Category: Daily Bible Reading Blog

A blog following the daily readings from the Revised Common Lectionary.

Ephesians 3:1-12

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            On this first day of celebrating Epiphany (which means “manifestation” or “appearing”) it is quite appropriate to drink in the wonderful teaching of the Apostle Paul on the subject of mystery.  The term “mystery” as used by Paul is not so much like reading a Sherlock Holmes novel in the sense that we need to do some detective work to solve a murder.  Mystery for Paul is something that was once hidden or obscure, but is now revealed. 
 
            The great mystery that lurked in the shadows of the Old Testament but is now fully revealed in the New Testament is, in Paul’s words, “that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”  Perhaps that truth come to light does not seem very bright or astounding to you and I.  Yet, back in Paul’s day, this was momentous.  Yes, most Jews understood that many Gentiles could and would come to worship God, but none of them saw it coming that those Gentiles would actually be completely grafted into life with them and be formed into a new society, the church, the community of the redeemed.  Jew and Gentile would cease to be separate peoples and would now become fellow heirs as one people in Christ.
 
            As non-Jews, maybe we take for granted that we believe and are full participants in Christ and full-fledged members of Christ’s Body, the Church.  But because of the faithful ministry of people like Paul and Peter and the other original apostles, the vast majority of believers throughout the world are us Gentiles.  This is, then, to be a day of celebration and gratitude that God has included us through the person and work of the Lord Jesus.  No longer are we shrouded in mystery.  We share in Christ and are partakers in all the good promises of God.  Let us, therefore, punctuate this day and season with thanksgiving to God for his gracious outreach to us.
            Revealing God, you have included us in Christ by grace through faith so that your wisdom might now be made known to all.  Thank you for your gracious wooing us to your church, and giving us your very great and precious promises to us in Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Proverbs 22:1-9

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            The Bible is not a flat one-dimensional piece of literature.  Throughout its contents, from Genesis to Revelation, it is chocked full of various literary genres.  From poetry and narrative stories to apocalyptic accounts and exhortative epistles, Holy Scripture provides a many-sided look at the unfolding drama of God’s redemption toward humanity.  Included in this is the book of Proverbs, a collection of wise sayings to help people navigate God’s big world.
 
            The chief reason we must know that the Bible contains different types of literature is so that we can read it and interpret it well.  A proverb is a short pithy statement of experiential truth.  It is not the same as the commands of the law.  In other words, a proverb is designed to point out, all things being equal, that this is how the world works.  So enter one of the most misused verses in the Bible:  “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”  Many a parent has been made to feel unrelenting guilt over a wayward son or daughter, believing that somehow they have failed.  The reason they have such feelings is that they treat the book of Proverbs as clear promises to claim.  Biblical proverbs simply were not meant to be stretched in this manner.
 
            Rather, the proverb is meant to communicate to us that if we as parents are diligent and faithful in raising our kids that in all likelihood this training will never leave them; it will always stick with them in some way, shape, or form.  It is also true that many a parent has rejoiced over an adult child coming back to his/her faith after a sojourn in the muck of the world.  Important to that return is the foundation laid years ago.
 
            So, this proverb is meant to encourage us, not with an ironclad promise, but with the hope that all the blood, sweat, and tears that parents put into their children will someday likely bear much fruit of a responsible life that contributes to both church and world.  Therefore, do not give up; keep persevering knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
            Wise God, for Whom all things are known, encourage me today and always in the knowledge of your ways so that I not lose heart in training my kids and others in the way of Jesus, my Lord.  Amen.

Proverbs 1:1-7

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            One of the best aspirations for the New Year is the pursuit and accumulation of wisdom.  This is what the book of Proverbs is all about.  Specifically, to have wise dealings is to grow in three related yet distinct areas:  righteousness; justice; and, equity.
             Righteousness or righteous living is a relational term in Scripture.  It means to have right relationships with both God and other people.  In other words, righteousness is to experience peaceful and fruitful relations.  Concerning God, it is to know the wonderful freedom and joy of an unhindered relationship through Jesus Christ in dependence upon the Holy Spirit.  When it comes to fellow human relations, a person characterized by righteousness does not, for example, let the sun go down on his/her anger.  It is to know peace and to be a peacemaker so that relationships do not remain strained but enjoy harmony.
             Justice is a related term to righteousness.  We might tend toward primarily understanding justice as a punitive act.  It certainly is part of the term; God responds and acts in justice toward those who withhold righteousness and love through uncaring or evil events.  But justice is mostly concerned with providing a person with basic needs of life.  So, for example, if someone is hungry and needs food, or does not have clean water to drink, it is a just act for us to provide those necessities of life.  God is deeply concerned for justice, and he expects his people to act in this same manner.
             Equity binds righteousness and peace together by not being prejudice toward relationships and needs.  It means to not show favoritism.  Therefore, if we are righteous and just only toward people we like but ignore others in need, there is no equity.  To give our love and service to all without strings attached or without being concerned to get paid back is the practice of equality.
             To live in these ways of righteousness, justice, and equity is to be wise in our dealings.  A good place to start in pursuing these biblical virtues is to ask God to open our eyes to those within our sphere of influence in which we can demonstrate such wise living; and, then, follow through with loving those persons in which God brings into our lives.
             Righteous God, help me to grow in wisdom.  Teach me your ways.  Since you are a just God who shows no favoritism, lead me into being just like you in my dealings with others with Jesus as my example in the strength of your Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Psalm 8

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
As we embark on yet another new year, Psalm 8 helps to remind us of who we are and the possibilities that exist for the future.  This little psalm grounds us in reality by dealing with the ultimate questions of our existence:  Who am I?  Why do I exist?  What is the purpose of my life? 
 
            Living on such a big planet actually makes some people feel quite small and wondering how they fit in.  With such a large universe we may ask along with psalmist, “What is man that you are mindful of him?”  This question forms the center of the psalm.  Hebrew poetry is typically set up to have the front and the end of the poem point to the middle as its main focus.  That is, the psalmist purposely wrote this psalm so we would consider this great question of what God thinks of humanity within the scope of this very large universe.
 
            Out of the billions of galaxies in the universe, what is the planet Earth that God should care about it?  On our planet there are billions of creatures.  Yet out of all of those bugs, animals, fish, and birds, God has a special relationship with us, humanity, and cares for us deeply.  We know that God cares for us, according to this psalm, because he has entrusted us with the responsibility to care for creation.  We are the only creatures who have the charge to steward all that God has created.  To put it another way, we, as people created in the image of God, have a job that is befitting of a king, and it is not just a duty for us, but a delight.
 
Only we as people have the self-awareness and perspective of the world that is needed to govern the world.  So, then, we can only find our true purpose and belonging in the stewardship of creation.  Caregiving is actually at the heart of being a person.
 
            So, in this next year we have the possibilities of engaging in good stewardship of all that God has given us.  We have the opportunity to use our words in ways that care for others and build them up, rather than saying uncaring things that are not helpful.  We have the chance to be attentive to all the little things of life, whether gardening, building a bird house, working with diligence and care at our jobs, or keeping our community clean and its citizens healthy and happy, it is all important and has a significant place in God’s wondrous world.
            Let us, then, continually improve what we do, no matter what it is, so that it befits us as God’s people crowned with honor.  May this year be one of joy and contentment in knowing the majesty that you share with God as a human being in his wondrous world.