Pr. DFD : February 2014

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Time in the Word - Transfiguration

An Experience with God

The Transfiguration was Jesus’ experience with God. Not the first. Not the last. But it was an experience so intense that the glory of God transfigured Him into the brightness of the sun. In the Epistle lesson, Peter gives the testimony of the disciples concerning the reality of that experience. Moses had a similar experience with God on Mt. Sinai. But it was related to the Law, not the gospel of the Son. In the Psalm for the day, there is reference to God’s voice; “This is my beloved son.”

The Transfiguration marks the apex of the Epiphany season. Through the season, we have witnessed the glory of God manifested in Jesus. At the Transfiguration God’s full glory is reflected in Jesus. Jesus’ glory is shown by the brightness of His physical appearance, the appearance of Moses and Elijah and the presence of the Father evidenced by cloud and voice. Since Jesus has come to the full possession of God’s glory, he is prepared to fulfill his mission as the Messiah by going to Jerusalem to the cross. Because of this, the Transfiguration is a preparation for our Lenten pilgrimage to suffer and died with Jesus.

The importance of this Transfiguration experience led the church the make the Transfiguration a festival of the church. The liturgical color changes to white to express the joy and celebration of the event.

Collects for the season of Epiphany: Lord God, on this day you revealed your Son to the nations by the leading of a star. Lead us now by faith to know your presence in our lives and bring us at last to the full vision of your glory.

Father, You revealed Your Son to the nations by the guidance of a star. Lead us to Your glory in heaven by the light of faith. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever.

Father, You make known the salvation of humankind at the birth of Your Son. Make us strong in faith and bring us to the glory You promise. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives, and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Collects for Transfiguration: O God, in the glorious transfiguration of Your beloved Son You confirmed the mysteries of the faith by the testimony of Moses and Elijah. In the voice that came from the bright cloud, You wonderfully foreshowed our adoption by grace. Mercifully make us co-heirs with the King in His glory and bring us to the fullness of our inheritance in heave; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives, and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Monday, 24 February 2014—Psalm99:1-5; antiphon, Psalm99:5— The Psalm for the Introit is a hymn celebrating the Lord as the great and holy King in Zion. Seven times the psalmist will speak of the Lord. We are called to worship our Lord as the antiphon suggests, “Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; he is holy.” At the mountain of the Transfiguration, the disciples see the Lord Jesus in all of His holiness, glory and splendor.

Tuesday, 25 February 2014—Psalm 2:6-12; antiphon v.6 — In Christ you are the Lord’s. To rebel against the Lord’s Anointed is also to revel against the One who anointed him. The psalm refers to the Davidic king, and is ultimately fulfilled in Christ. The English word ‘Messiah” comes from the Hebrew word for “anointed one” and the English word, “Christ” from the Greek word for “anointed one.” On the mountain of Transfiguration Moses and Elijah will speak to the Lord’s anointed one and His glory at the cross and empty tomb.

Wednesday, 26 February 2014—Exodus 24:8-18—God appears to Moses on Mt. Sinai. It was an experience with God revealing His glory. What is the significance of the mountain? A mountain is generally the site of a religious experience. It was, at least, for Moses, Elijah, Abraham and Jesus. There is symbolism to a mountain. It is high. Above the valley of the mundane. It is s solitary place away from people. It is a silent site where God’s voice can be heard without the distractions and confusion of human voices. A mountain also speaks of stability, permanence and strength.

Thursday, 27 February 2014—2 Peter 1:16-21—The disciples witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration. Peter will testify to the reality of Jesus’ experience with God. People may ask, is the Transfiguration a legend of the early church or an historical reality? The account in 2 Peter assures us that it can be accepted as fact. The witness of eyewitnesses. The problem lies in this, do we believe this testimony? Do we trust in Peter’s words? The authority of the church today is the authority of the Apostles. Do we trust the witness of the Apostles? Were you there at the Transfiguration as you were at the cross?

Peter reminds us that the Transfiguration needs to be an historical event but also an experience of faith today for the believer.

Friday, 28 February 2014—Matthew 17:1-9— Jesus on the mountain is transfigured before three of His disciples. This experience with God is transforming. Before the cross, Resurrection and Ascension, we get a glimpse of the inner, true nature of the Son of God, Until this time, we saw God’s glory manifested in Jesus as the wise Men saw in Him a king, In John the Baptist’s confession of Jesus as the Messiah, and in the miracles of Jesus. Now we see directly the divine nature of Jesus. This brings us to the uniqueness of Jesus _they saw no one but Jesus only.” In the light of Jesus’ being the only Son of God, then, we must confront the pluralism of our day. In many circles Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha, Confucius are all “sons of God.” The voice from heaven makes Jesus unique. He is God’s one and only Son.

In the Transfiguration, many questions go unanswered. How could the holy presence of God come into a human frame? How do you explain the exceeding brightness of the physical Jesus? How could Moses and Elijah appear in bodily form? Does God come in a cloud and does god have a real voice? Perhaps our only reaction and answer is worship. Like Peter, we do not know what to say. Like the disciples, we are overcome with awe and adoration. Jesus and His three disciples go up to pray and worship. The experience results in the worship of Christ.

Saturday, 1 March2014—Luke 9:28-36; John 1:14– Tomorrow’s hymn of the week is LSB #413 “O Wondrous Type! O Vision Fair” Through this season of Epiphany, we have witnessed the glory of God manifested in Jesus, but today God’s full glory is reflected in Jesus. Jesus’ glory is shown by the brightness of His physical appearance, the appearance of Moses and Elijah, and the presence of the Father evidenced by a cloud and a voice.

Since Jesus has come to the full possession of God’s glory, He is prepared to fulfill His mission as the Messiah by going to Jerusalem to the cross.

Sources:

Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Time in the Word - Epiphany 7

Be What God Is

This theme seems to focus upon the nature of God and our responsibility to match His nature in our lives. Because God is perfect, according to the Gospel lesson, we too are to be perfect. Be perfect as God is perfect.

Because God is holy, according to our Old Testament lesson, we are to be the same. Because God’s temple is holy according to the Epistle lesson we are holy for we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. The Psalm mentions God as one of compassion and mercy. Because God is what He is, we are to reflect the same nature.

Collects for Epiphany: Lord God, on this day you revealed your Son to the nations by the leading of a star. Lead us now by faith to know your presence in our lives and bring us at last to the full vision of your glory.

Collects for Epiphany 7: O God, the strength of all who put their trust in You, mercifully grant that by Your power we may be defended against all adversity; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Father. Keep before us the wisdom and love You have revealed in Your Son. Help us to be like Him in word and deed, for He lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

O Lord, keep Your family and Church continually in the true faith that they who lean on the hope of Your heavenly grace may ever be defended by Your mighty power; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who live and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Monday, 17 February, 2014—Psalm 103:1-8; antiphon, Psalm 103:2-3— The Psalmist reminds us, Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all His benefits who forgives all your iniquities who heals all your diseases. He addresses himself in the early verses of the psalm. He finds himself blessed as he has received not only the spiritual benefits from the Lord but also temporal blessings.

Whenever we recover from hardship, sickness, or setback it is the Lord who has done this. We remember all of the Lord’s dealings with us as we praise His holy name.

Tuesday, 18 February 2014—Psalm 119:33-40 — This section of the psalms is based on the Hebrew letter “He” The key verse for the appointed Psalm for this coming week is verses 35, “Direct me in the paths of Your commands, for there I find delight.” As the child of God is directed by the law of the Lord, we find contentment, delight and peace.

Wednesday, 19 February 2014—Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18 — The Lord commands His people to be holy and to love one’s neighbor. In chapters 18-20 of the book of Leviticus, the phrase, “I am the Lord” appears twenty times! It occurs twice in this reading. It is the basis for obeying the commands of the Lord. It is God who commands. Because He is God, He has the authority to command., To disobey is to be faithless to God. Sin is unbelief. Moreover, God Himself is the absolute standard for human conduct. Morality is not based on permissiveness or upon consensus. The absolute is the very nature of God. Because He is holy, so must we be. Because He loves, we, too, are expected to love one another. A good person is a godly person. “Good” and “God” come from the same word.

Today the emphasis is “love yourself.” The text is not a command to love self. Rather, love of self is taken for granted as a normal and natural phenomenon. The command is to love neighbor as much as you love yourself. To love oneself is normal. It is abnormal to hate oneself or to love oneself excessively. We can go to both extremes – either into depression or into pride and arrogance. If we love our neighbor as ourselves, we would put the neighbor first and would desire for the neighbor only the best things in life.

Thursday, 20 February 2014—1 Corinthians3:10-11, 16-23—As God’s temple, Christians are holy people belonging to Christ. If a Christian or a church is compared to a building, Paul says Christ is the foundation. Since there can be no building without a foundation, it teaches us that Christ is essential, indispensable. Any other foundation for life or a church is inadequate and is trustworthy. To have a foundation of Christ is to look at the Christian and the church as a building project or a process. No Christian or church is ready-made. It is constantly in the making, in the building. Therefore, no one can claim to have arrived, or to be finished, or perfect.

Friday, 21 February 2014—Matthew 5:38-48—Christians are expected to do more than the Law requires. Jesus teaches, ‘Do not resist one who is evil.’ This raises a lot of questions. Don’t resist one who attacks you? Who steals from you? Who demands involuntary service/ He calls for passive resistance. It reminds us of Ghandi and Martin Luther King. Not to resist means not to hate, not to fight back but take whatever is given with patience. It is using moral persuasion, and in the cases of Ghandi and Martin Luther King, it seemed to work. Is there a theological basis for passive resistance? They key to the passage is the nature of God. He does not resist evil, even to the point of the cross. Humanity is to follow His example.

Who can be perfect? The word does not mean moral perfection. Since Jesus was the only one who could say, “Which of you convinces me of sin?” there is no way to reach that goal in this life. “Perfect” means wholeness, maturity, holiness, and fulfillment. In the Biblical sense, a perfect person is one who has completed or fulfilled his life’s purpose. We are to be perfect because God is perfect.

Saturday, 22 February 2014— Psalm 103; Isaiah 40:6-8– Tomorrow’s hymn of the week is “My Soul, Now Praise Your Maker” The Lord has had compassion on His people. Thus we sing the fame and might of what the Lord has done. As we close out the season of Epiphany we remember the blessings the Lord has showered down upon us and we praise Him with our life and conduct in acts of mercy toward our neighbor.

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Saturday, February 15, 2014

Epiphany 6

16 February

Epiphany 6

Matthew 5:27-37

Jesus places a new interpretation of the laws of Moses

O God, the strength of all who put their trust in You. Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without You, give us the help of your grace that in keeping Your commandments we may please You both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Someone once caught WC Fields reading the Bible.

"What are you doing?" the person asked.

"Looking for loopholes." growled Fields.

You may go to a choice restaurant. The menu will say, “a la carte.” Under the a la carte section, you only chose those parts of the menu that seem the best for you. And so, you chose this or that. That is how some people view the Commandments. They select those parts of the Commandments that they want to obey. For example, I may choose to follow certain commandments but other commandments are not so attractive. The draw is to choose only those commandments, which are important to you. We live in a time that could be called, “a la carte” Christianity. I choose only those parts of Christian morality, which are important to me.

We live in an age when everybody has now become his or her own priest and pope. People become their own priest as they develop their own closeness to God. They do not need an intermediary. They seek God on their own terms. He arrives at my every call when I need Him. He is conveniently absent when I don’t.

Moreover, they become their own pope. That is, they think to themselves, “I will determine what is right and wrong for me. Don’t judge me. Don’t impose your values on me. I am the final authority. I decide those things which are right or wrong for me.” We live in an age where many Christians say I will do what I think is right and I do not really listen to the counsel of others.

Today’s gospel is one of the most intense accounts of the way Jesus changed things. “You have heard it said…” He begins each part of His teaching. Then He goes on to say, “And I say to you.” Jesus does what He said He would do. He does not abolish the laws of God – He fulfills them. Jesus never said, “You have heard you shall not kill, and I say, in some cases…well, it’s okay.” To the contrary, Jesus’ teaching always requires more – Don’t be angry. Or name call. In fact, Jesus says, “If you are going to offer your gift at the altar and remember that you brother has something against you, leave the gift. First, be reconciled.” There are no loopholes found in Jesus' words. No compromises. No deals. No escape hatches.

We are called to keep the commandments. Of course! However, we are called to much more. Jesus said, “You have heard it was said you shall not murder - and I say to you that if you are angry with your brother or sister - you will be liable to judgment." "You have heard that it was said, you shall not commit adultery, and I tell you that everyone who looks with lust at another has already committed adultery..." "You have heard that it was said, you shall love your neighbor, and I say to you, love your enemies. And pray for those who persecute you..."

What is left for us to do? Nothing! What is left for God to do? Everything! Christ alone is righteous. He alone kept the Law perfectly. He never hated his brother. He never lusted in his heart. He was righteous before the Father. Christ’s righteousness is for you! Jesus kept the Law perfectly, for you. At the cross, God the Father laid on Jesus your sin, guilt and shame. Sacrificed on the cross, He put to death your sin, your guilt. He bore the punishment you deserve. In exchange, you receive the perfect righteousness of Christ. “Come to me.” He says. “…all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Your burden is light, because Jesus has taken the weight of your sin. His righteousness, which is freely given, is received as a gift. The Law always kills. Always convicts. Always destroys. But Christ brings you back to life. Restored, redeemed forgiven. You are His.

How then shall we live? Do we go on sinning as we did before? As St. Paul has written, “Let it not be!” “How can we who died to sin still live in it?” “Consider yourselves as dead to sin and alive only to God.” Return to your Baptism. Through repenting of your sins daily. Then, show love to your neighbor which flows out of the righteousness you have with Christ. Continually you shall be tempted. Daily we struggle with sin in this world. We are barred from Eden. Yet the Father’s promises given in baptism will never leave you. Return to the promise in Baptism. Christ has put to death all your sins in the washing of water and the Word. So we repent. Before God and our neighbor. And receive the forgiveness we have though Jesus Christ’s perfect righteousness.

This righteousness from Christ finds its expression in the love we show to our neighbor. The life of a Christian is cross-shaped. There is a vertical dimension. Between God and man. The horizontal dimension is between a man and his neighbor. The Father takes the initiative. And grants us righteousness through Christ’s death and resurrection. You receive in faith through the hearing of the Gospel. That righteousness manifests itself in works of love toward your neighbor. Doing good works has nothing to do with earning points with God. Rather it is a natural expression of faith with showers our neighbor with works of mercy and love.

The Christian life does make demands. Those demands are met only in Christ. Because He is perfect righteous, and just, you are now perfect, righteous, just. Trust what Jesus has done for you. And in love serve your neighbor.

Words – 1,087

Flesch Reading Ease – 85%

Flesch – Kincaid Grade Level – 3.8

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Time in the Word - Epiphany 6

Time in the Word

Living the Law

The interpretation, understanding, and obedience of the law of God come forth from this week’s lections. The overall theme appears to be life in the light of the Law. The Gospel gives several examples of Jesus’ interpretation of the law of Moses. His view goes behind the letter to the spirit of the Law. In his last address, Moses appeals to his people to obey the Law and to live. To make the right interpretation there must be wisdom. Paul in the epistle lesson teaches that the wisdom of God is revealed only to those of the Spirit. This explains how Jesus was able to rightly understand the Law. He had the Spirit of God and was taught by the Spirit. During this season our prayers must embrace both the understanding of God’s Law (Epistle lesson) and obedience (Old Testament lesson). We must pray to see and understand the things we ought to do with the grace and power to do them.

The Epiphany theme of the manifestation of God’s glory in Jesus continues in Epiphany 6. In the Gospel, the glory of God in Jesus is seen in His interpretation of the law and in His authority as God’s Son, greater than Moses – “And I say to you.” God’s glory is seen also in the Old Testament lesson where God in mercy makes a covenant with His people and promises them life if they accept and obey the terms of the covenant. Paul refers to Jesus as “the Lord of Glory” (verse 8). Jesus is the true and able interpreter of God’s laws because He possessed the Spirit of God resulting in wisdom and understanding. The readings from Psalm 119 deal with the Law which for the Hebrews was God’s revelation of Himself to man. In other words, today we see the glory of God in Jesus in His understanding and interpretation of God’s law.

Collects for Epiphany 6: O God graciously hear the prayers of Your people that we who justly suffer the consequences of our sin may be mercifully delivered by Your goodness to the glory of Your name for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Monday, 10 February, 2014—Psalm 119:1-8; antiphon, Psalm 119:1—In the Introit for Sunday, the key verses remind us as is explained in verse 2, “happy are those who observe His decrees.” Coupled with the Old Testament lesson for this week, we are reminded on the face that the Law is good and obedience makes one happy.

Tuesday, 11 February 2014—Psalm 119:9-16—As an acrostic psalm, this section is focused on the Hebrew letter Beth. The Psalmist would have reason to praise the Lord for blessings received and deliverances granted because the Lord does not forsake His own.

Wednesday, 12 February 2014—Deuteronomy 30:15-20—Moses gives his people a choice of life and death. We live by obeying the Law.

The two-letter word “if” has theological implications. Our life depends on it. “If” people love and obey, they shall have life. “If” they are rebellious, they will experience death. This implies that life and death are results of meeting certain conditions. This means that we have free will to do one or the other. We are not an automation, not a victim of circumstances. We cannot blame God for our fate. Ultimately our condition depends upon the type of ‘if” we choose.

Thursday, 13 February 2014—1 Corinthians3:1-9—Those who have the spirit possess the wisdom of God, understand His gifts, and interpret spiritual truths. Live by interpreting the Law through the Spirit.

To be mature, Paul shares the wisdom of God. Last week, in Epiphany 5 we dealt with the wisdom of man. Then we learned that the Gospel is not built on man’s wisdom. There is a greater wisdom, which Paul shares with the mature. When he preached, he gave the facts of the Gospel. Facts dealing with the basics of Christ’s life, death, and Resurrection. Now comes the understanding of those facts, the doctrine, or the teaching. Mature Christians receive the teaching: the interpretation, understanding, and meaning of the facts. This maturity is not the modern “man come of age” in the sense of outgrowing God, but it is a growth into the wisdom of God.

Friday, 14 February 2014—Matthew 5:21-37—Jesus places a new interpretation on the law of Moses. Live by the spirit of the Law.

Jesus begins this section with these words, “And I say to you…” Who is this “I”? Who is presumptuous to go beyond what Moses said? Who does the “I” think he is – one greater than Moses, the mighty prophet of God? Here we confront Christological considerations. Jesus is speaking. Here we find a greater than Moses. In the words, “I say.” Jesus is placing Himself above all other religious teachers and prophets. How can he rightfully do this? Jesus speaks as God’s Son, the Word made flesh. He has the mind, the Spirit, and the essence of God the Father. As the Word of God, Jesus’ word is truth excelling all other teachers. Thus, the Scriptures testify of Him and we interpret them in the light of Christ.

Saturday, 15 February 2014—Isaiah 61:1-3; 1 Peter 1:20; Matthew 11:4-5; Revelation 19:1-16— The Hymn for next week is Hymn 394, “Songs of Thankfulness and Praise.” As we are now mostly through the season of Epiphany, we come to a clearer picture of who Jesus really is. Through His words and by His miracles, we see Him as He is, our coming Savior, the one who has come to save us.

Sources:

Luther’s Seal © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Epiphany 5

9 February

Epiphany 5

Matthew 5:13-24

You are the salt of the world.

Almighty God, 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. Amen.

Jesus warns us, “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20). The Lord Jesus came not to abolish the Law or the Prophets, “but to fulfill them.” (Matthew 5:17) Since Jesus does and teaches all of God’s commandments, He alone is “called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:19).

Jesus teaches His disciples that they are to be the salt of the earth. You. And you alone. You. And none other. You are salt. You are light. This is what you were meant to be. You give light in the midst of darkness. You can’t help but do otherwise. You are in Christ.

The word “salary” comes from the word salt. The Romans would pay their soldiers not in gold but in salt. A faithful worker was literally “worth his salt.”

Christ says of you, “You are the salt of the world.” That is, a preservative in this corrupt and sinful world. God preserves the world, so that Christians may serve Him here. Christ is the true light, which enlightens everyone. (John 1:9), Just as the moon reflects the light of the sun, Christians reflect the light of the Son of God into a world dark with sin, wickedness, ignorance, and unbelief. Your highest form of service is being a light in this world. Bringing the light of the Gospel of salvation into a sin-darkened world.

You are the salt of the world.

Salt changes nearly everything it touches. Think such as food and ice. You are called to be thermostats not thermometers in this world. By yourself, you can do nothing. But as an instrument, you can be used of God in this world. You are the instrument that the Father can use to implement change in a wicked world. When believers touch and influence this world there will be change. You need not be like the world to win the world. You win the world when you present to them Christ.

Salt creates a thirst for water to those exposed to it. As salt, the Christian has a wonderful opportunity to promote a thirst for Jesus in this world. You point men to Jesus. You share with them Christ, the water of life. As a follower of Jesus, there needs to be a thirst for God in the world around us.

Salt kills some things. Slugs and salt do not mix. Pour salt on a slug and it will die. Salt poured on a lawn will kill the grass. Abimelech took a city and sowed the city with salt to prevent the ground from being used to grow crops. He killed the fields with salt. (Judges 9:45)

When Christ is sown into the lives, homes and communities of the world some things will die. Christ is poison to sin. When Christ enters a life the old nature of drowned and killed. And a new man comes forth to live before God in righteousness and purity forever. ^[^a^] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:71

Salt brings out the best. Salt blends and adds flavor to food. The Christian flavor the world around him. All that we do, we do to the glory of God. Only let your manner of life be worthy[a] of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel. Philippians 1:27

Salt has a remarkable cleaning ability. The prophet Elisha cleansed the waters at Jericho with salt. The people of the city said to Elisha, “Look, our lord, this town is well situated, as you can see, but the water is bad and the land is unproductive.” “Bring me a new bowl,” he said, “and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him. Then he went out to the spring and threw the salt into it, saying, “This is what the Lord says: ‘I have healed this water. Never again will it cause death or make the land unproductive.’” And the water has remained pure to this day, according to the word Elisha had spoken. -2 Kings 2: 19-22

Often, newborns were washed in salt to cleanse their bodies and give firmness to the skin. (Ezekiel 16:4) Salt in a wound can cleanse it. Christians have a purifying effect on the world around them. You are a purifying force in the world around you. Every meat offering in the Old Testament was to be made with salt. You shall season all your grain offerings with salt. You shall not let the salt of the covenant with your God be missing from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt. Leviticus 2:13. Likewise, you offer your life as an offering to the Lord. You are worth you salt.

Salt penetrates and infiltrates whatever it touches. It is an aggressive substance. You are an active force in this world. A militant army charging the gates of Hell. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, [a] I will build my church, and the gates of hell[b] shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18

Salt wards off rot and decay. Rubbed into meat in an effort to preserve it. The prayers of “salty” Christians preserve our nation, community and neighborhood. The prayers of the righteous are effective. Continue to intercede for those around you. Continue. Continue in what you have been ordered to do. You are salt. You are light. Reflect the Gospel of Christ in your live.

You are worth your salt.

Words – 1,052

Flesch Reading Ease – 85.5%

Flesch – Kincaid Grade Level – 3.9

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Time in the Word - Epiphany 5

Time in the Word

An Excellent Way of Life

The life of a Christian is the primary subject of this Sunday. It is a way of life that is better than living by the letter of the Law. According to Isaiah, true fasting results in meeting the social needs of people. The Epistle gives the source of Christian living – a Gospel of power and not the wisdom of man. Christ is the Word of Life. We ask that we may see and hear Him as the Life.

Light is the dominant theme of Epiphany. A candle is a symbol of the season. Christ is the Light of God whose glory is manifested throughout the season. Epiphany 5 continues the theme of life but with a different twist. Now Christians are the light of the world because they are in Christ. In the Gospel, Jesus tells His followers, “You are the light of the world,” Isiah in the Old Testament says the light shines out of those who properly fast. In the Epistle lesson, the source of the light is in the crucified Christ proclaimed by Paul.

Monday, 3 February, 2014—Psalm 119:1-6; antiphon, Psalm 112:12—In the Introit for Sunday, we pray, Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me Your statutes! This Psalm is an acrostic based on the Hebrew letter Aleph. We meditate on the Word of our Lord and we walk blameless as we are directed by Him who speaks to us in and through that same word.

Tuesday, 3 February 2014—Psalm 15—This psalm gives instruction to those who wish to have access to God at His temple. Thomas Jefferson called this psalm the picture of “a true gentleman.” This is a testimonial of the man of God. What does God require of the individual who seeks his company? He expects right conduct, right speaking (verses 2-3a), right relationships with others (verses 3b-4), and a right use of wealth (verse 5) (see Psalm 24). Who swears… (Verse 4) i.e. who keeps his word whatever the cost; Verse 5, one of the Jewish laws, see Leviticus 25:36-37. It was not a total ban on lending at interest, but applied to fellow Israelites.

Wednesday, 5 February 2014—Isaiah 58:3-9a—The godly life is expressed in service. Among most Christians today, fasting is scarcely practiced. If Isaiah were living today, he probably would not have used it. Though fasting is not generally practiced, the principle still applies. Religiosity in terms of cultic practices, without practical helpfulness to the neighbor, does not bring God’s blessings. When we put our religious devotions into sharing with the less fortunate, we open ourselves to God’s presence and blessings.

Thursday, 6 February 2014—1 Corinthians2:1-12—The Christian life results from a gospel of power. Paul decided to know nothing except Christ. Is that smart? Paul knew more than most. He knew how to make a living by making tents; the Bible thoroughly, for he was a student of the great Gamaliel; the philosophies of the day, for he was a university student. When it came to making a living, we need to know much. When it comes to making a life, knowledge and wisdom are useless. It is enough to know Christ, for He is the truth about God and life.

Weakness can be strength. This was the case with Paul. He felt that his ability to speak oratorically in great wisdom, as was the custom of his day, was inferior.

With fear and trembling, he perhaps stuttered and stammered the words of the Gospel. In spite of his halting speech, people came to accept Christ as Savior. What did this prove? The Word of the cross is the power to win people to Christ.

Friday, 7 February 2014—Matthew 5:13-20—The Christian life exceeds living by the Law. Followers of Jesus, Disciples of Christ are the light of the world. Since Jesus said He was the light of the world, this may seem to be a contradiction. Christians are light. You do not become light by good works. You are light because, and only because, you are in Christ, the Light. The light you have is not produced by your own. You are only the reflection of the light of Christ who dwells in you by faith. If you are not seen as light in the dark world, it indicates you are not in Christ. If the light is in you, it will be seen by your good works, which result as naturally as a candle sheds its light as a natural part of its essence.

The word “righteousness” has a twofold meaning. Its ethical meaning embraces virtue, goodness, and uprightness. The religious meaning means being rightly related to God and neighbor. The righteousness of God is God’s rightly relating us to Himself. The righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees was an ethical righteousness, which involved a strict keeping of the letter of the law. The Christian has a righteousness that exceeds the ethical. It is a right relationship with God and with people. Anger is a symptom of a broken relationship. Forgiveness renews the relationship.

Saturday, 8 February 2014—1John 3:16-19; Hebrews 13:16; Matthew 25:40—Sunday’s Hymn of the Day is Thy Strong Word (LSB #578). This wonderful hymn tells the story of salvation as the Lord speaks to us in and through His Word. All three persons of the Trinity are mentioned in the last stanza. God the Father, light-creator, Jesus is the one eternal God begotten from the Father light of light. The Holy Spirit is the light-revealer. Together with angels in heaven, we praise the Triune God Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Collects for Epiphany: Lord God, on this day You revealed Your Son to the nations by the leading of a star. Lead us now by faith to know Your presence in our lives and bring us at last to the full vision of Your glory.

Collects for Epiphany 5: O Lord, keep Your Church continually in the true faith that, relying on the hope of Your heavenly grace, we may be ever defended by Your mighty power.

O God, You know that we cannot withstand the dangers, which surround us. Strengthen us in body and spirit so that with Your help, we may be able to overcome the weakness that our sins have brought upon us.

Collect for Psalm 112: Lord Jesus You are the light shining in darkness for the upright. Teach us to love one another as You love us, that we might bring peace and joy to the world and find the happiness of Your home where You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

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