Pr. DFD

Sunday, January 10, 2021

Epiphany 2 Series B

Epiphany 2 Series B

17 January 2021

1 Samuel 3:1–10 (11–20)

1 Corinthians 6:12–20

John 1:43–51

The Lord God Is with You and Reveals Himself to You by the Preaching of His Word

Almighty and everlasting God, who governs all things in heaven and 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.

The Lord Jesus calls Philip and Nathanael to “come and see” that He is “the Son of God” and “the King of Israel” (John 1:43–49). And they shall see even “greater things than these” (John 1:50). For His body is the temple of God on earth, and by His priestly sacrifice the heavens will be opened to all who believe and are baptized into Him. Therefore, He calls Philip and Nathanael, first to hear His Word and then to speak as apostles, even as He once called Samuel and established him “as a prophet of the Lord” (1 Samuel 3:20). As the Lord was with Samuel “and let none of his words fall to the ground” (1 Samuel 3:19), He also accompanies and upholds the preachers of His Word in our day. Thus, by the Gospel that is preached to you, “your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you” (1 Corinthians 6:19). Since your body thus belongs to the Body of Christ, is meant “for the Lord” and shall be raised up like Him, now “glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:13–20).

__________

Suggested beginning outline

How do you walk with Jesus?

1. Go before Him examples Pilate, Caiaphas, Peter

2. Walk besides Him - yet we do not co-operate with our salvation. See explanation to 3rd. article

3. We walk behind Him - "Follow me" Jesus said. See Christ Be my leader stanza 1 LSB #861 "Let us ever walk with Jesus" 'Savior lead I follow Thee'

John 1:43–51

Τῇ ἐπαύριον ἠθέλησεν ἐξελθεῖν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν. καὶ εὑρίσκει Φίλιππον καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς• Ἀκολούθει μοι.

The next day Jesus decided (desired/determined) to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." - John 1:43

How much of John's preaching had Philip heard? He had heard the prophets every Saturday. Andrew and Peter had indeed heard John the last prophet. (See John 1:29-42)

ἦν δὲ ὁ Φίλιππος ἀπὸ Βηθσαϊδά, ἐκ τῆς πόλεως Ἀνδρέου καὶ Πέτρου.

Now Philip was from Bethsaida, from the city of Andrew and Peter. - John 1:44

not far from synagogue in Capernaum See Matthew 8:24, Mark 1:29, perhaps the city of James and John.

Bethsaida is town where Jesus met a blind man Mark 8:22-26, one of the woes see Luke 10:12-14

Bethsaida, city containing one of Jesus' woes. From Galilee, small, northern border.

Philip found Nathanael (See John 21:1-2; John 2)

εὑρίσκει Φίλιππος τὸν Ναθαναὴλ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ• Ὃν ἔγραψεν Μωϋσῆς ἐν τῷ νόμῳ καὶ οἱ προφῆται εὑρήκαμεν, [a]Ἰησοῦν υἱὸν τοῦ Ἰωσὴφ τὸν ἀπὸ Ναζαρέτ.

and said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." - John 1:45

John's code "the beloved Disciple"

John 1:15-16, 13:22-25, 19:25-27, 20:2, 21:20-23, 21:24

"Son of Joseph" people were known by their parents, literally, "Jesus, the son of Joseph, Joseph who comes from Nazareth"

We have found him. Verbs are flipped from vs. 43. The nature of man is to find God. Look at v. 43 he determined...he found Philip. Especially in the gospel of John Jesus is in control even during the passion. John 10:18, 18:1-11

καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ναθαναήλ• Ἐκ Ναζαρὲτ δύναταί τι ἀγαθὸν εἶναι; λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Φίλιππος• Ἔρχου καὶ ἴδε.

Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." - John 1:46

"Come and see."Evangelism in one verse here.

Is it possible for anything good to be from Nazareth? Why? After the resurrection Jesus will be called the Nazarene despised and rejected by men. Luther, "he spoken in amazement."

εἶδεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς τὸν Ναθαναὴλ ἐρχόμενον πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ λέγει περὶ αὐτοῦ• Ἴδε ἀληθῶς Ἰσραηλίτης ἐν ᾧ δόλος οὐκ ἔστιν.

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of (concerning)him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!" - John 1:47

Here is one who has no guile.

λέγει αὐτῷ Ναθαναήλ• Πόθεν με γινώσκεις; ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ• Πρὸ τοῦ σε Φίλιππον φωνῆσαι ὄντα ὑπὸ τὴν συκῆν εἶδόν σε.

Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." - John 1:48

How do you know me?

I saw you while you were being under the fight tree. A private place...Jesus sees in secret...he knows all.. See Psalm 139 " Lord you search me and know me. I'm the one who called you, who knows you even before you were formed. I am the one who calls you to faith.

ἀπεκρίθη [d]αὐτῷ Ναθαναήλ• Ῥαββί, σὺ εἶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ, σὺ [e]βασιλεὺς εἶ τοῦ Ἰσραήλ.

Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" - John 1:49

All Nathaniel says is spoken in faith see Matthew 25, "when did we see you..."

Close to Peter's confession, a powerful confession, Matthew 16:13-18

ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ• Ὅτι εἶπόν σοι ὅτι εἶδόν σε ὑποκάτω τῆς συκῆς πιστεύεις; μείζω τούτων ὄψῃ.

Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these." - John 1:50

Greater things you will see. Romans 10

Nathaniel believed because what he heard Jesus promises greater things he will see.

καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ• Ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ὄψεσθε τὸν οὐρανὸν ἀνεῳγότα καὶ τοὺς ἀγγέλους τοῦ θεοῦ ἀναβαίνοντας καὶ καταβαίνοντας ἐπὶ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου.

And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, (heavens were opened at Jesus' baptism) and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." - John 1:51

See Amos 9:2; Ezekiel 44.3 entrance through the Christ. Ezekiel 34

Fulfilled at the baptism, transfiguration crucifixion, resurrection, return.

Luther’s Seal © Higher Things

Time in the Word - Epiphany 2

Time in the Word

January 11-16, 2021

Preparation for next week, Epiphany 2

The theme for the second Sunday after the Epiphany is quite clear –the call of God. Jesus calls Philip and Nathanael to discipleship in the Gospel. God calls Samuel to be his prophet in the Old Testament lesson. Through Paul and the church, God calls us to glorify Him in our bodies. When we respond to God’s call, we appreciate His goodness and thus we break forth in praise.

How many today feel that they are carrying out a call of God? Probably, very few. For most, life is a matter of making a living as best they can and getting some enjoyment out of doing it. Under this philosophy, the one thing they look forward to is retirement – no work and all play! Christians are different. Their lives are a fulfillment of God’s call to a specific task.

God the Father calls you to a holy vocation – 1 Samuel 3:1-10

God the Son calls you to discipleship – John 1:43-51

God the Spirit calls you to glorify God – 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

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.

Prayers for the Epiphany Season–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; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Most merciful God, You gave Your eternal Word to become incarnate of the pure Virgin. Grant Your people grace to put away fleshly lusts that they may be ready for Your visitation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Lord God, You showed Your glory and led many to faith by the works of Your Son. As He brought gladness and healing to His people, grant us these same gifts and lead us also to perfect faith in Him.

God and men proceed in contrary ways. People settle first on whatever is best, and afterward they deal with what is worse. God first gives the cross and affliction, then honor and blessedness. He does this is because we seek to preserve the sinful flesh, which urges us to keep the Law by works and offer promises great and sweet. But the result has a stale taste. And although the flesh is intoxicated with great promises, it does not feel its wretchedness. Yet when the wine is digested and the false promises gone, the wretchedness appears. God, however, terrifies the conscience, sets on miserable wine, in fact nothing but water. Then He consoles us with the promises of the Gospel which endure forever. (Martin Luther)

 Morning Prayer Readings for the Coming Week:

January 11 76 Jesus Presented in Temple

January 12 77 The Wise Men

January 13 Chapel Day

January 14 78 Flight into Egypt

January 15 79 Jesus in the Temple

 Catechism Review: Baptism 3 & 4

Monday, January 11, 2021—Psalm 40:1-5—The Antiphon, is taken from Psalm 40:10, “I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of Your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal Your love and Your truth from the great assembly.” When speaking of the Lord, we must center our conversation on His faithfulness and salvation, which flows from righteousness. The word Epiphany literally means, I see, I understand, I see the light, I get it! In Epiphany we “get it!” This Jesus whom we have worshipped at Christmas truly is the Son of God. By grace, through faith, by the Spirit’s aid we are brought to a right understanding of spiritual things; finally we “get it!”

Tuesday, January 12. 2011—Psalm 139:1-10—The key verse of this psalm is verse 14, I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” The Psalmist is saying literally, “Lord you know me as one who formed me yet I cannot begin to comprehend this creature you have fashioned. I can only look upon him with awe and wonder.” Miracles happen all around us. Some might wonder if the Lord will support them in the New Year. The antiphon affirms He will. He acts in our lives so we can see that the plan He has for us and the path he has determined for us will be the best for us. Fare-thee-well child of God; His sure hand shall guide you.

Wednesday, January 13, 2021—1 Samuel 3:1-10—The child Samuel hears God’s call to be a prophet. In the temple at Shiloh, the boy Samuel is serving the priest Eli. He sleeps near the Ark of the Covenant, a symbol of God’s presence. One night Samuel is called. Twice he mistakes the voice of God for Eli’s. Then Eli instructs the boy to say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.” Samuel obeys and God speaks to him of future happenings in Israel.

Thursday, January 14, 2021—1 Corinthians 6:12-20—The human body is to glorify God. People in the Corinthian church were sexually immoral for religious reasons. They accepted the truth that Christ’s death on the cross fulfilled the law for them. Since they were saved by grace alone, they felt free to do what they pleased. Some of them participated in sexual perversion. Paul counters this thinking by giving a theology of the body. These words of Paul give us a divine perspective. We are not free to do as we please. The grace of God is not a license to sin.

Friday, January 15, 2021—John 1:43-51—Jesus calls Philip and Nathanael. When Jesus is in the area of John the Baptist, He calls Andrew and Peter as disciples. Then He goes to Galilee and calls Philip of Bethsaida. Philip asks Nathanael to come and see one, who he claims, is the Messiah.

At first Nathanael is skeptical and asks if anything good can come from an insignificant village of Nazareth. When Jesus tells Nathanael that he saw him under a fig tree at the time when Philip invited him, Nathanael changes his mind and calls Jesus the Son of God and King. Jesus did not want him to base his opinion on a miracle and promises that Nathanael will see greater things in the future.

Notice the word of Jesus’ call to Philip denotes a relationship between Christ and the Christian. To follow Jesus means we acknowledge and accept Him as shepherd, leader, and master. It is not an association of peers. There is no democratic relationship of equality. The word also indicates our position in the relationship. To follow Him does not mean we walk with Him (beside Him), nor before Him, but behind Him. He is first and we are second; He is leader and we are followers; He is master and we are servants.

Saturday, January 16, 2021—Matthew 16:24—The hymn of the day is, “Come Follow Me, the Savior Spake” (LSB 688). Nathanael is asked to follow as the Savior has directed him. Some decisions we make are life altering. Where do we go for direction in life? We seek the Lord. As He has promised to guide us, we too must follow. It would do us little good if we decide to head in the opposite direction from whence we should go. This much loved hymn speaks of the Lord guiding His own.

Sources

Luther’s Works: American Edit Edition.55 volumes. (Volumes 1-30, Concordia Publishing House; volumes 31 31-55, Fortress Press)

Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts "God calls Samuel" and "Jesus calls Philip and Nathanael" © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.

Saturday, January 9, 2021

The Baptism of our Lord

Mark 1:9-11
Jesus’ Baptism –It’s for Real!

Jesus once with sinners numbered,
Full obedience was Your path;
You, by death have consecrated
Water in this saving bath;
Dying to the sin of Adam,
Rising to s life of grace;
We are counted with the righteous,
Over us the cross You trace.

Baptized Savior, Bless Thy Word; that we may trust in Thee!

For Jesus His Baptism was a real personal experience. According to Mark only Jesus saw the dove and heard the voice. In Jesus’ experience, baptism was as real as the things we can see, feel, and hear. Your baptism is the real thing – It’s the real deal!

I. River – Jesus’ baptism was as real as the water He feels – V.9 “At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan”

A. Why did Jesus submit Himself to a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins? John was reluctance to baptize Jesus: "But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness" Matthew 3:14-15

When Jesus walked into the river Jordan your sin was placed on Him. While His righteousness, His perfection, is given to you. Jesus took your sin as His own. And in exchange – you receive Him. The good news of the gospel is simply this – you are reconciled to God. You are justified by God not on the basis of what you did but on the basis of what has been accomplished for you by Christ.

At the heart of the gospel is a double transfer. You sin is reassigned to Jesus. His righteousness is given to you. And in this two-fold transaction; you sin goes to Jesus while His righteousness comes to you. And you are free; free from sin, free to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

B. In His baptism Jesus is identifying with a sinful race. When Jesus was baptized the work of man’s redemption was begun. “Could Jesus forgive my sin?” One might ask. Jesus knows you, “warts and all”. Furthermore, He makes it His business to forgive you by identifying with you in His baptism.

C. Jesus had to identify Himself with sinful humanity at the very outset of His ministry. This He did by submitting to the Father’s will in His own baptism. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

D. Christ is treated by His Father as if He were a sinner. Christ became the object of God's wrath and bore the penalty and guilt of sin. So complete was the identification of the sinless Christ with the sin of the sinner; including its dire guilt and its dread consequence of separation from God, that Paul could say profoundly, "God made him . . . to be sin for us."

A question could be asked. Will I be judge in order to get into heaven by my own righteousness or by the righteousness of Christ? If I had to trust in my own righteousness I would completely and utterly despair of any possibility of ever being redeemed. But when we begin to see that the righteousness that is ours by faith is the perfect righteousness of Christ, then we see how glorious is the good news of the gospel.

Transition: How real is this baptism? It’s as real as the water you feel. It is as real as the dove we see.

II. Dove – This baptism is as real as the dove He sees – V.10 “As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.”

A. Jesus is now anointed by the Spirit for ministry. In His first sermon in the synagogue at Nazareth Jesus would say to His hearers "The Spirit of the Lord is on me" -Luke 4:18. Jesus Himself claimed this anointing was the Father’s own doing. All that Jesus will teach us in this New Year comes from the Father.

1. When Gentiles heard the good news Peter stood up and said, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.” - Acts 10:38

2. Luke would remind us, "At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. But he said, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea. - Luke 4:42-44

B. Not so with the antagonists. They will claim that Jesus has a false spirit, an evil spirit; one is from the prince of demons. “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me.” John8:49

Transition: How real is this baptism? It’s as real as the water you feel. It is as real as the dove you see. It is as real as the voice you hear.

III. Voice – Baptism is as real as the voice He hears – V.11 “And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased’.”

A. We are encouraged to purchase those products which has Good Housekeeping’s _TM stamp of approval. Jesus receives the Father’s stamp of approval! God the Father confesses Jesus as His Son and witnesses to His approval of His Son. The Father is well pleased in not only sending His own Son but He is well pleased in what He was sent to do, to redeem the world of sin and death. Jesus will make all things new as He goes to the cross and breaks free from the tomb.

B. The Father knows the unique mission He has given to His Son and states His confidence in Him. Will Jesus be able to accomplish His mission? The Father has placed all of His confidence in Jesus. Jesus is able to accomplish all that the Father has asked Him to do. If the Father has complete confidence in His Son why should we tremble or doubt?

How real is this baptism? It’s as real as the water you feel. It is as real as the dove we see. It is as real as the voice we hear.

Words- 1,145
Passive Sentences –12 %
Readability –80.7 %
Reading Level –5.2
Image copyright © Ed Riojas Higher Things

Friday, January 8, 2021

Saturday prior to the Baptism of our Lord

The Gospel lesson for tomorrow records the events of John baptizing Jesus in the Jordan River. With His baptism Jesus will begin His earthly public ministry. John comes preaching repentance and baptizing in the Jordan. He prepares the way for Jesus by telling the people that one is coming who will baptize with the Spirit. Then comes Jesus from Nazareth and is baptized by John. According to Mark, this is a personal experience of Jesus, for He alone saw the dove and heard the Father’s voice. From this moment Jesus is the Son of God.

Matthew 3:13-17; Hebrews 2:17; Luke 4:18; 2 Corinthians 4:21 - The hymn of the day for the Baptism of our Lord is, To Jordan’s River Came Our Lord (LSB 405). In this hymn references are made to the Savior’s baptism. The Theme for the day emphasizes baptism as the time of the Spirit’s reception and the beginning of ministry.

To Jordan’s River Came Our Lord

1. To Jordan’s river came our Lord,
The Christ, whom heav’nly hosts adored,
The God from God, the Light from Light,
The Lord of glory, pow’r, and might.

2. The Savior came to be baptized–
The Son of God in flesh disguised–
To stand beneath the Father’s will
And all His righteousness fulfill.

3. As Jesus in the Jordan stood
And John baptized the Lamb of God,
The Holy Spirit, heav’nly dove,
Descended on Him from above.

4. Then from God’s throne with thund’rous sound
Came God’s own voice with words profound:
“This is My Son,” was His decree,
“The one I love, who pleases Me.”

5. The Father’s word, the Spirit’s flight

Anointed Christ in glorious sight
As God’s own choice, from Adam’s fall
To save the world and free us all.

6. Now rise, faint hearts, be resolute;
This man is Christ, our substitute!
He was baptized in Jordan’s stream,
Proclaimed Redeemer, Lord supreme.

Let us honor Christ’s baptism and celebrate this feast in holiness. Be cleansed entirely and continue to be cleansed. Nothing gives such pleasure to God as the conversion and salvation of human beings, for whom his every word and every revelation exist. He wants you to become a living force for all humanity, lights shining in the world. You are to be radiant lights as you stand beside Christ, the great light, bathed in the glory of him who is the light of heaven. You are to enjoy more and more the pure and dazzling light of the Trinity. For now you have received — through not in its fullness — a ray of its splendor, proceeding from the one God, in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom be glory and power forever and ever. (Leo the Great)

Thursday, January 7, 2021

Friday prior to the Baptism of our Lord

Mark 1:4-11—Sunday’s Gospel reading is St. Mark’s account of the baptism of our Lord. In Jesus’ baptism, God the Father proclaimed Jesus His Son, whom He loves.

In His baptism, our sins are washed onto Jesus, and the baptismal waters sanctified, that they might wash our sins off us. We, too, are beloved of God. The day of our Baptism is one of the greatest days in our lives, when our old man was drowned in those sacred waters, and our new selves, righteous and holy, were brought forth to “live before God in righteousness and purity forever.”

The Father declares that Jesus is His Son. Here Jesus receives the knowledge of His identity, His self-understanding, and of His mission in life as the Messiah. Wasn’t Jesus God’s Son prior to His baptism or does this mean that this is the first time Jesus came to a realization of who He was? It is important to note that we only know who we are and what we are to do in relation to the Father. When we know whose we are, we know who we are. Baptism for us is the time of adoption as children of God. By His grace we are accepted as children of His kingdom. Baptism is the initiation and incorporation into the body of Christ.

Almighty God, You have poured into our hearts the true Light of Your incarnate Word. Grant that this Light may shine forth in our lives; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.[1]

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Thursday prior to the Baptism of our Lord

Romans 6:1-11—Paul will explain both the when and how of the Christian’s death to sin. Baptism is a means by which we enter into a vital faith relationship with Jesus Christ. It is a means of receiving God’s grace, and it depicts graphically what happens as a result of the Christian’s union with Christ. Through faith we are united with Christ, just as through our natural birth we are united with Adam.

As we fell into sin and became subject to death in father Adam, so we now have died and been raise again with Christ – with baptism effects.

This is what the Catechism teaches.

As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household

What is Baptism?

Baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water included in God’s command and combined with God’s word.

Which is that word of God?

Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Matthew: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” -Matthew 28:19

What benefits does Baptism give?

It works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.

Which are these words and promises of God?

Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Mark: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” -Mark 16:16

How can water do such great things?

Certainly not just water, but the word of God in and with the water does these things, along with the faith which trusts this word of God in the water. For without God’s word the water is plain water and no Baptism. But with the word of God it is a Baptism, that is, a life-giving water, rich in grace, and a washing of the new birth in the Holy Spirit, as St. Paul says in Titus, chapter three: “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying.” -Titus 3:5–8

What does such baptizing with water indicate?

It indicates that the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

Where is this written?

St. Paul writes in Romans chapter six: “We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” -Romans 6:4[1]

Tuesday, January 5, 2021

Wednesday prior to the Baptism of our Lord

Genesis 1:1-5—The Old Testament lesson for the Baptism of our Lord reminds us once again that the Voice of God is important. In ten phrases the Creator of the Universe speaks the world into existence. Sunday’s Old Testament lesson will focus on Day 1.

Merely by speaking God brought all things into being – see also the following –

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.-Psalm 33:6, 9

By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. -Hebrews 11:3.

The LORD’s first creative word called forth light in the midst of the darkness. Light is necessary for making the Father’s creative works visible and life possible. As you have been baptized, the LORD is re-creating faith in a once sin-darkened heart.

Collect for Epiphany January 6: 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; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen[1]

[1] Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

“Creation Day one” from a woodcut by Baron Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a distinguished German artist known especially for his book, The Book of Books in Pictures © WELS used by permission for personal and congregational use.

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