrate the Church year rather than just doing topical sermons and mini-series? Part of the answer has to do with the consumeristic culture we live in, but it is true across all cultures-- the Christian Calendar reminds us all time is God’s time, not the retail cycle or even our own. The Christian Calendar reminds us that despite Party City advertising that “Nobody has more Christmas for less,” Christmas is fundamentally and firstly about the Incarnation of Almighty God. Hopefully, we can capture that as we gather each week, and then as we spread out into our cities and neighborhoods, we can stand against the consumerism and greed that defines our culture. The Christian calendar is important for other reasons, but particularly at this time of year when we are bombarded with calls to buy, buy, buy we can find our fulfillment in Christ.

Ordinary Time Week 24

Psalm: Psalm 100 or Psalm 95:1-7a 

Old Testament: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 

Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46 

Epistle: Ephesians 1:15-23

The last few weeks, the theme has definitely been the final Judgment at the end of the age. In some churches, this type of topic might get a lot of pulpit time and thought. I have never been in a church where the end times was the primary doctrine that determined all else. But, I think we have all heard of churches and denominations where the end-times – pre-tribulation or post-tribulation, rapture or no rapture, a few elect and baptized saved or pretty much everyone going to heaven – is hotly debated and declared.  I, as do many others, believe a more moderate view that holds to the basic tenant that Jesus is coming back, so be ready. I must say from my perspective, this is the safest view based on the amount of predictions that have been wrong since Jesus’ Ascension and Jesus’ words that no one knows the day or the hour of the Son of Man’s return except the Father.  It is a bit ironic that those who profess to know when Christ will return base their predictions from the Bible when the Bible itself says no one knows the time.

Ordinary Time Week 23

Psalm: Psalm 123 or Psalm 90:1-8, 9-11, 12 

Old Testament: Judges 4:1-7
  or Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18 

Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30 

Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

We have all heard the Parable of the Talents about a man who goes on a journey and gives to three servants 5 talents, 2 talents and 1 talent, respectively. The two servants who received 5 and 2 talents are both able to double their master’s investment, while the servant who received 1 buries it in the ground and has only the 1 talent to return when the master comes back. The first two servants are rewarded, called “good and faithful” and “enter into the joy of [their] master.” The final servant however is called a wicked and lazy slave who is thrown into the outer darkness.

Ordinary Time Week 22

Psalm: Psalm 78:1-7 or Psalm 70 

Old Testament: Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
or Amos 5:18-24 

Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13 

Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

This is a tough teaching this week because it concerns things that are mostly mysterious and un-experienced, but which are also hotly debated and deemed crucial to some. This week, we have a discussion of the “Day of the Lord,” “the Rapture,” or the “wedding feast.” The idea is that Jesus will return again and God will set up his Kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven. This idea is difficult for us to discuss because I think most of us, myself included, didn’t realize there is another way to believe. For those of us who grew up during the era of “The Late Great Planet Earth”[1] or a few decades later the “Left Behind”[2] series, we might have thought this was the one and only way to understand the end times and Christ’s return. But I would encourage anyone who thinks this to do just a little bit of research on the topic and you will discover how this idea is a very fringe idea not held by the vast majority of Christians throughout time and even not a majority idea held by Christians today. The idea really gained popularity in the United States during the 19^th century and is held today mostly by Evangelicals and Fundamentalists. As an Evangelical myself, I am guilty of thinking that my beliefs are most right and historical, but this isn’t the case.

Ordinary Time Week 21

Psalm: Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37 or Psalm 43 

Old Testament: Joshua 3:7-17 or Micah 3:5-12 

Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12 

Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13

The last few weeks I haven’t seen much of a theme emerge in our readings, but this week the clear theme is leadership. We see examples of both good leaders and poor ones. In the Old Testament readings, we first see Joshua continuing the godly leadership of Moses and essentially repeat the parting and crossing of the Red Sea from 40 years earlier. The scene is when Israel stands on the east side of Jordan River preparing to cross over and take possession of the Promised Land. This scene sets the stage of all that is to come during the conquest but, for a people plagued with disobedience and complaining, stands as an example of faithfulness. Joshua takes the commands from the Lord and executes them perfectly. God stops the waters from the river and is symbolically present in the Ark of the Covenant. Through this act, God not only brings his people into the Land, he also shows the Canaanites that he has power over the waters (a symbol of chaos) and is claiming ownership of Canaan.

Ordinary Time Week 20

Psalm: Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17 or Psalm 1 

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 34:1-12 or Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18 

Gospel: Matthew 22:34-46 

Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

What is the greatest commandment? If you were a Pharisee or Sadducee in 1^st century Palestine, this is the type of question which might preoccupy your time? Rabbis have calculated that there are 613 commandments for a Jew to follow. Just thinking of that number makes it seem impossible to remember, let alone follow them all. So it is natural to wonder what commandment is the greatest, which can then help interpret all the others. The question itself is not usual and was something rabbis discussed. But what is unique about this encounter from perhaps other discussions amongst the rabbis was this question was meant to “test” Jesus. The word used in Greek is “peirazo” and can also mean to tempt, or entice one to sin. This is the same word used by Matthew to describe the devil coming to tempt Jesus in the Wilderness.

Ordinary Time week 19

Psalm: Psalm 99 or Psalm 96:1-9, 10-13 

Old Testament: Exodus 33:12-23 or Isaiah 45:1-7 

Gospel: Matthew 22:15-22 

Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Last week we discussed the passage from Exodus, so I figured this week we would discuss the reading from Isaiah. What is interesting about this chapter is that Cyrus, the king of Persia, is declared to be God’s anointed. This is the same word used to describe King David and others in the line of kings as being chosen by God for their task. Ultimately, this word is used to describe Jesus as God’s Anointed. Christ, in Greek, is the same word for Messiah in Hebrew. In fact, if you look at the Septuagint, which was an Old Testament text used when the New Testament was being written, Isaiah 45:1 uses the word “Christ” to describe Cyrus.

Ordinary Time Week 18

Psalm: Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23 or Psalm 23 

Old Testament: Exodus 32:1-14 or Isaiah 25:1-9 

Gospel: Mathew 22:1-14 

Epistle: Philippians 4:1-9

This week we are presented with a very interesting story from the life of Moses. At this point in the story in Exodus 32, Moses has been on Mount Sinai for 40 days, and the people of Israel left at the bottom are so fickle, they have already turned to idolatry. They are building a golden calf to worship as their liberator from Egypt. God is so angry that he decides to destroy them all and start over with Moses’ descendants as the new People of God. It actually kind of seems like a good idea considering Israel is barely out of slavery and has already forgotten all the miracles God did for them. It does not bode well for their future faithfulness. But, Moses argues with God and says that if he would destroy Israel, his name would essentially be besmirched in Egypt and elsewhere since he led his people out of bondage only to destroy them. Moses also reminds God that he made a promise with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and he can’t break that promise. That is the story, but it brings up so many interesting ideas.

Ordinary Time Week 17

Psalm: Psalm 19 or Psalm 80:7-15 
Old Testament: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20

  or Isaiah 5:1-7 

Gospel: Matthew 21:33-46 

Epistle: Philippians 3:4b-14

In today’s readings, we kind of see the transition from Israel as the sole people of God, to the gradual change of the Gentiles being grafted into the family. Israel was always called to be a witness and bring people to the knowledge of God, but since they never really lived faithfully to the covenant, it was nearly impossible for them to fulfill their mission in the world. The theme this week revolves around the idea of a vineyard, a metaphor for God’s Kingdom.

In Isaiah chapter 5, we have the prototype of the image of Israel as a Vineyard. God is seen as the beloved farmer who puts his whole self into the vineyard. He does everything correctly in terms of agriculture and provides for defense from invaders. He evens builds a wine press for when the harvest comes. Naturally, he is expecting that when harvest time comes he will get good grapes. In verses 3-4, Isaiah places an indictment on Israel: Why, when God did everything to prepare for good grapes, is he getting worthless ones, or “wild ones?” Despite God’s preparing and calling of Israel, it is as if he had done nothing and he is getting the opposite of cultivated usable grapes. The grapes inside the Vineyard, Israel as a nation and as a territory, are no different from those from the heathen nations who don’t know God.

Ordinary Time Week 16

Psalm: Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16 or Psalm 25:1-9 

Old Testament: Exodus 17:1-7 or Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 

Gospel: Matthew 21:23-32 

Epistle: Philippians 2:1-13

Philippians 2:1-13 has become one of these key passages for me that helps me to understand who Jesus Christ is, and since Jesus reveals God’s nature, it helps me to understand who God is as well. These verses, particularly vs. 5-11, have been discussed on this blog numerous times and I even used them to interpret the events of Good Friday earlier this year. To summarize, I see in these verses the whole life story of Christ from his Temptation all the way to the Cross-- how he continually stepped lower and lower in obedience to the Father and was thus able to be glorified above all else. So, this week I want to discuss the 4 verses that lead into this great Christological hymn.

Ordinary Time week 15

Psalm: Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 or Psalm 145:1-8 

Old Testament: Exodus 16:2-15 or Jonah 3:10-4:11 

Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16 

Epistle: Philippians 1:21-30

The parable of the “Laborers in the Vineyard” from Matthew 20 is a striking tale, both to its original hearers and really in any time period. As humans, we generally have an innate sense of what justice and fairness is. When one person works 11 hours and another works only 1, yet they get the same pay, we perceive that to be unfair. Thus, the workers in the parable that worked 11 hours grumble to the landowner that they received an unfair wage. The first thing to note is that they all received a denarius, a normal day’s wage. The landowner isn’t being stingy or unfair to any of the workers; he is giving them each an honest day’s wage. We can all think of how this situation might work out in our society today. First, it can happen exactly like the parable when people hire contractors to work for them. But, it can also happen when we perceive or judge others at our work sites that may do less work, yet still get paid the same or get promoted over others.

Ordinary Time Week 14

Psalm: Psalm 114 or Psalm 103:1-7, 8-13 

Old Testament: Exodus 14:19-31
or Genesis 50:15-21 

Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35 

Epistle: Romans 14:1-12

This week, our theme is about forgiveness, something we have discussed before on this blog. Last year, during the season of Lent, we discussed Jesus’ first word from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” In fact, we used this very parable to help us explore this idea. Forgiveness is central to the Christian story because of the forgiveness we have received in Christ. This is the thrust of the parable in Matthew 18. There is the contrast between the servant who has a debt of between $2-3 billion forgiven, and his actions of not even allowing his debtor extra time to pay off a debt of less than $6,000. We, who have been forgiven so much by God, cannot then withhold forgiveness from those who wrong us. This concept is pretty straightforward, actually, and we can all agree rationally that we should forgive. However, when it comes to us being wrong and really feeling hurt, forgiveness is a difficult thing. I discussed in my previous post how we need to develop the fruits of the Spirits, and our relationship with Christ, so when those hard times come, forgiveness and grace is easier to extend. 

Ordinary Time Week 13

Psalm: Psalm 149 or Psalm 119:33-40 

Old Testament: Exodus 12:1-14 or Ezekiel 33:7-11 

Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20 

Epistle: Romans 13:8-14

Paul has some interesting words for us this week concerning the concept of love. He follows Jesus’ own words in saying that “he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.” He quotes Leviticus 19:18, as does Jesus, which reads, “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.” The reason this fulfills the law is kind of self-explanatory, but Paul makes it clear: “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.” Perhaps it is the message which leads Jesus to say that he has not come to nullify the law, but to fulfill it. If love of God and others is the defining feature of one’s life, then all the other precepts of the law will fall into place. I find it interesting that Paul quotes 4 of the 10 commandments, basically summarizing them, and then adds the line about “loving your neighbor as yourself” and places them on the same level. It reveals to me that the “Law” as defined in the Old Testament is seen on the same level and interconnected. Jesus and Paul both take this one line from Leviticus, and place it on equal ground with the Shema, the great statement of faith in Deut. 6, and the 10 commandments respectively. They are then able to read the rest of the Law through the key interpretive lens of love of God and neighbor.

Ordinary Time Week 12

Psalm: Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c 

Old Testament: Exodus 3:1-15 

Gospel: Matthew 16:21-28 

Epistle: Romans 12:9-21

Matthew and Romans this week continue the discussions we have been having the last few weeks. Last week, we discussed Peter’s confession that Jesus is indeed “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” But we all know that right after this great statement of faith, Peter rebukes Jesus for teaching that he must go to Jerusalem to suffer and be killed. It is no light thing to be called of Satan by Jesus. But I think there is more at play here. A couple of clues point to this being no easy thing for Jesus, and actually a temptation he faced. It begins actually with the temptations of Jesus earlier in Matthew Chapter 4. The thrust of those temptations was to skip the pain and death that was to come and to arrive at the glory and honor offered by the devil rather than that offered by the Father through obedience to him. Peter confronts him with that same temptation again.  Jesus recognizes it as the same temptation and calls him Satan.

Ordinary Time Week 11

Psalm: Psalm 124 or Psalm 138

Old Testament: Exodus 1:8-2:10 or Isaiah 51:1-6 

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-20 

Epistle: Romans 12:1-8

This week, we have one of those classic passages from Paul’s letters. It is used as a means to exhort Christians to go deeper and to truly live the sacrificial, cruciform life. We are encouraged to be “living and holy sacrifices.” This alone is a strange concept because sacrifices in generally in that time were killed. And notice also that we are to present our “bodies” as a “spiritual service of worship.” The body and the spirit seem to be wrapped up together here. Nonetheless, the idea is that we are to wholly give ourselves over to following Christ. 

Ordinary Time Week 10

Psalm: Psalm 133 or Psalm 67 
Old Testament: Genesis 45:1-15 or Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 

Gospel: Matthew 15:10-20, 21-28 
Epistle: Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32

We continue this week working through Matthew and Romans and in the Old Testament we are offered either the resolution of the Joseph Narrative in Gen. 45 or a brief passage from Isaiah.

We have been dealing the Romans readings the last few weeks and this week is perhaps the most confusing of all. But we can still understand some of the basic ideas: Israel has fallen away, God is saving a remnant like he always has, and Gentiles have been grafted into the People of God. Paul makes the point that even though most of Israel has failed to believe in the Messiah, they can still come back. And just like Israel, who were the “natural olive branches” broken off, how much more then can we Gentiles also be broken off from the tree if we fall from God. The ideas on the surface are straightforward, but in typical Pauline fashion are also very deep and theological.

Ordinary Time Week 9

Psalm: Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b

Old Testament: Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28

Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33

Epistle: Romans 10:5-15

I want to focus on the Romans passage again this week because I think we have yet to deal with one of the central themes of Romans and I want to make sure we cover it. This might not be the best place to do that, but it is interesting nonetheless. Romans 10:5-10 is a brief explanation of 2 types of righteousness-- one based on the law and one based on faith. We are all familiar with this juxtaposition as good Protestants and no doubt know all the key points from the book of Romans. But, there are still a few things we may need to review. For starters, it might be helpful to ask what exactly Paul means when he says "faith." In verse 9 he defines the faith which he and his co-ministers are preaching. Faith means 1. Confessing with our mouth “Jesus is (as) Lord” (a very early, if not the earliest, Christian confession of faith) and 2. Believing in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead. In doing these two things, we will be saved.

Ordinary Time Week 8

Psalm: Psalm 17:1-7, 15 

Old Testament: Genesis 32:22-31 

Gospel: Matthew 14:13-21 

Epistle: Romans 9:1-5

We are now in the month of August, or Ordinary Time week 8. Eight weeks have passed since Pentecost Sunday.

It has been awhile since we have focused on the Old Testament passages, but the scene from Genesis 32 is a crucial one in the life of the Israelites. Jacob goes into Chapter 32 known as Jacob and comes out of it known as Israel. Jacob is alone sleeping by the Jabbok (yabboq) and then and he and God wrestle. (ye’abeq/ya’aqob) All throughout Genesis and the Old Testament, we get these little word plays that we miss when the language is translated. I am not sure if we can/should make exegetical insight out of these or if the authors were doing what we still do today by playing with literature and put thought into how writing is structured.

Ordinary Time Week 7

Psalm: Psalm 105:1-11, 45

Old Testament: Genesis 29:15-28
Gospel: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
Epistle: Romans 8:26-39

Sorry, about a lack of a post last week. I have been in Yellowstone with little internet access until today. We have seen a lot of incredible things that creation has to offer. It is no wonder than that Jesus so often drew from creation when he was teaching in parables. Today in Matthew, we have the example of the mustard seed, which starts out tiny yet is able to grow into a large tree and be used by many other animals for refuge. Jesus also uses the examples of a treasure and a pearl of great price, both of which might be small and missed by others, but when found, bring great reward. He finally ends this segment with a parable that compares the kingdom of heaven to a fishing dragnet where at the end of the age, the fish will be separated. The parables are profound and deep, yet because they are drawn from everyday experiences, they are able make us think and try to understand even 2,000 years later.

Ordinary Time Week 6

Psalm: Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 

Old Testament: Genesis 28:10-19a 

Gospel: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 

Epistle: Romans 8:12-25

This post is a week late because I was in Yellowstone with limited access. Seeing the geysers and volcanic activity, and even just the animals and trees, make one realize just how amazing and creative nature really is. It is interesting to read Paul’s words about creation groaning (Rom. 8:22) in light of the geysers and boiling pools in Yellowstone. I don’t think Paul knew anything about these things, yet he says that all creation is waiting and groaning for humanities salvation. It is a strange thought that creation is awaiting humanities redemption, but we alone are created in the image and likeness and God and we were tasked as stewards to care for creation from the very beginning in the Garden of Eden. So, it makes sense within the biblical narrative, and all of creation is wrapped up into the story of salvation wrought by Jesus.

Ordinary Time Week 5

Psalm: Psalm 65:1-8, 9-13 

Old Testament: Isaiah 55:10-13 

Gospel: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 

Epistle: Romans 8:1-11

Welcome to another Sunday of Ordinary Time. This week, most of the readings revolve around the theme of farming and agriculture. God is seen as both the farmer and also as the being who creates and causes creation to function.

The whole chapter of Isaiah 55 is one of hope and calling the people of God to return in faithfulness and obedience and God will again bless them. Our three verses remind Judah, and us, why we can trust God. Just as the rain and water, when they come, produce vegetation and food for us to eat, so does the word of God produce fruit. God’s word does not return empty, but accomplishes what he desires. Verse 11 reminds the hearer of the voice which spoke creation into being. God’s voice literally has the power to speak something into existence. Verses 12 and 13 are the explanation of what God desires to do for his people should they return. He will bring joy and peace, all creation will exult and shout for joy, and the thistle and nettle will become cypress and myrtle. In other words, God will transform creation and restore the Promised Land for his people.

Ordinary Time Week 4

Psalm: Psalm 45:10-17 

Old Testament: Genesis 24:34-38, 42-29, 58-67 

Gospel: Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 

Epistle: Romans 7:15-25a

This week we celebrated Independence Day. When the USA gained independence from the British and was able to begin to govern itself. In its purest form, stripping away the alcohol for some and the fireworks and the great deals on cars and refrigerators, it is still a celebration of the freedom we still have. Through nothing most of us did to deserve it or earn it, we reside in a country that lets us practice our faith openly and without oppression, that is not the case for many in the world still today. We must remember however that the Kingdom of God is larger than America. It was here way before us, and will outlive any earthly Kingdom. The USA is not the God-bearing, God-fearing nation many think it is or think it needs to be. The Church (and those who make up the Church), in all countries and across time is the primary way God brings himself to the world. The Church is the place where God’s story is proclaimed, where his people worship the Triune God, and they are challenged to follow Jesus Christ.

Ordinary Time Week 3

Psalm: Psalm 13 

Old Testament: Genesis 22:1-14 

Gospel: Matthew 10:40-42 

Epistle: Romans 6:12-23

There are certain passages in the Scriptures that when you stop to think about them, they are a bit disturbing; Genesis 22 is one of those passages. The first verse says that God “tested Abraham.” God challenges Abraham to sacrifice his only son and lets him get so far as to have the knife raised above Isaac before he finally stops Abraham. It is disturbing to me not only that God is testing Abraham, a man who had moved his family to follow God and then waited until he was 99 years old to finally have the Promised Child, but that he did it through almost having a father kill his son. Imagine the strain that episode puts between Abraham and Issac for the rest of their lives together. No doubt neither of them could ever forget that moment, and I’m sure they didn’t sit around the tent years later and say, “Remember that time you almost killed me, Dad? That was a good one.”

Ordinary Time Week 2

Psalm: Psalm 69:7-10, 11-15, 16-18 

Old Testament: Jeremiah 20:7-13 

Gospel: Matthew 10:24-39 

Epistle: Romans 6:1b-11

Last week was the beginning of Ordinary Time in the Christian Calendar; however, Trinity Sunday was celebrated last week so we didn’t go into the change of seasons. Following the seasons of Advent and Christmas comes Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and finally, Pentecost; from there, the Church celebrates the season of “Ordinary Time” until the start of Advent again. Ordinary Time comes from the word “ordinal,” and means counted time. The weeks between Pentecost and Advent are not ordinary, or mundane, but simple counted. Perhaps that seems like a minor detail, but the meaning behind the Christian Calendar is that all time is sacred. Every Sunday the Church gathers to proclaim the Story of God, whether it is Easter Sunday or any other Sunday of the year.

Trinity Sunday

Psalm: Psalm 8 

Old Testament: Genesis 1:1-2:4a 

Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20 

Epistle: 2 Corinthians 13:11-13

Today is Trinity Sunday, when the Church traditionally celebrates the doctrine of the Trinity. It actually seems like a strange idea to celebrate a doctrine in the life of the Church since most of the holidays and celebrations revolve around the life of Christ. I am no expert on the Christian Calendar, but I don’t think there is another Sunday dedicated purely to a doctrine. However, this doctrine, and perhaps Jesus’ divine and human nature, is one of the hardest to understand. Doctrines like the Trinity are the reason the Church has creeds at all. The creeds all developed out of controversy as the Church tried to explain and proclaim what it believed. I thought this week it would be helpful to review the text of the Nicene Creed and the let the doctrine just speak for itself. But reading the Scriptures this week (for example, the baptismal creed in Matthew 28:19), does show that the idea of the Trinity is present in Scripture.

Pentecost Sunday

1st Reading
  Acts 2:1-21 or Num 11:24-30
  Psalm 104:24-34, 35b 

2nd Reading
  1 Corinthians 12:3b-13  

Gospel
  John 20:19-23 or 7:37-39

Today is Pentecost Sunday, the day when the Church celebrates the Spirit descending on the disciples in Jerusalem and what is considered the birth of the Church. No doubt we are familiar with the story. The disciples are waiting in Jerusalem for the promised arrival of the Holy Spirit and suddenly, he comes and rests on each one like a flame and they are filled with power. The crowd also hears the disciples speaking in the native tongues of each listener. As a side note here, I used to understand this passage to mean that the disciples were speaking in other languages which they obviously did not know how to speak. But the text says, “Each one of them was hearing them speak in their own language.” (Acts 2:6) With only 12 disciples, they couldn’t be speaking the language of everyone present, but they were heard and understood by everyone in their native tongue. But getting back to the story, Peter eventually stands up and preaches to the crowd and about 3,000 people were baptized that day.

Acension Sunday

Psalm: Psalm 47 or Psalm 93 

Acts: Acts 1:1-11 

Gospel: Luke 24:44-53 

Epistle: Ephesians 1:15-23

Last Sunday was Ascension Sunday; the Sunday the church celebrates when Jesus ascended to heaven after the Resurrection.  This episode in Jesus’ life does not get as much attention as other events in Jesus’ life. Indeed in many churches on Sunday it wasn’t mentioned. But the event plays an important role in the Gospels and the New Testament as a whole.

Easter Week 6

Psalm: Psalm 66:8-20  
Acts: Acts 17:22-31  
Gospel: John 14:15-21  
Epistle: 1 Peter 3:13-22

We have some interesting passages this week. The passage from 1 Peter is notoriously difficult to interpret. In fact, we recently dealt with this passage in a “difficult questions in scripture workshop” I went to. We definitely had a heated discussion between some saying Jesus went to hell, or someplace of the dead, to preach to them before his resurrection and those who believed that Jesus preached to the “spirits” from Genesis 6 after his resurrection. The difficulty with this passage is not just that Peter is not exactly clear what he means, it is also that we almost 2,000 years later are not familiar with the views, beliefs, assumptions, etc. of Peter and his audience. Drawing from another difficult and vague passage, Genesis 6:1-4, certain Jewish traditions created accounts to fill in the blanks.  It is this line of thinking we see in 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 6, where the wicked angels are said to be in bondage.

Easter Week 5

Psalm: Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
Acts: Acts 7:55-60
Gospel: John 14:1-14
Epistle: 1 Peter 2:2-10

This week we continue with the story of the early church. In our reading from Acts we hear of the stoning of Stephen, the first person to die because they followed Jesus. We have all heard the story and know that Saul, soon to be Paul, was there to witness it. We also may be familiar with Stephen’s last words, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them,” echoing the words of Jesus on the cross. Yet I think what gets lost in this story, at least for me, is that Stephen is forgiving his executioners even as he is being killed. Stephen is often remembered as the first martyr, which he was, and he was willing to standup in the midst of persecution and die for his faith. But for us in the Western world we are not at risk of much persecution of any sort, Stephen stands as a reminder that even what little we do receive is to be returned with forgiveness and love, not vindictiveness and anger.

Easter Week 4

Psalm: Psalm 23 

Acts: Acts 2:42-47 

Gospel: John 10:1-10 

Epistle: 1 Peter 2:19-25

Welcome to the fourth week of Easter, or in the secular calendar Mother’s Day. Unfortunately, the passages don’t mention anything about motherhood. During these last few weeks of Easter, I have felt the Scripture passages have not really had an obvious theme. In thinking about them this week, I think we have two ideas: first, the Church requires some type of community, and that can look different ways, but there is nothing solitary about the Christian life; second, the way to this community is through Jesus.

Easter week 3

Psalm: Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 

Acts: Acts 2:14a, 36-41 

Gospel: Luke 24:13-35 

Epistle: 1 Peter 1:17-23

We continue this week with the Easter season and looking at some of Jesus’ post Resurrection appearances. In Luke this week is the story of the two believers who meet Jesus on the road to Emmaus. Then in Acts and 1 Peter are two sermons from Peter concerning the salvation received in Christ.

I think actually these passages are actually quite difficult to deal with. Starting in Acts, we have the end of the Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost. We kind of jump into the middle of the train of thought with the call to repentance at the end of his sermon.  However, the message of salvation and repentance are clear and about 3,000 people were baptized that day. An important aspect in this passage is that Peter promises the gift of the Holy Spirit for those who repent and are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. The ideas of baptism and receiving the Holy Spirit are very early in the Church. It is interesting that even at this time, so close to Jesus death and the receiving of the Holy Spirit themselves, the Apostles and disciples already have an understanding of Jesus somehow being present through the Holy Spirit. 

Easter Week 2

Psalm: Psalm 16  

Acts: Acts 2:14a, 22-32  
Gospel: John 20:19-31  
Epistle: 1 Peter 1:3-9

This week we explore some of Jesus’ post Resurrection appearances, which is appropriate for the week following Easter. In John, the first appearance of Jesus after his Resurrection interestingly was to Mary Magdalene, a woman, and not one of the 12 Apostles.  In fact, Peter and the disciple whom Jesus loved, most people assume this to be the author of the Gospel of John himself, are present at the tomb and Jesus choose not appear to them, but rather wait until Mary was alone. I don’t have an answer as to why Jesus did this, but it is interesting nonetheless. So Jesus tells Mary Magdalene that he has risen from the dead, but not yet ascended to the Father. Jesus tells her to go tell the disciples this message. Mary then becomes the first proclaimer of Jesus death and resurrection, which is quite a distinct honor. But notice that Jesus didn’t tell Mary that he would later visit the disciples and that they are to gather together and wait like the accounts in Matthew and Mark.

Easter

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Jeremiah 31:1-6
John 20:1-18
Acts 10:34-43

He is risen…He is risen indeed! Happy Easter! I was reviewing what I wrote I about Easter before and came across this quote from N.T. Wright in Surprised by Hope, “Take Christmas away, and in biblical terms you lose two chapters at the front of Matthew and Luke, nothing else. Take Easter away, and you don’t have a New Testament; you don’t have a Christianity... This is our greatest day. (Surprised by Hope)

Of course we need Christmas and the birth of Jesus to also have Easter and his Resurrection. But the Point Wright is making is that only because of Easter, only because of Jesus’ death and Resurrection, do we have Christianity at all. Paul makes this point succinctly in 1 Corinthians 15, particularly in verses 17-19, “and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.”

Good Friday/ Holy Saturday

Good Friday has now passed and Holy Saturday is almost at an end too, but I wanted to draw our attention to a passage I think which reflect the events from Yesterday, Good Friday, and point us towards the resurrection we celebrate tomorrow.  The passage comes from outside the traditional Gospel story we typically read this weekend and instead comes for Philippians 2:5-11.

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Palm Sunday

Matthew 21:1-11 
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

Today is Palm Sunday which I am sure comes as no surprise to anyone.  We celebrate an important and interesting episode in the life of Jesus. The account this year comes from the Gospel of Matthew, however all four Gospels give an account of this episode. Each Gospel presents the story a bit differently and Matthew has some specifically unique elements to his story. To begin with, we are all familiar with the image of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a colt. However, Matthew says that Jesus rides in on a colt and a donkey. Somehow the disciples spread their coats on both animals and Jesus was able to sit on both.  Matthew makes this point because he finds fulfillment in Jesus’ Triumphal Entry in Zechariah 9:9. When you read Hebrew poetry in the Old Testament, there are often two lines where the second one repeats the first but either modifies, intensifies, or somehow explain the first line.  This is what is happening in Zechariah 9:9.  The second line is intensifying the first to say not only a donkey, but even a colt, the foal of a donkey. (which, you will notice, defines the word colt that doesn’t really need a definition.) We understand that this is poetry.  I don’t want to misread Matthew or discount his telling.  Matthew says Jesus rode colt and a donkey because he wants it to be clear that Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy as the true Messiah.  This is something that Matthew is continually pointing out in his Gospel; Jesus fulfills the prophecy of who the Messiah is and what the Messiah will do.

Lent Week 5

Psalm: Psalm 130 

Old Testament: Ezekiel 37:1-14 
Gospel: John 11:1-45 
Epistle: Romans 8:6-11

This Sunday is the fifth Sunday in Lent and our passages find us in the midst of despair and death. Each passage explores the depth of humanity’s, and even God’s people, sin and fragility. In Ezekiel, we read the famous passage of Ezekiel being told to prophesy to a valley of dry bones. I know I have said this before on this blog, but sometime the prophets are told to do some crazy things by the Lord.  Ezekiel is told to walk to a valley, a traditional place for battle, and prophesy to dead corpses to rise again. Even Ezekiel seems to think the Lord is asking too much. Verse 3 says, “The Lord said to me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ And I answered,

‘O Lord God, You know.’” Ezekiel doesn’t see a way for these bones to come to life.

Lent Week 4

Psalm: Psalm 23 

Old Testament: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 

Gospel: John 9:1-41 

Epistle: Ephesians 5:8-14

Welcome to the fourth week of Lent. We are now around the halfway mark of our Lenten journey.  Hopefully by now if you decided to give something up for Lent you are seeing some benefits in your relationship with others and with God.  I hope you are also experiencing a deeper commitment to your faith in the Lord.  I know at least from a practical level I have more space in my life to do more worthwhile things.

This week I want to focus on the idea of anointing, or being called and sent for a purpose.  In 1 Samuel it is the story of the anointing of David by Samuel.  The Lord tells Samuel to go to Bethlehem and anoint a son of Jesse to be the next, and second, king of Israel.  On arriving, Samuel is shown all the sons of Jesse by age until none of them are chosen, and Samuel asks if there are any other children.  David, being the youngest, wasn’t even invited to the party. He was out tending the sheep.  When David arrives, he is anointed, and although the words of Samuel are not recorded if he said anything like “I anoint you as the king of Israel,” it must have been a strange experience for those present.  The Spirit of the Lord then comes “mightily upon David” (13) at that point and Samuel leaves to another city.  It is actually a pretty strange story and David won’t be king for quite a while after this scene.

Lent Week 3

Psalm: Psalm 95

Old Testament: Exodus 17:1-7

Gospel: John 4:5-42

Epistle: Romans 5:1-11

Welcome to the third week of Lent. The time of preparation continues as we are about half way through Lent.  Hopefully this time of intentional preparation and drawing closer to God is of some benefit to you.  Unfortunately, sometimes we want to slow down and have more time for God and others in our lives, but life events get it in the way.  Even in the midst of our business and circumstances though it is vital we remember that it is in Christ that we find meaning, hope, love, and salvation. God, revealed in Christ, and present in us through his Spirit must be the center of our lives, busy or not.

Lent Week 2

Psalm: Psalm 121 

Old Testament: Genesis 12:1-4a 

Gospel: John 3:1-17 

Epistle: Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

We are entering into our second full week of Lent and by now the things we are giving up might be kind of dragging on us, but hopefully we are also gaining something as well as we spend more time in reflection and prayer.  This week, we reflect on the person of Abraham, or Abram, as he is called in Genesis 12.  The calling of Abram is such an interesting passage because it just comes out of nowhere.  If you were reading through the first 12 chapters of Genesis for the first time, the calling of Abram is something different then what has come before.  God had a relationship with Adam and Eve and he placed them in the garden.  He called Noah to build the Ark and rescue his family from the flood.  But here, the Lord speaks to Abram uniquely out of his lineage and chooses to bless him and his descendants to be the blessing for all the families of the earth.  Abram is apparently as normal as could be.  Nothing sets him apart at this point. In fact, anybody else in the lineage of Adam or in the line of Noah, through Shem, which Abram came could have had this call given to them.  Yet the call came to Abram and he immediately was obedient and left his country and family to follow the Lord.

Lent Week 1

Psalm: Psalm 32 

Old Testament: Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7 

Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11 

Epistle: Romans 5:12-19

This is the first Sunday in Lent.  The first Sunday after celebrating the glory of Jesus revealed in the Transfiguration and our task is to reflect on our own mortality and sin.  Each passage deals with the sin of the world and humanity. In Genesis we read of the Fall of humanity when Adam and Eve disobey the Lord and ate the apple.  In the Psalm, the Psalmist declares the blessedness of the one who has been forgiven and had their sins covered by the Lord.  Matthew 4 explores the temptation of Jesus by the devil.  Although Jesus was tempted, he was able to withstand temptation through the use of Scripture.  Finally, in Romans Paul compares the sin and death Adam brought into the world through his sin, against the life, grace, and righteousness brought to all through Jesus Christ.  Our Scriptures bring us on a journey through the story of salvation from the Fall up to the salvation wrought by Christ.  

Ash Wednesday and Lent

Here is re-post of a post from Lent 2012 concerning the practices of Ash Wednesday and Lent. I think it is always good to review and remember why the Church practices these things. So if you are interested continue reading.

I want to offer a defense of Lent in response to some of the blogs I have seen from Nazarenes and other evangelicals who think this is too “Catholic” (by that they mean unchristian and pagan).  The accusation is that Lent arose hundreds of years after Christ and was an adoption of pagan practices.

In order to understand Lent, we have to understand Easter.  In the early Church, Easter was much more important than Christmas and was the first festival Christians celebrated.  Easter was originally the day for new Christians to be baptized and in order for baptism to occur a time of preparation was required.  Some in the Church advocated a time of 3 years for preparation. This time of preparation/fasting, whether 3 years or something much less, developed into the time of Lent.  A time of preparation before Easter is mentioned in the earliest documents of the church. Irenaeus, sometime in the 2^nd century, wrote a letter discussing the fast before Easter.  The 40 day fast was settled by the 4^th century with the whole Church participating alongside those who were preparing for baptism.  It was a time of community-building and solidarity with those who were fasting and preparing for baptism.

Transfiguration Sunday

Psalm: Psalm 2 or Psalm 99 

Old Testament: Exodus 24:12-18 

Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9 

Epistle: 2 Peter 1:16-21

Yesterday was Transfiguration Sunday, celebrated in Protestant traditions the Sunday before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent.  Chronologically, the Transfiguration happens just a few verses before Jesus heads to Jerusalem and the events of holy week so it makes sense to celebrate it now.  But the Transfiguration, at least from my perspective, is a little bit confusing both in terms of the actual events and the significance for the followers of Jesus.  Just to review the events, Jesus brings Peter, James, and John up to a mountain where he is “transfigured” or “metamorphosed” before them.  Moses and Elijah appear as well and Peter speaks up and offers to build three tabernacles, one for each of them, to commemorate the event.  But while he is still speaking, a cloud comes and overshadows them, and repeats the words from Jesus’ baptism, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to him.” (17:5) Finally, the three disciples look up and Moses and Elijah are gone and Jesus tells them not be afraid or tell anyone what has happened there until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.

Epiphany Week 7

Psalm: Psalm 119:33-40 

Old Testament: Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 

Gospel: Matthew 5:38-48 

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 3:10-23

This week our passages all seem to relate together better than some weeks.  Throughout the first three chapters of 1 Corinthians the major theme, which we haven’t even explored yet, is the idea of earthly wisdom/foolishness compared to the wisdom of God.  So let’s start with the Corinthians passage and then work our way backwards.  Paul begins by writing about the importance of building one’s foundation on a solid foundation, which is Jesus Christ.  Every foundation will be burned through the fire and tested to see if it will stand.  I encourage you to read through this passage this week and try to make sense of verse 15, “If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” Is he saying that everyone will be saved, or is he only talking about Christians who have a solid foundation, but somehow got a bit confused?  Verses like this just remind me that there is always something to learn and ponder when it comes to Scripture and remind us that we don’t read scripture in a vacuum.  We must understand this in relation to all that Paul has taught and also read what others have said about this passage.

Epiphany Week 6

Psalm: Psalm 119:1-8 

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 30:15-20 

Gospel: Matthew 5:21-37 

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

We are still in the time of Epiphany week, or in some traditions “Ordinary Time.” Ordinary in this sense is like the ordinal serial numbers, (first, second) not ordinary meaning “normal.”  But our theme this week doesn’t necessarily have to do with the idea of Epiphany as we have discussed the last five weeks.  The last couple of weeks we haven’t focused on the 1 Corinthians passages, but this week it has a number of interesting things to discuss.

Epiphany Week 5

Psalm: Psalm 112:1-9, 10 

Old Testament: Isaiah 58:1-9a, 9b-12 

Gospel: Matthew 5:13-20 

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 2:1-12, 13-16

Welcome to Epiphany week five or the first Sunday of the Winter Olympics.  We are already watching plenty of Olympic action in our house.  I wish the Scripture provided a great analogy I could compare to an Olympic athlete.  It doesn’t have much athletic imagery, but it does discuss a lot about how we are to live.  You can’t expect to be a great athlete if you don’t follow a certain lifestyle, and particularly the two Old Testament readings explore the idea of how followers of the Lord are supposed to live.  They reveal a lifestyle of righteousness that is outward focuses rather than self-seeking.  Last week we discussed this theme in the Beatitudes and Kingdom Ethics in general. 

Epiphany Week 4

Psalm: Psalm 15 

Old Testament: Micah 6:1-8 

Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12    

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

This week the question we have to ask ourselves comes from the first line of the Psalm, “O Lord, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill?”  how do we please God and live in obedience to him? (of course this question presumes in fact that we do want to please God) The Psalmist goes on to answer that question, describing the ways a righteous person walks.  He or she walks with integrity, speaks the truth, does no evil, and they do not take interest on loans or bribes.  The Lord calls his followers to a higher standard.

Epiphany week 3

Psalm: Psalm 27:1, 4-9 

Old Testament: Isaiah 9:1-4 

Gospel: Matthew 4:12-23 

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18

We are at another week of Epiphany, and the theme remains the same; however, this week I want to take us in another direction in terms of what an epiphany means. Often when we are writing or doing homework or a work project we might have a moment of epiphany where something is suddenly made clear and we are able to move forward with the task. But other times, that doesn’t happen, so we ask for help or do more research and then are able to move forward. In these cases, we typically come to some resolution and find an answer if not necessarily the only answer to the problem. I’m sure we can all relate to being in this situation, hoping for an epiphany.

Epiphany Week 2

Psalm: Psalm 40:1-11 

Old Testament: Isaiah 49:1-7 

Gospel: John 1:29-42 

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Today we are still in the time of Epiphany and our New Testament reading celebrates that. But first let us look at the Old Testament passages and see how they speak to this theme. The season of Epiphany is a time when we celebrate the revelation of who God is revealed in Jesus. But it is also a time when we are reminded that we are to reveal God to the nations.  It is this idea that the Psalmist celebrates; he writes that the faithfulness of God to rescue him will cause many to see and trust in the Lord (vs. 1-3). He also writes that he has not hidden the Lord’s righteousness and lovingkindness, but has proclaimed it to the people (vs. 9-10).  The second half of the Psalm, which isn’t assigned, is a cry to the Lord to again rescue the writer. He recognizes that the Lord is the one who can deliver him, like he has done in the past, and a natural response is to tell others what the Lord has done.

Epiphany Week 1

Psalm: Psalm 29 

Old Testament: Isaiah 42:1-9 

Gospel: Matthew 3:13-17 

Epistle: Acts 10:34-43

There are a couple of themes that emerge this week in our scripture readings. The first one is the voice of God. In the Psalms the voice has control over all nature and is “powerful” and “majestic.” It is a voice that can literally shake the wilderness. In Isaiah 42 we have the contrast between the voice of the Servant who “will not cry out or raise His voice” and the Lord God who speaks and declares new things before they come to pass. We move into the New Testament and the voice of the Father speaks from heaven and declares that Jesus is his “Beloved Son.” Finally, in Acts we read about Peter preaching the Holy Spirit filled word in Cornelius’ house. Through the Holy Spirit, the proclamation of Peter is the culmination of all that has gone before. God is now revealed and active in the proclaimed word.

Chirstmas Week 2/ Epiphany

Psalm: Psalm 147:12-20 

Old Testament: Jeremiah 31:7-14 

Gospel: John 1:1-9, 10-18 

Epistle: Ephesians 1:3-14

Today is the day of Epiphany, or Three Kings Day as it is also known. Epiphany marks the end of the Christmas season when the church celebrates the arrival and worship of the wise men of Jesus. Epiphany means “to reveal” or have something made clear. The wise men recognized and revealed to the whole world that Jesus was worthy to be worshiped. The wise men represent the nations of the world coming to the feet of Jesus in worship. What the wise men do has broader implications than just recognizing that Jesus is God, or providing Jesus’ family with gifts, they anticipate that Jesus’ life and mission is not only for the Jews, but also for the nations.

Despite our readings today not being directly related to Epiphany or the wise men, this idea is present. In John, Jesus is the Light and the Word who has come into the world. It is the darkness that opposes Jesus, not necessarily the nations. In fact, perhaps one of the meanings of verses 12-13 is that those who believe in Jesus name are children of God, not necessarily those who are of line of the Jews. Jesus came to redeem not only the Jews, but all the nations, and even all of creation.