Pr. DFD : 2026

Thursday, January 22, 2026

Friday prior to Epiphany 3

Matthew 4:12-25—Matthew sees Jesus beginning His ministry as a fulfillment of the Isaiah promise that deliverance would come to those taken captive by the Assyrians in Zebulon and Naphtali. Fulfillment implies that Jesus was more than a man, a prophet, or a teacher; He was the Son of God, the Messiah. Repentance (verse 17)—For John the Baptist, repentance was a condition for entering the kingdom of God. For Jesus, repentance was accepting the salvation already offered and present. Repentance is not a condition of grace but a response to it. Repentance is acknowledging God’s forgiveness and acceptance; it is a turning to God to accept his grace by faith.

The Feast of the Lord’s Epiphany and the entire Epiphany season of the church year make plain that the baby of Bethlehem’s manger is not merely a human being, but is both God and man, the promised Christ. The star in the east led the Magi to worship Him; His baptism begins His public ministry, in which He revealed Himself as God’s Messiah. Our reading includes the account of His calling of His first disciples. Whatever those disciples may have known about Jesus prior to His “Follow Me,” they realized when He called them that they had been summoned by none other than the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. They recognized Jesus as God’s light in the midst of darkness.

When we understand the Gospel we make known the perfect life of Jesus, His innocent suffering and death, and His resurrection victory as the salvation which avails for everyone. Jesus is the Savior. He is our light in the midst of the darkness.

Collects for Epiphany 3: Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities and stretch forth the hand of Your majesty to heal and defend us; through Jesus Christ, Your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Almighty God, you sent your Son to proclaim your kingdom and to teach with authority. Anoint us with the power of your Spirit, that we, too, may bring good news to the afflicted, bind upon the brokenhearted, and proclaim liberty to the captives.[2]

Collect for Friday of the week of Epiphany 2: Grant us, O God, so utterly to believe in Thee and in Thy good and unchangeable purpose, that believing we may be our lives bring back upon the earth, for its darkness, light; and for its sadness, that glory which need never have vanished. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen [3]

[1] Lift High the Cross, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Thursday prior to Epiphany 3

[1]

1 Corinthians 1:10-18—Fractions, dissensions, and cliques existed in the Corinthian church because there was a party spirit. A pastor (Apollos, Paul, Peter) was placed above Jesus. It was not Christ’s church but Dr. So-and-So’s church. Unity in a church is based upon the pre-eminence of Christ, not the personality of the pastor. Paul did not make a practice of baptizing people in order to avoid anyone’s claim he belonged to Paul rather than to Christ. Baptism tends to establish a loyalty between the pastor and the candidate.

Often it is heard, “He baptized me,” in the sense of adulating the pastor. The closer people get to Christ, the closer they get to each other in harmony and peace.

Restoration is a gift connected with the name of Jesus. (V.10) The name of Jesus allows the guilty to repent. The name of Jesus is all that He is and has to give to sinners, the forgiveness of sins, peace with God and man. Restoration is an activity of the Christian congregation carried out through the office of the keys. Those who have been healed help heal others.

Collect for the Epiphany Season: 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.[2]

Collect for Thursday of the week of Epiphany 2: Show us, O God, as much of Thy purpose, because we have it, as shall steady us. We do not ask that the way be made smooth, or even that Thou wouldst bestow upon us now the strength which Thou hast promised. We ask only for the grace to use what Thou hast already provided in Christ Jesus. Amen.[3]

[1] Lift High the Cross, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Wednesday prior to Epiphany 3

[1]

Isaiah 9:1-4—When Isaiah wrote these words, there was darkness in the land. Assyria conquered Zebulon and Naphtali and carried off the people to bondage. There was the darkness of oppression, homelessness, and forced labor. In today’s world there is also much darkness: loneliness, pain, bereavement, poverty, and addiction to drugs or alcohol. We rejoice that in Christ the light has begun to shine as Jesus begins His ministry. What is the joy of a Christian? It is basically the joy of having Christ. He is the Light of the world. To have Christ is to be free from the power and condemnation of sin and from the consequences of sin — death. Joy is a by-product of Jesus’ preaching the good news of salvation, His teaching the truth of God, and His ministry of healing to our bodies and minds.

When we are in the midst of trouble, we can’t imagine things will so improve that the sorrow, pain, fear, and anxiety will change to joy. Here is the promise to God to a people living in the oppression of darkness. There may be reasons to despair of their condition.

While Goethe was dying, he cried, “Light, give me more light!” This is the cry of a world that is dark and threatened with death. It is the cry of those in the darkness of pain and doubt. What is the answer? Is there a way out? In God’s word we see; there is darkness in the world. Isaiah reminds us; “a people who walk in darkness.” Yet the light is here in Jesus Christ; “they have seen a great light.” This light overcomes the darkness, “on them has the light shined.”

Collect for Wednesday of the week of Epiphany 2: Whenever we try to face life with nothing but the strength that is ours, show us, O God, how poor it is. Then, share with us Thine own, down the ways of Thy steady purpose. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen [3]

[1] Lift High the Cross, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Monday, January 19, 2026

Tuesday prior to Epiphany 3

[1]

Psalm 27:1-9—The words of these choice verses are David’s triumphant confidence in God to deliver him from all those who conspire to bring him down. His prayer presupposes the Lord’s covenant with David. David’s confidence in his Lord introduces the prayer David will pray in verses 7-12. The conclusion of the prayer (verses 13-14) echoes the confidence of verses 1-6 and asks the reader to wait patiently for that which is sure although not yet seen.

Psalm 27 – This psalm is simply titled A Psalm of David. As with many of David’s psalms, it is impossible to confidently state which period of his life it comes from. It speaks of trouble from enemies, adversaries, false witnesses, and violent men, but this was true of many periods of King David’s life. There is such a marked change between the first half and the second half of this psalm that many suggest that it was two different psalms stitched together. Alexander Maclaren said this idea “has much in its favor”; but it neglects how the experience of the man or woman of God can change so much even within a day or a song.[2]

Collect for Psalm 27: Gracious Father, protector of those who hope in You: You heard the cry of Your Son and kept Him safe in Your shelter in the day of evil. Grant that Your servants who seek Your face in times of trouble may see Your goodness in the land of the living, through Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.[3]

Collect for Tuesday of the week of Epiphany 2: Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world; Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns one God, now and forever. Amen.[4]

[1] Lift High the Cross, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-27/

[4] Ibid, Collect for Tuesday of the week of Epiphany 2

Sunday, January 18, 2026

Monday prior to Epiphany 3

[1]

Psalm 22:27-31; antiphon, Psalm 22:22—In the Introit for Sunday, we pray, I will tell of Your name to my brothers, in the midst of the congregation I will praise You. Psalm 22 stands alone by itself. No other psalm pointed beyond itself so fully to the circumstances of Jesus at his crucifixion. John and Matthew will quote from this psalm as they give their accounts of Christ’s passion (see Matthew 27:46; 35, 39, 43 and John 19:23-24, 28). They proclaim the passion of Jesus as the fulfillment of this cry of the righteous sufferer. The author of the book of Hebrews placed the words of verse 22 on Jesus’ lips on Hebrews 2:12. No other psalm is quoted more frequently in the New Testament.

Psalm 22 – The Servant of the LORD, forsaken, rescued, triumphant

This is another psalm with a title: To the Chief Musician. Set to “The Deer of the Dawn.” A Psalm of David. We can say that this is a Psalm sung to the Greatest Musician, to an unknown tune, by the Sweet Psalmist of Israel (2 Samuel 23:1). Here, David sings as more than an, but also as one of the greatest prophets ever to speak, pointing more to his Greater Son, Jesus the Messiah, than even to himself.

This is a kind of gem among the Psalms and is peculiarly excellent and remarkable. It contains those deep, sublime, and heavy sufferings of Christ, when agonizing in the midst of the terrors and pangs of divine wrath and death which surpass all human thought and comprehension. (Martin Luther) [2]

The Ministry of Light

The Epiphany theme of light is evident in both the Gospel and the Old Testament lesson — “have seen a great light.” Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise of that light. In Christ is the Epiphany (manifestation) of light. Epiphany deals with the revelation of the glory of God in Jesus. God’s glory is seen in the ministry of Jesus — he brings the kingdom to people through his three-fold ministry of preaching, teaching, and healing; a ministry to the whole person: soul, mind, and body. Paul sees the glory of God revealed in the cross — the means of deliverance from the oppression of sin, Satan, and death.

Since the Epistle lesson (1 Corinthians 1:10-18) is given in-course and deals with the problem of internal church division, it does not harmonize with the theme of the other Lessons. The Gospel (Matthew 4:12-25) fulfills the promise of a light coming to the people of Galilee. This fulfillment is in the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. It is cause for celebration. By His ministry of preaching, teaching, and healing, Jesus brings the light of truth and grace to the world. Psalm 27 harmonizes with the theme of light — “The Lord is my light....” The Prayer asks for us to have a similar ministry of light.

Collect for Monday of the week of Epiphany 2: Almighty and ever-present Father, your watchful care reaches from end to end and orders all things in such power that even the tensions and the tragedies of sin cannot frustrate your loving plans. Help us to embrace your will, give us the strength to follow your call, so that your truth may live in our hearts and reflect peace to those who believe in your love. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.[3]

[1] Lift High the Cross, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-22/

Saturday, January 17, 2026

Epiphany 3 - Series A study notes

Isaiah 9:1–4
1 Corinthians 1:10–18
Matthew 4:12–25

The Lord Manifests His Glory through His Office of the Holy Ministry

Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities and stretch forth the hand of Your majesty to heal and defend us; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen

By His coming in the flesh and by His preaching and miracles, the Lord Jesus shines the light of His Gospel upon “the people who walked in darkness” and “who dwelt in a land of deep darkness” (Isaiah 9:2). He has also “multiplied the nation” and “increased its joy” (Isaiah 9:3) by calling disciples to Himself from the ends of the earth. For this purpose, He calls Peter and Andrew, with James and John, to follow Him and be “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19).

As Jesus did, they also go forth “proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people” (Matthew 4:23). They preach the foolishness of the cross of Christ as the very power and wisdom of God. This word and preaching of the cross divides “those who are perishing” from “us who are being saved” (1 Corinthians 1:18), but it unites the Church, the one Body of Christ, “in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

Jesus begins His ministry –

Matthew 4:12

Ἀκούσας δὲ ὅτι Ἰωάννης παρεδόθη ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν.

Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee.

John is "handed over" his time is done. This term is usually used of Jesus. When the forerunner is taken He is next. Jesus starts in Galilee. Even as he begins his ministry the kingdom is suffering violence...to this day.

What might be some examples today?

He withdraws... (to pray?)

Matthew 4:13

καὶ καταλιπὼν τὴν Ναζαρὰ ἐλθὼν κατῴκησεν εἰς Καφαρναοὺμ τὴν παραθαλασσίαν ἐν ὁρίοις Ζαβουλὼν καὶ Νεφθαλίμ·

And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali,

Jesus leaves Nazareth (further separation) settles in Capernaum. But not a permanent situation. "The Son of Man will have no place to rest his head".

Matthew 4:14

ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ Ἠσαΐου τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος·

so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

Fulfillment of Prophecy

Matthew 4:15

Γῆ Ζαβουλὼν καὶ γῆ Νεφθαλίμ, ὁδὸν θαλάσσης, πέραν τοῦ Ἰορδάνου, Γαλιλαία τῶν ἐθνῶν,

"The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles-

Matthew 4:16

ὁ λαὸς ὁ καθήμενος ἐν σκοτίᾳ φῶς εἶδεν μέγα, καὶ τοῖς καθημένοις ἐν χώρᾳ καὶ σκιᾷ θανάτου φῶς ἀνέτειλεν αὐτοῖς.

the people (literally "sitting") dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned."

The “land of milk and honey” have turned into sand and death. This is the Epiphany - people living in darkness have seen light.

These people were the nobodies.

Peter was called out on the night of Jesus' arrest for his Galilean accent.

These people are sitting without hope.

Matthew 4:17

Ἀπὸ τότε ἤρξατο ὁ Ἰησοῦς κηρύσσειν καὶ λέγειν· Μετανοεῖτε, ἤγγικεν γὰρ ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν.

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." -

The kingdom is drawing near...it is at arms' reach.

The kingdom is the presence and work of Christ. The kingdom is Jesus. (In their midst)

The message is preached to those who had been separated. (Northern Kingdom) Through paganism they had merged into the Syrian culture.

Every great prophet has preached repentance.

Remember, repentance has two parts. Contrition and faith...more than just "stop it!"

Jesus Calls His First disciples -

Matthew 4:18

Περιπατῶν δὲ παρὰ τὴν θάλασσαν τῆς Γαλιλαίας εἶδεν δύο ἀδελφούς, Σίμωνα τὸν λεγόμενον Πέτρον καὶ Ἀνδρέαν τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ, βάλλοντας ἀμφίβληστρον εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν, ἦσαν γὰρ ἁλιεῖς·

While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.

Matthew 4:19

καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Δεῦτε ὀπίσω μου, καὶ ποιήσω ὑμᾶς ἁλιεῖς ἀνθρώπων.

And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

Matthew 4:20

οἱ δὲ εὐθέως ἀφέντες τὰ δίκτυα ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ.

Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

This is a specific calling. They are turning to a new vocation. A sudden change. They become the ultimate net throwers.

Jesus is establishing his Church and this is how it works based on the foundation of the prophets and apostles.

Matthew 4:21

Καὶ προβὰς ἐκεῖθεν εἶδεν ἄλλους δύο ἀδελφούς, Ἰάκωβον τὸν τοῦ Ζεβεδαίου καὶ Ἰωάννην τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ, ἐν τῷ πλοίῳ μετὰ Ζεβεδαίου τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτῶν καταρτίζοντας τὰ δίκτυα αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐκάλεσεν αὐτούς.

And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them.

They were cleaning/mending nets. They were done for the day. The other two were still fishing casting their nets. Yet once called they left all.

Here James is the dominant one.

Everyone has a calling. Zebedee stayed behind fishing for fish rejoicing in his vocation doing God's work in a secular world.

Every job is honorable. Reflect the light where you live.

Matthew 4:22

οἱ δὲ εὐθέως ἀφέντες τὸ πλοῖον καὶ τὸν πατέρα αὐτῶν ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ.

Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. -

Jesus ministers to great crowds -

Matthew 4:23

Καὶ περιῆγεν ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ Γαλιλαίᾳ, διδάσκων ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς αὐτῶν καὶ κηρύσσων τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τῆς βασιλείας καὶ θεραπεύων πᾶσαν νόσον καὶ πᾶσαν μαλακίαν ἐν τῷ λαῷ.

And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.

All kind of maladies (see the Collect for the day) illnesses are specifically mentioned in v. 24 -

Matthew 4:24

καὶ ἀπῆλθεν ἡ ἀκοὴ αὐτοῦ εἰς ὅλην τὴν Συρίαν· καὶ προσήνεγκαν αὐτῷ πάντας τοὺς κακῶς ἔχοντας ποικίλαις νόσοις καὶ βασάνοις συνεχομένους, δαιμονιζομένους καὶ σεληνιαζομένους καὶ παραλυτικούς, καὶ ἐθεράπευσεν αὐτούς.

So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them.

Matthew 4:25

καὶ ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ ὄχλοι πολλοὶ ἀπὸ τῆς Γαλιλαίας καὶ Δεκαπόλεως καὶ Ἱεροσολύμων καὶ Ἰουδαίας καὶ πέραν τοῦ Ἰορδάνου.

And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan. -

His fame is spreading. Crowds are following.

Luther’s Seal © Higher Things

Friday, January 16, 2026

Saturday prior to Epiphany 2

[1]

Galatians 4:4-5; 2 Timothy 1:10; 1 John 4:9; Luke 1:30-35—

Sunday’s Hymn of the Day is “The Only Son from Heaven” (LSB #402). Who is Jesus? The world must address this question. The answer to this question is addressed in the season of Epiphany. St. Paul reminds us that at just the right time, a time set by the Father, He sent His Son, to be born of a woman. Jesus was truly human; He was born under the law to be subject to the Jewish law. Now those who are called by the Gospel are incorporated into the family of faith. Outside the weather might be cold and gloomy. The landscape appears to be lifeless. Yet new life is granted to us as we see Jesus who entered our world to be our Savior to win us back to full favor with the Father.

1. The only Son from heaven,

Foretold by ancient seers,

By God, the Father, given,

In human shape appears;

No sphere His light confining,

No star so brightly shining

As He, our Morning Star.

2. O time of God appointed,

O bright and holy morn!

He come the King anointed,

The Christ, the virgin-born;

His home on earth He maketh,

And man of heav’n partaketh,

Of life again an heir.

3. O Lord, our hearts awaken,

To know and love Thee more,

In faith to stand unshaken,

In Spirit to adore,

That we still heav’n-ward hasting,

Yet here Thy joy foretasting,

May reap its fullness there.

Collect for Saturday of the week of Epiphany 1: For every mercy of the past, and for Thy presence still, we praise and bless Thee, O God; be Thou our guide and our one sure hope forever; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen [2]

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Friday prior to Epiphany 2

[1]

John 1:29-41—Called to Witness – Witnessing to Christ as the Messiah

Witnessing to Christ as the Messiah. John the Baptist witnesses to Jesus as the Son of God. This is the closest John comes to reporting the baptism of Jesus. As Jesus comes to him, John the Baptist hails Him as the Lamb of God. He reports seeing the dove of the Spirit coming upon Jesus at the baptism. John confesses that Jesus is greater than he is because Jesus baptizes with the Spirit while he baptizes only with water. Out of this personal experience John the Baptist declares that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. The Epiphany theme comes to the forefront in today’s Gospel. John the Baptist witnesses to Jesus as the Messiah. Here is a revelation coming forth: this simple peasant from Nazareth is understood as Son of God, the promised Deliverer, Savior. When we deal with Jesus, we are dealing with God.

Every single person who claims the name Christian will be active living and sharing his or her faith in Christ. The LORD still uses people to be His instruments. They are midwives to re-born babes in Christ. Ananias was used to bring Paul into the Church. Philip was used to win the Ethiopian eunuch. God used Staupitz to help Luther find the way to grace. Parents today are used of God to bring their children to Christ through Baptism and instruction. May the LORD use you to be an instrument of His grace and mercy.

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. [2]

Collect for Friday of the week of Epiohany1: Thou wouldst have us ask of Thee, O God, whatsoever we will. Above all else, we ask of Thee Thyself, Thou who hast never yet lost hope for any one of us, though Thou knowest us altogether. Seal upon us the image of him whom we worship. Gather up all our doubts and uncertainties into the meaning, which Thou alone canst give to our lives. Make perfect in our weakness strength, and in the midst of all our anxiety bestow upon us that costly peace of Thine which can be ours only as thy will becomes our will. In Jesus’ name. Amen [3]

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Thursday prior to Epiphany 2

[1]

1 Corinthians 1:1-9— Called to Witness – Witnessing produces the church

Witnessing produces the church. Paul thanks God for the grace given to the Corinthian church. In these opening verses of Paul’s Corinthian correspondence, he identifies himself in terms of spiritual gifts. Paul reminds them of “the church of God.” Their church is a part of the ecumenical church “called to be saints together with all those who in every place....” Moreover, in these opening sentences, Paul puts his finger on the problem in the Corinthian church: spiritual gifts such as “all speech and knowledge” which most probably meant Gnosticism and Glossolalia. While they are waiting for the return of Christ on the last great day, Paul assures them of God’s faithfulness in sustaining and purifying them.

Faith always believes against the evidence. And so we should think of ourselves and of the church based on the glorious, forgiving Word of the Gospel our Lord Jesus Christ, and not based on external evidence. The Gospel always calls us back to the cross and the resurrection.

(NOTE: these are the two central themes of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian congregation) The Gospel calls us to faith that God keeps his Word and does what he says it does; that Christian life and works may come forth naturally and faithfully from our faith in Him. What joy there is in this knowledge. Thanks be to God for His grace and mercy in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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.[2]

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Wednesday prior to Epiphany 2

[1]

Isaiah 49:1-6— Called to witness – Witnessing to all nations

Witnessing to all nations. The Lord calls His servant, Israel, to bring the light of salvation to the nations. Here we have the second of the servant songs in Isaiah. The servant tells how the Lord called and chose him before he was born. For the task of restoring Israel, he was equipped with a mouth “like a sharp sword” and was made like “a polished arrow.” Yet, he feels that his labor was in vain. Then the Lord speaks to him and becomes his strength. However, the Lord has broadened his task to bring light and salvation not only to Israel but also to the whole world.

All of the readings for this coming Sunday coincide perfectly with the central emphasis of the Epiphany season that the Gospel of salvation is to be proclaimed to all especially to the Gentiles. The light of the World has come and He brings redemption to all nations. This message, of course, must be proclaimed to all nations and this is the point at which the message of the readings including our reading from Isaiah meets the message of Epiphany.

This reading comes from the second servant songs of Isaiah. It shares many similarities with the first son, but it emphasizes the Epiphany theme even more emphatically. This passage of Scripture is in the form of a dialogue between the Servant and the LORD Himself.

Collects for the Epiphany Season: 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. [2]

Monday, January 12, 2026

Tuesday prior to Epiphany 2

[1]

Psalm 40—The psalm is a prayer for help when troubles abound. While the cause of David’s distress is not specified, David acknowledges that they are occasioned by his sin. The prayer begins with praise of God for His past mercies (verses 1-5) and as testimony to the king’s own faithfulness to the Lord (verses 6-10). These form the ground for his present appeal for help (verses 11-17).

Psalm 40 – The Servant comes to do God’s Will

This psalm is simply titled: To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

To the Chief Musician: Well might so exceedingly precious a Psalm be specially committed to the most skilled of the sacred musicians.

A Psalm of David: G. Campbell Morgan speculated, “In this case the reason for the song in all probability was that of the deliverance of David from all the long experience of outlawry and suffering; and the fact that he had been brought to his coronation.” [2]

Collect for Psalm 40: Lord Jesus Christ, you became obedient to death and your name was exalted above all others. Teach us always to do the Father’s will, so that made holy by you obedience and united to your sacrifice, we can know your great love in times of sorrow and sing a new song to our God now and forever. Amen

[2]https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-40

Sunday, January 11, 2026

Monday prior to Epiphany 2

[1]

Psalm 19:1-4; antiphon, Psalm 19:4—In the Introit for Sunday, we pray, Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. These words are commonly prayed by the pastor before the sermon is delivered. The silent heavens speak, declaring the glory of their Maker to all who are on the earth. The heavenly lights are not divine nor do they control or disclose man’s destiny. Their glory testifies to the righteousness and faithfulness of the Lord who created them. For further reading and meditation, see Romans 1:19-20, Psalm 89:4-8, and Psalm 97:6.

Psalm 19 – The Heavens, the Word, the Glory of God

The title tells us both the author and the audience of the psalm: To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Some believe that the Chief Musician is the Lord GOD Himself, and others suppose him to be a leader of choirs or musicians in David’s time, such as Heman the singer or Asaph (1 Chronicles 6:33, 16:5-7, and 25:6).

This Psalm reflects, more than any other, the beauty and splendor of the Hebrew poetry found in the Psalter. C.S. Lewis wrote, ‘I take this to be the greatest poem in the Psalter and one of the greatest lyrics in the world.’[2]

Collect for Psalm 19: Heavenly Father, you have filled the world with beauty. Open our eyes to see your gracious hand in all your works, that rejoicing in your whole creation, we may learn to serve you with gladness, for the sake of him through whom al things were made, your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.[3]

Called to Witness

The Epiphany season has three festivals: The Festival of the Epiphany (January 6), The Baptism of Our Lord (Epiphany 1), and The Transfiguration of Our Lord (Last Sunday after The Epiphany). Unlike other seasons, it opens and closes with a festival. The Sundays in between (Epiphany 2-8) are called “Ordinary” Sundays.

The Old Testament lessons harmonize with the Gospel Lesson. Four of the seven Lessons are taken from Isaiah. The Epistle Lessons are given in semi “in-course” fashion from 1 Corinthians 1:1—4:5. Consequently, the Epistle is not intended to harmonize with the theme of the Gospel and the Old Testament lesson. The Epistle lends itself to a series of sermons on the church. The Gospel lesson lays the groundwork of Jesus’ public ministry, a transition from the ministry of John to the ministry of Jesus. Beginning with Epiphany 4, we will have an in-course (verse after verse) series on the fifth chapter of Matthew, the first of three chapters constituting the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-48). Because Easter falls mid-April this year, the season of Epiphany will last eight weeks in 2023.

In the Gospel the story of God is manifested in Jesus as the Messiah. John the Baptist refers to Jesus as the Lamb whom the Spirit baptizes and who baptizes with the Spirit. In the Old Testament Lesson, the Epiphany can be seen in God’s servant, Israel, who is to bring the light of salvation to the nations. Epiphany deals with the light and with the spreading of the light to the whole world. God is glorified in His servant (verse 3) who witness. In the Epistle Lesson, the glory of Christ can be seen in the power of the Gospel to make believers as in Corinth.

[2]https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-19/

Thursday, January 22, 2026

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Monday, January 19, 2026

Sunday, January 18, 2026

Saturday, January 17, 2026

Isaiah 9:1–41 Corinthians 1:10–18Matthew 4:12–25

Friday, January 16, 2026

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Monday, January 12, 2026

Sunday, January 11, 2026

Isaiah 9:1–4
1 Corinthians 1:10–18
Matthew 4:12–25