Notes on Bible Readings 2024
by Noel Adsett
@ All rights reserved
by Noel Adsett
@ All rights reserved
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Sunday, April 19
Easter 4 Notes on the Readings
Acts 4:5-12
Peter and John were arrested for healing a lame man and brought before the Sanhedrin. Peter delivered a speech to these, the wealthiest, the most intellectual and most powerful people in the land, and yet Peter, the Galilean fisherman, stood before them, criticising them, condemning them. This was the very court which had sentenced Jesus to death. Peter knew that he was taking his life in his hands.
Psalm 23
is so familiar. Read it again in the modern version, published in 2021 and in the King James Authorised Version, originally published in 1611
Easter 4 Notes on the Readings
Acts 4:5-12
Peter and John were arrested for healing a lame man and brought before the Sanhedrin. Peter delivered a speech to these, the wealthiest, the most intellectual and most powerful people in the land, and yet Peter, the Galilean fisherman, stood before them, criticising them, condemning them. This was the very court which had sentenced Jesus to death. Peter knew that he was taking his life in his hands.
Psalm 23
is so familiar. Read it again in the modern version, published in 2021 and in the King James Authorised Version, originally published in 1611
Psalm 23.
The Divine Shepherd A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long. New Revised Standard Version, Updated edition |
Psalm 23.
The Divine Shepherd A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. King James Version |
1 John 3:16-24
The overall message of John’s letter is one of love - that God is love. In the first part of this chapter, we are reminded that we are children of God and that even though we sin, we are loved and redeemed. The passage for today is directly linked to the gospel reading. It declares that Jesus laid down his life for us, and we should be willing to do the same for each other. Love, belief, and sacrifice are the themes. How prepared are we to believe without seeing; to love without knowing; and to sacrifice without losing?
John 10:11-18
The verses before today’s reading speak of the difference between the shepherd who enters by the gate and the thief who enters the sheepfold by another route. Here it is repeated that the shepherd knows his sheep and the sheep know their shepherd. Jesus compares the “good shepherd” with the “hired hand.” The difference is not in their capacity to take care of sheep. The difference is in ownership. Jesus reminds us that he came to lay down his life for us, that we are his and he is ours. A central theme running through this reading is the love of God expressed through the gift of the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The overall message of John’s letter is one of love - that God is love. In the first part of this chapter, we are reminded that we are children of God and that even though we sin, we are loved and redeemed. The passage for today is directly linked to the gospel reading. It declares that Jesus laid down his life for us, and we should be willing to do the same for each other. Love, belief, and sacrifice are the themes. How prepared are we to believe without seeing; to love without knowing; and to sacrifice without losing?
John 10:11-18
The verses before today’s reading speak of the difference between the shepherd who enters by the gate and the thief who enters the sheepfold by another route. Here it is repeated that the shepherd knows his sheep and the sheep know their shepherd. Jesus compares the “good shepherd” with the “hired hand.” The difference is not in their capacity to take care of sheep. The difference is in ownership. Jesus reminds us that he came to lay down his life for us, that we are his and he is ours. A central theme running through this reading is the love of God expressed through the gift of the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Sunday, April 14
Easter 3 Notes on the Readings
From Easter to Pentecost are the fifty days of the season of Easter when the Church celebrates the risen Christ. ‘Alleluia’ appears frequently in liturgy and song. White or gold vestments emphasise the joy and brightness of the season. On the fortieth day (May 9) Christ’s ascension is celebrated. He commissions his disciples to continue his work, he promises the gift of the Holy Spirit and then he is no longer with them in the flesh.
Acts 3:12-19
During this lectionary period, readings from Acts replace Old Testament selections, but Acts consistently reminds us of the early church’s deep roots in ancient Israel’s faith and scripture. The fact that Jesus’ followers continued to pray and worship at the Jerusalem temple confirms their devotion to Israel’s Creator-Redeemer God. The context for this text goes back to the Gospel of Luke (Luke wrote both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles). In the name of Christ, Peter and John healed a man who had been lame from birth. Our reading begins with the temple audience’s reaction to this extraordinary event. It comes as no surprise, then, that in the temple area Peter gave God full credit for healing the lame man. The man himself did as well, leaping about and ‘praising God’.
Psalm 4
Psalm 4 deals honestly with unbelief, both outside and within the church. At Easter time, the words ‘Christ is Risen!’ are answered with ‘Alleluia, he is risen indeed.’ But unspoken responses might include: ‘Oh really?’ or ‘I doubt it’ or ‘I wish I believed that’. On the Third Sunday of Easter, it is helpful to note that Psalm 4 as well as the other texts for this day all address the problem of unbelief. In the Gospel for example, Jesus tells his frightened, doubting disciples, ‘Peace be with you’ (Luke 24:36). Likewise, Psalm 4 offers peace to troubled hearts and trust to doubting minds.
1 John 3:1-7
A meaningful illumination of this passage is the Scottish Paraphrase:
Easter 3 Notes on the Readings
From Easter to Pentecost are the fifty days of the season of Easter when the Church celebrates the risen Christ. ‘Alleluia’ appears frequently in liturgy and song. White or gold vestments emphasise the joy and brightness of the season. On the fortieth day (May 9) Christ’s ascension is celebrated. He commissions his disciples to continue his work, he promises the gift of the Holy Spirit and then he is no longer with them in the flesh.
Acts 3:12-19
During this lectionary period, readings from Acts replace Old Testament selections, but Acts consistently reminds us of the early church’s deep roots in ancient Israel’s faith and scripture. The fact that Jesus’ followers continued to pray and worship at the Jerusalem temple confirms their devotion to Israel’s Creator-Redeemer God. The context for this text goes back to the Gospel of Luke (Luke wrote both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles). In the name of Christ, Peter and John healed a man who had been lame from birth. Our reading begins with the temple audience’s reaction to this extraordinary event. It comes as no surprise, then, that in the temple area Peter gave God full credit for healing the lame man. The man himself did as well, leaping about and ‘praising God’.
Psalm 4
Psalm 4 deals honestly with unbelief, both outside and within the church. At Easter time, the words ‘Christ is Risen!’ are answered with ‘Alleluia, he is risen indeed.’ But unspoken responses might include: ‘Oh really?’ or ‘I doubt it’ or ‘I wish I believed that’. On the Third Sunday of Easter, it is helpful to note that Psalm 4 as well as the other texts for this day all address the problem of unbelief. In the Gospel for example, Jesus tells his frightened, doubting disciples, ‘Peace be with you’ (Luke 24:36). Likewise, Psalm 4 offers peace to troubled hearts and trust to doubting minds.
1 John 3:1-7
A meaningful illumination of this passage is the Scottish Paraphrase:
Behold the amazing gift of love the Father hath bestow'd
On us, the sinful sons of men, to call us sons of God! Concealed as yet this honour lies, by this dark world unknown, world that knew not when he came, even God's eternal Son. High is the rank we now possess, but higher we shall rise; |
Though what we shall hereafter be is hid from mortal eyes.
Our souls, we know, when he appears, shall bear his image bright; For all his glory, full disclosed, shall open to our sight. A hope so great, and so divine, may trials well endure; And purge the soul from sense and sin, as Christ himself is pure. |
Luke 24:36b-48
The disciples were gathered. Anxiety was high but Jesus’ first words to his followers were ‘peace to you.’ When Jesus appeared to his followers, they thought they were seeing a ghost (Luke 24:37). They were ‘terrified’ and ‘filled with fear.’ The resurrected Christ was no disembodied spirit. Nor was Jesus merely a resuscitated corpse. Jesus is not a ghost; he is a real person. The resurrected Christ has a body, and even if contemporary believers cannot embrace Jesus as his disciples did, we bear witness to more than a spiritualised, demythologised Christ. Christ’s followers are to proclaim ‘repentance and forgiveness of sins’ and to serve as ‘witnesses’ to the life, ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus through the Scriptures.
The disciples were gathered. Anxiety was high but Jesus’ first words to his followers were ‘peace to you.’ When Jesus appeared to his followers, they thought they were seeing a ghost (Luke 24:37). They were ‘terrified’ and ‘filled with fear.’ The resurrected Christ was no disembodied spirit. Nor was Jesus merely a resuscitated corpse. Jesus is not a ghost; he is a real person. The resurrected Christ has a body, and even if contemporary believers cannot embrace Jesus as his disciples did, we bear witness to more than a spiritualised, demythologised Christ. Christ’s followers are to proclaim ‘repentance and forgiveness of sins’ and to serve as ‘witnesses’ to the life, ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus through the Scriptures.
Sunday, April 7
Easter 2 Sacrament of Holy Communion Notes on the Readings
Acts 4:32-35
This reading for today shows us perhaps the most astonishing visible difference Easter made. These texts are idealistic, but describe some of the experience and character of the earliest community of Christ-followers . According to Acts, the early community arose in response to Pentecost, and afterwards devoted itself to worship, instruction, fellowship and sharing. No other New Testament passage depicts the ideal of sharing with the Christ following community so vividly: no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. There was not a needy person among them. Because of Christ’s resurrection, the Holy Spirit created a radical community characterised by sacrificial giving.
Psalm 133
In Psalm 133 we see a depiction of God’s abundant blessing for those who seek to live together in peace, joy, and unity. In this Psalm King David tells readers to take notice of something quite remarkable and very beautiful – the blessing of God’s people living together in unity. In our times of conflict and economic distress.
Psalm 133 is like water on parched ground. People who are divided and estranged from one another need God's call to ‘live together in unity.’
1 John 1:1-2:2
The purpose of the letter is to bring us into relationship with God. Most people understand that the important things in life are not things at all – they are the relationships we have. God has put a desire for relationship in every one of us, a desire God intended to be met by relationships with other people, but most of all, by a relationship with God. In this remarkable letter, John tells us the truth about relationships – and shows us how to have relationships that are real, both for now and for eternity.
John 20:19-31
Jesus appears to the Twelve, not only to quell their distrust, but also to unite them as a disciplined church Perhaps the grief felt by Thomas was too great for him to be with the others—he needed to be alone. But when Thomas was sure, he went the whole way. ‘My Lord and my God!’ he said. He had not aired his doubts for the sake of mental acrobatics; he doubted in order to become sure; and when he did, his surrender to certainty was complete. It is quite clear that the gospel was originally planned to come to an end with verses 30 and 31. No passage in the gospels better sums up the aim of the writers than this. The gospels never set out to give a full account of the life of Jesus. They do not follow him from day to day but are selective. They give us, not an exhaustive account of everything that Jesus said or did, but a selection which shows what he was like and the kind of things he was always doing. When we approach the gospels as history or biography, we approach them in the wrong spirit. We must read them, not primarily as historians seeking information, but as men and women seeking God.
Easter 2 Sacrament of Holy Communion Notes on the Readings
Acts 4:32-35
This reading for today shows us perhaps the most astonishing visible difference Easter made. These texts are idealistic, but describe some of the experience and character of the earliest community of Christ-followers . According to Acts, the early community arose in response to Pentecost, and afterwards devoted itself to worship, instruction, fellowship and sharing. No other New Testament passage depicts the ideal of sharing with the Christ following community so vividly: no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. There was not a needy person among them. Because of Christ’s resurrection, the Holy Spirit created a radical community characterised by sacrificial giving.
Psalm 133
In Psalm 133 we see a depiction of God’s abundant blessing for those who seek to live together in peace, joy, and unity. In this Psalm King David tells readers to take notice of something quite remarkable and very beautiful – the blessing of God’s people living together in unity. In our times of conflict and economic distress.
Psalm 133 is like water on parched ground. People who are divided and estranged from one another need God's call to ‘live together in unity.’
1 John 1:1-2:2
The purpose of the letter is to bring us into relationship with God. Most people understand that the important things in life are not things at all – they are the relationships we have. God has put a desire for relationship in every one of us, a desire God intended to be met by relationships with other people, but most of all, by a relationship with God. In this remarkable letter, John tells us the truth about relationships – and shows us how to have relationships that are real, both for now and for eternity.
John 20:19-31
Jesus appears to the Twelve, not only to quell their distrust, but also to unite them as a disciplined church Perhaps the grief felt by Thomas was too great for him to be with the others—he needed to be alone. But when Thomas was sure, he went the whole way. ‘My Lord and my God!’ he said. He had not aired his doubts for the sake of mental acrobatics; he doubted in order to become sure; and when he did, his surrender to certainty was complete. It is quite clear that the gospel was originally planned to come to an end with verses 30 and 31. No passage in the gospels better sums up the aim of the writers than this. The gospels never set out to give a full account of the life of Jesus. They do not follow him from day to day but are selective. They give us, not an exhaustive account of everything that Jesus said or did, but a selection which shows what he was like and the kind of things he was always doing. When we approach the gospels as history or biography, we approach them in the wrong spirit. We must read them, not primarily as historians seeking information, but as men and women seeking God.
Sunday, March 31
Easter Day Notes on the Readings
Instead of the usual four Sunday Bible readings, the Lectionary lists six readings for Easter Day. Brief notes for the readings follow.
Acts 10:34-43
Peter summarises the life of Jesus and after the resurrection, the command of Jesus to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead, that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. or Isaiah 25:6-9
On this day there will be feasting and celebrating because this is the LORD for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation. Psalm 118:1-2,14-24
See the notes for Palm Sunday. The same psalm was listed for that day..
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Paul here affirms the good news in a four part statement—Christ died—was buried—was raised—then appeared to various people. Paul reports Jesus appearing to many other people not noted in any of the gospels—a confusing inconsistency.
John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-8
The Easter story reaches its climax differently in the four gospels -
Matthew trumpets the resurrection of Jesus with an earthquake and the women’s encounter with an angel; (Matthew 28:1-15)
Mark tells of the women finding the stone rolled away and being told of the resurrection but feeling too fearful to tell anyone; (Mark 16:1-8)
Luke wonders whether the male disciples might believe the report of the women; (Luke 25:1-12)
John. Peter and John saw the empty grave cloths and believed. In the garden with Mary of Magdala, we read of her grief, her mistake identifying the person in the garden and her wonder-filled moment of recognition.(John 20:1-18 )
Easter Day Notes on the Readings
Instead of the usual four Sunday Bible readings, the Lectionary lists six readings for Easter Day. Brief notes for the readings follow.
Acts 10:34-43
Peter summarises the life of Jesus and after the resurrection, the command of Jesus to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead, that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. or Isaiah 25:6-9
On this day there will be feasting and celebrating because this is the LORD for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation. Psalm 118:1-2,14-24
See the notes for Palm Sunday. The same psalm was listed for that day..
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Paul here affirms the good news in a four part statement—Christ died—was buried—was raised—then appeared to various people. Paul reports Jesus appearing to many other people not noted in any of the gospels—a confusing inconsistency.
John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-8
The Easter story reaches its climax differently in the four gospels -
Matthew trumpets the resurrection of Jesus with an earthquake and the women’s encounter with an angel; (Matthew 28:1-15)
Mark tells of the women finding the stone rolled away and being told of the resurrection but feeling too fearful to tell anyone; (Mark 16:1-8)
Luke wonders whether the male disciples might believe the report of the women; (Luke 25:1-12)
John. Peter and John saw the empty grave cloths and believed. In the garden with Mary of Magdala, we read of her grief, her mistake identifying the person in the garden and her wonder-filled moment of recognition.(John 20:1-18 )
Sunday, March 24
Palm / Passion Sunday Palm/Passion Sunday heralds the beginning of a week of reflection and wonder as the story of Jesus` earthly life reaches its conclusion.
Notes on the Readings—Liturgy of the Palms
Psalm 118:1-2,19-29
Psalm 118 is the psalmist’s account of having been delivered from a deadly threat into the renewed opportunity to live (verses 5-18), an experience for which the psalmist thanks God.
We are familiar with verse 22 in connection with Jesus’ rejection and crucifixion, followed by Jesus’ resurrection. The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
This may not mean that Psalm 118 should be thought to be a prediction of Jesus. Rather, the New Testament citations of verse 22 are evidence that the early Christians understood that God’s life-giving work was continuing in the Christ-event.
Psalm 118 is the Psalter reading for both Palm/Passion Sunday and Easter Sunday. It affirms that Jesus’ death and resurrection are life-giving events in continuity with the exodus and restoration from exile. God was, and is, the God who gives life amid the threat and the reality of death. 24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. This line is quoted in both Gospel readings. It affirms God’s life-giving power and action by
Mark 11:1–11 records an event included in all four Gospels - several days before the crucifixion, Jesus entered Jerusalem, welcomed by the people as the Messiah who would free them from Roman rule. Jesus came on a donkey, fulfilling prophecy and symbolising the peaceful nature of his coming.
The alternate reading for Palm Sunday is John 12:12–19. It describes the triumphal entry - Jesus' celebratory parade into Jerusalem a few days before Passover. Until this point, Jesus has been relatively quiet about his mission, even asking people not to proclaim him.
Jesus came humbly. His gesture made it clear that Jesus was a king, but not the expected king. The disciples only understood this after Jesus was glorified on the cross.
Jesus was a king, but a king riding in on a donkey. He was coming in humility and in peace.
GK Chesterton wrote a poem about a donkey:
When fishes flew and forests walked
And figs grew upon thorn,
Some moment when the moon was blood
Then surely I was born.
With monstrous head and sickening cry
And ears like errant wings,
The devil’s walking parody
On all four-footed things.
The tattered outlaw of the earth,
Of ancient crooked will;
Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,
I keep my secret still.
Fools! For I also had my hour;
One far fierce hour and sweet:
There was a shout about my ears,
And palms before my feet.
Palm / Passion Sunday Palm/Passion Sunday heralds the beginning of a week of reflection and wonder as the story of Jesus` earthly life reaches its conclusion.
Notes on the Readings—Liturgy of the Palms
Psalm 118:1-2,19-29
Psalm 118 is the psalmist’s account of having been delivered from a deadly threat into the renewed opportunity to live (verses 5-18), an experience for which the psalmist thanks God.
We are familiar with verse 22 in connection with Jesus’ rejection and crucifixion, followed by Jesus’ resurrection. The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
This may not mean that Psalm 118 should be thought to be a prediction of Jesus. Rather, the New Testament citations of verse 22 are evidence that the early Christians understood that God’s life-giving work was continuing in the Christ-event.
Psalm 118 is the Psalter reading for both Palm/Passion Sunday and Easter Sunday. It affirms that Jesus’ death and resurrection are life-giving events in continuity with the exodus and restoration from exile. God was, and is, the God who gives life amid the threat and the reality of death. 24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. This line is quoted in both Gospel readings. It affirms God’s life-giving power and action by
- the deliverance of enslaved Israelites from Pharaoh’s deadly power.
- the return of dispirited exiles from Babylon.
- the resurrection of Jesus.
- the lives of ordinary people who trust and affirm that life (and all that sustains life) is not merely a human achievement, but rather a gift from God.
Mark 11:1–11 records an event included in all four Gospels - several days before the crucifixion, Jesus entered Jerusalem, welcomed by the people as the Messiah who would free them from Roman rule. Jesus came on a donkey, fulfilling prophecy and symbolising the peaceful nature of his coming.
The alternate reading for Palm Sunday is John 12:12–19. It describes the triumphal entry - Jesus' celebratory parade into Jerusalem a few days before Passover. Until this point, Jesus has been relatively quiet about his mission, even asking people not to proclaim him.
Jesus came humbly. His gesture made it clear that Jesus was a king, but not the expected king. The disciples only understood this after Jesus was glorified on the cross.
Jesus was a king, but a king riding in on a donkey. He was coming in humility and in peace.
GK Chesterton wrote a poem about a donkey:
When fishes flew and forests walked
And figs grew upon thorn,
Some moment when the moon was blood
Then surely I was born.
With monstrous head and sickening cry
And ears like errant wings,
The devil’s walking parody
On all four-footed things.
The tattered outlaw of the earth,
Of ancient crooked will;
Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,
I keep my secret still.
Fools! For I also had my hour;
One far fierce hour and sweet:
There was a shout about my ears,
And palms before my feet.
Lent is a season of preparation and discipline that begins with Ash Wednesday (Feb 14) and concludes at sundown on Holy Saturday (March 30). During the forty weekdays and 6 Sundays in Lent, the church remembers the life and ministry of Jesus and renews its commitment to him in Christian discipleship.
Sunday, March 17 - The Fifth Sunday of Lent
Notes on the Readings
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Jeremiah 31:31-34 is part of a collection of hopeful words addressed to exiled Judeans in Babylon. The covenant referred to here includes the Ten Commandments and other provisions of the law. In that covenant, Israel’s part of the bargain was to keep the law as a way of being faithful to Yahweh. The nation of Israel failed to live up to the terms of the old covenant. God will write God’s "law" within them and in their hearts. It will be on their minds and will control their will. Moses' old covenant was written on a slab of stone The LORD guarantees the success of the new covenant. The LORD took the initiative to establish the covenant. In contrast to "thou shalt not," and "thou shalt" are the words, "I will put," "I will write," "I will forgive." The new covenant is an intimate personal relationship with God.
Psalm 51:1-12
The introduction to this psalm says that it was composed by David as a confession to God after David sinned with Bathsheba. Parts of the psalm are used in churches for a Prayer of Confession.
Hebrews 5:5-10
Melchizedek is named in this reading. The "order" of Melchizedek is not a monastic society or secret order; it was a sequential order or priestly leadership over God’s people. The order of Melchizedek began with Adam, who was the first representative of God (i.e., priest) on earth. God designated Jesus a High Priest according to the order. A priest existed to open the way for the sinner to come back to God--so long as the sinner wanted to come back. A priest of the Order of Melchizedek must be one with people. He must have gone through their experiences and his sympathy must be with them. Jesus did not choose his task; God chose him for it.
John 12:20-23
The Greeks who wanted to see Jesus could have been from the Decapolis (a group of ten cities near Galilee with large Greek populations). Jesus has become quite popular, but the Greeks are outsiders, looking for an introduction. This is the last that we hear about the Greeks. They are important to the story, because their visit illustrates the truth of the Pharisees’ statement, “Look, the world has gone after him” (v. 19).It also prompted Jesus to acknowledge that his hour has come and Jesus also says that, when he is lifted up, he will draw “all people” to himself, an obvious reference to Gentiles (including Greeks) (v. 32).
While the rest of the world was able to see power only in its traditional forms (money, military might, political influence, etc.), Jesus saw power in the cross. History has shown that his vision was true. His suffering and sacrifice have indeed drawn people to him—people of every race, nation, and gender.
Notes on the Readings
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Jeremiah 31:31-34 is part of a collection of hopeful words addressed to exiled Judeans in Babylon. The covenant referred to here includes the Ten Commandments and other provisions of the law. In that covenant, Israel’s part of the bargain was to keep the law as a way of being faithful to Yahweh. The nation of Israel failed to live up to the terms of the old covenant. God will write God’s "law" within them and in their hearts. It will be on their minds and will control their will. Moses' old covenant was written on a slab of stone The LORD guarantees the success of the new covenant. The LORD took the initiative to establish the covenant. In contrast to "thou shalt not," and "thou shalt" are the words, "I will put," "I will write," "I will forgive." The new covenant is an intimate personal relationship with God.
Psalm 51:1-12
The introduction to this psalm says that it was composed by David as a confession to God after David sinned with Bathsheba. Parts of the psalm are used in churches for a Prayer of Confession.
Hebrews 5:5-10
Melchizedek is named in this reading. The "order" of Melchizedek is not a monastic society or secret order; it was a sequential order or priestly leadership over God’s people. The order of Melchizedek began with Adam, who was the first representative of God (i.e., priest) on earth. God designated Jesus a High Priest according to the order. A priest existed to open the way for the sinner to come back to God--so long as the sinner wanted to come back. A priest of the Order of Melchizedek must be one with people. He must have gone through their experiences and his sympathy must be with them. Jesus did not choose his task; God chose him for it.
John 12:20-23
The Greeks who wanted to see Jesus could have been from the Decapolis (a group of ten cities near Galilee with large Greek populations). Jesus has become quite popular, but the Greeks are outsiders, looking for an introduction. This is the last that we hear about the Greeks. They are important to the story, because their visit illustrates the truth of the Pharisees’ statement, “Look, the world has gone after him” (v. 19).It also prompted Jesus to acknowledge that his hour has come and Jesus also says that, when he is lifted up, he will draw “all people” to himself, an obvious reference to Gentiles (including Greeks) (v. 32).
While the rest of the world was able to see power only in its traditional forms (money, military might, political influence, etc.), Jesus saw power in the cross. History has shown that his vision was true. His suffering and sacrifice have indeed drawn people to him—people of every race, nation, and gender.
Sunday, March 10 - The Fourth Sunday of Lent
Notes on the Readings
Numbers 21:4-9
The LORD said to Moses that by looking at the bronze serpent on the rod, an Israelite who had been bitten by a snake would be cured. This image of lifting up foreshadowed Christ's crucifixion, which brings salvation to humankind and triumphs over sin.
Psalm 107:1-3,17-22
This psalm has the same message as the other readings - ‘the LORD is good; and his steadfast love endures for ever’. It is a hymn commemorating the power of God.
Ephesians 2:1-10 In the first part of this passage Paul shows how terrible life without Christ was for Gentile and for Jew alike. The word Paul uses for sin brings us face to face with what sin is—a failure to be what we ought to be and could be. In this passage Paul makes a kind of list of the characteristics of life without Christ. Paul insists that it is by grace that we are saved. We have not earned salvation nor could we have earned it. It is the gift of God and our part is simply to accept it. ‘By grace you have been saved.’
John 3:14-21
John uses the old story of Moses lifting up the serpent as a kind of parable of Jesus. Jesus must be lifted up; and when people turn their thoughts to him, and believe in him, they too will find eternal life.
John 3:16 is a favourite Bible verse of many. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
It tells us of the width of the love of God. It was the world that God so loved. It was not a nation; it was not just the good people; it was not only the people who loved him; it was the world. The unlovable and the unlovely, the lonely who have no one else to love them, the ones who love God and the ones who never think of God—all are included in this vast inclusive love of God.
Notes on the Readings
Numbers 21:4-9
The LORD said to Moses that by looking at the bronze serpent on the rod, an Israelite who had been bitten by a snake would be cured. This image of lifting up foreshadowed Christ's crucifixion, which brings salvation to humankind and triumphs over sin.
Psalm 107:1-3,17-22
This psalm has the same message as the other readings - ‘the LORD is good; and his steadfast love endures for ever’. It is a hymn commemorating the power of God.
Ephesians 2:1-10 In the first part of this passage Paul shows how terrible life without Christ was for Gentile and for Jew alike. The word Paul uses for sin brings us face to face with what sin is—a failure to be what we ought to be and could be. In this passage Paul makes a kind of list of the characteristics of life without Christ. Paul insists that it is by grace that we are saved. We have not earned salvation nor could we have earned it. It is the gift of God and our part is simply to accept it. ‘By grace you have been saved.’
John 3:14-21
John uses the old story of Moses lifting up the serpent as a kind of parable of Jesus. Jesus must be lifted up; and when people turn their thoughts to him, and believe in him, they too will find eternal life.
John 3:16 is a favourite Bible verse of many. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
It tells us of the width of the love of God. It was the world that God so loved. It was not a nation; it was not just the good people; it was not only the people who loved him; it was the world. The unlovable and the unlovely, the lonely who have no one else to love them, the ones who love God and the ones who never think of God—all are included in this vast inclusive love of God.
Sunday, March 3 - The Third Sunday of Lent
Notes on the Readings
Lent is a season of preparation and discipline that begins with Ash Wednesday (Feb 14) and concludes at sundown on Holy Saturday (March 30). During the forty weekdays and 6 Sundays in Lent, the church remembers the life and ministry of Jesus and renews its commitment to him in Christian discipleship.
Exodus 20:1-17
The Ten Commandments The Old Testament reading from Exodus this Sunday is the Ten Commandments that God gave to Moses. Here are the Ten Commandments in summary.
You shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make any idols to worship.
You shall not take the Lord’s name in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
Honour your father and your mother.
You shall not kill.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness.
You shall not covet.
Psalm 19
So much of this psalm of David is familiar to us -
The first two lines exalt God’s glory--
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
And the last lines form the prayer of many preachers -
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Paul wrote the epistle known as 1 Corinthians near the conclusion of his threeyear visit to Ephesus, which likely ended sometime between AD 55 and 56. Both to the cultured Greek and to the pious Jew the story that Christianity had to tell sounded like the sheerest folly.
Paul begins by making use of two quotations to show how mere human wisdom is bound to fail. He cites the fact that for all its wisdom the world had never found God and was still blindly seeking him.
That search was designed by God to show men their own helplessness and so to prepare the way for the acceptance of him who is the one true way: It looked as if the Christian message had little chance of success against the background of Jewish or Greek life; but, as Paul said, ‘God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength’.
John 2:13-22
All four gospels record this incident. The synoptic gospels have it at the end of Jesus’ ministry but the writer of the fourth gospel tells the story in a different context. The story is told in John’s gospel as the second sign of the coming of Jesus as Lord - the embodiment of God’s Word. The first was at the wedding at Cana.
Jesus came into the temple and made a whip to drive out all business people and all their paraphernalia. Jesus is decrying the use of the temple for trade and refers to verse 9 in Psalm 69 and Zechariah 14, verses 20 and 21. “Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!”
The reply Jesus gave in verse 19 is incomprehensible to the disciples and to the Jews. By the time the fourth gospel was written, the temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed by the Romans. Jesus had been killed by the Romans and raised from the dead. This Jesus, the one God sent into the world, is to take the place of the temple. The temple itself is not raised again. Jesus lives on. The narrator of the story explains in verse 21 that Jesus was speaking about his body.
In Lent, we look to Jesus and his ministry while we prepare for Easter. The body of Christ is the location of God and the point of connection between divine and human life. The disciples needed more time and experience with Jesus before they understood. We have the same opportunity during Lent.
Notes on the Readings
Lent is a season of preparation and discipline that begins with Ash Wednesday (Feb 14) and concludes at sundown on Holy Saturday (March 30). During the forty weekdays and 6 Sundays in Lent, the church remembers the life and ministry of Jesus and renews its commitment to him in Christian discipleship.
Exodus 20:1-17
The Ten Commandments The Old Testament reading from Exodus this Sunday is the Ten Commandments that God gave to Moses. Here are the Ten Commandments in summary.
You shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make any idols to worship.
You shall not take the Lord’s name in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
Honour your father and your mother.
You shall not kill.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness.
You shall not covet.
Psalm 19
So much of this psalm of David is familiar to us -
The first two lines exalt God’s glory--
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
And the last lines form the prayer of many preachers -
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Paul wrote the epistle known as 1 Corinthians near the conclusion of his threeyear visit to Ephesus, which likely ended sometime between AD 55 and 56. Both to the cultured Greek and to the pious Jew the story that Christianity had to tell sounded like the sheerest folly.
Paul begins by making use of two quotations to show how mere human wisdom is bound to fail. He cites the fact that for all its wisdom the world had never found God and was still blindly seeking him.
That search was designed by God to show men their own helplessness and so to prepare the way for the acceptance of him who is the one true way: It looked as if the Christian message had little chance of success against the background of Jewish or Greek life; but, as Paul said, ‘God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength’.
John 2:13-22
All four gospels record this incident. The synoptic gospels have it at the end of Jesus’ ministry but the writer of the fourth gospel tells the story in a different context. The story is told in John’s gospel as the second sign of the coming of Jesus as Lord - the embodiment of God’s Word. The first was at the wedding at Cana.
Jesus came into the temple and made a whip to drive out all business people and all their paraphernalia. Jesus is decrying the use of the temple for trade and refers to verse 9 in Psalm 69 and Zechariah 14, verses 20 and 21. “Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!”
The reply Jesus gave in verse 19 is incomprehensible to the disciples and to the Jews. By the time the fourth gospel was written, the temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed by the Romans. Jesus had been killed by the Romans and raised from the dead. This Jesus, the one God sent into the world, is to take the place of the temple. The temple itself is not raised again. Jesus lives on. The narrator of the story explains in verse 21 that Jesus was speaking about his body.
In Lent, we look to Jesus and his ministry while we prepare for Easter. The body of Christ is the location of God and the point of connection between divine and human life. The disciples needed more time and experience with Jesus before they understood. We have the same opportunity during Lent.
Sunday, February 25 - The Second Sunday of Lent
Notes on the Readings
Lent is a season of preparation and discipline that begins with Ash Wednesday (Feb 14) and concludes at sundown on Holy Saturday (March 30). During the forty weekdays and 6 Sundays in Lent, the church remembers the life and ministry of Jesus and renews its commitment to him in Christian discipleship.
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
In this selection of verses God makes a covenant with Abram and Sarai. In future their names will be Abraham and Sarah.
Abraham is to become a father of many nations and despite her age, Sarah will give birth to a son.
Psalm 22:23-31
A psalm of David. A sufferer brings his needs before God, anticipates his deliverance, summons others to praise the LORD and foresees the universal
worship of God.
Romans 4:13-25
This reading focuses on Abraham’s faith. God made promises to Abraham and his descendants. The promise was fulfilled not because Abraham kept the law, but through his faith.
All have sinned but God’s gift of righteousness is extended to all through Jesus Christ.
Mark 8:31-38
Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection
31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He said all this quite openly.
(When Jesus connected being the Messiah with suffering and death, he was making statements that were to the disciples both incredible and incomprehensible.)
And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’
(Jesus so sternly rebuked Peter because he appeared to be putting into words the very temptations which were assailing Jesus. Jesus did not want to die. He knew that he had powers which he could use for conquest. At this moment he was refighting the battle of the temptations in the wilderness. This was the devil tempting him again to fall down and worship him, to take the devil’s way instead of God's way.)
34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.
(There is the almost startling honesty of Jesus. No one could ever say that they were induced to follow Jesus by false pretences. Jesus never tried to bribe people by the offer of an easy way. He did not offer peace; he offered glory. To tell people to be ready to take up a cross was to tell them they must be ready to be regarded as a criminal and to die.)
36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?
(The very essence of life is in risking life and spending life, not in saving it and hoarding it.)
37 Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 38 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’
(One thing leaps out from this passage--the confidence of Jesus. He has just been speaking of his death; he has no doubt that the Cross stands ahead of him; but nonetheless he is absolutely sure that in the end there will be triumph.) Noel Adset
Notes on the Readings
Lent is a season of preparation and discipline that begins with Ash Wednesday (Feb 14) and concludes at sundown on Holy Saturday (March 30). During the forty weekdays and 6 Sundays in Lent, the church remembers the life and ministry of Jesus and renews its commitment to him in Christian discipleship.
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
In this selection of verses God makes a covenant with Abram and Sarai. In future their names will be Abraham and Sarah.
Abraham is to become a father of many nations and despite her age, Sarah will give birth to a son.
Psalm 22:23-31
A psalm of David. A sufferer brings his needs before God, anticipates his deliverance, summons others to praise the LORD and foresees the universal
worship of God.
Romans 4:13-25
This reading focuses on Abraham’s faith. God made promises to Abraham and his descendants. The promise was fulfilled not because Abraham kept the law, but through his faith.
All have sinned but God’s gift of righteousness is extended to all through Jesus Christ.
Mark 8:31-38
Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection
31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He said all this quite openly.
(When Jesus connected being the Messiah with suffering and death, he was making statements that were to the disciples both incredible and incomprehensible.)
And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’
(Jesus so sternly rebuked Peter because he appeared to be putting into words the very temptations which were assailing Jesus. Jesus did not want to die. He knew that he had powers which he could use for conquest. At this moment he was refighting the battle of the temptations in the wilderness. This was the devil tempting him again to fall down and worship him, to take the devil’s way instead of God's way.)
34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.
(There is the almost startling honesty of Jesus. No one could ever say that they were induced to follow Jesus by false pretences. Jesus never tried to bribe people by the offer of an easy way. He did not offer peace; he offered glory. To tell people to be ready to take up a cross was to tell them they must be ready to be regarded as a criminal and to die.)
36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?
(The very essence of life is in risking life and spending life, not in saving it and hoarding it.)
37 Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 38 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’
(One thing leaps out from this passage--the confidence of Jesus. He has just been speaking of his death; he has no doubt that the Cross stands ahead of him; but nonetheless he is absolutely sure that in the end there will be triumph.) Noel Adset
Sunday, February 3 - The First Sunday of Lent
Notes on the Readings Psalm 25:1-10.
Lent is a season of preparation and discipline that begins with Ash Wednesday (Feb 14) and concludes at sundown on Holy Saturday (March 30). During the forty weekdays and 6 Sundays in Lent, the church remembers the life and ministry of Jesus and renews its commitment to him in Christian discipleship. The season is the traditional time to prepare for baptisms and confirmations to be celebrated at the Easter Vigil or on Easter Sunday, or during the season of Easter. (The seven Sundays between Easter Day and Pentecost)
Genesis 9:8-17
These verses remind us of the persistent grace of God that keeps coming back to humanity, even after the Flood and even after the Cross. Let us consider the flood and repent. Let us remember the covenant and hope. Let us consider the cross and believe.
Psalm 25 is a psalm of David. It is described as a prayer for guidance and for deliverance. In his paraphrase, of the psalm, James Taylor has written: I am following your footsteps, my Saviour. I trust you. I want to be like you. Hold my hand while I learn to walk. You are my only chance; I hang all my hopes on you.
Psalm 25:1-10.
Psalm 25 is a psalm of David. It is described as a prayer for guidance and for deliverance. In his paraphrase, of the psalm, James Taylor has written: I am following your footsteps, my Saviour. I trust you. I want to be like you. Hold my hand while I learn to walk. You are my only chance; I hang all my hopes on you.
1 Peter 3:18-22
Peter has been speaking about the wicked men who were disobedient and corrupt in the days of Noah. They were ultimately destroyed. But in the destruction by the flood, eight people—Noah and his wife, his sons Shem, Ham and Japheth, and their wives—were brought to safety in the ark. The idea of being brought to safety through the water turns Peter's thoughts to Christian baptism, which is also a bringing to safety through the water.
Mark 1:9-15
In verses 14 and 15, we read: Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’ The word ‘believe’ is used. ‘Believe,’ says Jesus, ‘in the good news.’ To believe in the good news simply means to take Jesus at his word, to believe that God is the kind of God that Jesus has told us about, to believe that God so loves the world that God will make any sacrifice to bring us back to God, to believe that what sounds too good to be true is really true.
Noel Adset
* * * * *
Lent is the period of forty days from Ash Wednesday to Easter. It is a time of prayer, preparation, and penance when Christians are invited to reflect on their lives, often making some sort of sacrifice such as giving up something in order to draw closer to God. The forty days do not include the Sundays, as each Sunday is a day of celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus. Often in Lent, Christians will examine their lives and attempt to make amends such as giving up smoking or reducing the drinking of alcohol. Fasting is important for some people. The Isaiah reading for Ash Wednesday (Isaiah 58:1-12) has some guidelines for fasting. In a Fair Trade Lent we ask ourselves about an aspect of how we spend our money. We all purchase goods: food, clothes, household products, cars etc. Mostly we look for a bargain, pleased with ourselves when we save a dollar or two. Fair Trade Lent encourages us to think, not only of our selves when we buy things, but of those who produced the goods: miners, farmers, artisans, and factory workers. Were they paid a living wage? Did they work in healthy conditions? Was the means of production environmentally sustainable? As followers of Jesus, I’m sure we would all like to be guided by the advice Paul gave to the Philippians in his introduction to the famous passage describing Christ’s humility. In part Paul wrote: ‘Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others.’ (Philippians 2:4) That is what Fair Trade is all about. [From The Fair Trade Association Lent Resources available at http://tinyurl.com/4m6h8rrh
Notes on the Readings Psalm 25:1-10.
Lent is a season of preparation and discipline that begins with Ash Wednesday (Feb 14) and concludes at sundown on Holy Saturday (March 30). During the forty weekdays and 6 Sundays in Lent, the church remembers the life and ministry of Jesus and renews its commitment to him in Christian discipleship. The season is the traditional time to prepare for baptisms and confirmations to be celebrated at the Easter Vigil or on Easter Sunday, or during the season of Easter. (The seven Sundays between Easter Day and Pentecost)
Genesis 9:8-17
These verses remind us of the persistent grace of God that keeps coming back to humanity, even after the Flood and even after the Cross. Let us consider the flood and repent. Let us remember the covenant and hope. Let us consider the cross and believe.
Psalm 25 is a psalm of David. It is described as a prayer for guidance and for deliverance. In his paraphrase, of the psalm, James Taylor has written: I am following your footsteps, my Saviour. I trust you. I want to be like you. Hold my hand while I learn to walk. You are my only chance; I hang all my hopes on you.
Psalm 25:1-10.
Psalm 25 is a psalm of David. It is described as a prayer for guidance and for deliverance. In his paraphrase, of the psalm, James Taylor has written: I am following your footsteps, my Saviour. I trust you. I want to be like you. Hold my hand while I learn to walk. You are my only chance; I hang all my hopes on you.
1 Peter 3:18-22
Peter has been speaking about the wicked men who were disobedient and corrupt in the days of Noah. They were ultimately destroyed. But in the destruction by the flood, eight people—Noah and his wife, his sons Shem, Ham and Japheth, and their wives—were brought to safety in the ark. The idea of being brought to safety through the water turns Peter's thoughts to Christian baptism, which is also a bringing to safety through the water.
Mark 1:9-15
In verses 14 and 15, we read: Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’ The word ‘believe’ is used. ‘Believe,’ says Jesus, ‘in the good news.’ To believe in the good news simply means to take Jesus at his word, to believe that God is the kind of God that Jesus has told us about, to believe that God so loves the world that God will make any sacrifice to bring us back to God, to believe that what sounds too good to be true is really true.
Noel Adset
* * * * *
Lent is the period of forty days from Ash Wednesday to Easter. It is a time of prayer, preparation, and penance when Christians are invited to reflect on their lives, often making some sort of sacrifice such as giving up something in order to draw closer to God. The forty days do not include the Sundays, as each Sunday is a day of celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus. Often in Lent, Christians will examine their lives and attempt to make amends such as giving up smoking or reducing the drinking of alcohol. Fasting is important for some people. The Isaiah reading for Ash Wednesday (Isaiah 58:1-12) has some guidelines for fasting. In a Fair Trade Lent we ask ourselves about an aspect of how we spend our money. We all purchase goods: food, clothes, household products, cars etc. Mostly we look for a bargain, pleased with ourselves when we save a dollar or two. Fair Trade Lent encourages us to think, not only of our selves when we buy things, but of those who produced the goods: miners, farmers, artisans, and factory workers. Were they paid a living wage? Did they work in healthy conditions? Was the means of production environmentally sustainable? As followers of Jesus, I’m sure we would all like to be guided by the advice Paul gave to the Philippians in his introduction to the famous passage describing Christ’s humility. In part Paul wrote: ‘Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others.’ (Philippians 2:4) That is what Fair Trade is all about. [From The Fair Trade Association Lent Resources available at http://tinyurl.com/4m6h8rrh
Notes on Readings for 11 February 2024 Epiphany
Transfiguration of Jesus Transfiguration Sunday is the last Sunday before Lent. Once again Epiphany closes with the Transfiguration of Jesus – the turning point, the final affirmation, before Jesus sets his sights on Jerusalem and the coming confrontation and sacrifice. The challenge this week is for us to learn to recognise God’s glory – in Christ, but also in all people and all things. It is this capacity for glory that can make a massive change to how we live in the world, and then through us, make a change to the world itself.
2 Kings 2: 1-12
In this story, Elijah is taken up to heaven and is succeeded by Elisha. They journey together in stages from Gilgal to the Jordan River. The narrative is rich in symbolism – chariots of fire and horsemen of fire, striking the waters of the Jordan and the dry path across to the other side, tearing of clothing in mourning. There are numerous examples. The “company of prophets” in verse 3 refers to members of the prophetic order. At Bethel and again at Jericho they warn Elisha that by the end of the day, the LORD will have taken his master Elijah. Elisha acknowledges this and asks them to remain silent. At the Jordan they remain at a distance and the reader focuses on what happens next. This Sunday is named Transfiguration of Jesus. In the gospel reading, Jesus is transfigured in divine light while speaking with Elijah and Moses. This Old Testament reading is probably chosen because the story of Elijah’s ascension in a fiery chariot foreshadows the transfiguration of Jesus. Elisha sees the departure of his master and when he could no longer see him, he tore his clothes in two. We might also note at the beginning of verse 13 - the action of Elisha who picked up Elijah’s mantle.
Psalm 50: 1-6
The imagery of light is in all the lectionary readings for Transfiguration Sunday. In these opening verses of Psalm 50, note the rising and setting of the sun and the radiant beauty of Zion in verses 1 and 2. God’s presence is depicted as being accompanied by bright light. The psalmist expresses confidence in God. God’s goodness and justice are affirmed. 2 Corinthians 4: 3-6 The transfiguration of Christ entails seeing Jesus as nothing short of God’s glory. Verse 3 refers to the gospel being “veiled to those who are perishing”. Back in 2 Corinthians 3, Paul had reminded his readers that when one turns to the Lord, “the veil is removed” and that people “with unveiled faces” are transformed as they see the glory of the Lord. For Paul, to see Christ in this way is to see God’s good news for the whole world. Seeing is believing. Unfortunately, not all are able to see this good news. The “god of this world” (verse 4) is Satan who is preventing them from seeing the light of the gospel of Christ.
Mark 9: 2-9
The story of the Transfiguration of Jesus is also told in Matthew 17: 1-8 and Luke 9: 28-36. Jesus took Peter, James and John up a high mountain where they saw Jesus transfigured into a radiant white. Moses and Elijah, the two greatest Jewish prophets, appeared and talked with Jesus. Then they heard God’s voice of delight and affirmation. When they looked around there was only Jesus to be seen. The narrative describes a vision of Jesus in heavenly glory, a glimpse of God’s chosen messenger of the reign of God. In verse 9, Jesus instructed the three disciples not to tell anyone until after he was raised from the dead. After this mountain-top experience, Jesus would face suffering and death. The bright light of the Transfiguration shines ahead into Lent – the season when we are called to listen to Jesus and to accompany him to the cross. Noel Adset
Transfiguration of Jesus Transfiguration Sunday is the last Sunday before Lent. Once again Epiphany closes with the Transfiguration of Jesus – the turning point, the final affirmation, before Jesus sets his sights on Jerusalem and the coming confrontation and sacrifice. The challenge this week is for us to learn to recognise God’s glory – in Christ, but also in all people and all things. It is this capacity for glory that can make a massive change to how we live in the world, and then through us, make a change to the world itself.
2 Kings 2: 1-12
In this story, Elijah is taken up to heaven and is succeeded by Elisha. They journey together in stages from Gilgal to the Jordan River. The narrative is rich in symbolism – chariots of fire and horsemen of fire, striking the waters of the Jordan and the dry path across to the other side, tearing of clothing in mourning. There are numerous examples. The “company of prophets” in verse 3 refers to members of the prophetic order. At Bethel and again at Jericho they warn Elisha that by the end of the day, the LORD will have taken his master Elijah. Elisha acknowledges this and asks them to remain silent. At the Jordan they remain at a distance and the reader focuses on what happens next. This Sunday is named Transfiguration of Jesus. In the gospel reading, Jesus is transfigured in divine light while speaking with Elijah and Moses. This Old Testament reading is probably chosen because the story of Elijah’s ascension in a fiery chariot foreshadows the transfiguration of Jesus. Elisha sees the departure of his master and when he could no longer see him, he tore his clothes in two. We might also note at the beginning of verse 13 - the action of Elisha who picked up Elijah’s mantle.
Psalm 50: 1-6
The imagery of light is in all the lectionary readings for Transfiguration Sunday. In these opening verses of Psalm 50, note the rising and setting of the sun and the radiant beauty of Zion in verses 1 and 2. God’s presence is depicted as being accompanied by bright light. The psalmist expresses confidence in God. God’s goodness and justice are affirmed. 2 Corinthians 4: 3-6 The transfiguration of Christ entails seeing Jesus as nothing short of God’s glory. Verse 3 refers to the gospel being “veiled to those who are perishing”. Back in 2 Corinthians 3, Paul had reminded his readers that when one turns to the Lord, “the veil is removed” and that people “with unveiled faces” are transformed as they see the glory of the Lord. For Paul, to see Christ in this way is to see God’s good news for the whole world. Seeing is believing. Unfortunately, not all are able to see this good news. The “god of this world” (verse 4) is Satan who is preventing them from seeing the light of the gospel of Christ.
Mark 9: 2-9
The story of the Transfiguration of Jesus is also told in Matthew 17: 1-8 and Luke 9: 28-36. Jesus took Peter, James and John up a high mountain where they saw Jesus transfigured into a radiant white. Moses and Elijah, the two greatest Jewish prophets, appeared and talked with Jesus. Then they heard God’s voice of delight and affirmation. When they looked around there was only Jesus to be seen. The narrative describes a vision of Jesus in heavenly glory, a glimpse of God’s chosen messenger of the reign of God. In verse 9, Jesus instructed the three disciples not to tell anyone until after he was raised from the dead. After this mountain-top experience, Jesus would face suffering and death. The bright light of the Transfiguration shines ahead into Lent – the season when we are called to listen to Jesus and to accompany him to the cross. Noel Adset
Notes on Readings for 4 February 2024
Epiphany 5
An ‘Epiphany’ is a revealing, appearing or manifesting of something or someone, and in this season the church reflects on the manifestation of Christ to all people.
Isaiah 40: 21-31 Chapter 40
is the beginning of Second Isaiah in which the prophet addresses the weary people in exile, giving them reason to hope for a better future. Verses 21 to 24 question how it is that the people do not recognise God’s creative power. They give examples of this power – a dome over the earth and a tent to live in in verse 22; God’s power over earthly rulers in verses 23 and 24. The next section is verses 25 to 27 says that God is incomparable and omniscient. Look to the heavens with their host, the moon and the stars. Are any of them missing? Have they floated away? No. God has named them and claimed them. In the same way, God has named and claimed Israel. Verses 28 to 31 are saying that God recreates and strengthens. The prophet recognises that returning to Jerusalem will not be without struggle, disappointment and doubt but “those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength”.
Psalm 147: 1-11, 20c
This psalm is a hymn praising God for God’s universal power and providential care. It is interesting to compare verse 4 with verse 26 in Isaiah 40. 1 Corinthians 9: 16-23
Last week in Chapter 8, we were reminded that the Christian is free except from the obligation to love. Paul feels free to serve God. Paul feels free to become all things to all people in order to win them for Christ.
Mark 1: 29-39
This passage in Mark’s first chapter has three parts: The healing of Peter’s mother-in-law in a house The healing and exorcising of many people who were brought to Jesus “around the door ” of Peter’s house Jesus in the wilderness praying and when found, expressing his intention of going to neighbouring towns in Galilee to preach and to heal. Mark’s description illustrates Jesus’ escalating fame and a certain tension when Jesus goes off secretly to pray and forbids demons to speak. Noel Adsett
Epiphany 5
An ‘Epiphany’ is a revealing, appearing or manifesting of something or someone, and in this season the church reflects on the manifestation of Christ to all people.
Isaiah 40: 21-31 Chapter 40
is the beginning of Second Isaiah in which the prophet addresses the weary people in exile, giving them reason to hope for a better future. Verses 21 to 24 question how it is that the people do not recognise God’s creative power. They give examples of this power – a dome over the earth and a tent to live in in verse 22; God’s power over earthly rulers in verses 23 and 24. The next section is verses 25 to 27 says that God is incomparable and omniscient. Look to the heavens with their host, the moon and the stars. Are any of them missing? Have they floated away? No. God has named them and claimed them. In the same way, God has named and claimed Israel. Verses 28 to 31 are saying that God recreates and strengthens. The prophet recognises that returning to Jerusalem will not be without struggle, disappointment and doubt but “those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength”.
Psalm 147: 1-11, 20c
This psalm is a hymn praising God for God’s universal power and providential care. It is interesting to compare verse 4 with verse 26 in Isaiah 40. 1 Corinthians 9: 16-23
Last week in Chapter 8, we were reminded that the Christian is free except from the obligation to love. Paul feels free to serve God. Paul feels free to become all things to all people in order to win them for Christ.
Mark 1: 29-39
This passage in Mark’s first chapter has three parts: The healing of Peter’s mother-in-law in a house The healing and exorcising of many people who were brought to Jesus “around the door ” of Peter’s house Jesus in the wilderness praying and when found, expressing his intention of going to neighbouring towns in Galilee to preach and to heal. Mark’s description illustrates Jesus’ escalating fame and a certain tension when Jesus goes off secretly to pray and forbids demons to speak. Noel Adsett
Notes on Readings for 28 January 2024
An ‘Epiphany’ is a revealing, appearing or manifesting of something or someone, and in this season the church reflects on the manifestation of Christ to all people.
Epiphany 4 Deuteronomy 18: 15-20
In Deuteronomy, the prophet Moses is speaking, towards the end of his life, to the wandering Israelites, as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. Moses had been the only leader they had known.
Prophets in those days were not few in number. Some of them performed various functions including some that were already condemned by Moses in the previous verses 10 to 12. Moses thought prophets of the Lord, if they truly spoke for God, were mouthpieces for God. Note in verses 15 and 18, “I raise up”. Prophets are selected by God for the sake of the people and they come from among their own people (verse 18). Verse 16 mentions Horeb. The giving of the law (Ten Commandments) is recorded in Exodus 19 and 20 at Mount Sinai. When the people heard God speak they were frightened and begged Moses to speak with God and be their mediator. It is generally agreed Sinai and Horeb were the same place.
There are warnings in verses 19 and 20. Accountability is mentioned.
Glance at verses 21 and 22, though they are not part of today’s passage. How do we know which of the many preachers/prophets who speak are truly speaking for God? There is an answer in verse 22 but one can generally discern what was the correct path in retrospect. Discerning the authentic word of God is difficult.
Psalm 111
Psalms 111, 112 and 113 begin with “Praise the LORD”. Psalm 111 is a song of praise for God’s great deeds and care. “Fear of the LORD” in verse 10 refers to respect or reverence. The psalm is an acrostic poem. Every line begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This served as an aid for reciting the poem.
1 Corinthians 8: 1-13
The first verse in Chapter 8 indicates that the matter of eating food consecrated to an idol was a live issue in Corinth. Much of the meat sold in market places came from animals sacrificed in pagan temples. In verse 11 Paul refers to ‘weak believers’ who had scruples about eating such meat. He also refers to superior people with their ‘knowledge’ in verses 1 and 4. Paul argues that because idols don’t really exist as actual gods, one has freedom in regard to this question. However, out of love and respect for the other person for whom it is a matter of conscience, one who claims such freedom or liberty should be willing to relinquish it.
2 Mark 1: 21-28
Jesus and his newly called disciples move to Capernaum and on the sabbath Jesus teaches in the synagogue. Verse 22 points out that the people were astonished at his teaching “for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes”. The scribes would have used the traditional interpretation of the Torah as their authority. People asked if this was a new teaching when Jesus with authority, exorcises a demon possessed person. Jesus preached in a new way. Mark 6, verse 2 records another occasion when Jesus preached in the synagogue in Nazareth and the people were astounded. Last week, we remarked on the urgency of Mark’s gospel. Again in today’s passage, note the words “just then” in verse 23 and “at once” in verse 28. Mark is emphasising the immediacy that was present in the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth.
Noel Adsett
An ‘Epiphany’ is a revealing, appearing or manifesting of something or someone, and in this season the church reflects on the manifestation of Christ to all people.
Epiphany 4 Deuteronomy 18: 15-20
In Deuteronomy, the prophet Moses is speaking, towards the end of his life, to the wandering Israelites, as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. Moses had been the only leader they had known.
Prophets in those days were not few in number. Some of them performed various functions including some that were already condemned by Moses in the previous verses 10 to 12. Moses thought prophets of the Lord, if they truly spoke for God, were mouthpieces for God. Note in verses 15 and 18, “I raise up”. Prophets are selected by God for the sake of the people and they come from among their own people (verse 18). Verse 16 mentions Horeb. The giving of the law (Ten Commandments) is recorded in Exodus 19 and 20 at Mount Sinai. When the people heard God speak they were frightened and begged Moses to speak with God and be their mediator. It is generally agreed Sinai and Horeb were the same place.
There are warnings in verses 19 and 20. Accountability is mentioned.
Glance at verses 21 and 22, though they are not part of today’s passage. How do we know which of the many preachers/prophets who speak are truly speaking for God? There is an answer in verse 22 but one can generally discern what was the correct path in retrospect. Discerning the authentic word of God is difficult.
Psalm 111
Psalms 111, 112 and 113 begin with “Praise the LORD”. Psalm 111 is a song of praise for God’s great deeds and care. “Fear of the LORD” in verse 10 refers to respect or reverence. The psalm is an acrostic poem. Every line begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This served as an aid for reciting the poem.
1 Corinthians 8: 1-13
The first verse in Chapter 8 indicates that the matter of eating food consecrated to an idol was a live issue in Corinth. Much of the meat sold in market places came from animals sacrificed in pagan temples. In verse 11 Paul refers to ‘weak believers’ who had scruples about eating such meat. He also refers to superior people with their ‘knowledge’ in verses 1 and 4. Paul argues that because idols don’t really exist as actual gods, one has freedom in regard to this question. However, out of love and respect for the other person for whom it is a matter of conscience, one who claims such freedom or liberty should be willing to relinquish it.
2 Mark 1: 21-28
Jesus and his newly called disciples move to Capernaum and on the sabbath Jesus teaches in the synagogue. Verse 22 points out that the people were astonished at his teaching “for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes”. The scribes would have used the traditional interpretation of the Torah as their authority. People asked if this was a new teaching when Jesus with authority, exorcises a demon possessed person. Jesus preached in a new way. Mark 6, verse 2 records another occasion when Jesus preached in the synagogue in Nazareth and the people were astounded. Last week, we remarked on the urgency of Mark’s gospel. Again in today’s passage, note the words “just then” in verse 23 and “at once” in verse 28. Mark is emphasising the immediacy that was present in the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth.
Noel Adsett
Notes on Readings for 21 January 2024
An ‘Epiphany’ is a revealing, appearing or manifesting of something or someone, and in this season the church reflects on the manifestation of Christ to all people.
Epiphany 3
Jonah 3: 1-5
The book of Jonah is unique among the prophetic books. It is recommended you read the whole four chapters. It is described as a didactic narrative – an amusing and clever little tale about a recalcitrant prophet called Jonah. It is not an historical account. Its purpose is to teach about the wideness of God’s mercy and forgiveness. In today’s verses in Chapter 3, God sends Jonah to the wicked city of Ninevah a second time. This time Jonah doesn’t run away but obeys. In Ninevah he announces that God is going to judge and destroy the city. Miraculously, the people repent and wear sackcloth, even the animals, so God decides not to destroy the city. God gave Jonah a second chance and God gave the people of Nineveh a second chance. There are many teachings in this story but the main one is that God is revealed as a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Psalm 62: 5-12
The psalmist is expressing confidence in God’s protection in Psalm 62. It is a song of trust. God is the psalmist’s only help in verses 5 to 7. In verses 8 to 12, the psalmist is urging other people to trust in God too.
1 Corinthians 7: 29-31
These three verses in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians are amongst a series of warnings concerned with marriage in particular. They are in line with Paul’s teachings about being disengaged from the world and its ways of living. Notice Paul’s use of the words, “as though not”. One is to live “as though not” married, mourning, rejoicing, making purchases and dealing with the world in general. It is also important to notice the urgency expressed in these verses. Paul lived at a time when the imminent arrival of Christ was expected. Because “the present form of this world is passing away”, it makes a difference as to how one should live.
Mark 1: 14-20
This passage has two parts: Verses 14 and 15 contain a summary of the preaching of Jesus. God’s reign has arrived. People should repent and believe it. Verses 16 to 20 tell the story of the calling of four disciples. As in the reading from Paul’s letter, there is again a note of urgency – a feature of Mark’s gospel.
Noel Adsett
An ‘Epiphany’ is a revealing, appearing or manifesting of something or someone, and in this season the church reflects on the manifestation of Christ to all people.
Epiphany 3
Jonah 3: 1-5
The book of Jonah is unique among the prophetic books. It is recommended you read the whole four chapters. It is described as a didactic narrative – an amusing and clever little tale about a recalcitrant prophet called Jonah. It is not an historical account. Its purpose is to teach about the wideness of God’s mercy and forgiveness. In today’s verses in Chapter 3, God sends Jonah to the wicked city of Ninevah a second time. This time Jonah doesn’t run away but obeys. In Ninevah he announces that God is going to judge and destroy the city. Miraculously, the people repent and wear sackcloth, even the animals, so God decides not to destroy the city. God gave Jonah a second chance and God gave the people of Nineveh a second chance. There are many teachings in this story but the main one is that God is revealed as a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Psalm 62: 5-12
The psalmist is expressing confidence in God’s protection in Psalm 62. It is a song of trust. God is the psalmist’s only help in verses 5 to 7. In verses 8 to 12, the psalmist is urging other people to trust in God too.
1 Corinthians 7: 29-31
These three verses in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians are amongst a series of warnings concerned with marriage in particular. They are in line with Paul’s teachings about being disengaged from the world and its ways of living. Notice Paul’s use of the words, “as though not”. One is to live “as though not” married, mourning, rejoicing, making purchases and dealing with the world in general. It is also important to notice the urgency expressed in these verses. Paul lived at a time when the imminent arrival of Christ was expected. Because “the present form of this world is passing away”, it makes a difference as to how one should live.
Mark 1: 14-20
This passage has two parts: Verses 14 and 15 contain a summary of the preaching of Jesus. God’s reign has arrived. People should repent and believe it. Verses 16 to 20 tell the story of the calling of four disciples. As in the reading from Paul’s letter, there is again a note of urgency – a feature of Mark’s gospel.
Noel Adsett
Notes on Readings for 14 January 2024
An ‘Epiphany’ is a revealing, appearing or manifesting of something or someone, and in this season the church reflects on the manifestation of Christ to all people.
Epiphany 2
1 Samuel 3: 1-10
The boy Samuel has been placed in Eli’s care to serve God. Samuel is lying down in the temple with the ark of the covenant while Eli sleeps in another room. Samuel hears God speak three times but doesn’t recognise the voice. Then Eli instructs him how to answer and the reading ends with Samuel doing as Eli told him.
Samuel needed Eli to explain to him what these stirrings meant. Often in our lives, it takes others to help us to understand God’s call on us.
Psalm 139: 1-6, 13-18
This psalm is a prayer for deliverance from personal enemies.
Everything the psalmist has ever done or thought is known to God (verses 1 to 6).
God also knows intimately the psalmist’s creation. “My mother’s womb” in verse 13 is called “the depths of the earth” in verse 15.
Verses 17 and 18 are an exclamation of wonder!
1 Corinthians 6: 12-20
Paul’s statement in verse 12 is explained in the rest of the passage: “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.
Christ does not set us free to enable us to do whatever we like. Christ sets us free to enable us to do whatever God wants us to do. Paul argues that over-indulgence in food represents a misunderstanding of who we are as people of God. We are given life by God and are temples of God’s spirit. Our bodies are God’s creation to be used for God’s purposes.
John 1: 43-51
The first chapter of John has an interesting sequence. It begins with the well known Prologue (1-18). The next section is about John’s testimony at Bethany where John was baptising (19-28). Three sections follow, each beginning “The next day” (at verses 29, 35, 43). Our reading today is the third “next day” section with the invitations to Philip and Nathanael and the promise of the Son of Man (43-51). This sequence is significant because throughout the Gospel of John, we note ways in which Jesus will be revealed. “Come and see” (verse 46) is a recurring theme in John’s gospel.
Nathanael was probably Bartholomew (listed as a disciple in Matthew, Mark and Luke) who lived in Cana near Nazareth.
Note the references to the Old Testament:
Verse 45 mentions the law of Moses and the prophets.
“No deceit” in verse 47 refers to Jacob when he received his father’s blessing deceitfully.
Verse 51 refers to Jacob’s vision at Bethel in Genesis 28, verse 12.
Noel Adsett
An ‘Epiphany’ is a revealing, appearing or manifesting of something or someone, and in this season the church reflects on the manifestation of Christ to all people.
Epiphany 2
1 Samuel 3: 1-10
The boy Samuel has been placed in Eli’s care to serve God. Samuel is lying down in the temple with the ark of the covenant while Eli sleeps in another room. Samuel hears God speak three times but doesn’t recognise the voice. Then Eli instructs him how to answer and the reading ends with Samuel doing as Eli told him.
Samuel needed Eli to explain to him what these stirrings meant. Often in our lives, it takes others to help us to understand God’s call on us.
Psalm 139: 1-6, 13-18
This psalm is a prayer for deliverance from personal enemies.
Everything the psalmist has ever done or thought is known to God (verses 1 to 6).
God also knows intimately the psalmist’s creation. “My mother’s womb” in verse 13 is called “the depths of the earth” in verse 15.
Verses 17 and 18 are an exclamation of wonder!
1 Corinthians 6: 12-20
Paul’s statement in verse 12 is explained in the rest of the passage: “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.
Christ does not set us free to enable us to do whatever we like. Christ sets us free to enable us to do whatever God wants us to do. Paul argues that over-indulgence in food represents a misunderstanding of who we are as people of God. We are given life by God and are temples of God’s spirit. Our bodies are God’s creation to be used for God’s purposes.
John 1: 43-51
The first chapter of John has an interesting sequence. It begins with the well known Prologue (1-18). The next section is about John’s testimony at Bethany where John was baptising (19-28). Three sections follow, each beginning “The next day” (at verses 29, 35, 43). Our reading today is the third “next day” section with the invitations to Philip and Nathanael and the promise of the Son of Man (43-51). This sequence is significant because throughout the Gospel of John, we note ways in which Jesus will be revealed. “Come and see” (verse 46) is a recurring theme in John’s gospel.
Nathanael was probably Bartholomew (listed as a disciple in Matthew, Mark and Luke) who lived in Cana near Nazareth.
Note the references to the Old Testament:
Verse 45 mentions the law of Moses and the prophets.
“No deceit” in verse 47 refers to Jacob when he received his father’s blessing deceitfully.
Verse 51 refers to Jacob’s vision at Bethel in Genesis 28, verse 12.
Noel Adsett
Notes on Readings for 7 January 2024
An ‘Epiphany’ is a revealing, appearing or manifesting of something or someone, and in this season the church reflects on the manifestation of Christ to all people. The length of this period varies depending on the date of Easter.
Epiphany 1
Baptism of Jesus
Genesis 1: 1-5
What do these first five verses in the Hebrew bible have to do with the baptism of Jesus?
To-day’s readings from Genesis and Mark refer to elemental things – water, wind, darkness, light. The Spirit of God which broods over the face of the waters at the beginning descends on Jesus as he comes out of the waters of the river Jordan. The voice that says, “Let there be light” in the creation story now declares, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
Note the wonder and wildness in the second verse: “a formless void; darkness covered the face of the deep”. Then God said, “Let there be light” and light burst forth.
This first lectionary reading in Epiphany confirms that God is indeed great and the creator of all things. We are invited to reflect on God’s creative Spirit in the baptism of our Lord and to our own baptism and journey of faith.
Psalm 29
This psalm of David is a hymn to the God of the storm – a well known weather condition at the beginning of Epiphany in Brisbane.
With the words, “Ascribe to the LORD,” verses 1 and 2 call the listeners to worship.
As said in italics above, Epiphany is a manifestation. Verses 3 to 9 express the LORD’s manifestation in the thunderstorm. Note the voice in verse 3 (thunder) and flames of fire in verse 7 (lightning).
Psalm 29 is a song about God's glory and strength. Every verse (except one) includes God's personal name—Yahweh. In most verses it occurs twice.
As mentioned previously in these notes, "Yahweh" was the Hebrew word for the
self-revealed name of the God of the Old Testament. It comes from the Hebrew verb "to be." "Yahweh" means "to be." The New Revised Standard Version of the bible translates “Yahweh” as "LORD," which distinguishes it from "Lord".
Acts 19: 1-7
These readings for the first week of Epiphany are teaching us how God is being
revealed. The book of Acts continues the narrative of the Gospel according to Luke by tracing the story of the Christian movement from the resurrection of Jesus to the time when the apostle Paul was in Rome, proclaiming the gospel “with all boldness and without hindrance”.
Three notes on this reading:
1. The first verse in this reading refers to Apollos. Apollos was an itinerant evangelist with many gifts, but he only knew “the baptism of John”. Apollos, apparently, was the person whose enthusiastic proclamation of The Way in Ephesus led a number of people to believe. When Paul travelled through Ephesus after Apollos had moved on, he discovered that the believers there had been baptised “into John’s baptism” (verse 3). So, Paul baptised them in the name of Jesus (verse 5).
2. There was a diversity of practices of baptism in the early church just as there is today. It is typical of Paul’s teaching that he should emphasise the living presence of God in the lives of believers – not “how were you baptised?” but “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?”
3. When we apply this question to our own lives, it causes us again to reflect, during this season of Epiphany, on the manifestation of Jesus Christ on our own journey of faith.
Mark 1: 4-11
When we read from Mark 1 five weeks ago, in the season of Advent, we said verses 4 to 8 name the forerunner, John the Baptiser, at a time of fulfilment promised by the prophets Isaiah and Malachi.
John’s own baptism had two components – repentance and forgiveness as he explains in verse 4.
However, as John also explains in verse 8, the good news of Jesus’ baptism is that while John’s own baptism was with water, Jesus “will baptise you with the Holy Spirit”.
Professor Michael Rogness, author, parish pastor and seminary teacher, noted the way baptism is a “means of grace”. It is just a splash of water but “it marks the beginning of a whole new life – of forgiveness, of the presence of God’s spirit, of our union with Jesus, and our becoming part of the world-wide Christian Church.”
Noel Adsett
An ‘Epiphany’ is a revealing, appearing or manifesting of something or someone, and in this season the church reflects on the manifestation of Christ to all people. The length of this period varies depending on the date of Easter.
Epiphany 1
Baptism of Jesus
Genesis 1: 1-5
What do these first five verses in the Hebrew bible have to do with the baptism of Jesus?
To-day’s readings from Genesis and Mark refer to elemental things – water, wind, darkness, light. The Spirit of God which broods over the face of the waters at the beginning descends on Jesus as he comes out of the waters of the river Jordan. The voice that says, “Let there be light” in the creation story now declares, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
Note the wonder and wildness in the second verse: “a formless void; darkness covered the face of the deep”. Then God said, “Let there be light” and light burst forth.
This first lectionary reading in Epiphany confirms that God is indeed great and the creator of all things. We are invited to reflect on God’s creative Spirit in the baptism of our Lord and to our own baptism and journey of faith.
Psalm 29
This psalm of David is a hymn to the God of the storm – a well known weather condition at the beginning of Epiphany in Brisbane.
With the words, “Ascribe to the LORD,” verses 1 and 2 call the listeners to worship.
As said in italics above, Epiphany is a manifestation. Verses 3 to 9 express the LORD’s manifestation in the thunderstorm. Note the voice in verse 3 (thunder) and flames of fire in verse 7 (lightning).
Psalm 29 is a song about God's glory and strength. Every verse (except one) includes God's personal name—Yahweh. In most verses it occurs twice.
As mentioned previously in these notes, "Yahweh" was the Hebrew word for the
self-revealed name of the God of the Old Testament. It comes from the Hebrew verb "to be." "Yahweh" means "to be." The New Revised Standard Version of the bible translates “Yahweh” as "LORD," which distinguishes it from "Lord".
Acts 19: 1-7
These readings for the first week of Epiphany are teaching us how God is being
revealed. The book of Acts continues the narrative of the Gospel according to Luke by tracing the story of the Christian movement from the resurrection of Jesus to the time when the apostle Paul was in Rome, proclaiming the gospel “with all boldness and without hindrance”.
Three notes on this reading:
1. The first verse in this reading refers to Apollos. Apollos was an itinerant evangelist with many gifts, but he only knew “the baptism of John”. Apollos, apparently, was the person whose enthusiastic proclamation of The Way in Ephesus led a number of people to believe. When Paul travelled through Ephesus after Apollos had moved on, he discovered that the believers there had been baptised “into John’s baptism” (verse 3). So, Paul baptised them in the name of Jesus (verse 5).
2. There was a diversity of practices of baptism in the early church just as there is today. It is typical of Paul’s teaching that he should emphasise the living presence of God in the lives of believers – not “how were you baptised?” but “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?”
3. When we apply this question to our own lives, it causes us again to reflect, during this season of Epiphany, on the manifestation of Jesus Christ on our own journey of faith.
Mark 1: 4-11
When we read from Mark 1 five weeks ago, in the season of Advent, we said verses 4 to 8 name the forerunner, John the Baptiser, at a time of fulfilment promised by the prophets Isaiah and Malachi.
John’s own baptism had two components – repentance and forgiveness as he explains in verse 4.
However, as John also explains in verse 8, the good news of Jesus’ baptism is that while John’s own baptism was with water, Jesus “will baptise you with the Holy Spirit”.
Professor Michael Rogness, author, parish pastor and seminary teacher, noted the way baptism is a “means of grace”. It is just a splash of water but “it marks the beginning of a whole new life – of forgiveness, of the presence of God’s spirit, of our union with Jesus, and our becoming part of the world-wide Christian Church.”
Noel Adsett
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