Pr. DFD

Monday, January 7, 2019

Morning Prayer Reading 68

The Fiery Furnace

Part 2 Daniel 3

(Selective Verses)

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated. 20 And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21 Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics,[e] their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. 22 Because the king's order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace.

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” 25 He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”

26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. 27 And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king's counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them. 28 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside[f] the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

Footnotes:
Daniel 3:21 The meaning of the Aramaic words rendered cloaks and tunics is uncertain; also verse 27
Daniel 3:28 Aramaic and changed
English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Image: Luther's Seal © Higher Things

Sunday, January 6, 2019

Epiphany 1 - The Baptism of our Lord - Series C

BAPTISM OF OUR LORD - Series "C"

(First Sunday after the Epiphany)

13 January, 2019

Isaiah 43:1–7

Romans 6:1–11

Luke 3:15–22

The Triune God Opens Heaven to You in Holy Baptism

Collect for Epiphany 1 – Father in heaven, at the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River You proclaimed Him Your beloved Son and anointed Him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized in His name faithful in their calling as Your children and inheritors with Him of everlasting life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen

The Baptism of our Lord is an “Epiphany” of the one true God in the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ. In divine mercy, He takes His place with sinners and takes their sin upon Himself. “When all the people were baptized,” Jesus submitted Himself to a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Luke 3:21). He had no sins of His own, but He took the sins of the world upon Himself and so was baptized into His own death. Therefore, “when you pass through the waters,” He is with you (Isaiah 43:2). He created you for His glory, and He has redeemed you with His blood, that you may be His own and live with Him in His Kingdom (Isaiah 43:1, 7). As you are baptized with a baptism like His, so also are you united with Him in His death and resurrection that you “might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). For all who are baptized into Christ Jesus receive His anointing of the Holy Spirit and are named by His Father as beloved and well-pleasing sons and daughters.

How many baptisms are there? Luke emphasizes the anointing of the Spirit in connection with baptism. The Holy Spirit comes to us in and through our baptism. In the Gospel lesson “water baptism” and “spirit baptism” are mentioned. In verse 16 John the Baptizer says he baptizes with water but a greater than he will baptize with the Spirit and fire. Water and Spirit baptism are one and the same. The Spirit comes with the Word manifested by the sign of water.

Baptism is essentially a spiritual matter, a covenant between God and the believer. It is not a mere external matter of applying water to a person. You are a true and complete Christian by virtue of your baptism. This is your birthright, where faith is born. Its purpose and power cannot be taken away from you.

Luke 3:15-22

Luke 3:15

Προσδοκῶντος δὲ τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ διαλογιζομένων πάντων ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν περὶ τοῦ Ἰωάννου, μήποτε αὐτὸς εἴη ὁ χριστός,

As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ,

Luke 3:16

ἀπεκρίνατο λέγων πᾶσιν ὁ Ἰωάννης• Ἐγὼ μὲν ὕδατι βαπτίζω ὑμᾶς• ἔρχεται δὲ ὁ ἰσχυρότερός μου, οὗ οὐκ εἰμὶ ἱκανὸς λῦσαι τὸν ἱμάντα τῶν ὑποδημάτων αὐτοῦ• αὐτὸς ὑμᾶς βαπτίσει ἐν πνεύματι ἁγίῳ καὶ πυρί•

John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Luke 3:17

οὗ τὸ πτύον ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ διακαθᾶραι τὴν ἅλωνα αὐτοῦ καὶ συναγαγεῖν τὸν σῖτον εἰς τὴν ἀποθήκην αὐτοῦ, τὸ δὲ ἄχυρον κατακαύσει πυρὶ ἀσβέστῳ.

His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Luke 3:18

Πολλὰ μὲν οὖν καὶ ἕτερα παρακαλῶν εὐηγγελίζετο τὸν λαόν•

So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people.

Luke 3:19

ὁ δὲ Ἡρῴδης ὁ τετραάρχης, ἐλεγχόμενος ὑπ’ αὐτοῦ περὶ Ἡρῳδιάδος τῆς γυναικὸς τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ καὶ περὶ πάντων ὧν ἐποίησεν πονηρῶν ὁ Ἡρῴδης,

But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother's wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done,

Luke 3:20

προσέθηκεν καὶ τοῦτο ἐπὶ πᾶσιν, καὶ κατέκλεισεν τὸν Ἰωάννην ἐν φυλακῇ.

added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison.

Luke 3:21

Ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν τῷ βαπτισθῆναι ἅπαντα τὸν λαὸν καὶ Ἰησοῦ βαπτισθέντος καὶ προσευχομένου ἀνεῳχθῆναι τὸν οὐρανὸν

Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened,

Luke 3:22

καὶ καταβῆναι τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον σωματικῷ εἴδει ὡς περιστερὰν ἐπ’ αὐτόν, καὶ φωνὴν ἐξ οὐρανοῦ γενέσθαι• Σὺ εἶ ὁ υἱός μου ὁ ἀγαπητός, ἐν σοὶ εὐδόκησα.

and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son;[a] with you I am well pleased.”[b]

a. Or my Son, my (or the) Beloved

b. Some manuscripts beloved Son; today I have begotten you

Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

Time in the Word - Epiphany 1 The Baptism of our Lord

This Week’s Morning Prayer Readings

Read and review the following Bible stories for each day…

Monday, January 7- Fiery Furnace Pt.2 – Daniel 3 - selective verses

Tuesday, January 8 – Daniel in the Lion’s Den Pt.1 – Daniel 6 –selective verses

Wednesday, January 9– Chapel Day

Thursday, January 10- Daniel in the Lion’s Den Pt.2 –Daniel 6 -selective verses

Friday, December 11- Birth of John Foretold- Luke 1 –selective verses

From the Catechism; “What does Baptism give or profit?”

Time in the Word – Epiphany 1

The Baptism of our Lord

January 7-12, 2019

Collect for 2^nd Sunday after Christmas – O God, our Maker and Redeemer, who wonderfully created us and in the incarnation of Your Son yet more wondrously restored our human nature, grant that we may ever be alive in Him who made Himself to be like us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Collect for the Epiphany or our Lord – O God, by the leading of a star You once made known to all nations Your only-begotten Son; now lead us, who know You by faith, to know in heaven the fullness of Your divine goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Collect for Epiphany 1 –Father in heaven, at the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River You proclaimed Him Your beloved Son and anointed Him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized in His name faithful in their calling as Your children and inheritors with Him of everlasting life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen

Collect for the likeness of Christ—O God, by the patient suffering of Your only-begotten Son, You have beaten down the pride of the old enemy. Now help us, we humbly pray, rightly to treasure in our hearts all that our Lord has of His goodness born for our sake that after His example we may bear with patience all that is adverse to us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

A prayer for newness of life in Christ – Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness and put upon ourselves the armor of life, now in the time of this mortal life, in which Your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility, that in the last day, when He shall come again in glory to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal.

The Epiphany season begins each church year with the Baptism of our Lord. At Christmas we celebrate the incarnation; God entering time and space to be our Savior. We see what it will take for Jesus to become the world’s Redeemer as He enters the Jordan river to be baptized by John. Jesus’ work will conclude with his death on the cross on Good Friday. Already He is planning your salvation as He becomes you substitute. He will live the perfect life for you. He will be tempted as you are. He will carry your sin so that in your baptism you may receive His perfection, obedience, and grace.

Anointed with the Spirit is the theme for this coming Sunday. Christmas is officially over for the year and a new season is upon us. Epiphany literally means “I see it!” or “Now I understand!” or “I’ve got it!” In Epiphany this infant whom we have worshiped at the manger we now see as God’s chosen One. Hence the antiphon for the Introit will be taken from Isaiah’s prophecy—Jesus is the Father’s chosen one, the one in whom He delights. Jesus begins His public ministry at His baptism. Now we see Him as He is. Now we understand what He will do. In the Old Testament lesson God’s Servant is anointed with the Spirit to bring Justice. In the Gospel lesson Jesus is anointed with the Spirit as God’s Son at His Baptism. Paul in the Epistle reminds his readers, that through our own incorporation into Christ we are to be regarded as dead to sin and alive in Christ. The Hymn of the Day recounts Christ’s own baptism and calls for us to live our lives anew to Him who has redeemed us.

Monday, 7 January 2019 Psalm 2:7-11, 12c antiphon, Isa, 42:1a -Behold My servant, whom I uphold, My chosen, in whom My soul delights. When the matador enters the ring, when your favorite teams enters the court, there is a thunder of applause from the adoring crowd. This is the Father’s response not only to His own Son Jesus but also with you. By grace through faith you have been incorporated into God’s family. At the celebration of the baptism of our Lord, we also remember our own baptism. This is your new status as one of Christ’s redeemed

Tuesday, 8 January 2019 Psalm 29 (antiphon; v.3) -Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness. This week’s Psalm is a hymn of praise to the King of creation whose majesty and power are trumpeted by the thunderbolts of the rainstorm – as the storm rose above the Mediterranean swept across the

Lebanon

range and rolled over the wilds of Kadesh. The key verse is the believer’s response we are to worship the Lord “in the splendor of His holiness.”

Wednesday, 9 January 2019 Isaiah 43:1-7 -God’s servant is anointed with the Spirit to bring justice. This is a servant song about Israel as God’s servant who will be anointed with the Spirit to bring justice and light to the nations. We can see the fulfillment of this prophecy in Jesus, and then the church as God’s servant carrying on the work of Jesus in the world.

Here is a much needed conception of the church as God’s servant. To be this, the church needs to be anointed by the Spirit (verse 1). As servant, the church will not use force but the compassion of life to attain her goals (verses 2, 3). She will not be discouraged in her work – in spite of setbacks in a hostile world (verse 4).

Thursday, 10 January 2019 Romans 6:1-11 -Your baptism is a birth certificate; your baptism is a death certificate. In baptism you died to sin and became alive to God. When we come to the Father in repentance and faith, our old Adam, that is, our old sinful nature is drowned and killed while a new man becomes alive in us to live before God in righteousness and purity. Each day is a death to self and a new life to God. The words of John the Baptist are a fitting refrain, “He must increase I must decrease” (John 3:30).

Friday 11, January 2019 Luke 3:15-22 - How many baptisms are there? Luke emphasizes the anointing of the Spirit in connection with baptism. The Holy Spirit comes to us in and through our baptism. In the Gospel lesson “water baptism” and “spirit baptism” are mentioned. In verse 16 John the Baptizer says he baptizes with water but a greater than he will baptize with the Spirit and fire. Water and Spirit baptism are one and the same. The Spirit comes with the Word manifested by the sign of water. Baptism is essentially a spiritual matter, a covenant between God and the believer. It is not a mere external matter of applying water to a person. You are a true and complete Christian by virtue of your baptism. This is your birthright, where faith is born. Its purpose and power cannot be taken away from you.

Saturday 12, January 2019 Luke 3:21-22 This week’s hymn of the week, “To Jordan came the Christ, our Lord”. Written by Martin Luther tells the story of salvation. The hymn recounts Christ’s own baptism and the new life He offers to us. As you meditate upon this wonderful hymn, resolve to daily walk with Him who has promised to order your days and direct you path.

Sources:

Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

Saturday, January 5, 2019

Epiphany

Epiphany

06 January 2019 –

Matthew 2:1-12

“Before & After”

O God, by the leading of a star You made known Your only-begotten Son to the Gentiles. Lead us, who know You by faith, to enjoy in heaven the fullness of Your divine presence;

What is man’s condition before and after Christ? Consider the Magi. Their lives were changed. What has happened to you? Before and after you have considered this baby. Born for us. For those touched by Christ, like the Magi, there is a before and an after.

I. Before…

A. Before they came to Bethlehem. “They went their way” (Vs. 9) Why are they called “wise”? They were more than men who studied the stars. History has called them wise because they made a quest for God.

Today men are wise if they seek God in Christ. The foolish ones of this world seek other things — power, prestige, possessions.

B. Before we are confronted with Christ we too can be tempted to go our own way in life following our own agendas, plans and directions. We find ourselves in a New Year. What would you determine to do this year in 2019? Is Christ a part of your future? Wise Men follow guidance. They saw a result of humble acceptance of guidance; they reached the Christ-child. Moreover, Wise Men then and now worship the King.

Transition: There was life before these Wise Men confronted Christ? – There was life after they met Him.

II. After

A. The Magi came to the child Jesus, worshiped, and gave gifts. We can see two kinds of worship. The one is a false worship based upon insincerity. Herod told the Wise Men to seek after the child, “that I too may come and worship him” (v. 8).

Out of fear for his position, Herod wanted to know where the new King was born. Today worship can be a guise for evil intentions. Or at least, we can become so easily distracted. CS Lewis remarks “all enjoyment spontaneously overflows into praise.” Yet, what is the object of our praise?

He continues, “The world rings with praise—lovers praising their mistresses, readers their favorite poet, walkers praising the countryside, players praising their favorite game—praise of weather, wines, dishes, actors, motors, horses, colleges, countries, historical personages, children, flowers, mountains, rare stamps, rare beetles, even sometimes politicians or scholars.”[1] In this New Year, may our focus be upon Christ. As the apostle Paul would remind us, “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” – 1 Corinthians 2:2

B. On the other hand, there is true worship practiced by the Wise Men: “They fell down and worshiped Him.” Even these gifts, which they offer says something concerning your Savior. These gifts were meaningful, full of symbolism: Gold because He was a king. With gold they confess His royalty. Frankincense - because He was a priest offering the perfume of prayer. With incense they proclaim His deity. With myrrh, His priestly sacrifice. Myrrh - because He was a redeemer. Who died to save the world. He alone will go to the bloody cross. There - He will suffer and die for you. In exchange for your sin He offers His perfection. His beauty replaces the ugliness of your sin. His innocence replaces your guiltiness and culpability.

Mark the prophecy – “By His stripes you are healed.” –Isaiah 53:5 “He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” – 1 Peter 2:23-24

Transition: The Wise Men’s lives were changed from before to after they had met the Christ child. How does this confrontation play out in your life today?

3. For you today.

A. When you bow down in worship before Christ, life is never the same again. No, the same challenges, failings and frustrations of the past year might still be yours today. But you have a connection with a Savior who has borne your iniquities and carried your sorrows. You need not strive with Him. His desire is to carry you – and accompany you along this life’s journey. Will you walk with Him this season?

B. Christ makes the difference in your life. These men had their lives changed. – They had encountered the Christ. – This is what made them wise. – They were humbled in the presence of Christ. And offered to Him their treasures gifts and praise.

Just what is the difference in your life? At Christmas we receive the gift of God in Jesus. Epiphany is the time for believers to give a return gift to God by presenting gifts to Christ, as the Wise Men did. It is noteworthy that the Wise Men gave their gifts as a part of their worship.

Giving something to God when we worship is a vital part of worship. It is an expression of faith and love. It is an offering of gifts to God in gratitude for the gifts we receive in faith.

Note the price of the gifts the Wise Men offered — nothing cheap: “Opening their treasures they offered Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh” (v. 11). What can you offer to the One who has everything? You offer yourself.

On mine heart imprint Your image

Blessed Jesus, King of grace,

That life’s riches, cares, and pleasures

Never may Your work erase;

Let the clear inscription be;

Jesus, crucified for me,

Is my life, my hope’s foundation,

And my glory and salvation.[2]

____________

Words-985

Passive Sentences-2%

Readability –78.5%

Reading Level-4.2

Image “The Visit of the Magi” © WELS by Schnorr von Carolsfeld, Baron Julius, 1794-1872; German painter; trained principally at Vienna and Rome; earlier work shows influence of Duerer; later joined the classicists; became associated with Cornelius, Overbeck, Schadow, and Veit; later work in style of Renaissance; distinguished especially for his "Bible in Pictures," fill of creative power.

[1] Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, 94.

Friday, January 4, 2019

Morning Prayer Reading 67

The Fiery Furnace - Part 1

Daniel 3

(Selective Verses)

3 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold. 2 Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 3 Then the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4 And the herald proclaimed aloud, “You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, 5 that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.” 7 Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

The Fiery Furnace

8 Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews. 9 They declared[b] to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever! 10 You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image. 11 And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace. 12 There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good.[c] But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?”

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.[d] 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Footnotes:

Daniel 3:1 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters

Daniel 3:9 Aramaic answered and said; also verses 24, 26

Daniel 3:15 Aramaic lacks well and good

Daniel 3:17 Or If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us, he will deliver us from the burning fiery furnace and out of your hand, O king

English Standard Version (ESV)

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Service Announcement for 2019

The year beginning with Advent in 2018 is Year C. We will focus primarily on the Gospel of St. Luke. The Epiphany of our Lord, (January 6) marks the first Sunday we gather in the year of our Lord 2019. The Sacrament will be offered this year on 28 of the 52 Sundays of the coming calendar year. There will be an additional six Communion services offered mid-week (Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Thanksgiving Eve, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas.)

The Transfiguration of our Lord will be observed on March 3. Ash Wednesday is March 6. Our Lenten mid-week observance will focus on the seven words from the cross. Our daily Lenten devotional will focus on the Psalms. Our Advent mid-week services will focus on the Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming of the Christ.

Palm Sunday will be celebrated on 14 April. Holy Week will be observed April 15-20. Easter will be celebrated on April 21. Public Examination will be observed on April 28 with the Rite of Confirmation on 5 May. The Lord’s Glorious Ascension will be observed on 30 May. Pentecost will be celebrated on June 9 and the Feast of Holy Trinity on June 16.

The Sunday of Christ the King falls on November 24. Thanksgiving will be celebrated November 27-28.

January

O God, by the leading of a star You made known Your only-begotten Son to the Gentiles. Lead us, who know You by faith, to enjoy in heaven the fullness of Your divine presence;

In January comes a New Year – 2019. 365 days filled with hopes, expectations and dreams for a bright future. Yet if this coming year will be like subsequent years past we know there will also come challenges and setbacks in the coming months. How will we make sense of it all as we anticipate a coming new year?

“Why are you fearful, oh you of little faith?” Jesus asks His disciples on the storm-tossed Sea of Galilee (Matthew 8:26). We are inclined and tend to fear when we try to play God, to face life by ourselves. Yet the Lord urges us to live by faith. To encourage us, the Bible gives us plenty of examples of people who lived by faith. (See Hebrews 11) As we begin a new year the story of the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12) are perfect models for us. They believed God’s Word and acted on it.

These wise men, they really had little to go on. They saw the star. Yet they trusted God’s Word implicitly. As for you, whatever befalls you in this coming New Year look to Jesus and His perfect will for you declared in the Scriptures. In Christ, you find all you need; forgiveness, help in life’s perils, and everlasting life.

On the church calendar it’s also a new season – Epiphany. In this new season we see Jesus for who He is – “the Word made flesh.” The theologian Augustine reminds us that Jesus has become our justice, our sanctification, and our redemption. Jesus entered time and space to be your Savior. Christ's active obedience (By doing what the law of God required — He has merited for you forgiveness and life.) is usually distinguished from His passive obedience. (Suffering for His people He paid the penalty for you) Yet every event of His life was a part of His payment of the penalty of sin. And every event of His life was a part of that glorious keeping of the law of God perfectly for you.

We enter this coming year and this season of Epiphany connected to Christ. Christ has redeemed you. It’s easy to become distracted seemly focused on our own agendas and plans. Look instead to your Savior and His boundless love for you in giving His life for yours. And keep looking; for in His resurrection, the Lord Jesus, who took your sins as His own, now declares His righteousness to be yours. Godspeed in this coming New Year.

Image Schnorr von Carolsfeld, Baron Julius, 1794-1872; German painter; trained principally at Vienna and Rome; earlier work shows influence of Duerer; later joined the classicists; became associated with Cornelius, Overbeck, Schadow, and Veit; later work in style of Renaissance; distinguished especially for his "Bible in Pictures," fill of creative power.