20 jan 19

Light on the Lessons Isaiah 62:1-5; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; John 2:1-11 Second Sunday after the Epiphany; Cycle C; January 20, 2019 Leader Guidance Materials Needed + Bibles for everyone (variety of translations often useful) + Lectionary sheets (very convenient if you use them in worship) + Chalkboard, newsprint, overhead, or another means for displaying information and recording thoughts + Basic reference books for use as needed: Bible dictionary, Bible atlas, concordance, a one-volume Bible commentary + Read a Bible dictionary article on “spiritual gifts.” If Lutheran, have on hand copies of Luther’s “Small Catechism.” I Getting Started Read the lessons aloud before discussing them, either in advance or as they are studied. Ask participants to share prayer concerns. Then turn to the questions in “Getting Started.” 1. Responses will vary. These are probably behaviors and attitudes your participants think are “most Christian,” such as loving and forgiving. 2. Responses will vary. A “gift” comes from another and is given freely. We tend to think of a “talent” as something we own and possess and control. When the Bible speaks of “gifts” it means what we tend to call “talents.” 3. Responses will vary. Biblically, “signs” point to Jesus as the one who ushers in the Kingdom. II Check the Texts 1. Isaiah 62:1-5 A. The LORD speaks. Vindication here means that the LORD will restore Israel’s fortunes and take away her shame, proving that, in the end, the defeated nation is still the LORD’s own. In Isaiah 40:2, studied in Advent 2, the LORD seems to repent of his punishment for Israel. Could the vindication imply the LORD making up for his excesses? Part of vindication is seen also in Isaiah 61:5-7, where Israel, which other nations stepped upon, will now step upon the nations. Some of this does not fit the Christian perspective with echoes of revenge. B. God offers them a “new name.” In Genesis 17, both Abraham and Sarah receive new names to mark a major change in their life and their relationship with God. God gives the new name because the new situation celebrated by the new name comes about because of the LORD’s initiative. The focus is on the LORD. C. The names “Forsaken” and “Desolate” point to Israel’s despair in exile. The images in 4b, however, draw on marriage and love, joyous themes. Beulah = married; the word implies fertility and fecundity. As marriage represents the start of a new family, so Israel will leave behind desolation and enter a fertile, rich age. D. Responses will vary. “Builder” suggests that God works to build our lives; here it may refer to the rebuilding of Jerusalem or Zion. “Marry” points to God’s love and intimacy with us. 2. 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 A. Verse 5:9 mentions an earlier letter. Our 1 Corinthians may well be Paul’s answers to questions raised in the earlier correspondence mentioned in 5:9. B. “Now” suggests a shift in thought onto a new topic, as we see comparing 11:33-34 with 12:1ff. The string of sections beginning with “concerning” suggests that Paul had a list of questions from the Corinthians before him as he deals with them one by one. C. The “same” references relate to the common sources of all gifts, the Holy Spirit. The clauses with “another” emphasize the apportionment and distribution of the gifts, different gifts to different people. Verse 7 tells the purpose of the gifts: They are for the common good rather than personal enhancement. Our gifts serve (minister to) others. D. These gifts are spiritual ones, while Romans 12 has a more practical listing. But teaching and giving are as much gifts of the Spirit as speaking in tongues. Verse 9a speaks of faith as a special gift that some have, implying that others do not. All Christians have faith given by the Spirit, verse 3. This is faith sufficient for salvation. But some have a degree of fervency and vibrancy in their faith that all do not share. Some of these “faith heroes” have emerged as “saints” over the years. E. Faith comes as a gift of the Spirit. It is not a psychological attitude we offer. Faith is a gift, not a work. The presence of the Holy Spirit makes it possible for us to respond positively to the Gospel. If we confess Jesus, we have the Spirit. 3. John 2:1-11 A. John calls miracles “signs.” They serve to reveal his glory and to call for faith. B. Responses will vary. Mary makes a request of Jesus, who answers by chiding her. Then she tells the servants do whatever Jesus says. A disciple may be perplexed by what God says – and no one seems to understand why Jesus said what he said – but nevertheless obeys. C. We can seek allegories in John’s Gospel because that is his style, unlike that of the synoptic Gospels. Invite participant to offer other allegorical meanings and let the group evaluate them. A: Jesus rose from the dead on the “third day.” B: Red wine is the color of blood, which evokes memories of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and the Eucharistic reference to blood in John 6. C: This wedding feast hints at our heavenly marriage feast, Revelation 19. It also looks back to images from Isaiah, as in the First Lesson. D: Israel saw its future under God in terms of rich abundance, representing God’s blessings and care. D. Perhaps the steward refers to Jesus’ coming as the “good wine,” in a similar way that John compares Moses and Jesus in 1:17. Or, we might read this as John pointing ahead to his narrative of Jesus as the bread of life. E. “Hour” generally means the revelation of Jesus as the Messiah. “Hour” is the point where the world sees Jesus in his glory as God’s Redeemer and Son. In 4:25 Jesus is revealed to the woman who was expecting the Messiah. In 12:27, he speaks of his death as an “hour,” meaning his death would reveal who he truly is. III What Does It All Mean? 1. Responses will vary. This can be a fun exercise, especially when the new names are shared. How do your participants identify God’s role in making changes in their lives? 2. Responses will vary. The “builder” metaphor opens conversation about how extensive a role in changing our lives we attribute to God. Ideally, Christians place their entire life – body, mind, and spirit – under the lordship of Christ. Most of us, though, are still journeying to that point. 3. Responses will vary. All who confess Jesus as Lord have received the Holy Spirit who alone makes that confession possible. Luther is very clear on that in the “Small Catechism.” Faith is not a work but a gift. We have the Holy Spirit now, and the adventure for the future is to explore, test, and discover the gifts the Spirit has especially given to each of us. 4. Responses will vary. 5. Responses will vary. We need to look on ourselves and others as God does, rather than being trapped in our limited, human vision. 6. Responses will vary. Not every group will have a participant with this experience. 7. Responses will vary. We need to learn to look for and to celebrate the “signs.” The outpouring of support for victims of recent fires and other disasters might offer an example. 8. Responses will vary. Encourage praying to the Holy Spirit, whom few of us seem to address in prayer. IV Into the Week Talk about last week’s suggestion. Encourage them to undertake #2.