Lectionary for 12/31/08

Today's readings are Isaiah 60.1-22 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Is.+60.1-22 ) and Luke 1.39-56 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Luke+1.39-56 ).

The coming of Christ, which we are celebrating on this seventh day of Christmas, is our cause for rejoicing at all times.  Mary's song of praise in Luke 1 talks about two specific reasons to celebrate Christ.  He has shown mercy on all those who trust him.  He is the one who rearranges power structures of this world.  Our passage in Isaiah 60 proclaims the same truths.

Writing in haste, may the Lord bless the reading of his word.  May he convict us of our failure to show mercy.  May he work according to his good pleasure and will in this world, humbling the lofty and exalting the humble.

Lectionary for 12/30/08

Today's readings are Isaiah 58.1-59.3 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Is.+58.1-59.3 ), Isaiah 59.14-21 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Is.+59.14-21 ), and Luke 1.26-38 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Lk.+1.26-38 ).

Last night around the dinner table we were discussing the SOS of God's Law.  God's Law works to "show our sin."  We see that quite clearly in our passage from Isaiah today.  What are we to do?  Many of the demands God makes of us there appear quite easy to do, at least on the surface - no slavery, care for the needy, treat people justly.  Yet when we dig deeper and consider the price of freeing people from bondage, caring for others as we would care for ourselves, and truly exercising justice we see that we are unable to do what God commands.  God has shown us our sin.  

God's Law also works to "show our Savior."  What we are unable to do because of our sin, Christ is able to do.  It is often easy to take on a moralistic tone.  Jesus does righteousness.  We need to think about what Jesus would do.  Then we will go and do the same things he does.  Well enough, but again we are not going to do the works that Jesus does because we are sinful and he is not.  We should try, and try very hard, to live in an upright way which honors God.  God is pleased by our doing what he has commanded.  But our efforts will never earn us merit before God.  If Jesus is only our example we are undone.

Look again at Isaiah 59.16-17.  Because we will not live fully according to God's command God himself steps in.   He brings salvation by himself.  He upholds those who have been sinned against by his own righteousness.  He arms himself for war with righteousness and salvation.  And he is zealous to save his people from their oppressors.

Lord, let us realize that we ourselves are our oppressors, and the oppressors of many others.  Forgive us our sin.  Make us work rightly in your kingdom, caring for the needy.  Through us, we pray, bring help and deliverance to the downtrodden, work righteousness for the sake of your own name.

No Posts for a while

I'll be in and out of town with sporadic Internet access until January.  Read the Scripture!  Rejoice in what God has done in Christ!

Lectionary for 12/18/08

Today's readings are Isaiah 34.1-2 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Is.+34.1-2 ), Isaiah 34.8-35.10 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Is.+34.8-35.10 ), Revelation 6.1-17 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Rev.+6.1-17 ), and Micah 1.1-7.20 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Micah+1.1-7.20 ).

In this very long reading we see scenes of vast ruin as God pours out his wrath on the earth.  It's just as he promised.  He destroyed the earth by flood once, the next time will be by fire.  This means everyone who is not under his special protection will die.  Worse yet, those who are not judged righteousness by faith in Christ will go into eternal condemnation as well.  This is reason to hide indeed, as we see in Revelation 6.

Lest we read too quickly, we should be sure to notice in Micah 5 the promise of a deliverer, coming from Bethlehem.  Yesterday we saw the conquerer who was a slain lamb, today we see the delivering king who comes from a wide spot in the road.  He appears to be a nobody from nowhere in particular, yet he is indeed the Lord.

Lord, let us look to you in faith today.  May we be judged according to your righteousness, not our own.  May we trust in your deliverance from doom.  May we joyfully receive your righteousness.

Lectionary for 12/17/08

Today's readings are Isaiah 33.1-24 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Is.+33.1-24 ) and Revelation 5.1-14 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Rev.+5.1-14 ).

In the Christmas season people often wonder about the savior of the world presented as a baby.  But our reading today in Revelation presents even bigger wonders about our savior.  Let's think about just a few of these strange, seemingly contradictory statements today.

1) The conqueror is a lamb.  When we think about a sheep of any age we hardly think of a ferocious animal.  We never think of courage and intelligence when we think about a lamb.  We never think of wisdom.  Yet God, in his wisdom, has appointed that the lamb be the one who overcomes the sin of the world.

2)  The conqueror overcame by dying.  What kind of victory is this?  We think of victory as implying failure to die.  On the contrary, we picture it as bringing down the enemies and remaining at least mostly unscathed.  But this dying savior is the one we are given in Revelation.  And he's the only one we're going to be given.  This is not your run of the mill savior.  He's something altogether different.

3)  The death of the conqueror means life for the world.  What kind of overcomer dies and secures a different result for all his followers?  I thought we were supposed to be partakers of the victory of our victorious conquering king.  Again, our Lord has a different idea about what works.

As we look at the baby Jesus in the manger this Christmas season, let us look at the other seeming contradictions. The poor man who owned only one good garment was the Lord of the whole planet and all its wealth.  The one who is the bread of life is hungry.  The one who gives living water is the hot and thirsty man.  The one who cleanses is walking around with dirty feet.  The dying one gives life.  The one rising to judge all faithlessness is judging those who believe on him as if they are faithful.  Keep looking for those unexpected comparisons in the upcoming weeks. 

Rejoice in Christ!

Lectionary for 12/14/08

Today's readings are Isaiah 30.15-26 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Is.+30.15-26 ) and Revelation 2.1-29 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Rev.+2.1-29 ).

In the past I have often heard sermons about the letters to the different churches in Revelation 1-3.  Without exception these have been sermons which close by urging people to commit their lives to more active obedience to the Lord under threat of Christ's coming judgment.  They have consistently mistaken Law for Gospel.  As we read these letters to the churches, then, what is our attitude to be?  We see that the Lord knows all about his people.  He knows what they are doing and what they are thinking.  He knows what they need.  And he knows how what they need differs from what they would have on their own.  In his mercy and grace our Lord and Savior points out to each of these churches their failure in terms of what they have done and haven't done.  He uses God's Law to convict the believers, showing them that their best efforts will always fall short of God's glory.  What does the Lord consistently affirm?  He points to their faith and their belief in him.  After all, he is the Lord of the church.  They would not be a church rightly considered if not for the Lord at work in them.  What is the exhortation?  Continue in belief.  Continue in faith.  That faith, granted, will be visible through our actions.  But the actions without the faith will serve to condemn us.  Let us simply believe.  The rest will fall into place.

What liberty we have in Christ!

Lectionary for 12/13/08

Today's readings are Isaiah 29.15-30.14 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Is.+29.15-30.14 ) and Revelation 1.1-19 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Rev.+1.1-19 ).

Our reading in Isaiah today points to the topsy-turvy world we inhabit.  People think their sins are hidden from God.  They, the clay, presume to tell God, the potter, what is good and right.  We make plans but we forget our Lord in the plans.  Or we make plans involving the Lord but he is our servant, not our master, and he is the one who works all things according to our plan.  What do we see coming out of our plans?  In recent history we have made lots of new and exciting plans and seen lots of fascinating results.  Remember the eugenics movement which led to the rise of totalitarian regimes, most notably the Nazi party in World War 2?  Remember the way HIV infections tend to spread and how hesitant governments are to issue quarantines as they would for other highly infectious diseases?  How about plans to let students come up with their own values and morality in a values-neutral educational institution?  Looked at information about academic dishonesty lately?  How about stimulating economic growth by "creating" more money and more jobs?  Certainly we come up with lots of exciting plans and they do have results.  

Let's look to the Lord of all in our plans.  Let's look to our Lord and Savior and the plan he has for this world.  Let's learn to accept his word, his wisdom, his authority as what it is - the word, wisdom and authority by which the world was created and by which it is sustained.

Lectionary for 12/12/08

Today's readings are Isaiah 29.1-14 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Is.+29.1-14 ) and Jude 1-25 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Jude+1-25 ).

What is the importance of proclaiming the Christian faith?  Many times in our society we are urged to exercise "tolerance" and encourage people's "autonomy."  In other words, we are not to stand firmly on a point of view and we should not try to influence others to take on that point of view, especially if that point of view disagrees with our predominantly liberal secular and anti-Christian establishment.  But Jude reminds us in verse 1 to "contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints" (ESV).  And Isaiah 29.13 tells sorrowfully of people whose "fear of me is a commandment taught by men" (ESV), i.e., it is not something they have adopted and held to themselves, but which they follow as a mere cultural idiom.

God calls his people to wholehearted commitment - contending for the faith.  We are to do all we can to influence our society to take on the Christian faith, not simply as a societal pattern but as a similar wholehearted commitment.  That's the call God has for his people.  The very idea that sin is real and that it can be atoned for by death, specifically by the death of Jesus on the behalf of every sinner is repugnant to our world.  But that is the faith which has been delivered to us.  That is the message we are given.  And it is the only message Christ's Church has borne throughout the millennia.  

Will we hold to Christ's message wholeheartedly?  No.  We will fail.  But we can try, trusting our Lord for the strength to engage our world in the battle for people's hearts and minds.  And as we try and fail we can show the repentance and receive the forgiveness that is so very foreign to our culture.  Let's go, knowing that God's kingdom is real, his promises are real, and he will never leave us or forsake us.

Lectionary for 12/11/08

Today's readings are Isaiah 28.14-29 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Is.+28.14-29 ), 1 John 5.1-21 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=1+John+5.1-21 ), 2 John 1-13 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=2+John+1-13 ), and 3 John 1-15 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=3+John+1-15 ).

In making this world the Lord has created it to function in certain ways.  The same way with people.  God has made people to have fellowship with him, to seek out truth, to listen to God's voice, to wonder at what he has done.  It's simply the way we are made.  

One of the ways sin influences this world is that people seek to have fellowship just with themselves, to seek out their own ideas only, to listen to their own voices, and to wonder at what they have done.  In short, we seek to replace God with ourselves.  Today's readings confront that idea.  Rather than having a world created and sustained by us, we are to realize that there is a world created and sustained by God, who has made all things to work together in an orderly manner.

1 John 5.21 warns us to protect ourselves against idols.  What kind of idols are rising up in our lives today?  Do we seek to have something other than God on the throne?  Do we give glory to someone who is not worthy of glory?  Do we exalt ourselves and our wisdom?  Do we live to have our own way rather than God's way?  Do we seek to rearrange the order God has appointed to this world?  If we are doing this, maybe we'd like to figure out a way to redeem the world and get it all to serve us?  Maybe we think we can sustain the world by our own power or goodness?  Maybe we think we could fix everything if we were only God for a few days?

These idolatrous ideas bring ruin.  They attempt to overthrow what the God of all wisdom and grace has created and is sustaining.  Let us flee those ideas and throw ourselves on the mercy of Christ, who will teach us in his way to love our neighbors for his sake.  Let us look to Christ to change our character and desires.  And let us rejoice in his mercy and love.

Lectionary for 12/10/08

Today's readings are Isaiah 26.20-27.13 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Is.+26.20-27.13 ) and 1 John 4.1-21 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=1+Jn+4.1-21 ).

In Isaiah 27.12 we read a very encouraging idea.  The context shows that the Lord is removing pollution from his world.  He is removing thorns and thistles - the weedy things that characterize this fallen and accursed world.  What are his people to do?  They are to hide while he removes evil.  Our hiding, our shelter, is in the arms of our Savior who, curiously enough, is the one who dies for the crime of the very world where we live.  And then in verse 12, while God is threshing the grain - getting rid of the chaff, stems, husks, and all the other stuff which isn't productive and useful for eating - we are reminded that we who are fallen kernels will be gleaned.  Our Lord is going to leave behind none of those who trust in him.  Though all that goes on in this world may look like calamity, we are not abandoned.  We will not be scooped up with the other leavings and thrown into the fire at the end of the day.  We will be picked up as valuable parts of the kingdom of our Lord.

Let us look confidently to our Lord and Savior.  He will not leave us or forsake us.  He is with us to the end of the world.  Thanks be to God.

Lectionary for 12/9/08

Today's readings are Isaiah 26.1-19 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Is.+26.1-19 ) and 1 John 3.1-24 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=1+Jn.+3.1-24 ).

We read today in Isaiah that God is jealous for his people.  He defends them against all sorts of harm.  His desire is for his people to be safe and secure, entering joyfully and freely into their relationship with him and with one another.  This is a key to understanding God's judgment against all sin.  By its nature, sin is harmful.  It kills, destroys, divides people, creates hostility and enmity.  This is always against God's will.  It is what he works to protect his people from.  And we see that in Jesus Christ sin has been put to death.

What are we to do then?  See the summary at the end of our reading in 1 John 3.  We believe on the Lord and love one another.  With that attitude all else will fall into place.  Let us watch how we can actively show our belief by loving our neighbors.  This will encourage us in our faith and it will be beneficial to our neighbors.  It will continue our Lord's healing work on earth.  It will defend God's people (and those who are not God's people) against much of the harm which could come upon them.  

Lectionary for 12/8/08

Today's readings are Isaiah 24.14-25.12 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Is.+24.14-25.12 ), 1 John 2.15-29 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=1+John+2.15-29 ), and Obadiah 1-21 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Obadiah+1-21 ).

As we look at the end of time in this season celebrating the coming of the King it's easy to let our terminology regarding the final judgment be kind of sloppy.  And that's been the case on this blog as well.  Something our Isaiah passage makes clear is that the final return of God to judge does not exactly constitute a judgment between life and death.  He doesn't kill those in their unbelief in such a way as to put an end to them as I would put out the flame of a candle.  On the contrary, God's return in judgment brings this world as we know it to an end but it sets up a very different manner of being.

First, resurrection will be the word for the day.  Who will be resurrected?  All the dead are to be resurrected.  The resurrection is not only for those who died in faith.  It's for everyone in this world, all who receive Christ's redemption, which would be everybody.  Remember as we read recently in 1 John 2 that Christ died for the sins of the whole world.  So the dead are resurrected, those who are alive are brought face to face with God as well.

What else happens?  It seems clear that there is some sort of judgment.  This does not appear to be a time when people give testimony, but rather when they are presented with the testimony God has.  And since God knows all about everything the testimony will be quite complete.  And with God's stated standard that we are to be holy like he is holy, nobody will stand in the judgment of God.  Here's where it becomes easily muddled.  But it's also where the good news comes in.

Since Jesus has already borne the penalty for the sin of the whole world, all that sin which God points out in judgment is accounted to Christ.  There's just one more step.  Who has lived and died in disbelief, thinking he has been adequately good, wishing to earn merit before God on the weight of his own goodness?  In other words, who is there who in life did not believe that Jesus bore the penalty for his sin?  That person is allowed to bear the penalty for his sin himself, even though Christ has already done so.  And since we see that everyone is resurrected and everyone has an immortal soul, that penalty is not some sort of physical death or an obliteration of the soul.  Rather it consists of an eternal separation from God, an inability to trust that Jesus has paid the penalty for sin.  It's an eternity being allowed to pay for sin which costs more than we can ever pay.  This is condemnation indeed.  This is what God views as true death - not the removal of the soul from the body, not the extinguishing of the existence of the soul, but leaving the human to pay his own way.

What hope do we have then?  During this life, let us believe on the Jesus who died for our sin.  Let us trust his righteousness.  Let us throw ourselves upon his mercy.  And let us take courage.  Jesus has conquered death, hell, and the grave.  He graciously makes those who believe him him partakers of that victory as well.

Lectionary for 12/7/08

Today's readings are Isaiah 24.1-13 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Is.+24.1-13 ) and 1 John 1.1-2.14 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=1+John+1.1-2.14 ).

Our reading in Isaiah is quite clear.  Our world is in distress.  People are tired, hungry, disenfranchised.  The distinctions between rich and poor, important and lowly, are being erased.  This is presented as a reason for sorrow.  Society works very well when there is a variety of social and economic classes.  The rich and influential know who may need help and the poor know where to appeal for help if they need it.

While this economic and social leveling is a problem in some ways, there is a sense in which role distinctions disappear.  As regards repentance and forgiveness all stand equal.  Our reading in 1 John makes that clear.  Let's make a few observations in order.

First, look how real Jesus is.  He is not some concept introduced to spark our interest.  He's real.  Jesus lived a real life and died a real death for sin, which is also real.  Jesus' death was not just for some sins or the sins of some people, but for all the sin of all the world, always.

With a statement like that, why aren't we universalists?  John tells us that forgiveness is linked to living a life of confession.  It's clear that we do continue to sin.  And Scripture is clear that sin condemns us.  We are always in need of forgiveness.  What promise do we have?  Confession brings forgiveness based on Christ's faithfulness, not on ours.  Jesus is there to forgive, cleanse, and heal his people.  And who are his people?  All who turn to him for forgiveness.  Here the role distinctions are gone and it is decidedly good.

Let us look in these last days to Jesus, the lamb of God who takes away all our sin. 

Lectionary for 12/6/08

Today's readings are Isaiah 14.1-23 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Is.+14.1-23 ) and 2 Peter 3.1-18 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=2+Pet.+3.1-18 ).

Today we read about the coming day of the Lord, the day when he will come in judgment, bringing a final destruction to sin.  In this coming to bring the final restoration of those who believe, look at the Lord's desire as stated in 2 Peter.  In verse 9 we read that the Lord "is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance" (ESV).  This is God's stated attitude toward the world.  Understanding this verse may help us deal with many other passages in Scripture.

First, we hear of God's patience.  He is enduring, longsuffering, slow to anger, and quick to hear and understand the struggles of his people.  Through the ages God has proven himself to be the Lord who does not bring summary execution on those who sin, but calls them to relent, to confess their sin, and hold to the promised forgiveness. 

Second, we see that God does not wish any to perish.  Again, this is exactly what the Lord has shown through the ages.  Since the time that God instituted sacrifice and gave protection to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 to the very end, there has always been a means of grace available to all people.  God's clear plan is that all should be able to see what he is like and turn to him for life.  Time and again it has been the people's sin which has separated them from God.  Even in the flood, God chose one moderately faithful family to be left behind when the rest of the world was taken - look at Noah's actions after the flood for an interpretation of "moderately faithful."  In the tower of Babel, the people are scattered and cast off from the revelation of God's presence not because of God's exclusivity but because of their self-centered attitude.  In the Scripture we never see the idea that God has a double mind about forgiveness.  He always shows the desire that none should perish.  It is never his will to condemn anyone.  It is the will of fallen mankind to exalt itself as if it is God and to reap the just condemnation of God.

Finally, we see the means of God's grace.  Life does not come through good deeds.  It does not come through being intelligent enough, wealthy enough, or planting enough trees.  It comes through repentance, a kind of old-fashioned word in our culture.  To repent means to turn from sin in faith that God will forgive sin and cleanse the sinner.  It is not an activity which earns us any merit before God.  It is simply the way God works in this world.  Like the force of gravity is to keep rivers in valleys, the force of God's perfection is to bring people to repentance, which brings a natural outcome of forgiveness - as natural as knowing the river is flowing downhill rather than uphill.

How is that forgiveness established?  We see in Scripture that Jesus became sin for us, dying for the sins of the whole world.  And that death is made active and redemptive in all who repent of their sin and believe that Jesus died for them.  Jesus' atoning death extends to every person in history.  God's will is that none should perish.  But it is applied only to those who repent.  Those who do not live lives of repentance will surely receive the reward for their sin, even though Jesus already received that reward in their place. 

Rather than thwarting God's will, let us live in repentance today, fulfilling the command in 2 Peter 3.18 (ESV) "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."

Lectionary for 12/5/08

Today's readings are Isaiah 11.1-12.6 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Is.+11.1-12.6 ) and 2 Peter 2.1-22 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=2+Pet.+2.1-22 ).

We live in a world that is obsessed with the ephemeral.  Yesterday i out, today is all there is.  Where do you want to go today?  Unleash the power of modern technology.  You can buy your college degree, instantly find deep and caring relationships in a cyber-community, accelerate your retirement plans, lengthen your lifespan, or become physically fit in a matter of minutes with today's technology.  Just don't wait.  Buy now while it is still cutting edge.  While you're at it, revitalize your spiritual life.  Find yourself a bunch of likeminded Christians who will encourage you to be your own person, finding the spirituality that is right and relevant for you.  Create your own creed and live by it as long as you believe in it.

See anything wrong here?  What happened to the eternal truth and plan of God?  What kind of biblical faith is this if today's good news is outmoded tomorrow?  In stark contrast to this contemporay view we find the eternal biblical Gospel in today's readings.  God has a plan to redeem all who believe to himself.  He accomplishes thi through the perfect life of his Son, Jesus.  Because many people persist in their unbelief, they get to make their own destiny, one in which they reap the reward of their own faithfulness, or lack thereof.  Because the stuborn sin and rebellion of mankind is opposed to God's perfect righteousness and peace it is only right that he will destroy rebellion.  Then the lion and lamb can lie down together and the child can play with the snake.  There is no more harm in the world once our Lord destroys the evil.

This plan of God is eternal and unchanging.  It is the same steadfast and sure Gospel proclaimed throughout the Bible and through nearly two mllennia of Church history.  We need nothing new and perishable.  We need what is old ans sure.

To Christ be the glory both now and forever.

Lectionary for 12/4/08

Today's readings are Isaiah 10.12-27a ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Is.+10.12-27a ), Isaiah 10.33-34 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Is.+10.33-34 ), and 2 Peter 1.1-21 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=2+Pet.+1.1-21 ).

During Advent we celebrate the coming of Christ.  Yet we remember that Christ's coming in its fullness is not the birth of the child only, but is also the second coming which he has promised, when he will come in judgment against sin.  Look at the promised judgment in Isaiah.  The king of Assyria is our picture of sinful man.  He trusts in his riches and the power of his kingdom.  What is his outcome?  The Lord has used him to bring judgment on unbelieving Israel.  Yet in his arrogance he claims the glory for himself.  The Lord destroys him utterly and easily, showing that in himself the king is nothing. 

Have we been used of God?  Have we lived a life which brings honor to God and has nurtured his people, strengthening them in the faith?  Or maybe we have had opportunity to do great charitable deeds.  Maybe we have profited in times when others have endured economic hardship.  Or we have had an abundance of food, clothing, and possessions while others in this world have been dying in poverty.  Maybe we've done pretty well for ourselves.  Do we think we have done it apart from the Lord?  Do we claim the glory which God reserves for himself?  Are we so haughty in our attitude?  We must remember that we ourselves are mortal, that we have no claim to divinity, and that our Lord says that he himself has done all things through us.  What is the outcome of those who trust in riches?  The riches pass away.  What is the final state of those who trust in their earthly authority?  They pass away from this earth and leave all authority.  When Christ comes to claim his people he will make no distinction - rich or poor, strong or weak, healthy or unhealthy, the CEO and the guy who sweeps the floor, all are alike to him.  They are all instruments to be used in this life by the Lord.  They are all called to account for one thing - do they believe that Christ is Lord?  Do they know that it is by his righteousness alone that they stand?

We turn our attention to 2 Peter 1 for our good news.  In Isaiah we find that there is a remnant gathered by God.  In 2 Peter we see that the Lord has given all we need for life and godliness in Jesus.  He has given us the power to live a godly life for the Lord.  He shows us how to grow in godliness so we can be fruitful for him.  And he reminds us that all this life for Christ is intended to show the light of Christ in the world, shining through us.  This is God's work.  This is how he reveals himself, as his people live out Scripture, that revelation which is not from the prophets but from God.

Let us put off our earthly arrogance.  Let us put on Christ Jesus.

 

Lectionary for 12/3/08

Today's readings are Isaiah 9.8-10.11 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Is.+9.8-10.11 ) and 1 Peter 5.1-14 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=1+Pet.+5.1-14 )

As we read 1 Peter 5 today we see a tremendous list of responsibilities, God's provision that we can meet thse demands, and God's reward for those who persist in faith.  Look at how we are to strive in these troubled times.  We are to be humble.  We hold fast to faith and obedience.  We must have cares for we are to cast hem on Christ.  And we suffer.  What provision has our Lord given us in this evil age?  He has gven us his Spirit and he works by the Spirit in the leaders he has appointed in his Church.  We do not walk alone, but with a multitude of faithful undershepherds following Christ the good shepherd.  Finally look at the reward God provides for the faithful.  Surely this evil time of affliction is brief and light.  Let us hold fast to our Lord in anticipation of our blessed rest.

Lectionary for 12/2/08

Today's readings are Isaiah 8.9-9.7 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=+Is.+8.9-9.7 ) and 1 Peter 4.1-19 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=1+Pet.+4.1-19 ).

Today we look in some detail at our text in Isaiah.

We read in verses 8-9 that all the striving people might do against God in the day of his judgment is for nothing.  We may well ask the question - how do we strive to assert ourselves against God?  Maybe we look at particular examples of evil in the world and criticize God.  "If I were God there's no way those people in Africa would be starving."  What about terrorist attacks in India?  How about human right abuses in China?  What about assaults on a free pres or free speech in Canada?  If God is good why doesn't he do something about all this?  If he really knows everything why does he let those villains get by with murder?

There's our nswer, of course.  This iSGod's loving forbearance at work.  For at the same time that some people are killing others with firearms others of us are hating our neighbors without cause.  We are guilty of spiritual murder when we don't get the parking place we want.  We commit adultery against our wives when we think about that other woman.  We prove ourselves to be atheists and haters of God when we fail to love and trust him perfectly.  Do we still want the Lord to swoop down and destroy all those sinners?  Maybe we'd rather he did things his way after all. 

In verses 11-22 we see that God's judgment against sin will not follow the pattern we might all expect.  What, after all, were we expecting?  A God made in our image?  That's no God at all.  But we see that in his bringing of mercy where he brings mercy and condemnation where he brings condemnation the mercy extends to all who belive him, while the condemnation falls on those who arrogantly assert their own plan above God's plan.  This is more subtle than we might expect, though.  Our Lord is not going to act in the way we would predict.  He isn't made ib our image, after all.

In chapter 9 verses 1-7 we see the unexpected source of both God's judgment and his deliverance of his people.  How does he do this?  The judge, lawgiver, and atonement comes into this world as a frail, helpless baby.  Though he is the mighty God he humbles himself to be one of us.  Our Lord knows our weakness.  He understands all our temptation to sin.  And he understands that left to ourselves that is exactly what we will do.  Again we see the forbearance of our Lord as Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin for us and rescued all who believe on him from the penalty of their sin.

This same Jesus, whose first coming we celebrate at this time of year, will return to bring final judgment on sin.  We do not know when that will be.  We do know it will be at exactly the right time, in perfect accord with his plan to redeem the world to himself.

Lectionary for 12/1/08

Today's readings are Isaiah 7.10-8.8 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Is.+7.10-8.8 ) and 1 Peter 3.1-22 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=1+Pet.+3.1-22 ).

Look at the love and forbearance of God today.  As we read in Isaiah 7 we see the last thing God promises before a final sentence of destruction is a deliverer.  How consistent this is with our Lord's character.  From the start, when Adam sinned and blamed God for making it possible to this very day, when we sin we are generally proud of ourselves, casting blame on God.  What is God's response?  He declares his glory and holiness, explains the just judgment against sin, and then provides forgiveness and protection for his people.  

Let us look to this deliverer.  His name means "God with us."  This is surely a promise of Christ the savior, come to be the very God of very God, but entirely man, only without sin.  He becomes subject to the curse of sin which will curse him to death.  And being the perfectly sinless one who is also perfectly and entirely human, his death is able to accomplish what the death of Adam and billions of other humans since that time has not accomplished - he has taken the penalty of sin and death and died as the representative man who was to die when Adam sinned.

During this season of Advent let us look to the coming of Christ, come to save the world from sin.  Rejoice and be glad in this expectation!