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Hey everyone, welcome to another edition of "Dig into God's Word" where we look ahead
to the upcoming Sunday's readings from the lectionary. Can you believe how fast the weeks
are flying by? This next Sunday will be the 7th Sunday after Epiphany. And Epiphany falls
12 days after Christmas. After all of our anticipation and longing for Christmas we
are now nearly 9 weeks past this joyful celebration of our Savior's birth.
This week we hear more about how God's people live in light of being chosen as God's people.
The Old Testament reading describes a life for the children of Israel that is different
than Egypt, where they came from and Canaan, where they are going. Paul continues his letter
to the Corinthians talking about building carefully on the foundation that is Christ
and instructing them not to put their hope and trust in people and things that are temporary
but rather in the one that continues forever. Finally, in our gospel reading Jesus shows
us how to live our lives as the salt and light of the world.
Our Old Testament reading this week comes from Leviticus 19. In Leviticus we hear the
account of the transitional life of the Children of Israel. To set the scene for our reading
just a little bit, it is helpful to know that in chapter 16 we hear about the Day of Atonement
where the sins of the people are atoned for and things are made right again. This then
leads chapters 17-26 to be called the "Holiness code" by some because it outlines how the
people of God are to live in light of their atonement. The life they live is different
than that of their Egyptian neighbors who they left as well as their Canaanite neighbors
who they will soon be living near. They are holy, set apart, and meant to be God's light
to draw others to himself. You'll notice that God ends all of the statements that he makes
with the phrase "I am the LORD". What is slightly deceiving about our English translations is
that when we see the word LORD in all capital letters in our Bibles, it is actually standing
in for God's personal name, YHWH, which, if you remember, is how he identifies himself
to Moses and to the people when he leads them out of Egypt and is his connection back to
Abraham and the promise. Basically, it is, "I am YHWH" and this is why you will live
this way. God then goes on to list the ways that they
will live together in peace while providing for the poor, the workers, the deaf, the blind
and all people. Living differently will not only bring them peace but will also stand
out to those around them.
Our Epistle reading is from 1 Corinthians 3 and continues what we have been reading
for the past few weeks. Last week Paul reminded the Corinthians that it is God that gives
the growth to the seeds of faith that are planted by pastors like Paul and Apollos.
This week he uses an example that comes from the construction industry. Paul says he laid
a foundation with them that others are now building on. It is interesting because he
quickly points out that the foundation had already been laid and that it was Jesus Christ.
Then Paul lists off several building materials in descending order of value and endurance.
His example makes God to be the master builder or general contractor in this building project
who has sub-contractors, that is, the pastors in his church who are responsible for building
on the foundation of Christ. Some are faithful and build up with the truth and others are
unfaithful and build with lies or other deception. Paul says that the faithfulness of the message
will be demonstrated when it is tested. These are strong words of warning and guidance for
those who have been called to preach and teach in God's church.
Paul then returns to the topic of wisdom that he's spoken about earlier in this letter.
He says those who consider themselves wise by the standards of this world must become
foolish. Why? Because if you remember in Chapter 1 he says that true wisdom is found in the
cross which is foolishness to this world.
Our gospel reading is from Matthew 5. Here again we're continuing to listen to Jesus
speak as we have for the past few weeks. Last week we heard Jesus use the phrase "You have
heard it said..." and then explain what God's will actually is rather than what some had
been teaching about God's will. He starts with an eye for an eye and tooth
for a tooth. In this Old Testament this was meant to limit revenge but instead it had
become an invitation. "If he did this, now I can do that" Jesus flips this all on its
head and starts to give us a foreshadowing of his passion -- that is his suffering and
death -- and how he will be a perfect fulfillment of all that is required. He says that if someone
slaps you on one cheek that you should offer the other, if they take your tunic, give them
your cloak, and if they want you to go one mile then you should go two. If someone needs
something from you, give it to them. Jesus is saying that it is better to be taken
advantage of than to take advantage of others, to be generous to others even when they don't
deserve it. Don't we see this from Jesus, he is struck in the face but doesn't strike
back, he has his clothes taken but doesn't resist, he gives all that he has, including
his life with nothing in exchange. Then we are also to love our enemies and pray
for those who persecute us. How hard is it to love the people who love you too? Jesus
asks. Even the pagans do it, he says. But since we have the love of God flowing through
us we share that love with everyone, friend or enemy. In this way, we are living lives
that are noticeably different than what is expected and acting as the salt and light
in the world that Jesus spoke about a few weeks ago toward the beginning of these readings.
So go forth and be salty and bright as God's love flows through you. I hope you found this
interesting. As always if you have any questions or comments please let me know. Also, Lent
will be starting soon. Be on the lookout for a new and interesting way to read through
the whole New Testament in the 40 Days of Lent. We'll talk about it more in church and
I'll post a special video here outlining the plan. God's blessings as you study his word
this week.