Luke 1:68-79; Colossians 1: 11-20   This Sunday was Christ the King Sunday, and our passages reflect upon it. Our Luke passage is the prophecy of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. He tells about a mighty Savior being raised by God. The promise given to their ancestor Abraham is coming through. This prophecy comes at the birth of John the Baptist and his father tells how his child will be called prophet of the most high and will go before the Savior Lord to prepare his way by giving knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. The dawn from on high will break upon them to give light to those who sit in darkness. This idea of rescuing people from the dark comes out in Colossians 1 where it tells of God rescuing us from the power of darkness, enabling us to share in the inheritance of the saints of light. How? It is by transferring us to the kingdom of his beloved son in whom we have redemption – the forgiveness of sins. Christ has a kin...

  Isaiah 65:17-24; II Thessalonians 3:6-13   The Israelites in Isaiah’s time knew what it was to do fruitless labor. They planted vineyards but didn’t get to eat any of the fruit. What they planted was eaten by others. They would build houses and others would take them over. Women would labor for an infant who would die in a few days. They have labored in vain. Yet Isaiah has good news in this chapter. The new earth the Lord is creating will no longer have dying infants. They will be able to live in the houses they build and eat what they plant. God’s chosen will long enjoy the work of their hands. We spoke last week about how some Thessalonians believed Christ had already come and they saw this as a “Get Out of Work” card. Instead of helping or contributing with the food they shared, they became idle and mere busybodies still taking what they considered to be their share. To this Paul rebukes them and tells how he and the apostles worked day and night and paid for the...

  Psalm 145: 1-5, 17-21; II Thessalonians 2:13-17   The Thessalonians are in turmoil. False teachers have told them that Christ’s return has already happened, that Christ has come and gone without them. This leaves many wondering. Are they putting up with this persecution for nothing? Should they give up on the faith? Paul affirms for them that Christ hasn’t returned yet. He reminds them again that they are chosen of God. They are the first fruits of salvation due to the sanctification by the Spirit and their belief in the truth. The purpose God has called them, through Paul’s proclamation of the Good News, is that they may obtain the glory of Christ. He is encouraging them not to give up, not to believe the falsehoods they are hearing. They are to stand firm and hold fast to the traditions taught to them by the apostles by word of mouth or by their letters. Paul is praying that Christ and God, who gave us love and through grace gave eternal comfort and good hope in the ...

  Joel 2:23-29; II Timothy 4:6-8,16-18   These verses bring up themes of devastation but also of deliverance. The prophet Joel talks about a reversal of the misfortunes they have encountered. The drought will be over – rain will come, and they will be full of grain, wine, and oil. They will be repaid for these barren years. Not only have locusts eaten crops – this is also a metaphor symbolizing the three armies which have attacked Israel. For those who kept the faith during these hard times – they shall praise the Lord since they will eat in plenty again. Most important he emphasizes twice; they will no longer be put to shame. Not only that, but afterwards the Spirit of God will be poured out on all flesh – rich, poor, slave, or free. Joel is prophesizing all this to get Israel to keep the faith – they will be delivered from the oppression of other governments. Paul in Timothy 4 is under arrest of another government – that of Rome. In this letter he is saying goodbye since...

  Psalm 11: 137-144; II Thessalonians 1: 1-4, 11-12 In II Thessalonians Paul is giving thanks to the Thessalonians for their continued faith in the midst of persecution. Not only did their faith continue but it was growing abundantly along with their love for one another which is also increasing. It’s because of their steadfastness and growth of faith that Paul boasts about them to other churches. Paul continues to pray great things for them that they may be empowered by God and made worthy – deserving of God’s call. He prays also that by God’s power they can fulfill every good resolve and work of faith they strive to achieve. Paul prays this in order that the name of Christ be glorified in them. This is followed by, “and you in him.” – this glory we have reflect back to Christ according to the grace given to us by God through Christ’s work on the cross. Another who struggles with trouble but keeps the faith in God’s law is the Psalmist in Psalms 119. He declares that the Lord ...