Time in the Word - Epiphany 4

The Theme for Epiphany 4 “Opposition to the Word of God” is seen in all three readings. In the Old Testament lesson, (Jeremiah 1:4-10) God promises to deliver those who fear the Lord. In the Epistle lesson, (1 Corinthians 12:31b – 13:13) the solution to opposition is love. In the Gospel for Epiphany 4, (Luke 4:31-44) Nazareth rejects Jesus for preaching the truth. Because we live in a fallen world our prayer is echoed by the hymn for the Day, “Lord, keep us steadfast in Your word.”

Collect for Epiphany 4 Lord, You know we live in the midst of so many dangers that in our frailty we cannot stand upright. Grant strength and protection to support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Monday, 25 January 2010—Psalm 10:16-18, Antiphon, Psalm 10:12 Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up Your hand; forget not the afflicted. Those who are at the mercy of the oppressors have no one to go to except the One who created heaven and earth. Thus the psalmist pleads to the Lord to rescue him from the attacks of unscrupulous men. When wickedness rises against us we run to the waiting arms of the only one who can help us.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010—Psalm 71:1-6 (7-11); key verse v12 Be not far from me O God; come quickly O my God to help me. This verse is a part of a prayer the psalmist prays in the waning years of his life. He knows his shepherd’s voice. He has the experience of the Good Shepherd’s guiding hand. Nothing will befall him with out the Savior’s will being perfected in his life. In a quite confidence he waits patiently upon the Lord. In like manner we commit our circumstances into the Lord’s safe keeping.

Wednesday, 27 January 2010— Jeremiah 1:4-10– God promises to deliver the prophet Jeremiah from the fear of those opposing the Word. Before Jeremiah was born, he was called to be a prophet. The point of contact of this lesson with the Gospel is Jeremiah’s fear of preaching the Word as implied in verse 8. In the Gospel Jesus faced His opposition with courage. Here we are given the human side of the preacher. What would Jeremiah say concerning himself? He is destined to preach. (v.5) This is his life’s calling, although at times he feels unworthy to preach (v.6) and is at times afraid to preach. (v.8) But preach he must for he know that he speaks for God. (v.9)

Thursday, 28 January 2010—1 Corinthians12:31b-13:13 – The solution to opposition of course, is love. In a third series on the Spirit Paul explains that love is the best gift of the Spirit. Love, says St. Paul, is the best gift of the Holy Spirit. Love causes the hearer to love and accept the preaching of God’s Word regardless of his hurting. The Law condemns and accuses always. But it is important. It drives us to the Gospel.

Friday, 29 January 2010 – Luke 4:31-44– The people of Nazareth reject Jesus for preaching the truth. Could you believe it? Praise for the local preacher at Nazareth turns into violent hatred. They were about to throw Jesus off a cliff and then stone him to death. His ministry began with the possibility of death and ended with the actuality of death on another hill. People have not change. When a preacher displeases them they usually get rid of him. It is not by killing but by removal. Now church people are more refined; they use non-violent and underhanded methods, but they accomplish the same end. What could the people of Nazareth not tolerate in Jesus? He exposes their jealousy. He called them to repentance. He challenged them to change for the better.

The truth hurts! And we do not like people who hurt us with the truth. For this reason prophets through the ages have been wiped out or driven off. Amos was ordered to leave. Jeremiah was thrown into a pit. Chrysostom and Luther were exiled. Jesus was crucified. All this happened because people could not bear the hurt of the truth from the Word of God.

What must we do when confronted with the Law? Don’t blame the preacher. Stop it! Confess your sin. Don’t make excuses. Repent. Change - now. Switch paths. Don’t go back to visit. Go in the opposite direction. And be calmed by the words that bring comfort - that in Jesus Christ all sin has been paid for – period!

Saturday, 30 January 2009—-Psalm 119:5-10, John 3:31, Ephesians 4:3-6- Sunday’s hymn of the day is Lord keep Us Steadfast in Your Word (655 LSB). Because we live in a fallen world, because we face danger on every side, because there is only one source the Christian has for strength and sustenance we go to the only place for personal protection – the Words and promises of our Lord. Thus our prayer must be as found in the opening lines of our hymn, “Lord, Keep us steadfast in Your Word!”

A prayer for newness of life in Christ – Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness and put upon ourselves the armor of life, now in the time of this mortal life, in which Your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility, that in the last day, when He shall come again in glory to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal.

A prayer for Home and Family – Visit, we implore You, O Lord, the homes in which Your people dwell, and keep far from them all harm and danger. Grant us to dwell together in peace under the protection of Your holy angels and may Your blessing be with us forever; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

A morning prayer – Faithful God, whose mercies are new to us every morning, we humbly pray that You would look upon us in mercy and renew us by Your Holy Spirit. Keep safe our going out and our coming in, and let Your blessings remain with us throughout this day. Preserve us in Your righteousness and grant us a portion in that eternal life which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

A prayer before worship –O Lord, our Creator, Redeemer, and Comforter, as we come to worship You in spirit and in truth, we humbly pray that You may open our hearts to the preaching of Your Word, so that we may repent of our sins, believe in Jesus Christ as our only Savior, and grow in grace and holiness. Hear us for His same.

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 and Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House
Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use
Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series C – John Brokhoff © 1979 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH