Fifth Sunday after Epiphany, Tuesday, February 7, 2006

Old Testament Lesson

Genesis 26:1-6, 12-33

Today in the text Isaac's first choice was to go down to Egypt. After all, during this time of famine, Egypt would have enough food, and his family would survive. But, the Lord told him to stay in the land he was in, and he did. In that obedience to God, the Lord blessed him. God kept the promise that he had made to Abraham and Isaac was blessed. In his obedience, the Lord blessed him.

I know that this a dead horse that I beat a lot, but our obedience to God is essential. It is not just enough to say that we love God, we must obey Him. Even when it doesn't make sense. Today, it would have made for sense for Isaac to go down to Egypt, he knew that there he would be OK. But, the Lord willed for him to stay in the Land, and he obeyed. In that obedience, the Lord blessed him. Now, if we obey, we will grow rich and powerful like Isaac? Maybe, maybe not. I know a lot of obedient folks that are barely getting by. But, if we obey, we will have something better than worldly possessions. We'll have the peace and the joy of God, and that is of infinite worth.

New Testament Lesson

Hebrews 13:17-25

The ending of Hebrews reminds us that while we are called to obey (as mentioned above), it is God that equips us and gives us the grace to obey. There is that relationship between God's grace and our obedience. The closer we are to God the more we obey, and the more we obey, the closer we are to God. We can only obey through God's grace. We can't do it on our own. Now, we can do somethings right, I guess, but we can't be very good on our own. We see it in Scripture. Time after time when folks obey God, He uses them, and we when it is over, they wander from God, and fall into sin. That is what happened to Noah after the flood, that is what happened to Abraham when he and Sarah went down to Egypt. That is what happened to David. And Peter. And so many others. If this happened to these folks, will it not happen to you and me? That is why we must stay close to the God that equips us, so that we can obey, and in that obedience, we find the love and joy of God.

Gospel Lesson

John 7:53-8:11

This is a text we have read many times; the women caught in adultery. A couple of things. First, as the old saying goes, it takes two to tango. I've always wondered what happened to the "man caught in adultery." She is the only brought to Jesus. We don't know who the man is, but God does. Our sin might not always be made known in public, but that doesn't mean that God's doesn't know. Just because you aren't caught doesn't mean that you aren't guilty.

Second, he tells her that she is no condemned. Jesus tells those that brought her to him, if there are any without sin, let them cast the first stone. Jesus forgives. His grace is amazing. He longs to forgive us our sin and restore us to right relationship. And the story ends there, right?

No, the last thing Jesus says is to go and sin no more. Grace is not a black check to sin. Grace is not a permission slip to sin. Grace is empowerment to live for God, not just forgiveness of sin. Today, Jesus forgives us, if we repent. And He tells us the same thing he told her. Go and sin no more. You are forgiven (if you ask). Go and sin no more.