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.
Monday,
06 February, 2023—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 2023—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 2023—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 2023—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 2023—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 2020—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 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
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