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3^rd SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

The theme of Scripture as the Word of God mediated through teachers, wisdom, and Son of Man form excellent possibilities for this Sunday. Two of the lessons-Nehemiah and Luke are actual worship events out of which the Word is heard very differently. Psalm 19, of course, praises the qualities and benefits of the Law, while in the epistle lesson we continue our discussion about spiritual gifts. What powerful preaching passages for passionate preachers!

NEHEMIAH 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10-HEARING AND RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD

The 42,360 returning exiles have just gotten settled in the towns and villages of Judah. Nehemiah assembles this community of returnees and then Ezra ascends the platform and opens the book as the people rise; a call and response follows the reading. There in the city square they listen . . . and listen . . . and listen for five or six hours to the words of Scripture. Using a translator, Ezra reads and explains the words which produce a somber response-they begin to cry. Ezra, however, explains that far from a day for weeping, this is a new day and a new place to read and hear and obey God’s words. "Go home and have a feast," Ezra tells the people, "for God’s joy will make you strong."

PSALM 19-SWEET HONEY WORDS

Though Psalm 19 seems to be a conflation of two very different types of psalms and themes, our interest in lieu of the overarching theme of attending to God’s word, lies primarily in verses 7-14. Here, the psalmist speaks to the qualities of the Law-the totality of laws, commands, judgments, and precepts contained in the Torah. Not only are the qualities referred to-it gives happiness and wisdom, and is trustworthy and just, but the rewards are also included for those who so highly value these words of God. They will be knowledgeable, rewarded for their obedience, experience delight, and safety.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-31-UNITY & DIVERSITY TRAINING

This part of Paul’s instruction on spiritual gifts includes: 1) a discussion about Christ’s body and the incongruity of Christians isolating themselves and yet functioning in a teamwork way; 2) how the body and individual parts reflect diversity within unity; 3) everyone has value.

LUKE 4:14-21-ALL EYES WERE FIXED ON HIM

In this story, Jesus enters the synagogue and, when asked to read, unrolls the scroll to Isaiah and reads the prophet. His intelligent comments even gain admiration from his listeners. But what turns this benign story into a dicey and dangerous drama is what happens next. Jesus, unlike traditional lectors / teachers, proceeds to locate himself within the text: "This passage of scripture has come true today, as you heard it being read" (v. 21). This does not win friends nor influence people-at least in an amiable way. His life threatened, he escapes the angry throng, yet we are left wondering about the polarizing effects God’s words can have on listeners.