Pre-Lent: Septuagesima
Readings
- Exodus 17:1–7
- 1 Corinthians 9:24—10:5
- Matthew 20:1–16
Hymns
- 523 O Word of God Incarnate
- 555 Salvation unto Us Has Come sts. 1–5
- 618 I Come, O Savior, to Thy Table
- 555 Salvation unto Us Has Come sts. 6–10
Grace Alone
The people of Israel contended with the Lord in the wilderness (Ex. 17:1–7). They were dissatisfied with His provision. In the same way, the first laborers in the vineyard complained against the landowner for the wage he provided them (Matt. 20:1–16). They charged him with being unfair, but in reality he was being generous. For the Lord does not wish to deal with us on the basis of what we deserve but on the basis of His abounding grace in Christ. The first—those who rely on their own merits—will be last. “For they were overthrown in the wilderness” (1 Cor. 10:5). But the last, those who rely on Christ, will be first. For Christ is the Rock (1 Cor. 9:24–10:5). He is the One who was struck and from whose side blood and water flowed that we may be cleansed of our sin.
Posted on
January 24, 2024 2:25 PM
by
MICHAEL BARNES
The 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany
Readings
Hymns
- 402 The Only Son from Heaven
- 408 Come, Join in Cana’s Feast
- 398 Hail to the Lord’s Anointed
- 822 Alleluia! Let Praises Ring
Jesus’ First Miracle Reveals God’s Glory
The coming of the Messianic kingdom means the restoration of creation. The sign of this restoration is that “the mountains shall drip sweet wine” (Amos 9:11–15). When the elements of a fallen creation fail and run short at a wedding feast, our Lord Jesus steps in to restore creation and miraculously changes water into an abundance of the very best wine (John 2:1–11). With this sign, Christ manifests His glory. The “back” of God (Ex. 33:12–23) is revealed to those who believe. The hour will come when Jesus will again manifest His glory by taking creation’s curse into His own body to release us from its power. The Bridegroom will give His life for the Bride (Eph. 5:22–32), and from His side will flow water and blood, the holy sacraments by which she is cleansed and made one with Him. Through this sacrificial love of Christ we are enabled to “love one another with brotherly affection . . .” and to “outdo one another in showing honor” (Rom. 12:6–16).
Posted on
January 10, 2024 7:44 PM
by
MICHAEL BARNES
