Monday prior to Epiphany 2

 

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Psalm 36:5:9, Antiphon, Song of Solomon 2:4—The Lord brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love. See also Numbers 2:2 and Psalm 20:5 – The king’s love for his bride is displayed for all to see like a large military banner. So is the Father’s love for you. Great is His faithfulness.

The Theme for Epiphany 2, “God’s Glory Manifested In Transforming Power,” can be seen in all three lessons for the week. In the Old Testament lesson, (Isaiah 62:1-5) God marries His people. God will transform Jerusalem from desolation to delight. In the Epistle lesson, (1 Corinthians12:1-11) the Sprit transforms from “Jesus be cursed” to “Jesus is Lord!” Here the gifts of the Spirit will be outlined for us. In the Gospel lesson, (John 2:1-11) the wedding at Cana, Christ transforms water into wine. Here He manifests His glory and His disciples put their faith in Him.

When Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding in Cana, it was “the first of His signs,” by which He “manifested His glory” (John 2:11).

It pointed to His coming “hour,” when He was lifted up on the Cross for the forgiveness of sins and the life of the world (John 2:4; 12:23–32). The glory of the cross is incomprehensible apart from the Word and Spirit of God, but disciples of Jesus recognize that glory in the signs of His Gospel, and so they believe in Him. Jesus does not wait for His disciples to discover Him on their own, but He seeks out the forsaken and the desolate and unites them to Himself. He adorns them with His own beautiful righteousness and delights in them “as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride” (Isaiah 62:4–5). Purified by the washing of water with His Word in Holy Baptism, His disciples confess that “Jesus is Lord,” and they return thanks to Him “in the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:3), as they drink the good wine that He pours out for them, which is the new testament in His blood.[2]

Collect for Epiphany 2 Almighty and everlasting God, who governs all things in heaven and on earth , mercifully hear the prayers of Your people and grant us Your peace through all our days; through Jesus Christ Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  [3] -10 January 2022

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[1] Wedding at Cana, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] Lectionary Summary from the LCMS Commission on Worship

[3] Collect for Epiphany 2, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis