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Bible Study for the First Sunday after Epiphany - January 12th
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Read Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
John was quite a personality. It is little wonder that people were filled with expectation and hope. For centuries, the people of Israel had been waiting for God to send a Messiah to them. Perhaps John didn’t look like a “typical” Messiah, but he had the confidence of one on fire with God’s mission. He spoke as one intimately connected to God. Could he be the long-awaited one?
When the crowds asked John about being the Messiah, he disputed them and did not want them to bestow the title of Messiah upon him. In this case, his words were not based on an unfounded theory. John knew his cousin Jesus was coming. Thus, it was with humility John compared himself with Jesus, feeling unworthy to untie the thong of his sandals. John was clear about his own mission: prepare the way for the true Messiah who would bring judgment and the Holy Spirit.
It is interesting to note that Luke describes the baptism of Jesus after it occurs but while Jesus was praying. Both the themes of prayer and of the Holy Spirit are reoccurring for the author of Luke and Acts. Jesus and the subsequent church are called into a life of prayer.
There were three aspects to the baptism: the opening of heaven, descent of the Holy Spirit and God’s voice. The opening of heaven was as the prophet Isaiah described centuries earlier when he prayed for God to intervene with fire and judgment. (See Isaiah 64:1-4.) Isaiah acknowledged God doing “awesome deeds that we did not expect.” (Isaiah 64:3 NRSV)
What was more awesome and unexpected for the crowd than the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus at his baptism? The event of baptism was more than water and words, but included tangible signs of God’s presence. And then came the blessing. God’s voice was personal and direct to Jesus. This was not a public teaching time for the crowd, but they might have learned much. Rather the baptism was an intimate moment between a delighted God and God’s own Son. God was well-pleased. Hopefully, pleasing God greatly pleased Jesus.
Prayer
Gracious God, thank you for providing the opportunity to be baptized and to be sealed by the Holy Spirit forever. Help us to live as you will. Amen.
John was quite a personality. It is little wonder that people were filled with expectation and hope. For centuries, the people of Israel had been waiting for God to send a Messiah to them. Perhaps John didn’t look like a “typical” Messiah, but he had the confidence of one on fire with God’s mission. He spoke as one intimately connected to God. Could he be the long-awaited one?
- Why else might people think John was the Messiah?
- Why might people doubt if John was the Messiah?
When the crowds asked John about being the Messiah, he disputed them and did not want them to bestow the title of Messiah upon him. In this case, his words were not based on an unfounded theory. John knew his cousin Jesus was coming. Thus, it was with humility John compared himself with Jesus, feeling unworthy to untie the thong of his sandals. John was clear about his own mission: prepare the way for the true Messiah who would bring judgment and the Holy Spirit.
It is interesting to note that Luke describes the baptism of Jesus after it occurs but while Jesus was praying. Both the themes of prayer and of the Holy Spirit are reoccurring for the author of Luke and Acts. Jesus and the subsequent church are called into a life of prayer.
- Imagine Jesus coming out of the waters and praying. What might have been his prayer?
- As you watch a baptism, what might be a prayer for those still wet with the baptismal waters?
There were three aspects to the baptism: the opening of heaven, descent of the Holy Spirit and God’s voice. The opening of heaven was as the prophet Isaiah described centuries earlier when he prayed for God to intervene with fire and judgment. (See Isaiah 64:1-4.) Isaiah acknowledged God doing “awesome deeds that we did not expect.” (Isaiah 64:3 NRSV)
What was more awesome and unexpected for the crowd than the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus at his baptism? The event of baptism was more than water and words, but included tangible signs of God’s presence. And then came the blessing. God’s voice was personal and direct to Jesus. This was not a public teaching time for the crowd, but they might have learned much. Rather the baptism was an intimate moment between a delighted God and God’s own Son. God was well-pleased. Hopefully, pleasing God greatly pleased Jesus.
- What does it take to please God?
- If you were witnessing the baptism of Jesus, what might you be thinking or feeling?
- What difference does it make when the Holy Spirit is present?
Prayer
Gracious God, thank you for providing the opportunity to be baptized and to be sealed by the Holy Spirit forever. Help us to live as you will. Amen.
Prayer Petitions for this week
These petitions are offered as guides to prayer for the global, social and outreach ministries of the ELCA, as well as for the needs and circumstances of our neighbors, communities and world. Thank you for your continued prayers for the life and mission of this church.
-“This star, as bright as day, that will never lead astray with its message so appealing, is the word of God, revealing Christ, the way, the truth, the life” (ELW 301). Praise God for the gift of Jesus Christ, who reveals to us the way, truth and life of God’s love, forgiveness and promises.
-Pray for a peaceful transfer of presidential power in the United States and that the Spirit will influence and guide our leaders to serve all people with compassion, wisdom and concern for justice and unity.
- “In [Christ] we have redemption through [Christ’s] blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us” (Ephesians 1:7-8). God’s boundless love and forgiveness are lavish indeed. Give thanks and praise to God!
-Remember in prayer college, university and seminary students taking part in winter J-term classes and service learning, that their experiences will deepen their faith, expand their knowledge and reveal how their gifts and passions can be used to do God’s work in the world.
-Thank God for the ELCA’s special relationship with the United Methodist Church, a full communion partner since 2009. Pray for the church, its members and its leaders, that we will respect our differences but embrace our unity in Christ so we can spread the gospel, serve our neighbor, and share leadership and resources for doing God’s work in the world — together.
-Give thanks for God’s grace and the work of the Spirit, which equip us with the tools, wisdom and courage needed to face the challenges of everyday life and to bear Christ’s love and hope into the world.
-Pray that we will affirm our baptism by telling others about the triune God, by loving and serving our neighbors, by encouraging the faith of our siblings in Christ and by seeking opportunities for spiritual growth.
-“This star, as bright as day, that will never lead astray with its message so appealing, is the word of God, revealing Christ, the way, the truth, the life” (ELW 301). Praise God for the gift of Jesus Christ, who reveals to us the way, truth and life of God’s love, forgiveness and promises.
-Pray for a peaceful transfer of presidential power in the United States and that the Spirit will influence and guide our leaders to serve all people with compassion, wisdom and concern for justice and unity.
- “In [Christ] we have redemption through [Christ’s] blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us” (Ephesians 1:7-8). God’s boundless love and forgiveness are lavish indeed. Give thanks and praise to God!
-Remember in prayer college, university and seminary students taking part in winter J-term classes and service learning, that their experiences will deepen their faith, expand their knowledge and reveal how their gifts and passions can be used to do God’s work in the world.
-Thank God for the ELCA’s special relationship with the United Methodist Church, a full communion partner since 2009. Pray for the church, its members and its leaders, that we will respect our differences but embrace our unity in Christ so we can spread the gospel, serve our neighbor, and share leadership and resources for doing God’s work in the world — together.
-Give thanks for God’s grace and the work of the Spirit, which equip us with the tools, wisdom and courage needed to face the challenges of everyday life and to bear Christ’s love and hope into the world.
-Pray that we will affirm our baptism by telling others about the triune God, by loving and serving our neighbors, by encouraging the faith of our siblings in Christ and by seeking opportunities for spiritual growth.
Lent 2020 -
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In Jesus’ day, women were generally silent, and rarely if ever seen, and are generally nameless. We hear about the Canaanite woman, or the Samaritan woman, or they are identified by their relationship to a man such as Jairus’s daughter or Simon’s mother-in-law. So the very inclusion of women in the gospel texts is remarkable. Yet these women are a part of our history and a part of Jesus’ story. This Lenten season, we will explore a different woman’s story each week.
Introduction to Lent 2020 and Women's Encounters with Jesus Week 1 - The Canaanite Woman: Matthew 15:21-28 Week 2 - Martha and Mary: Luke 10:38-42 Week 3 - A Bent Woman, Daughter of Abraham: Luke 13:10-17 Week 4 - A Woman Accused of Adultery: John 7:53-8:11 Week 5 - A Woman anoints Jesus for Burial - Matthew 26:6-13 |
Lent 2019 -
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Jesus often taught the crowds through powerful stories that feel just as contemporary today as they did 2000 years ago. These wonderful stories allow us to see the world of the first century through the eyes of first century followers of Jesus. Join us on this journey through 5 parables from the Gospel of Luke as we peel back the layers to discover how these parables simultaneously comfort and challenge us. Dig into the culture of the original hearers of these stories that challenge our assumptions about God, the world, our neighbors, and ourselves.
Once Upon a Time: The Beauty and Challenge of Story Week 1 - Are All Samaritans Good? Week 2 - Lost Things Week 3 - A Lost Son Week 4 - A Lost Brother Week 5 - A Feast for the Ones the World Forgot Reflections on Holy Week |
Lent 2018 |
The gospel of John tells the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection in a poignant, dramatic, and unique voice. In this Lenten Bible study, you are invited to enter into John’s world and encounter those who were a part of Jesus’ final days.
Introduction to the Gospel of John Week 1 – Nicodemus: Journey from Darkness to Light Week 2 – Judas: Journey to the Dark Side Week 3 – Peter: Journey to Understanding Week 4 – Mary Magdalene: Journey to Life Week 5 – The Beloved Disciple: Our Journey to Faithfulness |
Advent 2017 |
Pastor Joanne made a series of videos with a message for each week of the Advent season. Please follow this link to see those messages
Advent videos 2017 |
