Third Sunday after Epiphany, Thursday, January 26, 2006

Old Testament Lesson

Genesis 16:15-17:14

Today, Abram became Abraham, and God gave him a covenant; that of circumcision. This was a sign of the covenant that he had made with Abraham before, that he would have offspring, and they would possess the land.

John Wesley wrote that just a circumcision was the sign of the Old Covenant, Baptism is the sign of the New Covenant. In the New, God promises that if we believe in our hearts and have faith in Jesus, we shall be saved. In both covenants, God is giving to the people something they do not deserve. To Abraham and his descendants, they are getting land that they didn't deserve, but that God gave them out of His mercy. Likewise, we received salvation not off of anything that we have done, rather it is through the mercy of God. And God's mercy shall not be taken lightly. God's grace is free, but it is not cheap. Are you part of that New Covenant this morning? Not, are you baptized, for as important as it is, it is not salvation. Are you born again? Wesley often told people, "do not tell me of your baptism, tell me of your conversion." The sign of New Covenant is only useful if we have done our part in the New Covenant: belief and faith.

New Testament Lesson

Hebrews 10:1-10

Once again in Hebrews we see how Christ did for us what the Law could not. He paid the price we could not pay, he did for us what the Law could not do. He is the Lamb that was sacrificed to free the people from their sin. He endured all of this for our salvation and freedom; we must not take it for granted. We must not think lightly of his sacrifice. We must not take grace for granted. How many of us will remember for a long time when someone treats us nice at a store or a restaurant. How much more should we constantly thank God for what Jesus Christ did for you and me. It's one thing to have a nice waitress, its another to have the Son of God die for your sins. And then, He rose again, so not only was the penalty paid, but the victory was won. He paid the price for our sins, and the won the war with the devil and the forces of evil. And we could not do this ourselves. How thankful should we be? How worthy of our praise is Jesus. Stop today and think about what He has done for us. Take a moment away from work or your day and remember what he has done, and think about just how thankful we should be. Oh, the love of God and the praise that He deserves.

Gospel Lesson

John 5:30-47

Jesus tells them today to think about the testimonies of other people, and see that as proof of who He is, but He knows they will not, for their hearts are not full of God's love. There is something moving about hearing some one's testimony, a testament to what God has done in their lives. But, each of us has a testimony. If you are a Christian, you have a testimony. Maybe it's not a tearful walking down the aisle story, maybe it is. But if your saved, then God has worked in your life in some way, and you have something to tell others about. Are you sharing that testimony with others day? Do you give witness to others as to what Jesus has done for you? He has done so much for you and me, and we should be active in sharing that with all that need to hear.