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John 14:23-31 - Lectionary for Pentecost C

6/6/2019

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6/6/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

Over the years I’ve spent time with quite a lot of people who represent the fairly radical branch of Christianity that focuses a great deal on the work and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Our Gospel passage from John 14:23-31 should make certain people feel right at home. Then again, perhaps not.

As Jesus prepares to depart from his time walking with the disciples, he promises the Holy Spriit. Our friends who are enthusiastic about spiritual gifts become very interested at this teaching. What great works will the Holy Spirit do?

In fact, in verse 26, he teaches Christians to hold to Jesus’ word. There we go. He will teach them and help them remember what Jesus said. On the surface, there is no mighty work there. It seems pretty mundane. In fact, if we study the Scripture adequately, we might expect to remember what Jesus taught. This seems quite an anticlimax.

What’s really happening here? The Holy Spirit directs Christians to depend on Jesus. We don’t look for signs of power in ourselves. We don’t expect additional revelation of God. We don’t place our hopes on some fantastic experience. We rather are taught by the Holy Spirit to depend on Jesus. Christ crucified for sinner, forgiving our sins as we repent, raising us to life and hope - it all seems pretty quiet, but it is the most amazing work of divine power we can ever consider. The perfect God of all becomes one of us, even taking our sin and dying for it. And the Holy Spirit points us right to this Lord.

Come, Holy Spirit. Point us to Jesus.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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Acts 2:1-21 - Lectionary for Pentecost C

6/5/2019

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6/5/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

In Genesis 11 we read about the confusion of languages and the scattering of the nations. At that time, because the people were proclaiming their own glory and seeking their will to be enforced, God threw them into confusion. In their confusion they would be hindered in the attempt to take dictatorial power in the world. Now, in Acts 2:1-21, God puts the languages and peoples back together. The disciples, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, are proclaiming God’s works, rather than their own works. The people, from many nations, hear God’s glory in their own languages. This speaking in tongues tells the people of God’s restoration.

Rather than being separated by language and culture, the nations are now drawn together by God’s mighty works, which are the same in every land and for every people, regardless of language. The message of sin and redemption applies to everyone.

In these last days, then, we proclaim Christ crucified for sinners, received by faith. The Lord has given His Holy Spirit to call people from every nation to hear and believe him.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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Psalm 143 - Lectionary for Pentecost C

6/4/2019

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6/4/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

Psalm 143 opens with a bold cry for God’s help, giving a justification that we all need to be aware of. Why should God help his people? Because He is faithful and righteous (v. 1). God has a long and well documented track record of caring for those who trust Him, of rescuing them from their enemies. Those who flee to God for refuge find it (v. 9). This He does for the sake of His name (v. 11).

In essence, then, God protects His name and reputation by acting as He always has. He cares for the poor and needy. He rescues his people when they are pressed by their enemies. He shows that he is the place of refuge and safety for all who turn to Him.

Our world generally dismisses any idea that God is able to do anything good or useful. As a result, Christ’s people are often mocked when they make any assertion of the Lord’s presence or ability to intervene in bad situations. In doing so, our world identifies as the enemies of God and His people. Christians may not retaliate, but we believe that one day God will indeed vindicate His people. They are not abandoned forever. God will protect His name and integrity, showing that He is able to keep His people. He is the righteous and faithful one.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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Genesis 11:1-9 - Lectionary for Pentecost C

6/3/2019

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6/3/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

In our Old Testament passage from Genesis 11:1-9 we read of God confusing the languages of the people, then scattering them. The reason given, in Genesis 11:6, is that the people would otherwise have unbounded power. Some find this as the self-centered action of a cranky and power-hungry God. They assume he feels threatened by the power of the people and wishes to oppress them.

What’s the track record of people in the biblical record prior to Genesis 11? They have defied God and brought death into the world. In the very next generation, the first murder happens. Within a few chapters God could look at the world and see a people who were always evil. He wiped the sinful world clean with a flood, and immediately afterward the remaining family was in shambles. The population grew in a troubled way again. It is the people, not God, who are power hungry, oppressie, and murderous. These are exactly the kind of people who should be confused and separated, before they kill each other.

What God does in Genesis 11 by separating the people, he undoes in the New Testament. Jesus is the savior of all, regardless of their language or origin. In Acts 2 the languages are unconfused. Again and again, the call of Christians is to unity. But now it is a unity of people who have been recreated in the image of God. It is a fellowship of the saints, who work for healing and life, rather than for their own honor and glory. The Lord who separates people in the Old Testament restores them in the New.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

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    About Throwing Inkwells

    When Martin Luther was dealing with struggles in his life he once saw what appeared to be an angelic being. Not trusting that he was going to be informed by someone other than the God revealed in Scripture, he took the appearance to be untrustworthy and hurled his inkwell at it. The chipped place in the plaster wall is still visible at the Wartburg Castle, though apparently the ink stain on the wall has been refreshed periodically by the caretaker.

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