Good morning!
We're so glad you chose to join us today!
When we meet together in person, we share joys and concerns together. If you have any prayer requests to share, please add them as a comment on this post. When you are ready, use the prayer below to get started.
We confess that we don't have all the answers. You alone have the answers and know our futures. In our lives, Lord, show us a peace that passes all understanding when we face uncertainty. Help us to remember that you love us, provide for us, and guide us by Your perfect will. Amen.
Today's lesson is on Habakkuk 2:1-5.
Faced with unjust behavior of Judah's enemies, the prophet Habakkuk questioned the Lord. Habakkuk wondered whether the Lord heard his questions or if the Lord had left the conversation altogether. We know nothing regarding the exact details of the life of Habakkuk. With the events mentioned in this book Habakkuk likely served sometime during the last decade of the seventh century BC; that would be during the reign of evil King Jehoiakim (609-598 BC).
Following the split of Israel into two kingdoms in about 931 BC things went pretty much downhill for both. The kingdoms of Israel (10 tribes to the north) and Judah (2 tribes to the south). The Assyrians conquered and exiled the northern tribes in 722 BC. About a century later the Babylonian Empire became the regional superpower after defeating the Assyrians and Egyptians at the battle of Carchemish in 605 BC. King Josiah of Judah unwisely interfered, contributing to the Babylonian victory; Josiah's action also cost him his life. (2 Chronicles 35: 20-27) Just as Habakkuk 1:6 promised, Babylonian force invaded Judah and overthrew its king. For a few years, Judah's kings served as vassals to the Babylonians. However, this arrangement didn't last. During the final year of the reign of King Zedekiah (587 BC) Jerusalem and the kingdom fell to the Babylonians after about a decade of conflict. This places Habakkuk as a contemporary of the prophet Jeremiah. Both prophets received a warning that the people of Jerusalem would face dire consequences because of sinful behavior. An outline of the book of Habakkuk reveals a conversation between the prophet and the Lord. Two sections of the book consist of the prophet's questions to the Lord. Following each round of inquiry, the Lord responded. In Habakkuk's first section of questioning, he expressed discontent that the Lord had seemingly not heard the prophet's call for correction of sin. In his complaint, the prophet's conclusion for this uncorrected state of affairs was that “the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails”. The Lord answered that he was going to use the Babylonians to punish Judah. This response left Habakkuk even more confused. In his lengthy rejoinder, the prophet asked why the Lord would use a less-righteous nation. Today's text picks up at the very end of Habakkuk's second complaint. In the first verse the prophet shifts from questioning the Lord to waiting for the Lord's response. When people call out to the Lord, the timing of his response is always perfect, but it is not always as fast as we desire. Habakkuk himself has been impatient in this regard. Habakkuk had no idea how long it would take. In this determined concentration, the prophet envisioned himself as a lookout who would stand at his watch as he performed the duty of a person responsible for sounding an early warning of something that was approaching. The Old Testament prophets were spiritual lookouts for the people they served. The prophets were to proclaim the arrival of the Lord's reign (Isaiah 52:8-10) and warn the people of the consequences of their disobedience (example Jeremiah 6:17). In most cases, the people failed to heed the warning of these prophetic watchmen. But if their failure to heed was due to the prophet's failure to warn, then the prophet would be accountable. The Lord replied to Habakkuk's complaints and told him to write it on tablets which would be almost permanent. When prophets wrote messages from the Lord they frequently did so on rolls (scrolls) of papyrus which would be fragile and could be burned. The same could not be said of stone. Habakkuk got his response but had to wait for its fulfillment. God's promise would eventually be fulfilled, but not on a timetable that Habakkuk desired. We frequently become impatient when we have to wait. Rather than wait for God to act, we may take steps to expedite God's promise. Rather than see God as patient we interpret God's silence as his refusal to act or hear. Habakkuk needed to trust that the Lord would respond to wickedness in the Lord's own time and manner. The Lord's message distinguishes two types of people. The first type is the person who is puffed up with self-assured pride and arrogance. Such a perspective was indicative of Judah's enemies during this time. The military strength of the Babylonians was undeniable, leading them to count their power as a god. Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar saw the expanse of the kingdom as the result of his power. Even as the Lord raised the Babylonians to conquer Judah, he acknowledged their pride. Such people will face dramatic consequences. (see Leviticus 26:19: Luke 18:14) The second type - the righteous – lives with an entirely different outlook, one of faithfulness. Their lives are grounded in righteousness. Such a person follows God's standards regarding their relationships with God and others. This person lives with integrity and without blame for wrongdoing. Psalm 15, attributed to King David, depicts the mindset and behavior of a righteous person. This type of person speaks well of others, keeps a trustworthy word and treats others fairly. God expresses great pleasure when his people live justly and righteously. This is because his nature is righteousness: and his rule over creation is one of justice. The Hebrew word translated faithfulness is also translated as “truth” in Jeremiah 5. To be a person of faith goes hand in hand with being a person of truth. Unfaithful people depart from the truth. In the book of Habakkuk, God calls his people to have faith in the truth of his plans, even when those plans seem unbelievable. Although the Babylonians would prosper for a time by placing faith in themselves, the people of Judah were to depend on the Lord. The apostle Paul connected the concepts of truth and faithfulness in applying them to his ministry as an apostle (1 Timothy 2:7; Titus 1:1) we must proclaim truth and live with faithfulness as we follow God and trust him. Elsewhere, Paul quoted Habakkuk 2:4b in explaining the nature of the gospel with regard to righteousness, which is a characteristic of God that is to be ours as well. (Romans 1:16-17) To be righteous is to do what is right in God's eyes but it can't be based on mere good behavior. Instead, a right standing before God is imputed on the basis of faith. Paul quotes Habakkuk in Galatians 3:11-14. In a section of Hebrews that teaches the importance of the perseverance of faith, quotes from a portion of Habakkuk 2:3: ”For, in just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” And, “But my righteous one will live by faith:” We live by faith because we can trust that God will also be faithful to his promise. Babylon's military successes made them want more military conquest. The Bible addresses the dangers of pride and arrogance more than 200 times. Arrogant, prideful people always incur God's disfavor. Such prideful behavior will not go unpunished. God will reverse selfish ambition. In response to the arrogance and destructive behavior of Judah's enemies, the Lord predicts punishment in terms of five sets of “woe”. Although Judah was to suffer for its arrogant disobedience, its prideful and arrogant enemies would also experience a downfall equally devastating, if not more so.
Conclusion – Questioning God
Is it OK to question God's (apparent) actions or inactions? The dependable answer is, “It depends”. We see God tolerating, even welcoming questions in numerous places. (Examples: Judges 20:18; James 1:5; 4:2) One thing God does not tolerate, however, are inquiries that question his justice (see Job 40:8; Ezekiel 18:25-29; Jeremiah 2:29) The prophet Habakkuk came close to doing that. Consider the following thumbnail sketch of the book: Question 1: Why do you, O God, tolerate the sins of your people? Response 1: Don't worry about it – I'm sending the Babylonians to punish them. Question 2 : How is it fair to use the less-righteous to punish the more-righteous? Response 2: Don't worry about it-the Babylonians will get theirs too. God's ending of the discussion: Be quiet! When our suffering does not seem “fair” there are a lot of questions we might naturally ask. God was under no obligation to answer Habakkuk's questions and he is not obligated to answer ours. Habakkuk needed faith to trust the Lord's plans, regardless of whether or not those plans made human sense. God reminded Habakkuk that a life of faithfulness was most important. And the faith we are talking about isn't “blind faith”- a faith where one merely believes. Instead, the faith we are talking about is a faith based on evidence. God has a long track record of faithfulness to his promises. Upon that track record is where our faith is based. Such faith trusts God's control in all circumstances. As a result, we can be secure in him, regardless of whether or not we understand his plans.
Prayer
God, as we face life's hardship and want to question you, help us have the confidence of faith. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Questions for Discussion
Benediction
This week's benediction is from the Legacy Standard Bible.
Next week, we will begin our spring quarter, with the topic Examining our Faith. We will be switching back to Sunday School before the worship service.
The lesson next week will be on Jude 17-25.
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Good morning!
We're so glad you chose to join us today!
When we meet in person, we share our joys and concerns with each other. If you have prayer requests to share, you can add them to the comments on this post. When you are ready, you may use the prayer below to get started:
Lord, we confess that you are with us and that you have the power to help us in every situation. Yet we often get so caught up in the busyness of our daily lives that we fail to pray or we approach you only with shallow and selfish prayers.
Give our relationship with you the depth and consistency of Daniel, who could not stop praying any more than he could stop breathing. Help us to rely on you for every moment of our lives, in good times and in struggles. For we ask it in Christ’s name. Amen.
Today's lesson is on Daniel 6:10-11, 14, 16, 19-23, 26-27. You can also read it with all of the skipped verses here.
Lesson context
Several years have passed since the events of last week’s lesson, when God protected the lives of three faithful Jewish exiles from a fiery furnace. In the meantime, the Persian Empire has arisen and replaced the Babylonians. As our lesson begins, a Persian king named Darius has appointed 120 “satraps,” who were subordinate provincial officials under the authority of three administrators, including Daniel. The king preferred Daniel and planned to give him authority over the entire kingdom, but this led to envy among Daniel’s peers. Therefore, they schemed against him. When they couldn’t find any fault in Daniel’s work on behalf of the king, they developed a trap from which even Darius would not be able to release Daniel. Since Daniel was trustworthy and was not corrupt or negligent, the schemers realized their plan had to pit Daniel’s loyalty to the king against his loyalty to God. Knowing that Daniel prayed to God faithfully each day, they encouraged the king to announce a decree that anyone who prayed to any deity or man except the king for 30 days would be thrown into a den of lions. Darius did so.
Violation and consequence (Verses 10-11, 14, 16)
Despite the decree, Daniel continued to pray as always, and his peers soon reported him to the king. The Law of Moses commanded people to remember God’s commands daily. At the dedication of Solomon’s temple, the Lord commanded the people to pray toward Jerusalem and the temple during times of distress. However, there was no command to kneel and pray three times a day. This was a part of Daniel’s personal spiritual routine, and he would do it regardless of the consequences. As a group, the men went to find Daniel praying and asking God for help. When the king learned about it, he was distressed and made every effort to save him. However, the officials reminded him of his decree and how Daniel had violated it. Darius realized he had been manipulated because of envy and selfishness. The king had been naive and had failed to see that he was being used as a pawn in the plot. Instead of being angered by Daniel’s disobedience, he was displeased with himself. A similar thing happens in the book of Esther, when a Persian king issues a decree that he cannot revoke. Because there is no non-biblical reference to such laws, the exact stipulations are unknown. However, it seems that it was impossible even for the king himself to reverse his decree. As required, the king gave the order for the consequences to be carried out. According to the lesson, an excavated Assyrian relief dating to the seventh century BC depicts Assyrian royals hunting lions for sport. Such lions were kept in dens before being released into an arena for “hunting.” The Assyrians practiced a form of polytheism, believing in many gods, but Darius recognized that Daniel prayed to one God. Although some think believe the king was speaking with skepticism or even sarcasm, It seems most likely that the king sincerely wanted Daniel’s God to rescue him and believed God could do it. His faith contrasts with that of Nebuchadnezzar in the previous lesson. In that story, the king doubted that any god could rescue the three men from the furnace. Only after seeing it for himself did he admit that “no other god can save in this way.”
Release and vindication (Verses 19-23, 26-27)
Although not a part of the printed lesson, the Bible says that the mouth of the den was sealed with a stone, secured by the king’s own signet, and that the king spent the night without eating, without entertainment and without sleep. It is clear that the king is fully invested in Daniel’s plight. Therefore, at first light he rushes to the lions’ den, knowing that the only way Daniel could survive was by God’s intervention. As he approaches the den, Darius calls out, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, who you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” The words are important. Darius is gaining a deeper understanding that Daniel’s God is a living God who is able to intervene in human situations, unlike the so-called gods of the Assyrians. Even though Daniel came to the perilous situation because of the king’s lack of insight, Daniel did not disrespect or hold a grudge against Darius. “May the king live forever!” he responded. This is the first and only time in the book that a Jewish person greets a king in this way. Daniel testifies that God sent an angel who shut the lions’ mouths and that God did this because God found Daniel innocent. This does not mean that Daniel was perfect but only that he tried to follow God’s laws and to serve the king faithfully. The king’s anxiety turns to joy and gladness over Daniel’s condition. Daniel did not have a wound on him, and it was because he trusted in God. This does not imply that faithfulness obligates God to save believers from death. Some believers have experienced martyrdom, but all who remain faithful are promised eternal rewards. In either case, public displays of faithfulness have a transforming influence on the community. This was true in Daniel’s case. Darius issues a decree that the entire kingdom must fear and reverence the God of Daniel
Conclusion
Public confessions model something meaningful for today’s Christians. It’s easy to think of “confession: as an admission of sin, especially in a lurid, tell-all fashion. But that is not what the word means when describing the texts in Daniel. Here, the confession tells good news. The Lord chose to deliver Daniel, which resulted in the king’s surprising new edict. Daniel’s confession what happened with the lions and the king’s reaction reoriented both the characters in the story and those reading about them to a larger truth. God’s reign is both eternal and full of goodness. God’s loyalty to his people reflects God’s divine character and the large-scale divine plan to redeem humanity. Daniel knew that, and eventually, so did Darius. So do we. The church continues to confess its sins but also God’s redemption. Our life of celebration begins where Darius ended his learning experience. By repeatedly confessing God’s goodness, we bring those outside within hearing distance of the gospel itself. Daniel did so by his faithfulness in this story, and we do so too when we confess the gospel of our salvation.
Prayer
Living God, you care for your people and have promised to be with us no matter what we face. Give us the courage to face adversity and maintain faithfulness to you. Help us behave with mercy to those who have sought to harm us. Show us how to follow you in a manner that brings other people closer to you. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Questions for discussion
Benediction
This week's benediction is from the New Revised Standard Version.
Next week's lesson will be on Habakkuk 2:1-5.
Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us today!
When we meet in person, we take time to share any joys or concerns we may have. If you have any prayer requests to share, please add them as a comment on this post. When you are ready, use the prayer below (source) to get started.
Dear Father in heaven, please give me the same kind of faith that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego demonstrated! When adversity, persecution, ridicule, and ostracism come, I want my faith to stand up to the test. Thank you, dear Father, for giving me the Bible, which is my book of heroes who stood their ground and kept their faith, especially under fire. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's lesson is on Daniel 3:19-28.
Lesson Context
The book of Daniel takes place during the exile in Babylon. People were deported from Judah from 605 BC to 586 BC when Judah fell. Among the deported were talented young men selected for their fitness for service to the Babylonian king. The book describes the wisdom of Daniel and his friends as they lived and served in Babylon. The men's position required a demonstration of some loyalty to the Babylonian king. An example of this was their change in name (Daniel 1:6-7). The book of Daniel is preserved in two different languages. Part of the book is in Hebrew, while the other is in Aramaic, for the Gentile empires. Today's story comes from the portion in Aramaic. Before our text begins, Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, erected a large image of gold. It was probably located several miles south of the city of Babylon. Royal subjects, advisors, and kingdom officials arrived for the image's dedication ceremony and to worship it. Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego refused to worship the image. As punishment, they were thrown into a blazing furnace to be executed.
Royal Anger (verses 19-23)
King Nebuchadnezzar was furious! He ordered his trusted advisors to be thrown into the furnace. Because he was so angry, he ordered the furnace to be as hot as it could get. The best, strongest soldiers carried Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego to the furnace. The men probably had flammable, Persian-style clothing on. They were bound and thrown down in. The furnace was so hot that the soldiers carrying the Jewish men were burned up in the flames.
Divine Presence (verses 24-28)
Throughout the book of Daniel, the leaders in Babylon reacted with fear and amazement when God demonstrated miraculous power. Nebuchadnezzar's response continues the trend. He intended to execute three Jewish men. Instead, he was amazed to see four men walking around in the furnace, completely unharmed. We are not really sure who or what the fourth man was. This man may have been a pre-incarnate version of Christ, or an angelic presence. Nebuchadnezzar interpreted the vision as "like a son of the gods," probably based on the pagan pantheon of gods he was accustomed to. This divine presence was sent by God to protect his people. The king realized that they were protected by the most high God. He acknowledged the superiority of the God of Israel. However, he still accepted other pagan gods. Everyone in the king's service was amazed when Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego walked out of the furnace. The last verse of our lesson is a summary. Nebuchadnezzar saw God's miraculous work of deliverance. As a result, the king proclaimed that God be praised. The king changed his word and acknowledged that God's power to save was unparalleled. Eventually, the king will totally and completely worship the one true God (Daniel 4:34-37).
Conclusion
Two options face believers when we experience the testing of our faith. One possibility is that we succumb to the testing. The other option is to maintain faithfulness to God, despite the testing. Even when faced with death, the men in today's passage chose the latter option. Their faith in God provided the courage they needed to withstand the testing and resist committing evil. Although we may never experience the same testing, all believers will likely experience some amount of testing of our faith. God is faithful to his people, even when they are tested. When we face these experiences, we can have trust and respond with faithfulness to him.
Prayer
Most high God, you are the one true God. You are faithful to your people, and you continue to show your faithfulness to us. Through your Spirit, fortify our faith and trust so we can continue to resist the temptation to worship other "gods" -- large and small. Show us how we might support other believers in their trials of faith. Give us encouragement and strength no matter where you have called us. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Questions for Discussion
Benediction
Today's benediction is from the Message.
Next week's lesson will be on Daniel 6:10-11, 14, 16, 19-23, 26-27.
Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us today!
When we meet in person, we take time to share prayer requests we might have. If you have any to share, please add them as a comment on this post. When you are ready, use the prayer below (source) to get started.
O Lord, thank you for sustaining me through the hard times in my life. Thank you for helping me soar, doing things for you that I never dreamed I could accomplish. Father, thank you for blessing me during the everyday comings and goings of life. I depend upon you for help and strength. For every good thing in my life I praise you and thank you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's lesson is on Isaiah 40:12-23, 25-31.
The New Testament tells us that God spoke through the prophets. Prophets were fearless men whose main duty was to deal with the religious and moral life of the people. The keynote of Isaiah is “salvation.” Isaiah means “salvation of Jehovah.” At the time of Isaiah, Israel was divided into the Northern and Southern Kingdom. Isaiah spoke to Judah. He also portrays the birth, family, anointing, character, simplicity of life, gentleness, death, resurrection and his glorious return and reign of the coming Messiah. Isaiah was a man of royal blood. He was an aristocrat who was brought up in the court and had high standing with the people of Jerusalem. Tradition tells us that his ministry as a prophet lasted 60 years and he was 120 years old when he died.
Prayer
Father, we thank you for the record left to us by the prophet Isaiah! May we realize fully that, with the New Testament, we now have immeasurably more insight into your nature than Isaiah did! Help us to take neither you nor your Word for granted. Renew our strength as only you are able to do. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. Thought to Remember There is never any power shortage with God.
Questions for Discussion
Benediction
Today's benediction is from the New King James Version.
Next week's lesson will be on Daniel 3:19-28.
Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us today!
When we meet each week, we take time to share any prayer requests we might have. If you have any to share, please add them as a comment to this post. When you are ready, use the prayer below (source) to get started.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Help us to learn and grow in our spiritual gifts that you uniquely give each of us. We ask that you help us to use our spiritual gifts for your glory. We pray that we may be bold in sharing the gospel, and that we would be faithful in serving you. We ask that you would help us to grow in our knowledge of you and that we would be obedient to your will. We praise you for your goodness and your faithfulness, and we ask that you continue to work in our lives. In Jesus name. Amen
This week's lesson is on Romans 12:3-8.
The book of Romans was written by Paul in about AD 58, Probably toward the end of his third missionary journey. At that point, Paul had not yet been to Rome, but greatly wished to visit. He would do so, but in chains as a prisoner.
He made it to Rome by about AD 61 but remained under house arrest, unable to move about the city as he might have wished. Paul wrote his letter to the church to introduce himself and his teaching prior to a personal visit there. The church was likely established not long after the day of Pentecost, some 30 years earlier. Some of the Jews who heard Peter's sermon that day were from Rome, and it's easy to imagine that they were the ones who started the church after returning home to Rome. There is little doubt that the Roman church had heard of Paul and looked forward to meeting him. The book of Romans falls into two major sections. The first part, Romans 1-11, features some of the most doctrinal heavy thoughts in all of Scripture. A shift comes with Romans 12-16, which addresses how Christians then live in light of the truth of those doctrines. The ability to discern the “what God's will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will” begins with the correct thought of ourselves. For a person to think soberly is to think rationally and appropriately. Paul introduced the common standard of measurement by which to evaluate oneself: it is the measure of faith. For just as each of us has one body with many members and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. It should be obvious that not all parts of the body perform the same function. A hand does not function as an ear and vice versa. Paul desired his readers to think in terms of one as a collective singular of many. As Christians cannot serve effectively apart from other Christians, so also one body cannot operate independently of the head, who is Christ.
Gifts- How to serve
Paul begins a list of seven different gifts. The gift of prophecy involves proclaiming information divinely revealed for the church's edification. We pause here for caution: as Paul begins his listing of such gifts according to this text and others. But to do so runs the risk of missing the bigger picture which is spiritual gifts serve as an example of a church that is united in it diversity Spiritual gifts are not given merely to bless the person receiving the gift but to build up the church as a whole. Most of all, these gifts are intended to be displays of love between believers. We move to the second gift in Paul's grouping of four: service. Service was the usual way to describe the work that Christians did on behalf of others. Christian ministry in general (Romans 15:25; Philemon 13) The ministry of Christ (Romans 15:8; Galatians 2:17) Specific Christian ministries (Romans 11:13; 2 Corinthians 9:12-13) Ministry of the office of deacon (Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3: 8-13) Ministry of a secular authority (Romans 13:4) Paul then focuses on the person who teaches rather than the gift of teaching. Teaching is distinct from prophesying. Prophesy is based on revealing the information that God has placed in the prophet's mouth; teaching involves communicating the truth of the gospel. Teaching was critical for the first-century church, where many people were not formally educated. They learned from auditory instructions instead of reading. Therefore, it was and is a primary task of the eldership. Fourth gift is encouragement. Primary ways Paul used this was to comfort, urge, or encourage. Paul is challenging those with this gift to use it in terms of being a bit stronger than merely “requesting” something of someone else but a bit less strong than “commanding” that person. If it is giving, then give generously. To give is to share with another or the church what one has. This is an expectation of all believers. There are no ulterior motives for our giving. If it is to lead, do it diligently. This includes church leadership, family leadership or household management and self-management. To be such a person is to be in control in a godly sense. If you show mercy, do it cheerfully. To show mercy requires both action and proper attitude. Showing mercy involves more than merely offering lip service sympathy or forgiveness. In the Beatitudes Jesus states, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” The mercy we ourselves have received from God is the basis for our own action of mercy, as Jesus' parable of the unmerciful servant makes clear. (Matthew 18:21-35) We see the cheerfulness aspect of showing mercy also reflected in giving (2 Corinthians 9:7), such giving being a specific kind of merciful act. At this point, this list of spiritual gifts ends. But the very next verse (Romans 12:9) relates love to spiritual gifts in much the same way as 1 Corinthians 12:14 does. Love is the touchstone for how any spiritual gift is used.
Conclusion: All gifts matter
We understand that all spiritual gifts are important. But at the same time, we know that not all such gifts are equal and that not all believers are equally gifted (Matthew 25:14-15) As a result, our natural tendency is to pay more attention to the gifts that are more visible, more “out front” to the public. The highly visible preacher of the church usually gets paid more that the less visible custodian who cleans the church. But here's where Paul's illustration of body members working together (unity in diversity) comes in per Romans 12: 4-5: I don't think you would want to go to a dirty and smelly church any more than you would want to go to church with a horrible preacher! The functions of one's hands are much more varied, useful and visible then are the functions of one's elbow. But a nonfunctioning elbow will severely limit how the hand can function. Pride is a danger to those having the more visible gifts. Also a danger is that those who have the less visible gifts won't use them, perhaps figuratively “burying” them. (Matthew 25:25) But just as no human body functions to its highest potential unless all of its parts are working together, so also the church- the body of Christ – does not function at full potential until all of its members use their spiritual gifts. The cure or preventative for both pride of gifts and nonuse of gifts is Luke 17:10. “So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, we are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.” Your gifts A popular tool that churches and ministries have turned to since at least the 1980's is a spiritual gifts assessment inventory (or tests) during my time as a student in Bible college and seminary. You can take these tests online and get your results. Most of the time, they told me what I suspected already: that teaching was one of my spiritual gifts. Occasionally, an inventory would indicate that I had a secondary gift that I didn't realize. One such result was that I had the gift of administration. I found that to be exceptionally funny, given the reality of the piles of books, articles and papers piled on my desk, floor and couch. This goes to show that these inventories aren't perfect – they can be misleading. An assumption behind those inventories is that helping people identify what their giftings are will mean that those who have been enlightened will automatically start using those gifts. But that is not always so. People will need encouragement to use and otherwise develop their spiritual gifts. Sometimes, people need the wisdom and insight of others to help discern which giftings are present. Another assumption is that such inventories are even needed for people to be able to identify their areas of spiritual giftedness. A more accurate indicator may be personal experience. What types of Christians service do your personal experiences tell you that you have been best at? Where have you fallen flat.
Prayer
Father, you have called all of your servants to serve. Help us to realize our gifts and give us the courage to develop and use them for your glory. Help us to remember that no matter what our gifts are all members of one body and that no one is unimportant to your church and to you. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Thought to remember: Know your spiritual gifts and use them with humility
Questions
Benediction
This week's benediction is from the King James Version.
Next week's lesson will be on Isaiah 40:12-13, 25-31.
Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us today!
When we meet in person, we share our joys and concerns with each other. If you have prayer requests to share, you can add them to the comments on this post. When you are ready, you may use the prayer below to get started:
Gracious God, we gather this morning facing various challenges in our lives. We admit that we are fearful and uncertain about what lies ahead, that we are ill-equipped to handle them in our own strength. And so we turn to you, and we ask you to go before us and to help us overcome our problems.
Because you are a God who cares about us, we praise you and we thank you. In Christ’s name. Amen.
Today's lesson is on 2 Chronicles 20:13-20.
Lesson context
The book of 2 Chronicles covers the period from 970 BC to 536 BC. It spans from Solomon, the last king of Israel as a united monarchy, to Cyrus, the king of Persia who ended the Babylonian exile. Readers may wonder why the books of 1 and 2 Chronicles are useful since much of their content mirrors that of 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings. A clue is found in the title of 1 and 2 Chronicles as appearing in the Greek version of the Old Testament, known as the Septuagint. There the title translates into English as “Things Omitted.” “Things Omitted” is an appropriate designation for the text of today’s lesson. It focuses on events during the reign of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah (the southern kingdom of the divided Israel) from about 872 BC to 848 BC. The text of 2 Chronicles 17:1-21:3 has much more information about him than is recorded in 1 Kings 15:24 and 22:1-50. Jehoshaphat reigned during the period of the divided monarchy in Israelite history. He was one of the more godly kings of Judah. He is noted for his efforts to rid Judah of idol worship and to promote the teaching of God’s law throughout the land. Also noteworthy is the respect he was held in by surrounding people and the attention he gave to various building projects and administrative reforms. On the downside, however, he entered into an ill-advised alliance with Ahab, king of northern Israel, who enlisted Jehoshaphat’s help in retaking some territory from the Arameans. After hearing of God’s displeasure with that alliance, Jehoshaphat reorganized his government both physically and spiritually. Later a coalition of enemy forces began marching toward Judah. That resulted in the king and his country becoming unified in fasting and public prayer — prayer that confessed utter reliance on the Lord to defeat this threat (1 Kings 20:3-12). The Lord’s response came next.
Facing a crisis (verses 13 to 17)
In this dire situation, representatives from every town came together. The crisis was so severe, in fact, that not only men but also women and children participated. After hearing the king’s prayer, they awaited God’s response. Then the Spirit of the Lord “came on” a man named Jahaziel. As the lesson points out, during the Old Testament era, God’s Spirit seems to have come on certain individuals for a limited time and a specific purpose. In this case, it was so that God could speak through him to the people of Judah. Through him, God tells the people not to be afraid or discouraged by the vast army that is approaching. That’s because the battle is God’s, not theirs. That would have been comforting news to those who believed the message. The coalition army was only about 25 miles away and could be there in less than three days. The instructions are not for the people to do nothing, however. The next day they are to march a particular location, the Pass of Ziz, less than 20 miles from Jerusalem. Although they are to take their positions and stand firm, they will only witness how the Lord delivers them. The words are similar to the ones Moses spoke to the people centuries earlier when the Egyptians pursued them. (See Exodus 14:13-14.)
‘Faith-ing’ a crisis (verses 18-20)
The Lord had heard the king’s prayer and was answering it. Worship was the proper response. The king bowed down, and the people followed his example. Then some from the priestly families of Kohath and Korah got up from the ground and began praising God loudly. Kohath was the second of Levi’s sons. Korah is best known for organizing a rebellion against the authority of Moses. He and those who followed him were swallowed by the earth, but not all the Korahites joined in the rebellion. These are descendants of those who did not rebel. What a contrast it is between these descendants, who rose up to praise God, and some of their ancestors, who rose up to defy Moses! As they set out, King Jehoshaphat calls on his people to have faith in the Lord and to believe in the message they had heard. By having faith in the prophetic message, they will succeed, he tells them. Elsewhere in the Old Testament, when God’s people ignored or mocked the prophets, God sent judgment upon them. (See, for example, 2 Kings 17.) The people of Judah chose to listen to God’s words in this case, and God brought them a providential and even miraculous deliverance. Although it’s not part of today’s lesson, when the people of Judah arrived, instead of finding a vast army, they found a multitude of dead bodies. The biblical account does not tell exactly how this happened but only that the Lord set up ambushes for them and the coalition forces began fighting among themselves. Some commentators speculate that angels initiated a battle, and the different forces began fighting among themselves. Others suggest that a band of desert wanderers attacked a portion of the army, and the allies began attacking each other. In any case, the people were able to plunder their enemies possessions. Both the king and his people returned to Jerusalem just as they had left it — in triumphant praise and worship of the Lord.
Conclusion
King Jehoshaphat had offered a passionate plea to the Lord for help, admitting that neither the king nor his people had any strategy or resources to confront the oncoming threat. Perhaps as his prayer progressed, his voice grew louder, possibly even trembling as he reached the end and declared his utter dependence upon God: “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20:12). Then came Jahaziel’s Spirit-empowered words. The people’s “uplook” changed their outlook. All of us can probably recall a time when a passage of God’s Word was especially reassuring and helped get us through difficult circumstances. We may not have felt as desperate as Jehoshaphat did, but we experienced the energy that comes from God’s encouragement. We may not be like Jahaziel, who encouraged a king and his nation when the Spirit of God came upon him. But perhaps during the course of a day, someone will come to mind that we should share a Scripture passage with by a phone call, text message, email or postcard. Who might that be?
Prayer
Father, our culture and our world are often characterized by speech and actions that oppose your truth. Keep our eyes on you daily, that we may escape their influence! Thank you for the one who have encouraged us over the years through your promises. May we seek to pass that blessing on to others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Questions for discussion:
Benediction
Today's benediction is from the New International Version.
Next week's lesson will be on Romans 12:3-8.
Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us today!
Each week that we meet in person, we take some time to share any joys or concerns we might have. Take some time to consider your past week. If you have any prayer requests to share, please add them as a comment to this post. When you are ready, use the prayer below (source) to get started.
Lord, today I place my trust in You with all my heart. I acknowledge that my understanding is limited, and I lean on You for guidance and wisdom in all I do.
Help me to rely not on my own understanding but on Your infinite knowledge and love. As I prepare to face the challenges and blessings of this day, I submit myself to Your will. I surrender my plans, desires, and ambitions to You, knowing that Your ways are higher and wiser than mine. I ask for the humility and strength to align my actions and decisions with Your divine purpose. Lord, please make my paths straight. Remove any obstacles that may lead me astray from Your righteous and loving path. Grant me the clarity to discern Your will and the courage to follow it, even when it may seem unclear or difficult. In every moment of this day, I seek Your guidance and presence. Whether in times of joy or trial, help me to remember Proverbs 3:5-6, and may these verses be a constant reminder of Your steadfast love and faithfulness. Thank You, Heavenly Father, for the assurance that as I trust in You, submit to Your ways, and seek Your guidance, You will lead me on a straight and purposeful path. With gratitude and love, I commit this day to You, trusting that You are always by my side. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Today's lesson is on Proverbs 3:1-8.
Lesson Context
The book of Proverbs is generally, mostly attributed to King Solomon. Its importance is in how it communicates what makes up a life of wisdom. All people can learn and apply the wisdom taught in the book of Proverbs. It is divided into five sections: an introduction to wisdom (Proverbs 1-9), the proverbs of Solomon (10:1-22:16; 25:1-29:27), the words of the wise (22:17-24:34), the words of Agur (Proverbs 30), and the words of King Lemuel (Proverbs 31). We know nothing about Agur or King Lemuel. The book has us listening to the teachings of a father to his son. With one exception, the poetic order of each pair of verses in today's scripture follows the same pattern. First, the father gives his son a negative command. Second, the father gives a positive command. Finally, the father concludes that section with a promise for his son.
One Law (verses 1-2)
This passage is set up as a father talking to his son. The son is told to "keep my commands in your heart." In the Old Testament, the heart refers to a person's inner being. The commands should become part of the son's volitions, emotions, and knowledge. A way to keep the commands would be to commit them to memory, and obey them. This reflects on the Law of Moses, where children are to honor their parents. A child who honors their parents is entering a life of wisdom. This will be a flourishing life, with relational harmony.
Two Virtues (verses 3-4)
Love and faithfulness are two key words in the Old Testament, especially regarding the attributes of God. Love frequently refers to God's loyalty and commitment to his people. Faithfulness conveys the idea of reliability. For the father speaking to his son, he wants to see his son's heart transformed. The son should do good actions that come from a heart oriented toward the virtues of mercy and truth. In the Old Testament, a person might bind something around their neck to show the importance and significance of that item to the wearer. The father's speech is interpreted as figurative language by our book. It is meant to highlight the extent that the son should go to in order to develop a life of love and faithfulness. The virtues are not to be hidden from the world. By having the virtues of love and faithfulness, the son will win favor. This means he will be held in high regard. Having a life of wisdom and character will not only win favor with God, but with other people as well. A good name and good reputation take time to develop. Not only do these things provide a personal benefit, but they are also avenues to honor God and reveal God to other people.
One Trust (verses 5-6)
Placing trust anywhere other than God can lead to futility or destruction. It does not lead to any lasting or eternal wisdom. Leaning on your own understanding can lead to pride. Only foolish people trust themselves more than the wisdom of the Lord. The Lord is worthy to be trusted because he is the source of salvation. To trust with all your heart is total commitment. It is all-encompassing. To submit to God means to know him and give him proper recognition for his activity in a person's life. It involves a willingness to yield to his will. God will all-knowing, all-present and all-powerful. We can trust that he will provide his people with a wise and righteous path. This is not a promise of an easy life. However, God has provided us with an avenue of peace through Christ Jesus.
Two Actions (verses 7-8)
The opposite of trusting and submitting to God is to consider one's wisdom as the final say. God is the source of wisdom. He desire to give his people wisdom through his Spirit. As a result, God's people should avoid lives of pride and arrogance. Instead, they should seek wisdom from God. The example of King Solomon provides us with a warning based on this verse. He received wisdom from God. However, he failed to follow God's wisdom. As a result, he experience heartache and the promise of consequences that would extend past his lifetime. To fear the Lord involves having an attitude of reverence, awe, wonder, faith, and trust in the Lord. It is impossible to be wise in one's own eyes and simultaneously fear the Lord. Instead, an attitude of humility is required. The last verse of the passage is difficult to translate because it is a Hebrew idiom. The King James Version translates the verse as, "It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones." Our book says that this is a more accurate translation of the original Hebrew. This may be a literary practice wherein one part of the body represents the whole. A life of humility, fear of the Lord and obedience to him results in the complete wholeness of a person. We know that a person's status in life does not correlate to the quality of a person's heart. While people may experience wholeness and health in part while on earth, scripture promises a time in the future when God, "will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away," (Revelation 21:4).
Conclusion
It is easy for believers to sy that we are seeking the wisdom of God when in actuality, other voices influence our lives and shape our perspectives. If we're filling our lives with human ideas rather than the wisdom of God, which will have more influence?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the inspired wisdom you have revealed to us in scripture. Help us to listen and follow your word. Show us how we can be more attentive to the direction of your Spirit so that we might have lives of wisdom. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Questions for Discussion
Benediction
Today's benediction is from the English Standard Version.
Next week's lesson will be on 2 Chronicles 20:13-20.
Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us for the first Sunday of 2024!
Yesterday was Epiphany, the day when we celebrate the wise men coming to see Jesus.
We meet in person most weeks, and discuss the lesson together. We also share any prayer requests we have. Consider the last week, and any prayer requests you might have. You can add these as a comment on this post. When you are ready, use the prayer below (source) to get started.
Loving Father, I can be so entrenched in my own thinking that sometimes I doubt Your Word and question Your promises, often wishing I had some concrete proof of Your love for me. Forgive me, Lord - I know that Your Word gives me all the affirmation of this absolute reality that I need. Your Word and promises are sure, and Your faithfulness stretches beyond the limits of time and space. Thank You for the gift of faith. I pray that, day by day, my loving trust in You will become increasingly established within my heart for I long to please You in all I say and do and am. In Jesus' name, AMEN.
Today's lesson is on Hebrews 11:1-4a, 7a, 8, 17-18, 20-23, 32, 39-40. If you would like to read the passage uninterrupted, Hebrews 11:1-40.
Luke says he writes so that you can know for certain. John writes so that we can believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
The book of Hebrews is a bit of a puzzle. Scholars can’t agree on who wrote it or when it was written. They do agree that Hebrews offers a description of faith, and a history of God’s people. This letter was written to encourage a people not to give up on their faith because of the suffering they endure. Faith, for Hebrews, is always linked to hope. Faith is looking at God and trusting him for everything. Hope is looking at the future and trusting God for it. Over two thousand years later we still have a similar faith. We believe in things we cannot see. You can’t see electricity but when you flip a switch, you see the light. You can’t see anything on a CD or DVD but you know that sound and pictures are there. Yes, faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. In various translations, this chapter is introduced by many titles: “The Meaning of Faith,” “By Faith we Understand,” “Description of Faith,” and in the Bible most of us use, NIV, “Faith in Action”. The chapter’s list of saints who have gone before us is often called a cloud of witnesses. Each of us has our own cloud of witnesses: parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, Sunday School teachers and pastors. Remember them and be thankful. In 2024 we have the advantage of knowing about Jesus, the cross and his resurrection. We have been empowered by the gift of the Holy Spirit. God has called each one of us to work for his kingdom.
Conclusion
Some faithful people have some significant imperfections. We are to walk by faith not by sight. We have an advantage over Old Testament teachers because we have the privilege of knowing about Jesus and his resurrection. Because we believe in the promises of God, it becomes our duty to do what God calls us to do, believing that the Holy Spirit will empower us to do so. Prayer Heavenly Father, we thank you for these faithful servants of yours whose deeds inspire us in our faith. May we prove to be at least as faithful as they were. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. Thought to Remember Faith overrides imperfections!
Questions for Discussion
Benediction
Today's benediction is from the Tree of Life Version.
Next week's lesson is on Proverbs 3:1-8.
Good morning!
We're so glad you're joining us today!
When we meet in person, we share our joys and concerns. Take some time to consider the past week, and any prayer requests you might have. When you are ready, use the prayer below (source) to get started.
Lord, may we be like the Wise Men who were guided to you by a star. Give us wisdom to seek you, light to guide us to you, courage to search until we find you, graciousness to worship you and generosity to lay our gifts before you, who are our King and our God for ever and ever. Amen
Today's lesson is on Matthew 2:1-12.
Our text for study involves a mysterious star. This invites a consideration of the distinctions between astronomy and astrology. In modern times, we make a clear-cut distinction between two. But the two were blended together in the ancient world. Astronomy is the scientific study of the sun, moon, stars, planets, etc.; Astrology combines that study with the belief that the so-called gods orchestrate the appearances, positions and movements, therefore reveal information about divine plans for the future. Astrology is practiced today in the form of horoscopes associated with the zodiac.
In the Old Testament, astrologers are mentioned most in the book of Daniel. The people of Israel were warned about pagan occult practices; astrology, being a part of it, was one of them. And moving from consulting the stars to worshiping the stars was an all too easy step to take. The ancient Greek translation of the book of Daniel designates such men as magi, from which we derive our modern word magician. But words change meaning over time, and how ancient people viewed magi is not to be equated with the contemporary role of a magician who uses sleight of hand to entertain audiences. Instead, this word describes men of wisdom; we surmise they were astrologers-scholars. Matthew gives fewer details about the actual birth of Jesus than Luke. Instead, Matthew relates the nativity story with simplicity. Jesus was born in Bethlehem. A few details are added, trying to account for the geography and history of Palestine. Bethlehem is a village located a few miles southwest of Jerusalem. It is the birthplace of King David. King Herod the Great, who ruled 37-4 BC as the first Roman puppet-king of Judea. He died shortly after today's events. Herod the Great was not an ethnic Jew but an Idumean (related to modern Arabs) He is designated as “The Great” because of his extensive building projects. The grandest of these was the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, a project he began about 20 BC and that was unfinished at the time of his death. Many legends have arisen in Christian tradition about these Magi. These include speculations regarding their occupations (kings?), their number (three?), their names (Melchior, Casper, and Balthazar?) and their place of origin (Babylon? Persia?) Matthew's account doesn't answer such questions. We should understand from the east as describing their point of origin, not their route. The lands of Babylon and Persia lie 600 miles or more from Jerusalem in a straight line that crosses the Syrian Desert. But it is highly unlikely that the wise men traveled across the intervening desert. Instead they would have come to Jerusalem by following the Euphrates River valley to Syria and then south through Damascus. This was a well traveled trade route through a region called the Fertile Crescent. Such a route would have been a thousand miles. It would take four months to walk this distance. That there are at least two Magi is certain because the term is plural. But beyond that, we don't know how many there were. The tradition that there were three wise men seems based on the fact they offered three gifts to Jesus in Matthew. They likely would have been in a large, well-funded entourage. Verse 7 indicates that the Magi were granted a personal audience with Herod at some point. They either had diplomatic letters of introduction, could offer generous bribes or presented such a regal appearance that Herod agreed to see them. That is why some speculated the visitors were “kings.” "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and came to worship him." The wise men interpret the new star as a sign that the newly arrived King of the Jews was important enough to be worthy of their worship. Although not specified in Matthew, this is often seen as a fulfillment of the “star out of Jacob” prophecy of Numbers 24:17. The wise man's inquiry did not sit well with the paranoid King Herod. He was an old man who had sons and wives put to death when seen as threats to his throne. In Jerusalem they knew what the King was capable of when he was disturbed. The people of the city would be willing to do anything to placate the king. The chief priest ruled Jerusalem's temple. They had an uneasy alliance with Herod that had enriched them greatly as the party of the Sadducee. The teachers of the law were the experts in the Jewish Scriptures, often called upon to interpret fine points of the Law of Moses. Herod was no expert on things such as prophecies concerning coming kings. Even so, he was apparently aware that the Jews believed a Christ was coming, the chosen Messiah of the Lord. Herod connects these prophecies with the inquiry of the wise men. Therefore, he asked the religious leader to reveal the birthplace of the Messiah, believing that it must have been specified in the writing of the prophets. While this would give an answer to the wise men, Herod had a more devious motive in learning the location. The religious leaders quoted Micah 5:2. On the precise designation Bethlehem in Judea. This prophecy was already 700 years old at the time of Herod. It recognizes the insignificance of Bethlehem. It foretells the raising up of a new ruler from this city. And it indicates this person would not be a mere city ruler or district supervisor. Instead, the prophesied Messiah would shepherd my people Israel. He lied to the wise men and said he desired to worship him also. They were to return to him and give the direct location of him. When they left the star appeared again. They were overjoyed because they could travel at night. The location of the child with his mother Mary was no longer the manger but a house. The Magi were not empty-handed in their worship of Jesus. They present him with costly gifts for a king. They gave him the gift of gold, likely coins that would help the family's subsequent flight to Egypt and return to Nazareth. They gave him Frankincense which was the finest incense in the ancient world. It was imported from southern Arabia and Africa. It was prized for its use in religious ceremonies and as a costly sacrificial offering. The third gift was of Myrrh. It was valued as an ingredient in perfume; it was used for anointing and in preparing a body for burial. The wise men were warned in a dream not to report back to King Herod. This warning served to protect not only the child Jesus but also Mary, Joseph and the Magi. Herod's intent was to have this potential king killed and the others could have felt his wrath as well.
Conclusion
A favorite Christmas carol of mine about the wise men is the nineteenth-composition “The Three Kings” by Peter Cornelius. True, it has many of the legendary aspects of their story in presuming that they were kings, that they came from Persia, etc. The lesson of the carol is still powerful, though, and speaks to us today as one stanza implores their audience to travel with the kings to Bethlehem, and offers hearts to the infant King of Kings. Most of us don't have much gold to offer Jesus. And if we even had any frankincense or myrrh, how would we offer those? But we can offer him sincere hearts in worship. He is the Son of God, the true Messiah. At this time of year when we remember and celebrate the birth of our Lord in Bethlehem may we offer our most precious gift: our hearts. Prayer Father, help us to emulate the faith of the wise men? As they let nothing stop them fro reach Jesus, may we do so as well. May the faith that allowed them to thwart the plans of a powerful opponent be ours as well. May we offer your Son, Jesus, no empty-handed worship. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. Last year Lisa Hamilton gave us a book called “The Fourth Wise Man”. It is also a 1985 movie starring Martin Sheen and Alan Arkin. I streamed it for free on my phone. It had a good moral to it. It is about a Magi who wanted to follow the star so he could worship the King of the Jews. He has three jewels he wants to give to the Messiah. He misses the caravan and is always one step away from seeing Jesus. He spends much of his remaining wealth and all of his energy helping the poor and the unfortunate people he meets, until at the end of his life he finally finds Jesus at his trial. He wants to pay Jesus ransom with his last jewel he had saved a young girl who was being sold for her father's debt. When he was dying he saw the Risen Christ and he apologizes for never giving him his gift. Jesus said “ but you did For when I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me.” The Magi said “Lord I never saw you till today” Jesus said.”I tell you whatever you did for one the least of these brothers, you did for me.”
Questions
Benediction
This week's benediction is from the New Living Translation.
Next week will be the first Sunday of the new year! The lesson will be on Hebrews 11:1-4, 7, 8, 17-18, 20-23, 32, 39-40.
Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us on Christmas Eve!
Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve.
When we meet in person, we share our joys and concerns with each other. If you have prayer requests to share, you can add them to the comments on this post. When you are ready, use the prayer below to get started. It was written by Ben Luker, an apprentice at the Calvin Institute for Christian Worship.
Almighty God, giver of strength, we know that you have made a way for those who believe. We remember your faithfulness. We rejoice in your presence as we seek wisdom in the many decisions we have to make. Give us thankful hearts in troubled times, hearts sustained by your Holy Spirit.
Open our eyes to the wonders of your love in Jesus Christ and turn us from that which distracts us from the good. In your One and Only Son we pray, Amen.
Today's lesson is on Luke 1:36-45, 56.
Lesson context
Church history and the great majority of scholars attribute the books of Luke and Acts to Luke, the apostle Paul’s traveling companion in the book of Acts. While on those missionary journeys, Luke — who is believed to have been the beloved physician referred to in Colossians 4 — may have interviewed people who knew Jesus personally. Among those people may have been Mary, the mother of Jesus, which could be how he could offer such detail about many encounters, even when only two people were involved. Such an encounter is recorded in our lesson for today. It is a meeting between Mary and her relative Elizabeth when each was miraculously pregnant. Elizabeth was a married woman beyond the age of childbirth, and Mary was an unmarried virgin. As the text opens, the birth of Elizabeth’s baby — the person who came to be known as John the Baptist — has been foretold (Luke 1:5-25) and the birth of Jesus to Mary has also been foretold (Luke 1:26-35). Both births were proclaimed through angelic visitations.
Acceptance of the message (verses 36-38)
Our lesson begins with the last part of a statement that the angel Gabriel makes to Mary. The angel is responding to Mary’s question about she will be a mother when she is a virgin. He replies that hers is not the only miraculous pregnancy but that her relative Elizabeth is also about to give birth. It is not certain exactly how Mary and Elizabeth are related, although most scholars believe they are probably cousins. However, the news about Elizabeth’s pregnancy would have strengthened Mary’s faith and confirmed the angel’s words about Mary’s pregnancy. The angel concludes with words that echo those of a divine visitor who spoke to Abraham about his own struggle with infertility and God’s miraculous intervention in Genesis 18: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” In Mary’s case, the angel says, “For no word from God will ever fail.” Both Mary and Elizabeth’s husband Zechariah had asked the angel how this would occur. Their questions differ, however, in that Zechariah was skeptical and wanted a sign, but Mary was simply curious. Ironically, Zechariah does receive a sign, although probably not one he had wanted. He is unable to speak until the his son is born. Following Gabriel’s response, Mary simply agrees and submits. Although it may not have been necessary for the plan to unfold, it shows that despite the peril, Mary was a willing and humble participant in what was about to happen.
Joyous meeting (verses 39-45 and 56)
Very soon after the angel’s visit, Mary leaves to visit Elizabeth. If Zechariah served as priest in the city of Hebron, Mary and Elizabeth live about 100 miles apart, which explains why Mary had not heard about Elizabeth’s pregnancy. Even if he served in another city, the two women lived at least 35 miles apart. Either way, this was no easy journey for Mary, but she probably needed first-hand confirmation of the angel’s message as well as fellowship with the only other person who could possibly understand what she was going through. She also leaves fairly quickly because it would be easier to travel during the early stages of her pregnancy. Elizabeth is probably about six months along in her pregnancy. As Mary arrives, she enters the home and greets Elizabeth. At that moment, Elizabeth’s baby not only moves but “leaped for joy,” according to Elizabeth. This foreshadows the role that John the Baptist will play later in life in pointing people to Jesus. At that moment, Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and begins to speak. The Holy Spirit plays a key role in Luke’s gospel and in the book of Acts. Inspired by the Holy Spirit and without even hearing that Mary is pregnant at this point, Elizabeth cries out that Mary is blessed among women and that Mary’s child is blessed as well. Even though Jesus has not yet been born and has hardly begun to form in Mary’s womb, Elizabeth calls him her Lord. According to the lesson, for Elizabeth to say that shows her great faith that God is intervening in history through this child. It is also a divinely inspired statement of humility. Elizabeth’s statement of joy and affirmation runs from verse 42 to 45. She uses the term “blessed” three times — twice in verse 42 and once in verse 45. Even though they have been translated as the same word in English, they are actually two different words in Greek. In verse 42, the word is eulogēmenē (eὐλογημένη) and eulogēmenos (εὐλογημένος). It’s the word from which we get our English word for eulogy, which means to speak well of. So the sense in verse 42 is that people will speak well of both Mary and of the child she will bear. It is the same word that the angel Gabriel uses in verse 28 (not in today’s lesson) when he greets Mary and calls her blessed among women. However, in verse 45, the Greek word that we translate as blessed is actually makaria (μακαρία). It is a word that refers to a person who will enjoy “favorable circumstances.” Therefore when Elizabeth calls Mary blessed here, she is not simply stating that others will speak well of her. She is saying that God is using her in a wonderful way that will ultimately lead to her happiness. This is the same word that Jesus uses to refer to people who are blessed in the Beatitudes.
The Greater Blessed
Jackie married her high school sweetheart, received an offer for her dream job, bought her dream house, and became pregnant in the same year. Every conversation she had with her friends resulted in the response: “You are so blessed!” Here sister, Jasmine, did not hear the same pronouncement nearly as often. Jasmine remained single and made less than half as much money as Jackie. But Jasmine was a Christian and a member of a church, while sister Jackie was not. Which of these two women was the greater blessed? The answer to that depends on which lens you use in viewing their situations. Viewed strictly through a worldly leans, Jackie was the great blessed; but viewed through the heavenly lens of eternity, the greater blessed is Jasmine. Which lens do you use to view your own status and situation? Have you forgotten how blessed you are to believe in Christ? It’s easy to do in a world that casts God to the side and enthrones his gifts as gods themselves. But let Elizabeth’s pronouncements of blessing remind you of the true nature of blessedness. Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months, which means that she left around the time Elizabeth gave birth. (Luke has already told us in 1:26) that Elizabeth was already six months pregnant when the angel visited Mary.) These three months would have undoubtedly been a time of mutual support and joy over what was happening to and through the women.
Conclusion
When it comes to belief and faith, I have often wondered whether I am more in the mold of Zechariah, with his doubts, than I am in the role of Mary, with her faith and acceptance. As I write this, there are multiple degrees in biblical studies hanging on my office wall, and I have 20 years of teaching experience at a Bible college under my belt. As a seasoned priest, Zechariah was similarly well-educated in the things of God. You would expect him to have the greater faith. But the greater faith is found with Mary. Now I genuinely believe my education is a blessing and helps my faith. Yet there are times when I wonder whether my education distracts me from having faith like Mary’s. Perhaps we trust in our learning and understanding to figure things out rather than trusting God, and in so doing violate Proverbs 3:6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Mary wasn’t as formally educated as the learned priest. Yet her belief was genuine. What Mary was asked to accept was not an easy thing, and God understood this. In encouraging Mary’s faith, the angel pointed her both backward to the story of Abraham and Sarah and forward to what was happening to Elizabeth. God may call you to a role similar to that of the angel as you point another person backward to a champion of faith forward to an example of how God is now working. The joy experienced by John the Baptist and Elizabeth resulted from Mary’s faith, at least in part. The ripple effect of this joy is also seen in passages such as Matthew 2:10 and Luke 2:10, 21-38. That ripple effect reaches us here in the twenty-first century — or at least it should!
Prayer
Lord, thank you for the example of Mary’s trusting belief. Show us how Mary’s example can inform our own faith. Help us move ever more toward belief and faith! Thank you for the encouragement of your faithful people of the past as recorded in your Word. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Questions for discussion
Benediction
Today's benediction is from the New International Version.
Next week's lesson is on Matthew 2:1-12.
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