Gospel of John: First Passover

First Passover

text: John 2:13-25

Structure:

A. 2:13, Passover at Jerusalem

  B. 2:14-16, Jesus is in the Temple

    C. 2:17, Disciples remembered

  B'. 2:18-21, Jesus talks about the Temple

    C'. 2:22, Disciples remembered

A'. 2:23-25, Passover at Jerusalem

Comments: The Gospel of John is structured around three Passovers. First one is here, in chapter 2. The second one is a Passover-related – chapter 6. And thirst one is the longest of Gospel's story, John 12 – 20. There are four main themes in the first Passover: Passover itself, the Temple, signs of Jesus, and people coming to faith.

Passover of the Jews. The original Passover happened about 1400 years prior. Since then the Feast was a commemoration of the Exodus (remembering the past) and celebration of the work of God in the present. Even secular master minds use this paradigm – Isaac Asimov's short story “Anniversary” (1959) sets the plot in a house where three friends “recreate” the events of their rescue, living through them year after year as a symbolic ritual. The Sons of Israel supposed to live through the events of the first Passover as one of the three “required” feasts to attend (Deuteronomy 16:16-17).

Temple. This is the Second Temple. The first one – as everyone knows was built by king Solomon. And it was destroyed in the time of Jeremiah (587 BC). The Second Temple was built after the exile (see Books of Ezra and Nehemiah) and really beautified and expanded by king Herod (at least something good done by him). He ended up creating a large complex about 36 acres. Pilgrims from the whole world would come there. Therefore, the people who provided the possibility for fitting sacrificial animals were a blessing to worshiping community. But (!) as usual, people, being very creative in perverting the God's gifts, subverted the whole purpose of the sacrificial system into the money flowing enterprise.

Again, the problem was not with the money per se, the problem was that they would sell the animals in the sanctuary. What is the problem with this? Two things. People were more concerned with the getting the right/perfect lamb or ox than the meaning and reason for these sacrifices.

Also, the altar of the LORD WAS a place of exchange – people confessed their sins, getting absolution in return. But (!) having a trading outpost in the sanctuary created a sense of even exchange – I paid money, got an animal, then got my blessings. This procedure clouded the sense of grace that was engraved into the system. That's why Jesus rebukes them “do not make my Father's house a house of trade” (John 2:16).

Signs of Jesus. The theme of signs began in the previous passage (the first sign – turning water into wine in Cana of Galilee, John 2:1-12). Surprisingly, the Jews (the leadership of the community) were not upset with Jesus, they were looking for an explanation (John 2:18). They took His cleansing right – as a symbolic act. Now, can Jesus give them an explanation? Yes, He can, and He did. But – as we say – it went over their heads. It went over the heads of the Jews, but also went over the heads of the disciples. That's why St. John points out that the disciples remembered His phrase when they witnessed the resurrection of Jesus (John 2:22).

So, what was the meaning of His “sign”? Destruction of the Temple corresponds to the Temple's restoration in three days (John 2:19). Just on the surface, there are at least three aspects that should be taken into an account. First, when Jews emotionally respond to Christ statement, they bring up the factor of 46 years of previous construction project activities. They are not ready to see in the Temple anything but stones, furniture, etc. Jesus talks about [the Temple of] His body (John 2:21). The divine interpretation of His words points to two other aspects. First of all, His bodily resurrection – that's what disciples remembered. But remembrance in the Bible is the verb of action – making steps based on what was remembered. Therefore, third aspect is formation of the Temple of Jesus or Body of Christ – the Church.

People coming to faith. These bold actions (words included) brought many people to faith. Yet, Jesus didn't trust them. He knew their nature... even His disciples left Jesus at the Garden of Gethsemane, and the denial of Peter is a factor for an interpretation of this phrase. Also, they believed seeing His glorious actions. They did not witness the trial, flogging, and crucifixion yet... again, even His disciples did not interpreted the empty tomb right. At best, they were puzzled... Therefore, the fact of Jesus being the Christ is not based on the testimony of man – His actions, words, and testimony of the Father and the Holy Spirit are the formative reasons for our faith. 

LENT: Exodus 4

 Lenten devotions: Exodus 4 

(please read the chapter before reading this devotion)

In the previous chapter God revealed Himself as a the One who doesn’t need an “external” identity – I am who I am (Exodus 3:14). “I can not be identified by parental last name, marital status, job description, ownership of a share of a corporation etc.” He is the beginning of everything: time, space/matter, relationship. Therefore, as the beginning of everything He initiates the process of a call, call of Moses. By the end of the chapter, He tells Moses to return to Egypt, gather the elders of Israel, and tell them that they are better to ready for the Exodus (Exodus 3:16-22).

How did Moses respond? He came up with a solid excuse – what if they will not believe. A reasonable doubt – Moses already experience rejection by his brothers, and when he left there was not much faith among the Jews overall. To deal with this God gave him three special signs – staff turning into a serpent, a leprous hand placed next to heart being healed, and a reminder of the blood of babies being thrown into the Nile when water taken from the river will turn into blood on the ground (Exodus 4:1-9).

Then Moses raises less reasonable concern: I am not eloquent. Literally, he said I’m not a man of words. It was less reasonable – for the fact that Moses was taught in all the wisdom of Egypt (Acts. 7:22). But the LORD reminded Moses Who makes man’s mouth (Exodus 4:10-11).

Finally, Moses tries to play his last trump cart – or what he thought was a trump card – please send someone else? Now the anger of the LORD kindled…

We know the outcome of the story – Moses when back, endured the hardship of pharaoh’s resistance, and gloriously led people out of Egypt to Sinai to be in the covenant. When God leads you to be part of His mission you can have concerns – He will be happy to show His mighty ability to provide. When you have doubts about yourself – run to Him for proper self-identity that we find in His promises of Baptism. The only thing that can “set Him off” is our total rejection be walk the walk and to talk the talk. Pray that the LORD of life will help you to identify a place in His team.

Romans: Realization of Faith

Realization of Faith

Passage: 4:13-25

Structure:

a. 4:13-15, righteousness of faith

  b. 4:16-17a, father of many nations

    c. 4:17b, He who gives life to the death & calls into being what does not exist

  b’. 4:18-22, father of many nations

a’. 4:23-25, having faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ

Commentary:

We stay with the example of Abraham, but now St. Paul is bringing his point home. It is not an inheritance based on law, it is righteousness of faith that establishes our connection with the father of our faith Abraham.

The apostle gives two examples of believing in something that is considered impossible:

(1) Abraham’s faith did not weaken for the promise of having children being 99 years old, when his wife – Sarah – was about 90 years old.

(2) Jesus being raised from the dead.

Example of Abraham:

First one is a historical example of a man of faith. It has two parts: difficult and impossible.

It is difficult to get a 99 year old man “to get going.”

It is impossible to make a barren (lit. dead) womb to conceive.    

 

“Example” of Jesus, as the center point of our faith (4:23-25):

Raised from the dead (this is difficult, but happened before)

Delivered for our trespasses and raised for our justification (impossible) 

Romans: Example of Abraham

Example of Abraham

Passage: 4:1-12

Structure:

A. 4:1-2, Gain by flesh

  B. 4:3, Abraham believed, and God counted it as righteousness

    C. 4:4-5, Faith is credited as righteousness

    C’. 4:6-8, God credits righteousness apart from work

  B’. 4:9, Faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness

A’. 4:10-12, sign of circumcision AS a seal of righteousness

Commentary:

Story of Abraham

Main point: v.4-5 the one who works receives wages, what he/she earns.

The one who doesn’t work but believes in HIM (or trust HIM) Who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.

Recognition of “ungodly” state/status – What binds him with God is faith/trust

 Is there any difference in English between faith and trust?

It is supported by a quote from David Ps. 32:1-2.

What do we know about David??

Then St. Paul goes back to Abraham to make a historical account straight: what happened first faith/trust or circumcision? (see, Gen. 15 and Gen 17).

Abraham as the father of all who believe – the Venn diagram from all who believes combines both those who are circumcised and those who are not circumcised. 

ROMANS: Block E - Chapters 4-5

Romans: Block E (see Introduction to Romans)

Chapters 4 – 5

A. 4:1-12, the example of Abraham, historical example

  B. 4:13-25, Realization of faith

  B’. 5:1-11, Results of justification by faith

A’. 5:12-21, Adam and Christ, historical example

 

Two types of Scripture:

Law and Gospel

It is not Old Testament vs. New Testament

Law is what God demands

Gospel is what God promises

	Old Testament	New Testament
Law	Yes, Leviticus	Yes, Luke 1
Gospel	Yes, Genesis 3:15	Yes, John 3:16

 

Also, we need to maintain prescriptive and descriptive types:

Historical accounts – descriptive parts

Prescriptive – institutional accounts

Why do we need to keep the difference?

Teaching on the Baptism – Jesus, being 30 years old, go to be baptized in Jordan.

Examples of Abraham and Adam can illustrate the doctrine but they cannot be a foundation for the doctrine.

ROMANS: RIGHTEOUSNESS and LAW

Righteousness and Law  

Passage: Romans 3:1-31

Structure:

a. 3:1-4, What is an advantage to be a Jew, oracles of God

  b. 3:5-8, Righteousness of God

    c. 3:9-18, List of witnesses, Scriptures

    c’. 3:19-20, under the Law  

  b’. 3:21-26, Righteousness of God  

a’. 3:27-31, What becomes of our boasting? Law of faith.        

 

Commentary:

Advantage to be a Jew – to begin with, oracles of God. Later, St. Paul comes up with a list of 8 elements (9:4-5).  

All quotes but one (3:15-17) are coming from Psalter – why?

Jews and Greeks are under the sin – list of witnesses from Psalms, Proverbs, and Isaiah (vv. 9-18).

 

3 juxtapositions:

Unfaithfulness of men vs. faithfulness of God (vv. 3-4)

Our unrighteousness vs. Righteousness of God (vv. 5-8). Righteousness of God is discussed in 1:17. Then, 3:21-26.

Law of works vs. law of faith (vv. 27-31). 

ROMANS: The RIGHTEOUS JUDGEMENT of GOD

The righteous judgement of God  

Passage: Rom. 2:1-16

Structure:

a. 2:1-5, the day of God’s judgement

  b. 2:6, who will repay to everyone

    c. 2:7, patiently doing good

      d. 2:8, wickedness

      d’. 2:9, everyone who does evil

    c’. 2:10, everyone who does good

  b’. 2:11, there is no partiality with God

a’. 2:12-16, the day of God’s judgement   

Important terms and concepts:

Why suddenly, “out of the blue,” St. Paul shifts from third person plural (they, them) to second person singular (thou/you)? Later, the apostle will use first person plural (“we”, ch. 6:1 “are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?”). I think he does it to bring his listeners/readers into a conversation. His letter is not a “conference paper” nor it is a private correspondence between Paul and unknow “man” (2:1, 3). It is a “written sermon” that should’ve been read aloud in front of the whole congregation (cp. Rev. 1:3).   

JAMES: FAITH and WORKS

Faith and Works

(recording on YouTube [beginning 31:00]: https://www.youtube.com/live/E2CkpYqBJHI )

 Texts: James 2:1-10, 14-18 and Mark 7:31-37

I. Intro – we have three weeks of Epistle readings from the Letter of James.

Dr. Luther on the Letter of James – is it really “a straw epistle”?

Look at Luther Works v. 35, page 395: "I praise it [the Letter of James] and consider it a good book, because it sets up no doctrines of men but vigorously promulgates the law of God." 

Read it in the context of James 2:10!

 

II. Let’s cut to the chase – James 2:18

How do faith and works relate to each other?

It’s not what was first a chicken or an egg question –

it is more of a match or gas valve illustration.

Lutheran teaching – Augsburg Confession (AC) IV: Justification and

AC VI: New Obedience. 

 

III. Take away

What is a proper bridge between inner faith and external works – prayer

Mark 7:31-37 – God gives an ability to hear right and speak plainly.

First: our faith is reflected in the acknowledgement that God exists, Jesus is the Way, and Holy Spirit is your Comforter

Then (!) we have four types of prayer – connecting faith to works  

1. Confession of sins – reconciliation 

2. Praise or Glorification – evangelism

3. Petitioning – acts of mercy

4. Thanksgiving – sharing    

CONVERSION of SAUL

CONVERSION of SAUL

The Passage: Acts 9:1-22

Structure:

I. Intro, 9:1-2, people brought in chains to Jerusalem

  a. 9:3-4, call to Saul

    b. 9:5-7, response of Saul

      c. 9:8, open eyes, but can’t see

        d. 9:9, not seeing, not eating, not drinking 

  a’. 9:10-12, Call to Ananias

    b’. 9:13-16, Response of Ananias

      c’. 9:17-18, Saul regains his eyesight

        d’. 9:19-20, eating and recovery of strength 

I’. 9:21-22, Saul should be brought in chains to the high priest  

Historical and geographical context:

Damascus is about 200 miles north of Jerusalem. Saul got an appointment to the high priest asking him for the letters to the synagogues at Damascus. Apparently, the high priest had authority over the distant synagogues. The request of letters and reception of Saul by high-priest shows his high-profile position in the Jewish religious-political society.    

Theology:

Theology of the Way. Saul wants to capture those who belong to “the way”. On the way to Damascus, he meets Jesus who is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). When Ananias came to Saul, he mentions Jesus who appeared to Saul on the road (ESV). The meaning of the road is a double entendre – the road which you came (meaning the Royal highway, between Jerusalem and Damascus) and the way of life that led to the persecution of Jesus and the Church (cp. Ps. 1:6).       

Persecution of the Church is the persecution of Jesus. Saul was like a dragon – breathing threats and murder (cp. Rev. 12:1-6). He was looking for the ones who would belong to the way, both men and women (very egalitarian). Later Ananias acknowledges to the Lord that Saul is famous for doing evil to the saints at Jerusalem (9:13). Yet, when Jesus meets him on the road, He claims that Saul persecutes Him personally (9:5). No wonder that St. Paul (former Saul) develops an idea of body of Christ – the Church (cp. 1 Cor. 12).   

Personal meeting with Jesus Christ. The persecution of the Church was based on Saul’s zeal for God. He was doing an evil thing but was not an evil man. Fighting for the honor of God’s congregation, he was granted the personal meeting with Jesus. And the Lord Jesus comes to him as a judge – the blinding light of condemnation. Yet, this condemnation, producing godly grief, was guiding him to repentance (cp. 2 Cor. 7:10-11).      

Creation theology. Saul, being blinded, not eating, and not drinking, is de-created. After his three days in the darkness (cp. Jonah and Jesus in the tomb) Saul was re-created as a disciple. The recreation began with “light” – re-gaining the ability to see, then like the earth he goes under the water being baptized. What followed light is eating and drinking – coming into filling stage. As Biblical creation paradigm suggests, filling is followed by enlightenment, which was realized by the preaching of the Gospel in the Damascus synagogues (cp. Gen 1:1-2, Acts 9:17-22).    

Theology of names. If you remember in chapter 5 there were Ananias and Saphira. They offended the Holy Spirit by hiding a portion of the sale price for their real estate. Regardless of name’s meaning – favorite of the Lord – Ananias of chapter 5 misused the favoritism in a wrong way. This story presents a good Ananias. The one who used favor and mercy of the Lord in a proper faithful way.   

Other themes:

Personal Pauline reflections on blindness. It is possible that St. Paul refers to his partially recovered eyesight when he mentions in 2nd letter to Corinthians (12:5-9). The reasoning is based on his adherence to the teaching of walking by faith and not by sight (2 Cor.5:7). For St. Paul the importance of hearing over seeing is also supported by Rom 10:17 – faith comes from hearing.

LSB 720:
We walk by faith and not by sight,

No gracious words we hear

From Him who spoke as none e’re spoke,

But we believe Him near. 

FOOD and FAITH

Food and Faith - June 2024 Newsletter

20 years ago, a very small production company released a movie that changed the food industry. Written, produced, and directed by Morgan Spurlock, “Super-Size Me” featured him as the main character. Morgan undertook an attempt to stick to a 30-days McDonald’s diet. If you’ve seen the movie – you are familiar with the story. If you have NOT seen the movie – I would recommend reading Wikipedia page, takes less time with the same result.

I watched the movie about 15 years ago back in Russia. A friend of mine brought a DVD with him from his trip to the US. My point is not to fight with fast food industry. I can enjoy a fast-food meal from time to time. I would not bring it up, but something happened recently – Morgan Spurlock died being 53 years old. I am not sure that his death is related to his dietary experiments during the filming (it should be noted that on day 21 his doctor advised him to stop the experiment due to possible unreversible health/body changes). The news about Morgan’s death recovered some memories about the movie and got me thinking about the food.

One particular story that we find in the Bible in relationship of food and faith is found in the Book of Daniel in chapter 5. That’s where “king” Belshazzar has a great feast (literally – Bread, it is important). The reason for the gathering was an attempt to perform some kind of religious ceremony to appeal to any deity that would listen to be rescued from the Persians. Since there is only one God who listens, speaks, and acts this Babylonian gathering would’ve been a failure, but Belshazzar ordered to bring furniture from the Temple of Jerusalem that his grandfather – Nebuchadnezzar – brought together with the exiled Israelites. Now think about it: they had the furniture from the Temple, they had a special dedicated bread, they appeal to God. To their surprise, He answered… We know the answer: you are weighted and found light (without glory), and your kingdom will be given to the Persians. So, was Belshazzar doomed?

As a ruler – yes (the Persians took over the very same night), as a human on the brink of death whose eternal fate will be decided soon – I am not sure… for the very subtle reason – at the end of the story godly prophet Daniel (who did not authorize that “feast”) decided to receive the gifts of the ruler. This might indicate that God at the last moment saw he contrite heart, similar to the thief of the cross who died next to Jesus the Savior of all people, including Belshazzar, criminals, and us.

As we enter the second part of the Church year, we will more and more talk about God’s work in our hearts – this work will continue till the very last day on earth from all of us (everyone who has at least a little garden knows that the weeds should be pulled regularly, never ending process). As we come to the Lord’s table to partake consecrated bread and wine, let us think of a great sacrifice of the Lord for our freedom, which gives us ability to be consecrated too. Partaking this blessed feast leaves us with Christ living in us (Gal. 2:20). God who listens, speaks, and acts now works through us. May the food of Christ transform and empower us for listening to the troubled heart, sharing the wisdom of the Word with a lost one, and helping the trapped to overcome the obstacles in their life.