I Peter 2:1-10

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk… (v. 2a) Carol and I are fortunate to have a “newborn infant” living just across the driveway from our house. We see Rachel and Audra together quite often. It is absolutely clear to Rachel (and to us) when that newborn infant is longing for mother’s milk. She wails until she is finally offered that mother’s milk. What a great picture of where we should be – longing for, desiring that “pure spiritual milk”. I’m clearly not as hungry as I need to be!

A lot of talk about stones today – living stones, cornerstones… I had mentioned some time ago that in another life I had been in partnership as a concrete contractor and that we had named our company “Cornerstone Construction”. Our business was poured-wall concrete foundations: dig a hole, pour footings, set metal forms to form the sides of the walls, and pour concrete into the metal forms. No cornerstone as such, but everything together formed the foundation for the house. The hole had to be dug well – exact dimensions, proper depth, good side walls. Then the footing that would hold the forms that form the walls – again, exact dimensions and all according to local building codes. Finally setting the forms and pouring the wall – if our diagonals were more than a half-inch “out of square” (you may recall that diagonals on a rectangle are equal) we adjusted the forms to get it exact. When the foundation is good, the rest of the house goes up nicely. Pour concrete into walls that are two or three inches “out of square” and the builders are forever making adjustments to try to get the house to sit well.

Whenever Isaiah (Isa 28:16) or the Psalmist (Ps 118:22) or Jesus (parable of the vine-growers) or Paul (Ephesians 2:20) or Peter (I Pet 2:6,7) mentioned a cornerstone, I’m sure they had the Temple in mind. No doubt, the Temple had a definite cornerstone that was perfect in shape, set on a rock foundation, and exact in its direction so that its main gate faced due east. But Jesus told the parable of the vine-growers toward the end of his life (see Luke 20:1-18). In that parable He was (do doubt) referring to Himself as the stone that the builders had rejected, essentially linking Himself to the cornerstone of the Temple. He is, today, our cornerstone, our sure foundation! And we are His …living stones … being built up as a spiritual house, … a holy priesthood… (v. 5a). Living stones that continue to build on that sure foundation – what a high calling!!

Slava Bohu!

I Peter 1:17-25

…knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers… (v. 18a, ESV, NASB) Scholars have argued back and forth as to whom this letter from Peter was addressed – specifically as to whether the recipients were primarily Gentile Christians or Jewish Christians. The NKJV was the translation that I read first. It has “from your aimless conduct”, which really struck me. I had this mental picture of the Jews offering their daily, weekly, monthly, annual animal sacrifices, while the true Lamb of God had already gone to the cross. In that regard their offerings really were “futile” and “aimless”. But from our “other side of The Cross” we have to be careful not to be haughty or self-satisfied. All we have to do is look back on where we’ve been, where we’ve come from, and our arrogance easily disappears!

Slava Bohu!

I Peter 1:10-16

At some point in my reading today I began to realize that Peter was getting really personal with his readers. Then I counted how many times “you” and its derivatives were used in these seven verses: Twelve times! Plus eleven times in yesterday’s nine verses and eleven more times in tomorrow’s nine verses…!! Peter is getting really personal in this letter! My Study Bible pointed out that we will see a large number of imperatives, exhortations, and encouragements that Peter is offering his readers. Watch for them!

Of all the “you” references in today’s reading, none were more touching to me than what we read in verse 12: It was revealed to them [the prophets] that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. The Old Testament prophets did not know when, how, or where their words would be applied, but it turns out that their words were spoken for US – hundreds, even thousands of years later! They had seen …through a glass dimly…, but Jesus’ followers back then and we in time future will see …face to face…!! (I Corinthians 13:12)

Two other items in verse 12 that I just quoted above… First, Peter acknowledges that someone – likely someone else, not him – was responsible for preaching the good news. He may well have had Paul in mind, along with dozens or hundreds of other first-century evangelists who were carrying Jesus’ message throughout the Mediterranean world, and beyond. We thank God today for what they started and the benefits that this entire civilization has received from their travels (and travails!). Second, …things into which angels long to look. This phrase is a bit confusing, mostly because it is written in the present tense. A past tense “longed to look” would have been more clear. So I wonder if angels in heaven were not allowed (or are not allowed) to look on some activities that took place (or are taking place) on earth. Strange that we might be seeing things that angels would love to see but which are hidden from them! Wondering…

Slava Bohu!

I Peter 1:1-9

So today we leave Paul’s letters and move on to Peter. We are still working chronologically, according to The Chronological Study Bible authors. You may be imagining (as did I) that we covered Acts, then began with Paul’s letters. In fact, however, we had both Galatians and James interspersed with Acts back in March, during chapter 15, in conjunction with the Jerusalem Council. Then we read a number of Paul’s other letters in conjunction with stops on his missionary trips. But, now we leave Paul completely and have only two letters from Peter, three from John, Jude, and Hebrews to finish out the year.

If you read introductory remarks about I Peter, most of the commentators talk about I Peter as being a letter about persecution and our Christian response to those trials. Already in today’s first nine verses Peter focuses twice on that topic: …you have been grieved by various trials… (v. 7b) and …[you] are being guarded through faith… (v. 5b) We’ll see many more mentions of these difficulties as we move on.

…[God the Father] He has caused us to be born again to … an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, (vv. 3b-4a) Our inheritance cannot be destroyed or taken away from us; it is free from any and all vestiges of sin; and it is our forever guarantee. That’s what we can look forward to, folks! It’s pure, inconceivable GLORY!!

Slava Bohu!

II Timothy 4:16-22

So today we end Paul’s letters (according to The Chronological Study Bible). I found myself with a solemn spirit as I read those last written words. I’ve already been “mourning” Paul’s time in prison – alone, dark, damp, cold. And yet still full of faith, as he reports to Timothy: At my first defense no one came to stand by me… But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. (vv. 16-17) Paul is on trial for his life, but for him the trial is simply another opportunity to proclaim Jesus! He never forgets his calling!

We met Prisca and Aquila, Onesiphorus, Erastus, and Trophimus in Acts and in Paul’s earlier letters. However, the last four names – Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, and Claudia – are all new to us. I’m guessing they are members of the Roman church.

The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. (v. 18a) I daresay we have no doubt but that Jesus welcomed Paul with open arms, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” So we end Paul’s letters with Paul’s own closing to Timothy: To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (v. 18b)

Slava Bohu!

II Timothy 4:9-15

For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. (v. 10) What an indictment Paul has laid on Demas! It’s not just the phrase, in love with this present world. It’s also Paul’s use of the word “deserted”. That’s a loaded term! To me it points to a particular need for which someone is responsible and that need is not being met. I find myself feeling sorry for Paul. Clearly he is in prison and is likely facing an imminent execution. He has needs and in this case, Demas has deserted him. He is pouring out his heart, maybe even his anger to Timothy. A sad situation…

Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. (v. 11b) This seems like a simple enough sentence, a request by Paul to have Mark join him, but it means a lot more to those of us looking on from outside. You may recall from Acts 15 (vv. 36-40), when Paul and Barnabas were headed off on their second missionary journey and Barnabas wanted to take his nephew, Mark, along. But Mark had left them part way through their first missionary journey and Paul did not want him along for this second journey. [NOTE: The NASB even uses the phrase “deserted them”.] So Paul and Barnabas separated, Paul to the north (modern-day Turkey) and Barnabas to the south (Cyprus). But today’s reading suggests that this dispute did not last forever, if Paul now finds Mark “very useful to me for ministry.” Reading between the lines, I’ve always imagined that “Uncle Barnabas” guided Mark through this difficult time and helped him “grow up”. Presumably Mark then went on to write the Gospel that bears his name.

Another small item: When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas… (v. 13a) Again I feel sorry for Paul, sitting in a dark, damp Roman prison. How many millions of Christians throughout the world today can unfortunately relate to Paul’s imprisonment, living through their own persecutions, trials, and tribulations. Sad…

Slava Bohu!

II Timothy 4:1-8

…the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (vv. 6b-7) According to the authors of The Chronological Study Bible and other scholars, we are reading Paul’s last written words. He knows that he will soon be executed and he is writing to the man who is his most faithful, most trusted, most loved friend. He is pouring out his heart and examining his own conscience. That’s why his earlier words in today’s reading should weigh so heavily on us: I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, … preach the word… (vv. 1a, 2a) A couple of days ago we saw Paul write similar words, …in the presence of many witnesses… (v. 2:2) Today the “witnesses” that he calls forth are God the Father and God the Son. He could not be more explicit in his charge to Timothy: …preach the word! As our church prepares itself to call a new rector, one requirement that I have heard on numerous occasions is that our new rector be a person who will “preach the word”. People may not know it, but in saying that they are claiming this verse. David’s own charge to our fledgling congregation when he was called as rector was “You bring the people and I’ll preach the Gospel.” It’s our duty, folks. Paul’s dying wish…!

Slava Bohu!

II Timothy 3:10-17

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted… (v. 12) I have often contrasted the life that Carol and I live with the life that Mark and Tommie Bruner have. Mark and Tommie are constantly beset with problems (yes, some of their own making) and we’ve wondered if Mark and Tommie were “suffering” this verse 12 above, that they were doing God’s work in Czechia and Satan was working overtime against them. I had this conversation with Mark one day about this contrast between their life and ours. I was surprised at Mark’s response, that Carol and I were following the Lord and that we were being blessed accordingly. I certainly don’t see Mark as one of those “health and wealth” preachers, so his words to me were very encouraging. (My Study Bible pointed out four other New Testament references where this principle was repeated, including Jesus’ own words in Matthew 10:22 and John 16:33.)

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it… (v. 14) An interesting item – my ESV translation points out that “whom” in the Greek is plural in this usage. I had read this verse as coming from Paul and was referring to Paul, especially after Paul’s own comments about his steadfastness in verses 10 and 11. But the plural “whom” must also include Timothy’s mother and grandmother, Eunice and Lois (v. 1:5), and others throughout Timothy’s spiritual growth.

…the sacred writings … are able to make you wise for salvation… (v. 15, edited) My editing emphasizes, but does not change the nature of the verse, that these sacred writings make us wise for salvation, but do not guarantee our salvation. Our salvation did not come until Jesus’ death and resurrection. Paul had to be referring only to Old Testament scriptures since many (or most) of the New Testament portions of the Bible had not yet been written. So Paul is saying what we hear so well in our Avanza Jesus Storybook Bible, that the whole of the Bible refers to Jesus. It’s one complete, entire story, all pointing to one end, to one man-God, Jesus. GLORY!!

Slava Bohu!

II Timothy 3:1-9

Debbie’s comments yesterday have bearing today: “Chatter … is to me a distraction from our focus on God.” And Paul has a lot to say about chatter today!! Almost the entire reading has very few positive comments. But positive or not, two items stuck out for me. First,. (v. 5) having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. It seems to me that Paul is describing people within the Church, possibly even Church leaders! Pastors, bishops, television evangelists – or closer to home, anyone of us from the congregation. I look at myself: Treasurer, Avanza, Freedom Road, Men’s Group, RTB…, ACTIVE!! having the appearance of godliness??!! But I hope and trust that I do not deny the power of the Holy Spirit within myself.

Second, …always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. (v. 7) It’s unclear to me whether Paul in this statement is referring to the “weak women” in verse 6 or to the people (men?!) that he describes in verses 1-6a). But then again I look at myself. …always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth??!! I am always so very interested in teaching, in helping others to learn, in trying to gain my own understanding of what we are reading that I wonder if I am ever really advancing in my own personal faith. I learn, but am I growing?

So, a couple of questions/issues that I have to ponder…

Slava Bohu!

II Timothy 2:14-26

…not to quarrel about words… (v.14), …avoid irreverent babble… (v. 16), …have swerved from the truth (v. 18), …foolish, ignorant controversies (v. 23), …must not be quarrelsome… (v. 24). In all of these phrases in today’s reading Paul is chastising disputes and false teachings. This must have been a big problem in Ephesus (where Timothy presumably lived and led the believers) which was a center for commerce and knowledge in “Asia” (modern-day Turkey). It’s still a problem for us today, but Paul’s counsel to Timothy is still wise today: “not to quarrel”, “avoid”, “have nothing to do with”. More and more I see less and less of members of our congregation discussing issues with the Episcopal Church or recalling our departure from that body – “and that’s a good thing” (quoting Carol from numerous occasions)!

But on a positive note, Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. (v. 21) There’s that “good works” item that we have seen so often in these pastoral letters. There’s a message from Paul: DO GOOD WORKS!

Slava Bohu!