The following is an excerpt from the book Bono: In Conversation with Michka Assayas.
Assayas: I think I am beginning to understand religion because I have started acting and thinking like a father. What do you make of that?
Bono: Yes, I think that's normal. It's a mind-blowing concept that the God who created the universe might be looking for company, a real relationship with people, but the thing that keeps me on my knees is the difference between Grace and Karma.
Assayas: I haven't heard you talk about that.
Bono: I really believe we've moved out of the realm of Karma into one of Grace.
Assayas: Well, that doesn't make it clearer for me.
Bono: You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics; in physical laws every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It's clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. I'm absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that "as you reap, so you will sow" stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I've done a lot of stupid stuff.
Assayas: I'd be interested to hear that.
Bono: That's between me and God. But I'd be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge. I'd be in deep s—. It doesn't excuse my mistakes, but I'm holding out for Grace. I'm holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don't have to depend on my own religiosity.
Assayas: The Son of God who takes away the sins of the world. I wish I could believe in that.
Bono: But I love the idea of the Sacrificial Lamb. I love the idea that God says: Look, you cretins, there are certain results to the way we are, to selfishness, and there's a mortality as part of your very sinful nature, and, let's face it, you're not living a very good life, are you? There are consequences to actions. The point of the death of Christ is that Christ took on the sins of the world, so that what we put out did not come back to us, and that our sinful nature does not reap the obvious death. That's the point. It should keep us humbled . It's not our own good works that get us through the gates of heaven.
Assayas: That's a great idea, no denying it. Such great hope is wonderful, even though it's close to lunacy, in my view. Christ has his rank among the world's great thinkers. But Son of God, isn't that farfetched?
Bono: If only we could be a bit more like Him, the world would be transformed. When I look at the Cross of Christ, what I see up there is all my s— and everybody else's. So I ask myself a question a lot of people have asked: Who is this man? And was He who He said He was, or was He just a religious nut? And there it is, and that's the question. And no one can talk you into it or out of it.


text:
Jan 10: The light attracts
December 30, 2020 by Ian Greig Leave a Comment
Were the Wise Men alerted by this conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter?
Captured on iPhone 8+, December 21, 2020. Image credit Ian Greig
The Living Word Bible study based on the Revised Common Lectionary set readings shared by major denominations for Sunday, January 10, 2021 (TLW01B).
Theme: The light of God's presence attracts from afar
Isaiah 60:1-6 — God's glory on His people is a light that attracts others
Isaiah 60:1-6 verse by verse
Matthew 2:1-12 — Mystics from afar are drawn to the right place to worship Jesus by the star-like light of God's presence
Matthew 2:1-12 verse by verse
Ephesians 3:1-12 — God's desire to reconcile all people to Himself is a progressive revelation of Word and Spirit
Ephesians 3:1-12 verse by verse
And also read: Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
• See also this week's linked article, 'Knowing Jesus and making Him known' and a short video introduction
Isaiah 60:1-6 — A vision of God's glory on His people
The presence of God on His people attracts others to the true light
1 "Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you.
"Let your light shine" — the glory of the Lord now becomes Jerusalem's light and beacon for all.
2 Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you.
"The glory of the Lord… appears over you" — a new experience of God's glory, a reminder of the pilar of cloud in the wilderness, but now like the theatre follow spot that moves to pick out one part of the set.
3 All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see your radiance.
"Your light" — the light of God's presence, truth and glory on Jerusalem, v.1, the centre of worship, will draw other nations. People of the highest rank will be stirred to come and see.
4 "Look and see, for everyone is coming home! Your sons are coming from distant lands; your little daughters will be carried home.
"Look and see" — similar words about the return from exile are now announcing a revival.
• For further study, see Isaiah 49:18, 22.
5 Your eyes will shine, and your heart will thrill with joy, for merchants from around the world will come to you. They will bring you the wealth of many lands.
"Merchants from around the world" — King Darius contributed to the rebuilding of the temple under Zerubbabel, Ezra 6:8-9. Later, as temple gave way to church, much of the growth was Gentile.
6 Vast caravans of camels will converge on you, the camels of Midian and Ephah. The people of Sheba will bring gold and frankincense and will come worshipping the Lord.
"Gold and frankincense"— the most expensive commodities. Frankincense was the only aromatic permitted for altar incense.
SUMMARY Isaiah lived at the time of the first exile following the Assyrian conquest of the northern kingdom. It was more than a century later that Jerusalem and Judah fell to the Babylonians. But Isaiah sees prophetically a time when God's glory will rest on His people once again and those of other nations will be drawn to His light, bringing their wealth to pay homage and worship.
APPLICATION The parallel between verse 6 with its camels and frankincense and gold, and the adoration made to Jesus by astrologer-priests from the east, stand out. However, these were customary gifts of tribute in that culture. The real point of Matthew's story is showing the glory of the Lord to be a light that draws others. This was always God's purpose: His chosen people were to show Him and His ways to a wider world. This was the nature of the first covenantal promise God made to Abraham, Genesis 12:2-3 "I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others… All the families on earth will be blessed through you." The rebuilding of the Temple, the centre of worship, fits that purpose. God is about rebuilding and restoring His present day 'temple' – the temple of the Holy Spirit that is you and I, for us to reflect the light of His goodness and glory to show others.
QUESTION What is the main purpose of the church? To be a comfortable club house or a lighthouse that shines more brightly in the storm?
Matthew 2:1-12 — Mystics travel from afar to worship
They are guided to the right place by the star-like light of God's presence
1-2 Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw His star as it rose, and we have come to worship Him."
"Wise men" — not rulers but of a priestly caste well-versed in astrology who associated a rising star with a significant birth, and a falling star (like a comet) with a ruler's death. They may have been related to Jews of the Babylon deportation, or they knew Jews and the Jewish Scriptures which foretold the birth of a Messiah.
3-4 King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, "Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?"
"King Herod" — this is Herod the Great, who was an Idumean (Edomite), and so not familiar with the foretold Messiah. He had been appointed by the Romans to rule over the four districts of Jerusalem and Judea, Galilee in the north and Idumea (present day Jordan) in the south.
5-6 "In Bethlehem in Judea," they said, "for this is what the prophet wrote: 'And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.' "
"Bethlehem" — as foretold by Micah, Micah 5:2. Bethlehem in Judea, half a day's walk from Jerusalem (although climbing to 2,000 feet) and associated with the tribe of Judah. Balaam had prophesied long ago that "a star will rise from Jacob", Numbers 24:17.
7-8 Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. Then he told them, "Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!"
"Search carefully" — Herod as a non-Jew appointed by the Empire to rule over the Jews was so insecure he put to death anyone he perceived as a threat, even his own wife and family. Now he is troubled by the arrival of visitors from far away alerted by a 'rising star' in the sky, and his own political advisors nervously quoting their own writings.
9 After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was.
"Went ahead of them" — a planetary conjunction and a supernova may have alerted the magi to the event but this was close supernatural guidance on a journey of a few miles. God who made a pillar of luminous cloud and fire to guide the desert journey, created another kind of guiding light on this occasion.
10-11 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
"God, frankincense and myrrh" — gifts of considerable value and providential in view of the 100-mile+ journey of escape to Egypt (outside Herod's jurisdiction) that the visit prompted.
"Entered the house" — not a stable but a home, so this happened later in the story. If this was the light that summoned the wise men from 800 miles away in Babylon, their journey would have taken well over a month. It was the first instance of non-Jewish nations worshipping Jesus that was to come
12 When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.
SUMMARY Herod the Great was given that title by the Roman Senate in 40 BC and he ruled the region from Galilee to Idumea until 4 BC. Later in the gospels we encounter his younger son Herod Antipas the tetrarch, and in Acts the grandson, Herod Agrippa. The conjunction we saw on Dec 21, 2020, occurred in 7 BC and Chinese astronomers reported an evanescent star in 4 BC.
APPLICATION Our 'led by the science' worldview can overlook how God is not restricted by what we can explain. In this short account of 12 verses, He has given men in a distant land and culture a desire to bring costly gifts of devotion, and by a guiding light led them hundreds of miles to a precise location in a remote village. They were warned in a dream to return by a different route. God does what He has purposed to do – and also tells His servants what He is doing, Amos 3:7.
QUESTION In seeking an explanation, how much weight do we give to fitting narrative to our knowledge and experience?
Ephesians 3:1-12 — God desires to reconcile all people to Himself
This mystery or progressive revelation unfolds through Word and Spirit
1-2 When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles… assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending His grace to you Gentiles.
"To you Gentiles" — in another version: "assuming that you have heard". Many knew Paul's teaching from his three years in Ephesus. The NT church was extending its reach all the time, drawing in new people to hear Paul's letter.
3-5 As I briefly wrote earlier, God Himself revealed His mysterious plan to me. As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit He has revealed it to His holy apostles and prophets.
"Mysterious plan" – becoming more clear. Paul wrote much about mystery and revelation. The Bible represents God's progressive revelation of His purposes. First He gave the rules of the Law. Later the prophets interpreted and developed the understanding e.g. "I desire mercy, not sacrifice", Hosea 6:6. Then Jesus, the fulfilment of the law, taught about the kingdom of God but much would not make sense until after the coming the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
6-7 And this is God's plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God's children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. By God's grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.
"Gentiles and Jews… share equally" —Paul was an apostolos or 'sent' envoy of the kingdom of God. Understanding God's purpose in uniting Jews and Gentiles, men and women, bond-servants and free, was hard for Jews to grasp before Pentecost.
8-9 Though I am the least deserving of all God's people, He graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.
"Least deserving" — not false humility but Paul being forthright about how his former persecuting actions should have disqualified him for his present privilege and responsibility.
10 God's purpose in all this was to use the church to display His wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was His eternal plan, which He carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.
"To use the church to display His wisdom" — every time believers who are united gather as church they make a powerful statement to the heavenlies. The real prayer warfare is the agreement with God and each other expressed our worship and our relationships. What plays out on earth is closely connected to what is happening unseen in the heavenlies.
12 Because of Christ and our faith in Him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence.
In the OT, they knew that anyone who saw God would perish from such a holy confrontation. Under the New Covenant of belonging to Jesus, with His unearned righteousness put on us, we have confidence to draw near to God and talk to Him, humbly mindful of what Jesus has done for us.
• For further study, read James 4:6-10 "Come close to God, and God will come close to you".
SUMMARY This is about the mystery of God's eternal plan. What God has always purposed, from the beginning of time, has always been ahead of where people were, in their understanding. As the salvation history unfolded over the centuries, the plan became more clear. Abraham saw it at one level. David, writing prophetic psalms, saw something in the Spirit. The prophets over the following centuries had glimpses of God's purpose.
APPLICATION Jesus came to demonstrate and to explain the kingdom of God. When the Holy Spirit was poured out on the church and the experience of the Spirit-led, Spirit-empowered life became the norm for the early church, everyone could grow in revelation of God's plan and purpose. We'll always be tempted to substitute our own plan and purpose; as we begin to see God at work it's dangerously easy to think we're something we are not. That's why it is important to stay humble before God as we grow as seekers of His revelation.
QUESTION What are good ways calling attention to God's plan and purpose, and seeing it in our church and community?
PRAYER Lord God, at a time that we particularly remember in this season, You sent Your divine Son to be born of Mary in humble circumstances, and the light of His presence caught the attention of others who were far off and drew them to come and worship.
May the light of Your presence and the love of Your Spirit be strong in us and in the churches congregations we represent — and draw many others to come and know You, and find the joy of new life and worship for themselves. Amen.
Matthew 2:1-12 — Mystics from afar are drawn to worship Jesus
Ephesians 3:1-12 — God's desire to reconcile is a progressive revelation of Word and Spirit
The printed edition of TLW copies on A4 paper to make a four-page Bible-size folder. Permission to copy for your own use or for church bulletin or groups. Download PDF from this link:
TLW01B-Jan-10-2021-final-BookletDownload
Filed Under: Epiphany, Year B
Jan 3: God's plan — salvation!
Tower Bridge tall ship — one person's action on a small lever causes a huge gate to open. Image credit: cmlee on wikimedia
The Living Word Bible study for January 3, 2021 (Year B), based on the Revised Common Lectionary set readings which are shared by many churches and denominations which follow a liturgical calendar. Read the passages in their entirety first, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to you, then go deeper with the verse to verse commentary. Permission is given to copy for your own use or to include in a church bulletin, and there is a download link to the printed edition at the end.
Jeremiah 31:7-14 — The Lord saves His people, returning in repentant sorrow and finding God-given prosperity again
Jeremiah 31:7-14 verse by verse
John 1:10-18 — Believing and receiving the Word who became flesh leads to new spiritual birth as a child of God
John 1:10-18 verse by verse
Ephesians 1:3-14 — Praise God for our spiritual blessings in Christ, choosing us to receive adoption rights
And also read: Psalm 147:12-20
Theme: How the Lord saves
See also this page for a linked article exploring the message from these readings: 'Explaining salvation… Who chooses who?'
Jeremiah 31:7-14 — The Lord saves His people from their exile
They will return in repentant sorrow but will find God-given prosperity again
7 This is what the Lord says: "Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations. Make your praises heard, and say, 'Lord, save your people, the remnant of Israel.'
"Foremost of the nations" — when the Lord saves them. The word "save" is the basis of Hosanna, the 'Palm Sunday' cry of the people acclaiming Jesus' entry into Jerusalem.
8 "See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labour; a great throng will return.
"Land of the north" — Assyria and Babylon. The Lord is promising to bring back the exiles from wherever they are without overlooking the weak and helpless.
"Great throng" — nearly 50,000 returned in 538-536 BC, Ezra 2:64-65.
9 "They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel's father, and Ephraim is My firstborn son.
"Come with weeping" — echoes of the Songs of Ascents, Ps. 120-134, in this verse, esp. Psalm 126 where those who "return", v.8 "with weeping", v.9 that is symbolic of repentance, find gladness in the Lord bringing them back, to their land and to Him. Also v.13 below.
"Israel's father — the idea of God as Father was not unknown in the OT but it did not take on the significance we know before Jesus' teaching on fatherhood.
10 "Hear the word of the Lord, you nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: 'He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.'
"Distant coastlands" — the remote area to the west.
11 "For the Lord will deliver Jacob and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they.
"They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the Lord – the grain, the new wine and the olive oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more.
"The bounty of the Lord" — a picture of God-given prosperity as the people flourish again.
• For further study on the joyful return, Isaiah 35:10, 51:10-11.
13 "Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.
14 "I will satisfy the priests with abundance, and my people will be filled with my bounty," declares the Lord.
"Satisfy the priests with abundance" — the people support their priests with tithes from their prosperity.
SUMMARY A picture of the people of God restored. Worship was central to the covenant, and the covenant was central to the kingdom established by King David. But it did not last. The monarchy grew independent of God, worship of idol deities increased, God's protection was withdrawn, and first the northern kingdom fell to Assyria, then Judah fell to the Babylonians. However God's purpose has always been salvation, and the beginnings of the resettlement are foretold here by Jeremiah.
APPLICATION Things can go wrong in life — and the spiritual life of the nation. Here were are reminded that God always has a plan of salvation, to call people back to Him and to hope.
QUESTION What does this passage tell us about God's plan of salvation for the present crisis time?
John 1:10-18 — Receive Jesus to become a child of God
Believing in the Word who became flesh leads to a new spiritual birth
10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognise Him.
"In the world" — John uses the word "world" more than a hundred times to mean the earth and the people, or the human system opposed to God, or both.
11-13 He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
"His own" — firstly (neuter) His own home or domain, the Jewish nation and heritage, and secondly (masculine) the Jewish people.
"He gave the right to become children of God" — when someone receives and believes in Jesus for the free gift of eternal life, they undergo a supernatural birth, the impartation of spiritual life. They are "born… of God" — a transformation Jesus called being "born again", John 3:3.
14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
"The Word became flesh" — a staggering truth in four words stating that God became human. Jesus took on flesh ("incarnation") without ceasing to be God (see Phil. 2:6-7). In v.18 (below) His deity is also made clear.
"Made his dwelling" — lit. skēnoō, pitched his tent among us. This Greek word recalls the OT Tabernacle which was the place of God's earthly presence among the tribes.
"We have seen His glory" — the Father's glory in the Tabernacle was now present in the person of Jesus Christ.
• For further study, see Exodus 40:34-38; John 2:11, 12:23-28, 41, 17:1-5.
15 (John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, "This is the one I spoke about when I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me."') 16 Out of His fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.
"Before me" — in rank, and also time. Jesus was born after John the Baptist but His existence was from eternity past.
"Out of His fullness… grace in place of grace" — the gospel does what the law could not do. Through knowing Jesus we have access to the unmerited, unlimited favour of God.
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
"Law given through Moses" — in this Old Covenant era God's truth and grace were revealed in the law received by Moses, and through him (and the Aaronic priesthood) to others. In the new covenant, grace and truth are embodied in Jesus, God in the flesh. Knowing Him is knowing His grace and truth and we do that without a mediator.
• For further study, read Romans 7:1-8:4.
18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is in the closest relationship with the Father, has made Him known.
"No one has ever seen God" — although some were permitted to see something of God revealing Himself, Exodus 24:9-10, even Moses could not see His face, Exodus 33:20-23.
SUMMARY The Son of God was involved in the creation of the world and, by inference, was present when the law was revealed to Moses. No one could see God, although Moses came close. He was given laws to teach the people about God's truth and grace. But now the Son of God, the Word, has become human and approachable and has moved into our neighbourhood. We don't need to approach God's truth and grace through an intermediary — Jesus has it all. As we open our hearts to Him, it is imparted to us as a new identity, born again spiritually as children of God, no less.
APPLICATION Jesus who gave His sinless life for us, ask us to give Him our lives — or at least, the lordship of them. What could be simpler? Yet we often prefer to work at it in other ways, while Jesus, who is near and approachable, waits for us to ask Him in.
QUESTION If a friend or neighbour asked you to explain simply the message of Jesus coming, as we especially celebrate this time of year, what would you tell them?
Ephesians 1:3-14 — Praise God for spiritual blessings in Christ
When we chose to put our hope in Christ, He chose us to receive adoption rights
3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.
"Blessed us in the spiritual realms" — the blessings of life in Christ are primarily spiritual, and may come through to influence the material and physical as we pray and exercise faith. Spiritual blessings are all aspects of God's salvation of us.
"He chose us in Him" — emphasises that our salvation depends entirely on God, with no religious or other 'good conduct' making us deserving. By His sovereign initiative, God embraces and blesses as His children those who trust in Christ.
"To be holy and blameless in His sight" — God's choice of us is linked to our choice to receive Jesus as Saviour and Lord, whereupon "in Him" we are seen as if we had never sinned. We choose whether or not to come to God through Jesus; but this decision was known in heaven beforehand.
5–6 In love He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will – to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves.
"Predestined us" — God's plan and destiny for those redeemed by Jesus, underlining that this is God's work and not our doing. This should not be distorted into a fatalism that includes some and excludes others. These words were written by perhaps the greatest and most courageous practitioner of Christian mission!
7–10 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfilment – to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
"Redemption through His blood" — in the ancient world, slaves could be freed or bought back by paying a ransom. Our slavery is a bondage to the control of sin. The OT and NT clearly teach there is no forgiveness without the shedding of blood, a powerful symbol of death and sacrifice. This is the ransom price Christ paid for us.
• For further study, see Eph. 1:14; 4:30; Rom. 3:24; 1 Cor. 6:20; Col. 1:14; also Matt. 26:28; Mark 10:45; Hebrews 9:11-12, 26; 1 Peter 1:18-19.
11 In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory.
"We, who…put our hope in Christ" — the balance to being chosen and predestined. Paul goes on to speak, not of the world as a whole, but of those who respond to God's call.
13–14 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession – to the praise of His glory.
"And you also were included" — most of Paul's readers would have been Gentile.
"Marked in Him with a seal" — like a signature on a contract, the Holy Spirit in a believer's life is God's 'signature' that can be seen by others to show God's ownership.
SUMMARY Paul writes a waterfall of praise in possibly the longest sentence in the Bible, giving thanks for the immensity of the spiritual blessings we have in Christ: being forgiven, made holy, redeemed and adopted, given the status of sonship and allowed insight into the mystery of God's will. These are all facets of what it means to receive salvation, the biggest, most-life transforming event that any of us can experience. And Paul makes it crystal clear that this is God's gracious gift to us: "God chose us in Him", as a work of grace "which He has freely given us" "in Him we were chosen" and "included in Christ". We also have a vital part — hearing and believing "the message of truth". Put simply, we hear the Good News, receive it — and the Holy Spirit comes into our human spirit, and we can now see how we belong to heaven.
APPLICATION Some churches regularly celebrate people coming to Christ in salvation and becoming Christians. Others hardly mention it, if at all. Guess which ones are attracting and growing. Alpha Course online registrations doubled during the lockdown. People are seeking Jesus and finding salvation in Him, and this is cause for the highest praise.
QUESTION Does your church proclaim, and celebrate, salvation through people choosing to turn to trust Jesus? What are you doing to encourage that?
PRAYER Father in heaven, in this season when we especially celebrate Your drawing near to us and entering our lives and neighbourhoods through Your Son Jesus, we pray for revival in many finding Him. May this present time of extreme difficulty be a wake up call to all of us, to look to You in Your goodness, compassion and power and see Your work of salvation with new eyes. Enable us to to see how we can join You in this, Your work. To the glory of Jesus, Amen.
Print edition copies on A4 paper to make a 4-page Bible size folder. Permission given to copy for your own use, for a home group or church bulletin.
TLW52B-Jan-3-2021-final-BookletDownload
Filed Under: Christmas, Year B
Dec 25-27: New world order
Image credit: Thomas Jarrand on Unsplash
This is The Living Word Bible study for Christmas Day and Sunday Dec 27, 2020, taken from the Revised Common Lectionary readings (Year B) followed by many churches of various denominations. We're about letting the Bible tell its story in the natural order of OT – gospel – early church settings. All Scripture is inspired, so there's not more emphasis on one part than another. There's a print edition you can download and keep in your Bible or share in your church. God bless and enjoy!
OT: Isaiah 61:10-62:12 — New name and identity for God's people
Isaiah 61:10-62:12 verse by verse
NT gospel: Luke 2:1-20 — Shepherds first to hear the good news of Jesus' birth
Luke 2:1-20 verse by verse
NT letter: Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7; Hebrews 1:1-4 — Jesus is the kindness of God
Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7; Hebrews 1:1-4 verse by verse
And also: Psalms 96, 97, 98, 148
Theme: The new order has come — new covenant, new identity
• See linked article 'Explaining Christmas…'The Call to worship'
Isaiah 61:10-62:12 — New name and identity for God's people
The new holy community will be very different to the one Isaiah knew
61:10 I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of His righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
"I delight" — the speaker is Zion (v.12), the nation of Israel, who Yahweh will clothe with His righteousness. When we turn to God for forgiveness, and receive Jesus into our hearts, in His grace and mercy the Lord puts on us His own righteousness.
• For further study, see Romans 3:19-22; 2 Cor. 5:21; Philippians 3:8-9.
11 For as the soil makes the young plant come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.
"Righteousness and praise spring up" — new behaviour, resulting from the new definition, v.10.
62:1 For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet, till her vindication shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch.
"I will not keep silent" — now Isaiah speaks as one of the prophetic intercessors of v.6 who will "never be silent".
2 The nations will see Your vindication, and all kings Your glory;
you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow.
"Your vindication" — also v.1, the Hebrew word is also rendered "righteousness" e.g. Isaiah 46:13, which emphasises the new status brought by God's salvation.
3 You will be a crown of splendour in the Lord's hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
4 No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the Lord will take delight in you, and your land will be married.
"Will be called" — in Scripture, name and identity are closely related, so a change of name means a change of identity. In the exile the Lord abandoned the people, Isaiah 54:7. Now they become God's Delight and God's Bride.
5 As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.
6-7 I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night.
You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give Him no rest till He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.
"Watchmen… who call on the Lord" — for prophets, speaking out God's truth and interceding go together..
8-9 The Lord has sworn by His right hand and by His mighty arm: 'Never again will I give your grain as food for your enemies, and never again will foreigners drink the new wine for which you have toiled; but those who harvest it will eat it and praise the Lord, and those who gather the grapes will drink it in the courts of my sanctuary.'
"The Lord has sworn" — the covenant blessings will outlast the curses Moses warned against, Lev. 26:16; Deut. 28:33.
10-11 Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people. Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones. Raise a banner for the nations.The Lord has made proclamation to the ends of the earth: "Say to Daughter Zion, 'See, your Saviour comes! See, His reward is with Him, and His recompense accompanies Him."'
"Prepare the way… remove the stones" — like preparing a road and removing the wheel-blocking stones. It's a call is to worship free of obstacles in a contrite humble attitude, Isaiah 57:14-15.
12 They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord; and you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted.
SUMMARY Isaiah sees in the Spirit the nation renewed by God's gracious salvation, like a bride being dressed in splendid garments and precious stones. But he also knows that this heavenly intention has to be prayed down to earth. So he calls the prophetic intercessors to redouble their efforts.
APPLICATION In Scripture, to be re-named is to gain a new identity. The people of Jerusalem (Zion) are to be 'relaunched' as "The Holy People" and "The People Redeemed by the LORD." Believers today acquire new names and identities — known as Christians, and described as God's "holy priests", 1 Peter 2:5. It is the task of every believer to exercising their God-given priesthood, in praying heaven's intention down to earth: "Thy kingdom come".
QUESTION What name or description might Jesus use to introduce you to others?
NT gospel: Luke 2:1-20 — Shepherds hear the good news of Jesus' birth
God overturns social conventions in choosing who first sees His Messiah
1-3 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.
"A census… while Quirinius was governor" — There is evidence of more than one Quirinius as provincial governor around that time. The census was called from time to time in a particular Roman-governed area, to determine the poll tax.
4-5 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
"Nazareth… to Bethlehem" — a good three days on foot. On that region, women were also called to register.
6-7 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
"No guest room" — Bethlehem didn't have an inn and respectable travellers usually stayed with a relative or friend, but none was available during the census.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields near by, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
"Living out in the fields" — probably some time between March and November.
9-12 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'
"Angel… appeared to them" — a terrifying appearance but also honouring to these socially low-class peasants.
"I bring you good news" — literally "I evangelise".
"All the people" — Israel's salvation would extend to all nations.
13-14 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favour rests."
"Peace to those on whom His favour rests" — not to all humanity, to those who exercise faith in Christ, Romans 5:1. The traditional "peace, goodwill to men" arises from less reliable manuscripts.
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16-18 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
"Found… the baby… in the manger" — not many caves and feeding stalls to search in Bethlehem.
19-20 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
"Just as they had been told" — extraordinary but true in every detail, a sign to the shepherds of God at work.
SUMMARY It is a matter of historical fact as well as world-changing significance. Almighty, awesome, holy God, who could not be seen by man, came down to earth, born to a Galilean girl and artisan husband-to-be. The lowest members of society who knew little of God's favour, were the first to discovered that God had come close to them.
APPLICATION Joseph could have done without a difficult three-day journey south with a heavily-pregnant fiancee, to pay tax. But he did what was right and God was in it. The shepherds, inclined to independence, also did exactly right, believing what they had been told, finding the newly-arrived couple and their baby and praising God for what had been revealed to them. God looks for simple trust and sometimes chooses the last and the least, to show it.
QUESTION If God was about to choose you for an important task, what qualities would He be looking for?
How by God's mercy alone we can be reborn and renewed to live godly lives
Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
"For" — previous verses Titus 2:1-10 have urged integrity and reverence, and this explains why.
"Offers salvation to all people" — the clue is in the word "offers". Twisting this to all people being saved, is to contradict the clear general teaching of the Bible.
"Teaches us" — or "instructs" with coaching and encouragement.
3:4-7 But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
"Because of His mercy" — God's grace working in us, rather than our effort alone.
"Washing of rebirth and renewal" — changing our hearts and empowering us, cf. John 3:3, 5-8, 16-17. It cannot refer to baptism as a means of regeneration. The NT plainly teaches that regeneration is a work of the Holy Spirit following our choice, John 3:5-6, and baptism is a declaration of that new life and allegiance following regeneration, Acts 8:32-38.
Renewal by the Holy Spirit — the new birth and its transformation through receiving the Holy Spirit are at the heart of the gospel message, Luke 3:16, Romans 8:1-2. This is how Christians show others Jesus.
Hebrews 1:1-4
Hebrews 1:1-2 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe.
"In the past… in these last days" — introducing the way God revealed Himself progressively, through the OT writers, all called prophets because they laid the preparation for Christ's coming, to Jesus' teaching and then following Pentecost, through His Spirit.
3-4 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So He became as much superior to the angels as the Name He has inherited is superior to theirs.
"The exact representation" — identical in substance to God, exactly like the Father in attributes and abilities. To put it simply, we come to know God through Jesus.
SUMMARY These passages tell us that being saved and being renewed are closely related, and it comes through relationship with Jesus, the expression of God's true and radiant nature. When we first turned to Jesus, we saw something of that bright glory, and faith rose. As we drew near to Him, He drew near to us and saved us by grace, not as a result of any good deeds or religious actions on our part. God delights in doing for us what we cannot deserve because He is God.
APPLICATION This is the new birth that Jesus explained to Nicodemus in John 3 (see above) , here called rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Through it we inherit all the good things of eternal life with God, starting now. The Bible standard of relating and behaving can seem beyond us — until we remember that they are the fruit of rebirth and Holy Spirit renewal. God's grace working in us, changes us and empowers us.
QUESTION How do you describe Jesus to someone with no knowledge of Him? How does this passage help?
PRAYER At this special time of year we thank You, God, for Your extraordinary grace in sending Your Son Jesus to be the exact image of You — but in human form, like us.
You are majestic and holy, separate from us and our world.
Yet in Jesus You drew close, and gave us a way to know You in the close relationship You desire.
Renew us more and more by Your Holy Spirit that we might lead others to the ultimate gift of new life in Jesus. Amen.
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Filed Under: Advent to Christmas, Uncategorized, Year B

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to spread the word of the Lord when he retires from football.
The newspaper spread the word about your business effectively and can help you attract new customers.
For this reason, we are leaving the communities to spread the word to the wider world about what is happening, in order to bring attention to problems in our communities.
1. Was Peter spreading the word of the Lord in ACTS 2:38?
2. Do you know what the correct definition is of spread the word?