Category: Year C

Matthew 2:1-12

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
            This date, January 6, of every year is a very significant day in the Christian Year – it is the day in which we as Christians intentionally recognize and celebrate the glorious truth that God’s Son was not only given to the Jews, but to Gentiles, as well.  This day is known as “Epiphany.”  Epiphany simply means “appearance” or “manifestation.”  Epiphany is the realization that the incarnation of Jesus involves a great deal more than Christmas; it brings a vision, a revelation, and an epiphany of God’s glory to every nation, people-group, and person on the face of the earth.
 
            The event that most represents and symbolizes Epiphany is the visit of the Magi to Jesus.  God, in his grace and mercy, made known to a group of Gentile astrologers that something of great importance was taking place.  A sign and light was given to them, leading them to Christ, the King.  Indeed, it is only through God’s gracious revelation of light to us that we are led to Jesus and receive the salvation that brings life, peace, and hope.
 
            Sometimes we forget and lose sight of what is really important in life.  We move at such breakneck pace and bind ourselves with such busy-ness that to stop and connect with life itself is not even a thought in our heads.  Yet, it is imperative that we look up into the sky and see a bright star in the east leading us, even beckoning us, to the Christ for whom all the universe hinges.  What do we really and truly need in life?  We need a Savior.  He has come.  He has been revealed.  Thanks be to God.
 

 

            God of light, you shine brightly and call us to your Son, King Jesus.  Today I celebrate your grace and goodness displayed in leading me to Yourself.  Thank you for salvation and life in Christ.  Continue to open my eyes so that I might see your love and truth.  Amen.

John 1:1-18

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
            I once spent several months in Tacoma, Washington.  The first few weeks I was in that wonderful city it was overcast, cloudy, and dreary.  Then, one morning, I woke up to a bright sunshine and looked out my window.  Behold! It was as if someone had dropped mountains on the landscape overnight.  And there was Mount Rainier staring me right in the face!  But I had seen none of it for weeks.  It is rather amazing what the light can do for us.
 
            “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.”  Seeing the light, becoming a child of God, and being born again is a precious gift.  We can neither make ourselves see in the dark, nor can we cause ourselves to be Christians; only God can do it.  Jesus Christ is the light of the world, and through the will of God, Jesus is made known to us.
 
            What this means is that salvation, deliverance from sin, death, and hell is solely the work of God.  It all comes through the willingness of God in Christ to rescue us.  We cannot earn it, work for it, or pay-off our debt of sin.  Just as I was in awe of the majestic mountains that were in front of me, so I am slack-jawed over the grace of God in Christ that saved a sinner like me.  In Christ, there is rest.  Praise and adoration is the appropriate response to such mercy.
 

 

            Saving God, you have sent your Son, the Lord Jesus, to be the light of the world.  Shine in the darkness so that many others might know that grace and truth comes through Christ.  Thank you for saving me.  Please deliver many more from their groping in the dark.  Amen.

Isaiah 6:1-5

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
            Isaiah saw a vision of God in his throne room.  It was a grand, majestic, and transcendent vision of a God who dominates the entire setting.  The train of God’s robe filled the temple.  This is Isaiah’s way of saying that the vision he saw was a really big one.  God is immense and huge.  It is vital that we see the bigness of our God.  Gaining a vision of the hugeness of God is what causes our human problems to be seen as small.
 
            We are to take our cues from the seraphs that were worshiping God.  They were in the presence of God’s immensity and the seraphs gave unceasing praise.  A seraph is an angel with the job description to glorify God with continual adoration.  The seraphs physical description symbolizes their function:  covering their face symbolizes humility in God’s presence; covering their feet identifies that they are on holy ground; and, flying symbolizes their work to do God’s bidding. 
 
            So, then, the seraphs have two-thirds wing power for worship, and one-third wing power for work.  If this is any kind of indication how God’s creatures are to conduct their lives, we as humans have a great deal of life-adjustment to make in order to accommodate the worship of God into our lives. 
 
            Perhaps we see our problems as so large because we have a small view of God.  This must be inverted so that we see a big God who can take care of our puny situations.  The only way this is going to happen is if we have a vision of God, and the only way having a vision of God is going to occur is if we put ourselves in a position to see God. 
 

 

            Holy God, you are very large and very in charge over all your creation.  When I contemplate your bigness, I realize how small I am and how much I really need you.  My life is yours.  Here I am.  I belong to you. Amen.

2 Chronicles 1:7-13

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             Wisdom is a word that is not often used in normal conversation.  It does not typically arise in talking about a politician, a businessman, or even a church leader.  “Oh, the Congressman is so wise!” “Isn’t that CEO a wonderfully sage person?”  “My Pastor is full of wisdom!”  You might even be laughing at this point because these kinds of statements just aren’t part of our daily interactions with others.  We are more likely to say that somebody is full of something else other than wisdom.  But all the aforementioned statements could be said about King Solomon.  He was wise – the wisest man that ever lived.
             Wisdom is the ability to put truth into practice.  It is to see everything and everyone from God’s perspective.  Wisdom is to have a solid knowledge base with the skill set to use it for godly and constructive purposes.  And Solomon had a load of it.  But the really important thing to note from today’s Old Testament lesson is how Solomon obtained such wisdom.  It came from God.  Solomon asked for it, and he got it.
             The Apostle James tells us in the New Testament that if any of us lacks wisdom we should ask God, who gives generously without finding fault and it will be given to him.  Maybe the reason why so many persons today are not immediately characterized as being wise is because they rely on their own ingenuity and hard work; asking for wisdom is not even on their mind.  But in a world of dire straits where significant problems often overshadow effective solutions, wisdom is needed more than ever.
             Like Solomon of old, ask for wisdom and knowledge from God.  We all are in some position of governing others, whether it is being a parent, a church leader, or in charge of something at work.  We all need wisdom.  Just ask.  In every circumstance ask God for the ability to know the truth and put it into practice.
             Wise God, you know all things and how everything works.  Give me wisdom and knowledge so that your purposes and plans might be accomplished in and through me for every situation to the glory of Jesus Christ.  Amen.