Archive for month: December, 2016

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2017, January 8 ~ Isaiah 42:1-9 & Acts 10:34-43

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Isaiah 42:1-9

The Book of Isaiah is a composite of writings from three distinct periods in Israel’s history. Chapters 1-39 are called “First Isaiah” and were written in the 20 years before Jerusalem was under direct siege by the Assyrians in 701 BCE. “Second Isaiah” is Chapters 40 to 55 and brings hope to the Judeans during the time of the Exile in Babylon (587 to 539 BCE) by telling them they have suffered enough and will return to Jerusalem. “Third Isaiah” is Chapters 56 to 66 and gives encouragement to the Judeans who returned to Jerusalem after the Exile.

Today’s reading is from “Second Isaiah,” and the prophet speaks for Yahweh (“LORD” – all capital letters in the NRSV). In Chapters 40 to 48, the LORD calls Israel the LORD’s “servant” (v.1) and a “covenant to the people” (v.6) called to “bring justice to the nations/Gentiles” (v. 1) and be a “light to the nations” (v. 6).

Acts 10:34-43

The book called “The Acts of the Apostles” was written by the author of the Gospel According to Luke. The first 15 chapters of Acts are a didactic “history” of the early Jesus Follower Movement starting with an account of the Ascension. The last 13 chapters describe Paul’s Missionary Journeys – not always consistently with Paul’s letters.

Today’s reading is a speech by Peter that is a synopsis of Luke’s Gospel. It is given in the context of the conversion of a Roman Centurion, Cornelius, to being a Jesus Follower, and follows Peter’s dream in which he is told that “what God has made clean [referring to foods], you must not call profane” (Ac. 10.15). The story about Cornelius is intended to show that being a Jesus Follower is not inconsistent with Roman citizenship and is available to persons who are Gentiles.

The issue whether Gentiles could be Jesus Followers was finally decided at the so-called Council of Jerusalem (described in Acts 15) attended by “the apostles and elders” (Ac.15.4). At the gathering, Paul and Peter argued in favor of baptizing Gentiles. James decided (reluctantly) that Gentiles could become Jesus Followers and did not have to be circumcised or keep all the Kosher rules.

2017, January 1 ~ Numbers 6:22-27 & Galatians 4:4-7 & Philippians 2:5-11

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Numbers 6:22-27

Numbers is the fourth book of the Torah (Hebrew meaning “teaching” or “Law”)/the Pentateuch (Greek meaning “Five Books”). It describes the time of the Israelites in the Wilderness before entering the Promised Land. If the time in the Wilderness is historical (no archeological evidence has ever been found to support it), this would have been around 1250 BCE.

Most of the book of Numbers was written by the “Priestly Source” during the Babylonian Exile (587-539 BCE) and the 100 years after the Exile. Today’s reading is a Blessing from Yahweh (“LORD” in all capital letters in the NRSV) before they go into the Wilderness. This Blessing was likely delivered at public gatherings at the sanctuary in Jerusalem. Two silver plaques dated to the 7th and 6th Centuries BCE were found outside Jerusalem and contain versions of this Blessing – attesting to its traditional usage.

Galatians 4:4-7

Galatia was a large Roman province in what is now western Turkey. This letter was likely written by Paul in the late 40’s or early 50’s (CE), and deals in part with controversies between Jewish Jesus Followers and Gentile Jesus Followers regarding the continuing importance of Torah (Law) and whether Gentile Jesus Followers had to be circumcised and follow the Kosher dietary laws.

In today’s reading, Paul emphasizes that Jesus of Nazareth was a human and a Jew (“born of a woman under the law”) to “redeem those under the law” (the Jews). The Greek word translated as “redeem” means to buy back, as in redeeming something at a pawn shop. All persons, because of the Spirit of the Son, are children of God who can call God “Abba” (Aramaic for father) and are heirs of the Kingdom.

Philippians 2:5-11

Philippi was a major city in Macedonia on the Roman road to Byzantium (Istanbul) and most of its inhabitants were Roman citizens. Paul has a deep affection for the Jesus Followers in Philippi, and thanks them for gifts sent to him in prison (4:18).

Today’s reading is derived from a hymn that was already in use in Jesus Follower communities, perhaps in a Baptism liturgy. Its statements are not only religious, they are also political. The Roman Caesars claimed to be “in the form of God” and “Lord.” Instead of exploiting his connectedness to God, Jesus took the form of a slave/servant and emptied himself (poured himself out) for others. For this, he has been highly exalted (resurrected). As the Christ, he is also called “Lord” and at the name of Jesus, every knee should bend.

2016, December 25 ~ Isaiah 52:7-10 & Hebrews 1:1-4

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Isaiah 52:7-10

The Book of Isaiah is a composite of writings from three distinct periods in Israel’s history. Chapters 1-39 are called “First Isaiah” and were mostly written in the 30 years before Jerusalem was under direct siege by the Assyrians in 701 BCE. “Second Isaiah” is Chapters 40 to 55 and brings hope to the Judeans during the time of the Exile in Babylon (587 to 539 BCE) by telling them they have suffered enough and will return to Jerusalem. “Third Isaiah” is Chapters 56 to 66 and contains encouragement to the Judeans who returned to Jerusalem after the Exile.

Today’s reading is central to the message of Second Isaiah. It describes the return of Yahweh (whenever the word “LORD” is in all capital letters, the word in Hebrew is “YHWH”) to Jerusalem and Mount Zion. The “sentinels” in verse 8 are the prophets who sing for joy that the Babylonian Exile will end.

Hebrews 1:1-4

The Letter to the Hebrews is an anonymous sermon addressed to both Jewish and Gentile Jesus Followers who were suffering persecution. It urges them to maintain their Faith and Hope in the face of hardship. Although the Letter is sometimes attributed to Paul, most scholars agree that it was written after Paul’s death in 62 CE but likely before 100 CE.

In today’s reading, the author identifies the Son with Holy Wisdom that was present at creation (Prov. 8:22) by saying ”through whom he also created the worlds.” (v. 2) The author also anticipates the language of the Gospel According to John – “all things came into being through him” (John 1:3). Because the theology of the Trinity was still evolving, the author stops short of identifying the Son with the Father as God, and refers to the Son as “a reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being” (v.3) and as superior to angels (v.4).

2016, December 18 ~ Isaiah 7:10-16 & Romans 1:1-7

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Isaiah 7:10-16

After Solomon’s death in 930 BCE, the Unified Monarchy split in two: Israel consisting of the 10 Northern Tribes and Judea consisting of the Tribes of Judah and Benjamin. Ahaz was of the House of David (v.13) and the King of Judea around 730 BCE – when the Assyrian Empire was threatening both Israel and Judea. (Assyria conquered Israel in 722.)

In today’s reading, Ahaz is offered a sign by Yahweh to support what Isaiah is saying on God’s behalf. The sign is that a young woman (v.14) is with child and will bear a son whose name will be Immanuel (“God is with us”). This child will “eat curds and honey” (v.15) – which means in a time of prosperity and after the siege by the Assyrians ended. Most scholars opine that the “young woman” was the mother of Hezekiah who was the King of Judea when the Assyrians ended their siege of Jerusalem around the year 700 BCE.

In today’s Gospel, the author cites Isaiah 7:14 by saying a “virgin” shall conceive a son (Matt. 1:23). The reason for the difference between the two texts is that the author of the Gospel relied on a Greek translation of the Book Isaiah. In Hebrew, the word used in Isaiah is “almah” which means “young woman.” In the Greek translation of Isaiah, almah was translated as “parthenos” – which means virgin.

Romans 1:1-7

Paul’s letter to the Romans is his longest, last and most complex letter. It was written in the late 50s or early 60s (CE). Among other messages, Paul sought to encourage respectful and supportive relationships between the Gentile Jesus Followers and the Jewish Jesus Followers in Rome. (Jesus Followers were not called “Christians” until the 80’s.)

In today’s reading, Paul states that Jesus was “declared” to be Son of God by his resurrection from the dead (v.4). His reference to “Gentiles” (v.5) means the Gentile Jesus Followers. Paul then broadens his address to all the Jesus Follower Community in Rome (v.7).