Epiphany: Monday, February 19, 2007

Old Testament Lesson

Deuteronomy 6:10-15

One of the greatest dangers we can face is that we can forget about God. We get so busy that we forget. And, we start to think that God doesn't matter. The Word warns us against that today. God says do not forget that it was I that gave you this land and these houses and these vineyards. Do not think you have done it on your own. I did it for you, and you must remember that and serve me.

But, the people did not. They thought they did it through their own strength. They thought they deserved credit for the great things they had done. After all, they had won victories, they had done much. They had forgotten it was God that had do it through them. They had forgotten.

Today, do not forget about God.

New Testament Lesson

Hebrews 1:1-14

In the book of Hebrews, the author goes through, making a list of people and things that Jesus Christ is greater than. There was debate among some people at that time that while Jesus died for our sins, we still had to keep the Law, right? Or, while Jesus died for our sins, we still had to do this, or that. Surely just believing in Him was not all that was required.

We want to work our way in. We mistake religion for relationship. We think that if we just do enough, then that will be what is required for us to enter into God's heaven. But, that is not true. While, there are things that our faith requires of us and that we must be doing, it starts with faith. It starts with belief. It starts with that relationship. That relationship must be the foundation of our lives, and everything else must flow from it.

Gospel Lesson

John 1:1-18

The Word became flesh and lived among us. Maybe the most powerful words in all the Bible. The Word of God, the logos of God, the Son of God, God Himself, became flesh and lived here with us. Lived among us. Suffered as we suffer, cried as we cry, hurt has we hurt. He did this to teach us how to live, how to love, how to serve. He did it do die for our sins, and be raised from the dead. He did it to win the battle over sin, death, and the grave.

The Word became flesh and lived among us. We have much to be thankful for.