Great Plains Daily Devotional for Ash
Wednesday, 5 March 2014
Today please be in prayer for:
1. Tiffany Baker
Olathe: Grace UMC
Kansas City District
2. Michael Baughn
Brewster
Hays District
3. Daniel Spearow
Benedict UMC
Polk UMC
Stromsburg UMC
Prairie Rivers District
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This Week's Lectionary:
Last Sunday after the Epiphany – White
Transfiguration of the Lord
Lectionary Readings:
Exodus 24: 12 Yahweh said to Moses, “Come
up to me on the mountain, and stay here, and I will give you the stone tablets
with the law and the commands that I have written, that you may teach them.”
13 Moses rose up with Joshua, his
servant, and Moses went up onto God’s Mountain. 14 He said to the elders, “Wait
here for us, until we come again to you. Behold, Aaron and Hur are with you.
Whoever is involved in a dispute can go to them.”
15 Moses went up on the mountain, and the
cloud covered the mountain. 16 Yahweh’s glory settled on Mount Sinai, and the
cloud covered it six days. The seventh day he called to Moses out of the middle
of the cloud. 17 The appearance of Yahweh’s glory was like devouring fire on
the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel. 18 Moses entered
into the middle of the cloud, and went up on the mountain; and Moses was on the
mountain forty days and forty nights.
Psalm 2:1 Why do the nations rage,
and the peoples plot a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth take a stand,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against Yahweh, and against his Anointed,[a] saying,
3 “Let’s break their bonds apart,
and cast their cords from us.”
4 He who sits in the heavens will laugh.
The Lord[b] will have them in derision.
5 Then he will speak to them in his
anger,
and terrify them in his wrath:
6 “Yet I have set my King on my holy hill
of Zion.”
7
I will tell of the decree.
Yahweh said to me, “You are my son.
Today I have become your father.
8 Ask of me, and I will give the nations
for your inheritance,
the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of
iron.
You shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
10 Now therefore be wise, you kings.
Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve Yahweh with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
12 Give sincere homage to the Son,[c]
lest he be angry, and you perish on the way,
for his wrath will soon be kindled.
Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.
Footnotes:
a. Psalm 2:2 The word “Anointed” is the
same as the word for “Messiah” or “Christ”
b. Psalm 2:4 The word translated “Lord”
is “Adonai.”
c. Psalm 2:12 or, Kiss the son
Psalm 99:1 Yahweh reigns! Let the peoples
tremble.
He sits enthroned among the cherubim.
Let the earth be moved.
2 Yahweh is great in Zion.
He is high above all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome
name.
He is Holy!
4 The King’s strength also loves justice.
You do establish equity.
You execute justice and righteousness in Jacob.
5 Exalt Yahweh our God.
Worship at his footstool.
He is Holy!
6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
Samuel among those who call on his name;
they called on Yahweh, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them in the pillar of
cloud.
They kept his testimonies,
the statute that he gave them.
8 You answered them, Yahweh our God.
You are a God who forgave them,
although you took vengeance for their doings.
9 Exalt Yahweh, our God.
Worship at his holy hill,
for Yahweh, our God, is holy!
2 Peter 1: 16 For we did not follow
cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our
Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received
from God the Father honor and glory, when the voice came to him from the
Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”[a] 18 We
heard this voice come out of heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.
19 We have the more sure word of
prophecy; and you do well that you heed it, as to a lamp shining in a dark
place, until the day dawns, and the morning star arises in your hearts: 20
knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation.
21 For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke,
being moved by the Holy Spirit.
Footnotes:
a. 2 Peter 1:17 Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7;
Luke 9:35
Matthew 17: 1 After six days, Jesus took
with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high
mountain by themselves. 2 He was transfigured before them. His face shone like
the sun, and his garments became as white as the light. 3 Behold, Moses and
Elijah appeared to them talking with him.
4 Peter answered, and said to Jesus,
“Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let’s make three tents here:
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
5 While he was still speaking, behold, a
bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying,
“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”
6 When the disciples heard it, they fell
on their faces, and were very afraid. 7 Jesus came and touched them and said,
“Get up, and don’t be afraid.” 8 Lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, except
Jesus alone. 9 As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded
them, saying, “Don’t tell anyone what you saw, until the Son of Man has risen
from the dead.”
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John Wesley’s Notes/Commentary:
Exodus 24:12-18
Verse 12. Come up to the mount and be there
- Expect to continue there for some time.
Verse 13. Joshua was his minister or
servant, and it would be a satisfaction to him to have him with him as a
companion during the six days that he tarried in the mount before God called to
him. Joshua was to be his successor, and therefore thus he was honoured before
the people, and thus he was prepared by being trained up in communion with God.
Joshua was a type of Christ, and (as the learned Bishop Peirson well observes
Moses takes him with him into the mount, because without Jesus, in whom are hid
all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, there is no looking into the secrets
of heaven, nor approaching the presence of God.
Verse 16. A cloud covered the mount six
days - A visible token of God's special presence there, for he so shews himself
to us, as at the same time to conceal himself from us, he lets us know so much
as to assure us of his power and grace, but intimates to us that we cannot find
him out to perfection. During these six days Moses staid waiting upon the
mountain, for a call into the presence- chamber. And on the seventh day -
Probably the sabbath-day, he called unto Moses. Now the thick cloud opened in
the sight of all Israel, and the glory of the Lord broke forth like devouring
fire.
Verse 18. Moses went into the midst of
the cloud - It was an extraordinary presence of mind, which the grace of God
furnished him with, else he durst not have ventured into the cloud, especially
when it broke out in devouring fire. And Moses was in the mount forty days and
forty nights - It should seem the six days, were not part of the forty; for
during those six days, Joshua was with Moses, who did eat of the manna, and
drink of the brook mentioned, Deut. ix, 21, and while they were together, it is
probable Moses did eat and drink with him; but when Moses was called into the
midst of the cloud, he left Joshua without, who continued to eat and drink
daily while he waited for Moses's return, but from thenceforward Moses fasted.
Psalm 2
PS 2 There is nothing in this psalm which
is not applicable to Christ, but some things which are not all applicable to
David. Threatenings denounced against the adversaries of Christ's kingdom, ver.
1-6. Promises made to Christ, ver. 7-9. Counsel given to all, to submit to him,
ver. 10-12.
Verse 1. Heathen - Who did so against
David, 2 Sam. v, 6, 17; 1 Chron. xiv, 8, and against Christ, Luke xviii, 32
Acts iv, 25, &c.
Verse 2. The kings - Herod, and Pilate
and others with or after them. Earth - So called in way of contempt and to shew
their madness in opposing the God of heaven. Set - The word denotes the
combination of their counsels and forces. Anointed - Against the king whom God
hath chosen and exalted.
Verse 3. And cast - The same thing
expressed with more emphasis. Let us not only break off their yoke and the
cords by which it is fastened upon us, but let us cast them far away.
Verse 4. Sitteth - As the king of the
whole world. Heavens - As an evidence both of God's clear and certain knowledge
of all things that are done below, and of his sovereign and irresistible power.
Laugh - Shall despise them and all their crafty devices.
Verse 6. Yet - Notwithstanding all their
artifices and combinations. My king - Who ruleth in my stead, and according to
my will, and for my glory. Zion - Over my church and people. Zion strictly
taken, was an hill on the north part of Jerusalem, where there was a strong
fort, called the city of David, but in a more large sense it is put for the
city of Jerusalem, for the temple of Jerusalem, built upon the hill of Moriah,
which was either a part of mount Sion, or adjoining to it; for the church of
the Jews, and for the Christian church.
Verse 7. The decree - The will and
appointment of God concerning this. My son - Which tho' it may in some sort be
said to, or of David, yet much more properly belongs to Christ, who is commonly
known by this title both in the Old and New Testament, and to whom this title
is expressly appropriated by the holy ghost, who is the best interpreter of his
own words, Acts xiii, 33 Heb. i, 5. This day - This may be understood either,
1. Of his eternal generation. This day,
from all eternity, which is well described by this day, because in eternity
there is no succession, no [yesterday,] no [tomorrow,] but it is all as one
continued day or moment without change or flux; or,
2. Of the manifestation of Christ's
eternal son-ship in time; which was done both in his birth and life, when his
being the son of God was demonstrated by the testimony of the angel, Luke i, 32,
and of God the Father, Matt. iii, 17; xvii, 5, and by his own words and works;
and in his resurrection, which seems to be here mainly intended, of which day
this very place is expounded, Acts xiii, 33. When Christ was in a most solemn
manner declared to be the son of God with power, Rom. i, 4.
Verse 8. Earth - Not only the Jewish
nation, but the whole world.
Verse 9. Them - Those that will not
quietly submit to thee, shall be crushed and destroyed by thee. This was in
part fulfilled, when the Jews who persisted in unbelief, were destroyed by the
Roman power: And in the destruction of the Pagan power, when the Christian
religion came to be established. But it will not be compleatly fulfilled, 'till
all opposing power and principality be put down.
Verse 10. Now - While you have time for
repentance and submission.
Verse 11. Fear - With an awful sense of
his great and glorious majesty. Rejoice - Do not esteem his yoke your dishonour
and grievance; but rejoice in this inestimable grace and benefit. Trembling -
This is added to warn them of taking heed that they do not turn this grace of
God into wantonness.
Verse 12. Kiss - In token of your
subjection and adoration; whereof this was a sign among the eastern nations.
The son - The son of God. Ye perish - Be taken out of the way by death or
destruction. Wrath - The least degree of his anger is terrible.
2 Peter 1:16-21
Verse 16. These things are worthy to be
always had in remembrance For they are not cunningly devised fables - Like
those common among the heathens. While we made known to you the power and
coming - That is, the powerful coming of Christ in glory. But if what they
advanced of Christ was not true, if it was of their own invention, then to
impose such a lie on the world as it was, in the very nature of things, above
all human power to defend, and to do this at the expense of life and all things
only to enrage the whole world, Jews and gentiles, against them, was no
cunning, but was the greatest folly that men could have been guilty of. But
were eyewitnesses of his majesty - At his transfiguration, which was a specimen
of his glory at the last day.
Verse 17. For he received divine honour
and inexpressible glory - Shining from heaven above the brightness of the sun.
When there came such a voice from the excellent glory - That is, from God the
Father. Matt. xvii, 5.
Verse 18. And we - Peter, James, and
John. St. John was still alive. Being with him in the holy mount - Made so by
that glorious manifestation, as mount Horeb was of old, Exod. iii, 4, 5.
Verse 19. And we - St. Peter here speaks
in the name of all Christians. Have the word of prophecy - The words of Moses,
Isaiah, and all the prophets, are one and the same word, every way consistent
with itself. St. Peter does not cite any particular passage, but speaks of
their entire testimony. More confirmed - By that display of his glorious
majesty. To which word ye do well that ye take heed, as to a lamp which shone
in a dark place - Wherein there was neither light nor window. Such anciently
was the whole world, except that little spot where this lamp shone. Till the
day should dawn - Till the full light of the gospel should break through the
darkness. As is the difference between the light of a lamp and that of the day,
such is that between the light of the Old Testament and of the New. And the
morning star - Jesus Christ, Rev. xxii, 16. Arise in your hearts - Be revealed
in you.
Verse 20. Ye do well, as knowing this,
that no scripture prophecy is of private interpretation - It is not any man's
own word. It is God, not the prophet himself, who thereby interprets things
till then unknown.
Verse 21. For prophecy came not of old by
the will of man - Of any mere man whatever. But the holy men of God - Devoted
to him, and set apart by him for that purpose, spake and wrote. Being moved -
Literally, carried. They were purely passive therein.
Matthew 17:1-9
Verse 1. A high mountain - Probably Mount
Tabor. Mark ix, 2; Luke ix, 28.
Verse 2. And was transfigured - Or
transformed. The indwelling Deity darted out its rays through the veil of the
flesh; and that with such transcendent splendour, that he no longer bore the
form of a servant. His face shone with Divine majesty, like the sun in its
strength; and all his body was so irradiated by it, that his clothes could not
conceal its glory, but became white and glittering as the very light, with
which he covered himself as with a garment.
Verse 3. There appeared Moses and Elijah
- Here for the full confirmation of their faith in Jesus, Moses, the giver of
the law, Elijah, the most zealous of all the prophets, and God speaking from
heaven, all bore witness to him.
Verse 4. Let us make three tents - The
words of rapturous surprise. He says three, not six: because the apostles
desired to be with their Master.
Verse 5. Hear ye him - As superior even
to Moses and the prophets. See Deut. xviii, 17.
Verse 7. Be not afraid - And doubtless
the same moment he gave them courage and strength.
Verse 9. Tell the vision to no man - Not
to the rest of the disciples, lest they should be grieved and discouraged
because they were not admitted to the sight: nor to any other persons, lest it
should enrage some the more, and his approaching sufferings shall make others
disbelieve it; till the Son of man be risen again - Till the resurrection
should make it credible, and confirm their testimony about it.
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Today's Devotional
Philippians 4:10 But I rejoice in the
Lord greatly, that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which
you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in
respect to lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in
it. 12 I know how to be humbled, and I know also how to abound. In everything
and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry,
both to abound and to be in need. 13 I can do all things through Christ, who
strengthens me.
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Contact Information
Great Plains Episcopal Office
9440 E Boston, Suite 160
Wichita KS 67207
316-686-0600
800-745-2350
info@greatplainsumc.org
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