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Light in Christ

John 9:1-7, Ephesians 5:8-14 Our John account tells how Jesus heals a blind man. Jesus puts to rest the idea that disability in a child was the fault of the parents. They must have sinned to create a blind child. Even widows were at fault for their husbands dying. Jesus changes this thinking by saying neither did but he was born blind for a greater purpose, to see that God’s work might be revealed in him. This is where Jesus states, “I am the light of the world.” Blindness in the Bible, especially with the prophets, talks about more than physical blindness but as a spiritual blindness which is an issue our Ephesians’ passage expounds. Once you were in darkness, meaning you were spiritually blind but in the Lord, we are now light. Furthermore, we are children of light, and this is the way we should walk – conduct ourselves. The fruit of the light is found in all that is good, right, and true. This is the fruit which we should produce but how? We are to arise from the dead of dar...
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Hardened Hearts and Ears

 Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 95 In Exodus the people grumble and complain about the lack of water to Moses. This episode is not only understood as a complaint to Moses but as a direct test of the Lord. The lack of water interpreted as evidence of the absence of God. So, God provides a miracle when Moses strikes the rock. This spot gets names that remember how they quarreled and complained – Meribah and Massah. These names conjure up the image of their hardened hearts, and these cities are named in Psalm 95 as warnings. Instead of complaining and questioning God’s presence, the psalmist says to worship God with voice and heart. This is to declare God’s greatness that created and sustains the world. Not only is God our maker but God cares for us like a shepherd.   The psalmist is saying do not harden your hearts like they did at Meribah and Massah. Instead, they are to join in the praises of God’s power and care for us. “Oh, that you would listen to his voice.” Not only did they ...
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Acceptable Time to be Reconciled

Psalm 32, II Corinthians 5:20-6:10 Psalm 32 is the account of one person’s journey from sinfulness to righteousness. The psalmist tells how his suffering was a result of sin. Yet when he cries out for forgiveness it occurs. When he acknowledges his sin, forgiveness happens when one confesses one’s transgressions. Suffering in silence does not bring about forgiveness much less restoration. But joy comes from forgiveness, a term we’ve later come to describe as justification. The psalmist says that his sin is covered. When he said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord” God forgave the guilt of his sin. Due to his experience, he tells others – all who are faithful, to offer prayers to God in time of distress. He tells how God is a hiding place, preserving him from trouble, surrounded by glad cries of deliverance. He tells how steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord. In II Corinthians Paul entreats – extorts his audience to be reconciled to God. They must not l...
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Beloved Transfiguration

 Matthew 17:1-9, II Peter 1:16-21 This Sunday was Transfiguration Sunday celebrating when Jesus led some of his disciples up a mountain where he was transfigured along with Elijah and Moses who appeared. The disciples were impressed by this, and Peter spoke up wanting to save this moment forever. One thing to remember in this account which many neglect is the voice of God saying, “This is my son, beloved, with him I am well pleased, listen to him.” The disciples fall down in fear, but Jesus touches them and they are raised up to see no one but Jesus – the one they followed who has returned to his normal human appearance. The impulsive Peter, wanting to save it all, writes about his experience on the holy mountain in II Peter 1. He tells of eye witnessing Christ’s majesty not going into detail about seeing Moses and Elijah, but he tells of the majestic voice of God saying, “This is my son, my beloved with whom I am well pleased.” He tells how now we have the prophetic message co...
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The Fast the Lord Chooses

Isaiah 58:1-12, Psalm 112: 1-10 In our Isaiah passage God tells Isaiah to announce to God’s people, the house of Jacob, their sins. Even though they fast, they oppress their workers, quarrel, and fight. “Is such a fast a day to humble themselves?” God asks. Is it to bow down and lie in sack cloth and ashes – a practice many a devout Jew did? Yet God finds most of them to be hypocritical worship when it’s done in the absence of covenant obedience and the covenant demands for justice and righteousness. God then after describing the oppressive practices by the pious describes what a true fast God desires. Isaiah here gives one of the scriptures most powerful portraits of faithfulness expressed in social justice. God says to loose the bonds of injustice, to let the oppressed go free. He tells of sharing one’s food with the hungry, bringing the homeless into one’s home, and dressing the naked. This is what is said to bring light and healing to one’s life. The Lord breaks it down further...
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God’s Foolishness and Weakness

Micah 6:1-8, I Corinthians 1:18-31 In Micah 6 the Lord has a case against his people. God lists all the things God has done for them. The Lord saved them from Egypt, and brought them safely to the promised land, and saved them from their enemies. The Lord’s saving acts are literally righteousness, deeds that establish a right relationship with God, Israel, and the world. In the wisdom of the time sacrifices and offerings were the acceptable response to the gods. God however says that the Lord does not require the best sacrifices even the giving up of one’s first born (remember Abraham with Isaac, yet God would not allow this sacrifice.) God tells them differently what the Lord requires in verse 8. This should be the proper – good response to the Lord’s redemption. They are to practice justice. This is to set things right between themselves and others. They are told to love kindness. Other translations say, “Love mercy.” They are to maintain a loyal commitment to God and others th...
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Seeing and Being God’s Light

Isaiah 9: 1-4, Matthew 4:12-23 The Isaiah passage which turns out to be a fulfilled prophecy that those in Naphtali who have dwelled in darkness have now seen a great light. This light has shined and has multiplied exultation – intense happiness, increasing their joy like the joy at harvest. This is because the yoke of their burden and the rod of their oppressor have been broken. The New Testament community who knows these verses shown in the quoting of it in Matthew sees these hopes to be fulfilled by a child who would grow to establish a righteous kingdom. Matthew 4 tells about the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. It begins after John the Baptist’s ministry ends as he is arrested. Jesus seems to be continuing his ministry by shouting the same “Repent.” Yet instead of adding “and be saved” he says, “Repent for the kingdom of God has drawn near.” Jesus has left Nazareth and now lives in the territory of Naphtali which fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy. Jesus goes around preaching the good ...
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