Vlog Cast – Epiphany 1
Sunday Readings for Epiphany 1
The Scripture readings for Epiphany 1 are … (click on highlighted links)
- Is. 42:1-7 and Is. 61:1-5 (the Spirit on Him)
- Psalm 85 (Show us Your Unfailing Love)
- 1 Cor. 1:26-31 (Jesus becomes our Righteousness)
- Matt. 3:13-17 (the Baptism of Jesus)
- Epiphany 1: PDF of Presentation Slides
Daily Readings for the Week of 1/11
The lectionary readings for the week are taken from the prophet Ezekiel and Paul’s Letter to the Romans.
Monday (click on highlighted links)
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
- Evening/Morning (Stations 1-5)
- The Sacrament of Baptism (Station 9)
- Ezekiel 36:33–37:14
- Romans 5:1-21
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Brief Overview of Ezekiel:
The fulfillment of God’s judgment upon His people is about to occur.
For generations Israel has been an “unfaithful and adulterous wife” to their Heavenly Husband. They have given themselves over to other gods and run to other “lovers” (the nations) for help. The prophets have stood as watchmen and have warned the people to repent, but none have listened. The time for God’s judgment on Jerusalem has come.
The Assyrians, “the rod of God’s anger”, have already assailed the Northern Kingdom (722 B.C.). Now, the Babylonians and King Nebuchadnezzar come (605 B.C.). Jerusalem, the royal city of David, will fall. The Holy Temple will be destroyed (587-586 B.C.). Israel will be led out and live as exiles in Babylon.
While Jeremiah laments and calls the people to repentance in Jerusalem, the prophet Ezekiel, along with Daniel, stand as prophetic watchmen in Babylon. The recurring message of God through the prophet is … “and they will know that I am the Lord.” Through the judgment upon Israel, oracles against the nations and visions of restoration …
- the people of Israel (Ezekiel 1-24)
- the surrounding nations (Ezekiel 25-32)
- and the whole world (Ezekiel 33-48)
… will come to know that God is the Lord.
Video Overview: Context and Content of Ezekiel
Brief Overview of Romans:
The early church met in homes. These little “house churches” were called “ekklesias” (the Greek word for “gathering” or “assembly”). These “congregations of the saints” devoted themselves to the study of the Scriptures, to prayer, the celebration of the Lord’s Supper and the mutual care of one another and their local community. (Acts 2:42-47)
The New Testament contains a number of “epistles” (letters) that the Apostle Paul wrote to Christians scattered throughout Mediterranean region. To the Church gathered in Rome, he wrote the epistle we know as “Romans”. To the Church gathered in Ephesus … “Ephesians”. To the Church gathered in Corinth … “Corinthians” etc.
In his epistle to the Romans, the Apostle presents God’s revelation concerning the righteousness of man and the righteousness that comes from God. With precision and compelling testimony from the Scriptures, he declares that …
- there is no one righteous before God (Romans 1-3:20)
- there is a righteousness that comes from God in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:21 – Romans 11)
- the righteous life is lived out by faith (Romans 12-15)
Among all of the epistles, Paul’s letter to the Romans leads the way as a supreme systematic presentation of all that a Christian should know, believe, do, teach and confess.
On a side note … the Lutheran fathers followed the pattern of Romans in their presentation of the Christian faith. In the Augsburg Confession and the Formula of Concord they proceed in this fashion and order …
- God
- Original Sin
- Jesus Christ, the Son of God
- Justification
- The Righteousness of Faith
- Good Works
Here are a couple of a references from the Lutheran Confessions.
10. Whoever, now, is thus concerned about the revealed will of God, and proceeds according to the order which St. Paul has observed in the Epistle to the Romans, who first directs men to repentance, to knowledge of sins, to faith in Christ, to divine obedience, before he speaks of the mystery of the eternal election of God, to him this doctrine [concerning God’s predestination] is useful and consolatory.
Concordia (Triglotta)
Formula of Concord: Epitome, XI. Election
1 Also they teach that men cannot be justified before God by their own strength, merits, or works, but are freely justified for 2 Christ’s sake, through faith, when they believe that they are received into favor, and that their sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake, who, by His death, has made satisfaction for our sins.
3 This faith God imputes for righteousness in His sight. Rom. 3 and 4
Concordia (Triglotta)
Augsburg Confession, Article IV. Of Justification
Video Overview: Context and Content of Romans
The Psalm 119 Prayer Cycle
The links below will direct you to a full version of “The Psalm 119 Prayer Cycle” step by step guide as well as a visual map of the territory.
List of Additional Resources
Here are some additional resources to supplement the readings from the Daily Lectionary:
- Treasury of Daily Prayer
- A Year in the Old Testament: Meditations for Each Day of the Church Year, by Jeffrey Pulse
- A Year in the New Testament: Meditations for Each Day of the Church Year
- A Year with the Church Fathers: Meditations for Each Day of the Church Year
- PrayNow (iPhone App)
- The Daily Lectionary follows the pattern outlined in the Lutheran Service Book
Here are some of the resources I frequently study or reference for each Sunday of the Church Year:
- Postilla: An Explanation of the Sunday and most Important Festival Gospels of the Whole Year, Volumes 1 and 2, by Johann Gerhard
- A Year in the Gospels With Martin Luther, Volumes 1 and 2, by Martin Luther (Author), Paul T. McCain (Editor)
- Christian Year of Grace by Johann Spangenberg (Author), Matthew Carver (Author)
