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, a 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” (v.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.
Monday,
06 February, 2017—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 of the face that the Law is good and obedience
makes one happy.
Tuesday,
07 February 2017—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, 08 February 2017—Deuteronomy 30:15-20— Moses gives his people a choice
of life and death. We live by obeying the Law.
The two-letter words “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, 09 February 2017—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, 10
February 2017—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 might 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, 11 February 2017—Isaiah
61:1-3; 1 Peter 1:20; Matthew 11:4-5; Revelation 19:1-16 - The Hymn for
next week is they 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.
We are now in
Epiphany. A season of revelation. A season of new understanding. A season where
we begin to see Jesus as He is. By His words and deeds, He reveals Himself. He
is your Savior who did not find it beneath Him to humble Himself and stoop to your
level. He speaks in words you can
understand. He displays His love for you in acts of mercy and care.
Of course, we
don’t always get it. Sometimes we can’t always perceive what the Lord is doing
in our life. But He is there. Always has. Always will. And for that we can be
glad that He has promised to support, direct and order your life.
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.
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 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.
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.
Sources:
Prayers from Lutheran Service Book
© 2006 Concordia Publishing House
Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series A
by John Brokhoff © 1980 CSS Publishing Lima
OH
For All the Saints A Prayer Book for
and By the Church Vol. II © 1995 by the American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi , NY
Luther’s Seal © Ed
Riojas, Higher Things
No comments:
Post a Comment