The Upper Room Daily Reflections: daily words of wisdom and faith of The United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Sunday, 17 December 2017 "Grant Us Wisdom"
Today’s Reflection:
GRANT US WISDOM and courage this week:to trust you to guide us through difficult circumstances;
to taste and see your presence in new ways;
to trust that you will do good and joyful things in our lives
and in the world. Amen.Look for an opportunity to reprocess anger into grace. Here are some ideas.
When shopping this week,
someone might be rude to you. You might look them directly in the eyes and grin.
you might be annoyed with a salesclerk. You might instead say, “I know you’re busy. Thank you for waiting on me.”
Or do a kindness (small ones are fine) for someone you tend to dismiss or even resent. For example, you might brush the snow off someone’s car in the church parking lot. Or ask, “How is your son, daughter, grandchild, dog, cat, rosebush, model train] doing these days?”
This won’t be “faking it” if you plan this action now and ask God to help you. IN that moment, the Spirit will come alongside you and empower you. (Taste and See)
From pages 68-69 of Taste and See: Experiencing the Stories of Advent and Christmas by Jan Johnson. Copyright © 2014 by Jan Johnson. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books.
The scripture passage in Taste and Seefor Week 3 of Advent is Matthew 1:18-25. Jan Johnson explores this passage from the perspectives of Joseph, Mary, Joseph’s parents, Mary’s parents, and the people of Nazareth. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question: Pray today’s opening prayer. GRANT US WISDOM and courage this week:
to trust you to guide us through difficult circumstances;
to taste and see your presence in new ways;
to trust that you will do good and joyful things in our lives
and in the world. Amen.
Today’s Scripture: John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know,the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” (John 1:26-27, NRSV)
This Week: pray for joy.
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The Upper Room Daily Reflections: daily words of wisdom and faith of The United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Saturday, 16 December 2017 "We Need God’s Peace"
Today’s Reflection:
GOD OF THE HEAVENS and the earth,We need your peace.
Send your gentle, fierce Spirit
to all the war-torn lands
and broken relationships.
Come, God of peace.
We need you today. Amen. (Beth A. Richardson, Child of the Light)
From page 93 of Child of the Light: Walking through Advent and Christmas by Beth A. Richardson. Copyright © 2005 by Beth A. Richardson. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question: Pray today’s prayer. GOD OF THE HEAVENS and the earth,
We need your peace.
Send your gentle, fierce Spirit
to all the war-torn lands
and broken relationships.
Come, God of peace.
We need you today. Amen.
Today’s Scripture: May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23, NRSV)
This Week: pray for joy.
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The Upper Room Daily Reflections: daily words of wisdom and faith of The United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Friday, 15 December 2017 "The Unfolding of God’s Promise"
Today’s Reflection:
OFTEN I STAND on the edge of the light, afraid to believe, afraid to act, afraid that this story is too good to be true. But then in my better moments, when I listen closely to the story, move closer to the light, my fears seem to evaporate like an early morning mist, and I can believe again. I can believe that God who made all that is became clothed in our human flesh so that we might become clothed in God. I can believe that God claims me as a beloved child. I can believe that my days are in God’s strong and tender hands. I can believe that life is good, beautiful, and eternal. I can believe that not only my days but all days are in God’s good and able hands. I can believe, rejoice, and wait trustingly and expectantly for the unfolding of God’s promise given so many ways and most clearly in the Advent story. Thanks be to God! (Rueben P. Job & Norman Shawchuck and Rueben P. Job, A Guide to Prayer for All Who Seek God)From p. 24 of A Guide to Prayer for All Who Seek God, by Norman Shawchuck and Rueben P. Job Copyright © 2003 by the authors. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question: In this season of Advent, look for how God’s promise is unfolding around you.
Today’s Scripture: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NRSV)
This Week: pray for joy.
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The Upper Room Daily Reflections: daily words of wisdom and faith of The United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Thursday, 14 December 2017 "What We Celebrate"
Today’s Reflection:
WHAT WE CELEBRATE during Advent and Christmas is the completely new way God comes to us in Jesus Christ. We also celebrate the new persons we are becoming because God sent Jesus, God’s own beloved Son, to the world God loved so much. … Our Advent celebrations are based on our hope that God will bring a new heaven and a new earth in which all creatures have everything they need for life and live together in harmony with one another. (Blair Gilmer Meeks, Expecting the Unexpected)From pp. 16-17 of Expecting the Unexpected: An Advent Devotional Guide by Blair Gilmer Meeks. Copyright © 2006 by Blair Gilmer Meeks. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question: Where do you see signs of harmonic living?
Today’s Scripture: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior….” (Luke 1:46b-47, NRSV)
This Week: pray for joy.
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The Upper Room Daily Reflections: daily words of wisdom and faith of The United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Wednesday, 13 December 2017 "I Am with You"
Today’s Reflection:
“I AM WITH YOU,” God promises Mary through the angel Gabriel. … “I am with you,” God promises Joseph, Mary’s husband-to-be, in a dream. . . .Promise by promise, the Advent story stretches out, like bands of cloth across a waiting manger. “I am with you,” God promises, through the words of prophets; in the songs of psalmists; from the lips of angels; by a fresh, tiny birth cry in the night. And intersecting each strand of promise made by God, another promise is placed: from the yes of a girl, by the trust of a man, through the hope of a people, in the flesh of humanity. From the beginning to the end, Jesus Christ embodies God’s promise to the world, for you and for me: “I am with you.” (Pamela C. Hawkins, Behold!)
From page 84 of Behold! Cultivating Attentiveness During the Season of Advent by Pamela C. Hawkins. Copyright © 2011 by Pamela C. Hawkins. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question: What does it mean to you to hear that God is with you?
Today’s Scripture: When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. (Psalm 126:1, NRSV)
This Week: pray for joy.
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The Upper Room Daily Reflections: daily words of wisdom and faith of The United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Tuesday, 12 December 2017 "Joseph 'the Just'”
Today’s Reflection:
Because the word righteous in Matthew 1:19 also has been translated “just” (KJV, NKJV, NLT), Joseph is sometimes referred to as “Joseph the Just.” When we think of a “just” person, we think of someone who obeys laws and applies rules rarify to all. Joseph did not do as the law required: “If there is a young woman, a virgin already engaged to be married, and then a man meets her in the town and lies with her, you shall bring both of them to the gate of that town and stone them to death” (Deut. 22:23-24).Joseph decided to break the law of Moses and divorce Mary quietly rather than publicly exposing her. Was that unjust? No, as this fact is related in Matthew 1:18-19, the text says Joseph was just. Kenneth Bailey writes, “Joseph clearly applied an extraordinary and unexpected definition of justice to this crisis with Mary. Justice for him was more than ‘the equal application of law.'”* (Jan Johnson, Taste and See)
From page 65 of Taste and See: Experiencing the Stories of Advent and Christmas by Jan Johnson. Copyright © 2014 by Jan Johnson. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books.
*Quote from Kenneth Bailey is from page 43 of Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels (Intervaristy Press, 2008). http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question: Can you think of other times you have witnessed justice applied in extraordinary and unexpected ways?
Today’s Scripture: For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. (Isaiah 61:11, NRSV)
This Week: pray for joy.
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The Upper Room Daily Reflections: daily words of wisdom and faith of The United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Monday, 11 December 2017 "Open to God"
Today’s Reflection:
ELIZABETH SEEMS somewhat overlooked in the Christmas cast of characters. Her husband, Zechariah, steals the scene from her when he, not Elizabeth, receives Gabriel’s announcement that a special son will be born to the couple. And although the scripture [Luke 1:39-45] doesn’t tell us so, Zechariah’s inability to speak as a result of his unbelief probably remained as much a topic of conversation among the townsfolk as did Elizabeth’s pregnancy.But if we take time to ponder Elizabeth’s words before moving on to Mary’s beautiful song of praise and thanksgiving in verses 46-55, we see something special about Elizabeth. She recognized the long-foretold Messiah, even before his birth. Without proof of mighty and miraculous deeds, face-to-face with a young, unmarried, pregnant cousin who, like her, was “just ordinary folks,” Elizabeth recognized the Savior of her people.
What does it take to recognize our Savior in such unlikely circumstances? Elizabeth must have been a woman of great faith, believing deep within herself that if the Lord had promised a deliverer, then the Lord would indeed send a deliverer. … She possessed an opennness to the Holy Spirit’s activity in the world. …
Elizabeth exemplifies confident waiting and openness to God’s intervention. May that confidence, patience, and receptivity be ours this Advent season. (Janet Knight, The Upper Room Disciplines 2012)
From the week of readings titled “Waiting on God’s Promise” by Janet Knight; this is the reading for December 20 on page 367 in The Upper Room Disciplines 2012: A Book of Daily Devotions. Copyright © 2012 by Upper Room Books. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question: How can you open your spirit to God in this Advent season?
Today’s Scripture: For I the LORD love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. (Isaiah 61:8, NRSV)
This Week: pray for joy.
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The Upper Room Daily Reflections: daily words of wisdom and faith of The United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Sunday, 10 December 2017 "When Life Overwhelms"
Today’s Reflection:
IN TRULY STUNNING fashion, God orchestrates Mary and Elizabeth’s pregnancies six months apart. It is a testament to God’s care and provision that each woman has someone to journey with as she navigates the peculiar season in which she finds herself. The gift of a believing community can make all the difference in the form our challenging waiting seasons take.
By intentionally seeking out one another, Mary and Elizabeth journey together and support each other. They affirm God’s miracle-working power in each of their lives. Their presence before each other serves as a daily reminder of God’s faithfulness and a visual assurance of God’s promises. …
We should not be surprised at the divine consideration in having this young girl and this old woman wait together for the fulfillment of God’s respective words to them. … God created us to flourish in our interconnectedness and mutual support of one another. We need one another to remind us that all things are possible with God and to help us trust the narrative that God’s reign is both at hand and still to come. In the midst of uncomfortable waiting, we need voices that also speak to our blessedness. Sharing our stories adds perspectives that can bolster our faith when life overwhelms, frightens, or takes us by surprise. (Enuma Okoro, Silence and Other Surprising Invitations of Advent)
From pages 67-68 of Silence and Other Surprising Invitations of Advent by Enuma Okoro. Copyright © 2012 by Enuma Okoro. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question: Look for an opportunity to be a voice of blessing for someone.
Today’s Scripture: He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:7-8, NRSV)
This Week: pray for peace.
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Did You Know?
Sometimes we need the adult version of the Christmas story—the story that recognizes that even though it’s December, not everything and everyone feels cheery. Read more.
Mind the Light BY LAUREN F. WINNER (NORTH CAROLINA)
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Isaiah 61:1 (NRSV))
Much as my pastor is trying to help it feel like Advent, most of us are already acting like it's Christmas. With this season comes real celebration, of course. We're attending parties, singing hymns, visiting with family. At the same time, Christmas is, for many of us, a time of great sorrow and hardship. We think of dead friends and family and wish they were here to celebrate with us. Or some aspect of our life feels crushingly difficult and sad, and the cheery seasonal script we feel we're supposed to be following only magnifies the sorrow.
We need the adult version of the Christmas story—the story that recognizes that even though it's December, not everything and everyone feels cheery. What genuinely good news, then, to know that Advent is the season when we await not just a cute baby in a manger. During Advent we await the one who comes to bind up the brokenhearted.
And how much better to remember with Mary that binding up the brokenhearted is not something God promises to do in the distant, far-off future. No, as Mary proclaims in her famous prayer of praise, the Magnificat, God is already at work filling up the hungry with good things and exalting the weak. God is already suturing our wounds and succoring us in our loneliness. God is binding up our broken hearts, even now.
Prayer: Gracious God, comfort those who, during this season when we feel pressure to be joyful, are in fact, mourning. Succor those who feel bleak and who lead lives of suffering and hardship. Make yourself known to them as the one who binds up their wounds and frees them from their shackles. Amen.
Lauren F. Winner teaches Christian spirituality Duke Divinity School, in Durham, North Carolina. She is author of numerous books, including Wearing God: Clothing, Laughter, Fire, and Other Overlooked Ways of Meeting God.
From The Upper Room Disciplines 2008. Copyright © 2007 The Upper Room. All Rights Reserved. Subscribe to The Upper Room Disciplines, online edition.
---Today’s Reflection:
IN TRULY STUNNING fashion, God orchestrates Mary and Elizabeth’s pregnancies six months apart. It is a testament to God’s care and provision that each woman has someone to journey with as she navigates the peculiar season in which she finds herself. The gift of a believing community can make all the difference in the form our challenging waiting seasons take.By intentionally seeking out one another, Mary and Elizabeth journey together and support each other. They affirm God’s miracle-working power in each of their lives. Their presence before each other serves as a daily reminder of God’s faithfulness and a visual assurance of God’s promises. …
We should not be surprised at the divine consideration in having this young girl and this old woman wait together for the fulfillment of God’s respective words to them. … God created us to flourish in our interconnectedness and mutual support of one another. We need one another to remind us that all things are possible with God and to help us trust the narrative that God’s reign is both at hand and still to come. In the midst of uncomfortable waiting, we need voices that also speak to our blessedness. Sharing our stories adds perspectives that can bolster our faith when life overwhelms, frightens, or takes us by surprise. (Enuma Okoro, Silence and Other Surprising Invitations of Advent)
From pages 67-68 of Silence and Other Surprising Invitations of Advent by Enuma Okoro. Copyright © 2012 by Enuma Okoro. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question: Look for an opportunity to be a voice of blessing for someone.
Today’s Scripture: He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:7-8, NRSV)
This Week: pray for peace.
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Sometimes we need the adult version of the Christmas story—the story that recognizes that even though it’s December, not everything and everyone feels cheery. Read more.
Mind the Light BY LAUREN F. WINNER (NORTH CAROLINA)
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Isaiah 61:1 (NRSV))Much as my pastor is trying to help it feel like Advent, most of us are already acting like it's Christmas. With this season comes real celebration, of course. We're attending parties, singing hymns, visiting with family. At the same time, Christmas is, for many of us, a time of great sorrow and hardship. We think of dead friends and family and wish they were here to celebrate with us. Or some aspect of our life feels crushingly difficult and sad, and the cheery seasonal script we feel we're supposed to be following only magnifies the sorrow.
We need the adult version of the Christmas story—the story that recognizes that even though it's December, not everything and everyone feels cheery. What genuinely good news, then, to know that Advent is the season when we await not just a cute baby in a manger. During Advent we await the one who comes to bind up the brokenhearted.
And how much better to remember with Mary that binding up the brokenhearted is not something God promises to do in the distant, far-off future. No, as Mary proclaims in her famous prayer of praise, the Magnificat, God is already at work filling up the hungry with good things and exalting the weak. God is already suturing our wounds and succoring us in our loneliness. God is binding up our broken hearts, even now.
Prayer: Gracious God, comfort those who, during this season when we feel pressure to be joyful, are in fact, mourning. Succor those who feel bleak and who lead lives of suffering and hardship. Make yourself known to them as the one who binds up their wounds and frees them from their shackles. Amen.
Lauren F. Winner teaches Christian spirituality Duke Divinity School, in Durham, North Carolina. She is author of numerous books, including Wearing God: Clothing, Laughter, Fire, and Other Overlooked Ways of Meeting God.
From The Upper Room Disciplines 2008. Copyright © 2007 The Upper Room. All Rights Reserved. Subscribe to The Upper Room Disciplines, online edition.
This week we remember: Thomas Merton (December 10).
Thomas MertonDecember 10
Thomas Merton (1915-1968), American Trappist monk whose writings have immeasurably influenced current spirituality. ...
Merton, born in Prades, France, on January 31, 1915, was the son of Ruth Jenkins (American) and Owen Merton (New Zealander), who were artists. Shortly after his birth, his parents moved to New York to escape World War I. ... At a young age, Merton expressed an interest in spiritual things, but unfortunately neither of his parents provided him with any religious formation. After his mother died when he was six, Merton, a lonely child, traveled with his father in the United States, Bermuda, France, and England. When Merton was fifteen, his father died, intensifying his loneliness, lack of continuity, and need for belonging. As a teen he lived an undisciplined, sensual, and restless life. Although he had received an academic scholarship to Cambridge, he did not apply himself. Due to poor grades and an "unfortunate incident" with a young woman, the uncle who served as his guardian sent him back to New York. When he entered Columbia University, his life began to change.
At Columbia, Merton read Etienne Gilson's The Spirit of Medieval Philosophy, which revolutionized his understanding of God. ... Also while at Columbia, Merton experienced conversion and was baptized into the Catholic Church. [In 1941] he applied and was accepted by the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance and entered Our Lady of Gethsemani in Kentucky.
At first Merton saw the monastery as a sanctuary where he could disappear from the world. However, he soon discovered that Merton the writer had followed him into the cloister. Fortunately the abbot recognized Merton's literary gifts, and by 1948 The Seven Storey Mountain was a best-seller. During his lifetime, Merton wrote eight volumes of poetry; six hundred articles; and over sixty books, several published posthumously. He wrote devotional meditations, theological essays, personal journals, social criticism, and studies of Eastern spirituality. His books include Contemplative Prayer, New Seeds of Contemplation, The Ascent to Truth, The Wisdom of the Desert, The Sign of Jonas, Seeds of Destruction, Mystics and Zen Masters, and Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander.
If a writing career was unconventional for a monk, Merton's involvement with social issues was even more unusual. From the monastery he wrote about the threat of nuclear war, opposition to American involvement in Vietnam, and civil rights. ... His interest in Eastern spirituality, particularly Buddhism, influenced his decision to attend an East-West monastic conference in Bangkok, Thailand. During this trip Merton was accidentally electrocuted. He died on December 10, 1968, the twenty-seventh anniversary of his entry to Gethsemani. Thomas Merton was a prophetic voice who continues to guide the hearts of those pursuing the interior life, seeking the center of their "true selves," and discovering Christ's mysteriously transforming love.
If Thomas Merton had taken the Spiritual Types Test, he probably would have been a Mystic. Merton is remembered on December 10.
[Excerpted with permission from the entry on Thomas Merton by Amy Sturdivant Jennings, from The Upper Room Dictionary of Christian Spiritual Formation, edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe. Copyright © 2003 by Upper Room Books®. All rights reserved.]
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Lectionary Readings for Sunday, 17 December 2017
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Psalm 126
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
John 1:6-8, 19-28
Scripture Texts: Isaiah 61:1The Spirit of Adonai Elohim is upon me,
because Adonai has anointed me
to announce good news to the poor.
He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted;
to proclaim freedom to the captives,
to let out into light those bound in the dark;
2 to proclaim the year of the favor of Adonai
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn,
3 yes, provide for those in Tziyon who mourn,
giving them garlands instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
a cloak of praise instead of a heavy spirit,
so that they will be called oaks of righteousness
planted by Adonai, in which he takes pride.
4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins,
restore sites long destroyed;
they will renew the ruined cities,
destroyed many generations ago., 8 “For I, Adonai, love justice;
I hate robbery for burnt offerings.
So I will be faithful to reward them
and make an eternal covenant with them.”
9 Their descendants will be known among the nations,
their offspring among the peoples;
all who see them will acknowledge
that they are the seed Adonai has blessed.
10 I am so joyful in Adonai!
My soul rejoices in my God,
for he has clothed me in salvation,
dressed me with a robe of triumph,
like a bridegroom wearing a festive turban,
like a bride adorned with her jewels.
11 For just as the earth brings forth its plants,
or a garden makes its plants spring up,
so Adonai, God, will cause victory and glory
to spring up before all nations.
Psalm 126:1 (0) A song of ascents:
(1) When Adonai restored Tziyon’s fortunes,
we thought we were dreaming.
2 Our mouths were full of laughter,
and our tongues shouted for joy.
Among the nations it was said,
“Adonai has done great things for them!”
3 Adonai did do great things with us;
and we are overjoyed.
4 Return our people from exile, Adonai,
as streams fill vadis in the Negev.
5 Those who sow in tears
will reap with cries of joy.
6 He who goes out weeping
as he carries his sack of seed
will come home with cries of joy
as he carries his sheaves of grain.
1 Thessalonians 5:16 Always be joyful. 17 Pray regularly. 18 In everything give thanks, for this is what God wants from you who are united with the Messiah Yeshua.
19 Don’t quench the Spirit, 20 don’t despise inspired messages. 21 But do test everything — hold onto what is good, 22 but keep away from every form of evil.
23 May the God of shalom make you completely holy — may your entire spirit, soul and body be kept blameless for the coming of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. 24 The one calling you is faithful, and he will do it.
John 1:6 There was a man sent from God whose name was Yochanan. 7 He came to be a testimony, to bear witness concerning the light; so that through him, everyone might put his trust in God and be faithful to him. 8 He himself was not that light; no, he came to bear witness concerning the light., 19 Here is Yochanan’s testimony: when the Judeans sent cohanim and L’vi’im from Yerushalayim to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 he was very straightforward and stated clearly, “I am not the Messiah.” 21 “Then who are you?” they asked him. “Are you Eliyahu?” “No, I am not,” he said. “Are you ‘the prophet,’ the one we’re expecting?” “No,” he replied. 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? — so that we can give an answer to the people who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?” 23 He answered in the words of Yesha‘yahu the prophet, “I am
The voice of someone crying out:
‘In the desert make the way of Adonai straight!’”[John 1:23 Isaiah 40:3]
24 Some of those who had been sent were P’rushim. 25 They asked him, “If you are neither the Messiah nor Eliyahu nor ‘the prophet,’ then why are you immersing people?” 26 To them Yochanan replied, “I am immersing people in water, but among you is standing someone whom you don’t know. 27 He is the one coming after me — I’m not good enough even to untie his sandal!” 28 All this took place in Beit-Anyah, east of the Yarden, where Yochanan was immersing.
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John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Verse 1
[1] The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Upon me — Though the prophet may speak of himself, yet it is principally to be understood of Christ.
Anointed — Set me apart, both capacitating him with gifts, and commissioning him with authority; and yet more, as it is applied to Christ, a power to make all effectual, from whence he hath also the name of Messiah among the Hebrews, and of Christ among the Greeks; nay, Christ alone among the prophets hath obtained this name, Psalms 45:7. The prophet describes first, who Christ is, and then what are his offices.
Liberty — This appertains to Christ's kingly office, whereby he proclaims liberty from the dominion of sin, and from the fear of hell.
Verse 2
[2] To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
Vengeance — It being necessary, that where God will deliver his people, he should take vengeance on their enemies; principally on the enemies of his church, and the spiritual ones chiefly, Satan, sin, and death.
Verse 3
[3] To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Ashes — By ashes understand whatever is proper for days of mourning, as by beauty whatever may become times of rejoicing.
Oil of joy — He calls it oil of joy in allusion to those anointings they were wont to use in times of joy, gladness for heaviness; and it is called a garment in allusion to their festival ornaments, for they had garments appropriated to their conditions, some suitable to times of rejoicing, and some to times of mourning.
Called — That they may be so.
Trees — That they shall be firm, solid, and well rooted, being by faith engrafted into Christ, and bringing forth fruit suitable to the soil wherein they are planted.
Verse 8
[8] For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
Love judgment — I will do them right, for I love justice in myself, and in them that practise it.
Robbery — All things gotten by injustice, though it be for sacrifice.
Direct — I will lead them so, that they shall do all things in sincerity.
Everlasting covenant — Though you have broken covenant with me, yet I will renew my ancient covenant made with your fathers, confirmed with the blood of Christ, and it shall be everlasting, never to be abrogated.
Verse 9
[9] And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed.
Shall be — That is, eminently a promise of the increase of the church; such shall be their prosperity, and multiplying, that they shall be known abroad by their great increase; or else, the meaning is, the church shall have a seed of the Gentiles, whereas the church has been confined to one corner of the world, now it shall remain in one nation alone no more, but shall fill all the nations of the earth.
Hath blessed — There shall be such visible characters of God's love to them, and of God's grace in them.
Verse 10
[10] I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
I will — This is spoken in the person of the church.
Garments, … — With salvation as with a garment, and with righteousness as with a robe.
Verse 11
[11] For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
Righteousness — His great work of salvation shall break out and appear.
Praise — As the natural product, and fruit of it.
Psalm 126
Verse 1
[1] When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
Turned — Brought the captive Israelites out of Babylon into their own land.
Dream — We were so surprized and astonished.
Verse 4
[4] Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.
Turn — As thou hast brought us home, bring also the rest of our brethren.
As — As thou art pleased sometimes to send floods of water into dry and barren grounds, such as the southern parts of Canaan were.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Verse 16
[16] Rejoice evermore.
Rejoice evermore — In uninterrupted happiness in God.
Pray without ceasing — Which is the fruit of always rejoicing in the Lord.
In everything give thanks — Which is the fruit of both the former. This is Christian perfection. Farther than this we cannot go; and we need not stop short of it. Our Lord has purchased joy, as well as righteousness, for us. It is the very design of the gospel that, being saved from guilt, we should be happy in the love of Christ. Prayer may be said to be the breath of our spiritual life. He that lives cannot possibly cease breathing. So much as we really enjoy of the presence of God, so much prayer and praise do we offer up without ceasing; else our rejoicing is but delusion. Thanksgiving is inseparable from true prayer: it is almost essentially connected with it. He that always prays is ever giving praise, whether in ease or pain, both for prosperity and for the greatest adversity. He blesses God for all things, looks on them as coming from him, and receives them only for his sake; not choosing nor refusing, liking nor disliking, anything, but only as it is agreeable or disagreeable to his perfect will.
Verse 18
[18] In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
For this — That you should thus rejoice, pray, give thanks.
Is the will of God — Always good, always pointing at our salvation.
Verse 19
[19] Quench not the Spirit.
Quench not the Spirit — Wherever it is, it burns; it flames in holy love, in joy, prayer, thanksgiving. O quench it not, damp it not in yourself or others, either by neglecting to do good, or by doing evil!
Verse 20
[20] Despise not prophesyings.
Despise not prophesyings — That is, preaching; for the apostle is not here speaking of extraordinary gifts. It seems, one means of grace is put for all; and whoever despises any of these, under whatever pretence, will surely (though perhaps gradually and almost insensibly) quench the Spirit.
Verse 21
[21] Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Meantime, prove all things - Which any preacher recommends. (He speaks of practice, not of doctrines.) Try every advice by the touchstone of scripture, and hold fast that which is good - Zealously, resolutely, diligently practise it, in spite of all opposition.
Verse 22
[22] Abstain from all appearance of evil.
And be equally zealous and careful to abstain from all appearance of evil - Observe, those who "heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears," under pretence of proving all things, have no countenance or excuse from this scripture.
Verse 23
[23] And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
And may the God of peace sanctify you — By the peace he works in you, which is a great means of sanctification.
Wholly — The word signifies wholly and perfectly; every part and all that concerns you; all that is of or about you.
And may the whole of you, the spirit and the soul and the body — Just before he said you; now he denominates them from their spiritual state.
The spirit — Galatians 6:8; wishing that it may be preserved whole and entire: then from their natural state, the soul and the body; (for these two make up the whole nature of man, Matthew 10:28;) wishing it may be preserved blameless till the coming of Christ. To explain this a little further: of the three here mentioned, only the two last are the natural constituent parts of man. The first is adventitious, and the supernatural gift of God, to be found in Christians only. That man cannot possibly consist of three parts, appears hence: The soul is either matter or not matter: there is no medium. But if it is matter, it is part of the body: if not matter, it coincides with the Spirit.
Verse 24
[24] Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
Who also will do it — Unless you quench the Spirit.
John 1:6-8, 19-28
Verse 6
[6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
There was a man — The evangelist now proceeds to him who testified of the light, which he had spoken of in the five preceding verses.
Verse 7
[7] The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
The same came for (that is, in order to give) a testimony - The evangelist, with the most strong and tender affection, interweaves his own testimony with that of John, by noble digressions, wherein he explains the office of the Baptist; partly premises and partly subjoins a farther explication to his short sentences. What St. Matthew, Mark, and Luke term the Gospel, in respect of the promise going before, St. John usually terms the testimony, intimating the certain knowledge of the relator; to testify of the light - Of Christ.
Verse 19
[19] And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?
The Jews — Probably the great council sent.
Verse 20
[20] And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
I am not the Christ — For many supposed he was.
Verse 21
[21] And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet And he answered, No.
Art thou Elijah? — He was not that Elijah (the Tishbite) of whom they spoke.
Art thou the prophet — Of whom Moses speaks, Deuteronomy 18:15.
Verse 23
[23] He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
He said — I am that forerunner of Christ of whom Isaiah speaks.
I am the voice — As if he had said, Far from being Christ, or even Elijah, I am nothing but a voice: a sound that so soon as it has expressed the thought of which it is the sign, dies into air, and is known no more. Isaiah 40:3.
Verse 24
[24] And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.
They who were sent were of the Pharisees — Who were peculiarly tenacious of old customs, and jealous of any innovation (except those brought in by their own scribes) unless the innovator had unquestionable proofs of Divine authority.
Verse 25
[25] And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?
They asked him, Why baptizest thou then? — Without any commission from the sanhedrim? And not only heathens (who were always baptized before they were admitted to circumcision) but Jews also?
Verse 26
[26] John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
John answered, I baptize — To prepare for the Messiah; and indeed to show that Jews, as well as Gentiles, must be proselytes to Christ, and that these as well as those stand in need of being washed from their sins.
Verse 28
[28] These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Where John was baptizing — That is, used to baptize.
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Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Psalm 126
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
John 1:6-8, 19-28
Scripture Texts: Isaiah 61:1The Spirit of Adonai Elohim is upon me,
because Adonai has anointed me
to announce good news to the poor.
He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted;
to proclaim freedom to the captives,
to let out into light those bound in the dark;
2 to proclaim the year of the favor of Adonai
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn,
3 yes, provide for those in Tziyon who mourn,
giving them garlands instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
a cloak of praise instead of a heavy spirit,
so that they will be called oaks of righteousness
planted by Adonai, in which he takes pride.
4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins,
restore sites long destroyed;
they will renew the ruined cities,
destroyed many generations ago., 8 “For I, Adonai, love justice;
I hate robbery for burnt offerings.
So I will be faithful to reward them
and make an eternal covenant with them.”
9 Their descendants will be known among the nations,
their offspring among the peoples;
all who see them will acknowledge
that they are the seed Adonai has blessed.
10 I am so joyful in Adonai!
My soul rejoices in my God,
for he has clothed me in salvation,
dressed me with a robe of triumph,
like a bridegroom wearing a festive turban,
like a bride adorned with her jewels.
11 For just as the earth brings forth its plants,
or a garden makes its plants spring up,
so Adonai, God, will cause victory and glory
to spring up before all nations.
Psalm 126:1 (0) A song of ascents:
(1) When Adonai restored Tziyon’s fortunes,
we thought we were dreaming.
2 Our mouths were full of laughter,
and our tongues shouted for joy.
Among the nations it was said,
“Adonai has done great things for them!”
3 Adonai did do great things with us;
and we are overjoyed.
4 Return our people from exile, Adonai,
as streams fill vadis in the Negev.
5 Those who sow in tears
will reap with cries of joy.
6 He who goes out weeping
as he carries his sack of seed
will come home with cries of joy
as he carries his sheaves of grain.
1 Thessalonians 5:16 Always be joyful. 17 Pray regularly. 18 In everything give thanks, for this is what God wants from you who are united with the Messiah Yeshua.
19 Don’t quench the Spirit, 20 don’t despise inspired messages. 21 But do test everything — hold onto what is good, 22 but keep away from every form of evil.
23 May the God of shalom make you completely holy — may your entire spirit, soul and body be kept blameless for the coming of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. 24 The one calling you is faithful, and he will do it.
John 1:6 There was a man sent from God whose name was Yochanan. 7 He came to be a testimony, to bear witness concerning the light; so that through him, everyone might put his trust in God and be faithful to him. 8 He himself was not that light; no, he came to bear witness concerning the light., 19 Here is Yochanan’s testimony: when the Judeans sent cohanim and L’vi’im from Yerushalayim to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 he was very straightforward and stated clearly, “I am not the Messiah.” 21 “Then who are you?” they asked him. “Are you Eliyahu?” “No, I am not,” he said. “Are you ‘the prophet,’ the one we’re expecting?” “No,” he replied. 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? — so that we can give an answer to the people who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?” 23 He answered in the words of Yesha‘yahu the prophet, “I am
The voice of someone crying out:
‘In the desert make the way of Adonai straight!’”[John 1:23 Isaiah 40:3]
24 Some of those who had been sent were P’rushim. 25 They asked him, “If you are neither the Messiah nor Eliyahu nor ‘the prophet,’ then why are you immersing people?” 26 To them Yochanan replied, “I am immersing people in water, but among you is standing someone whom you don’t know. 27 He is the one coming after me — I’m not good enough even to untie his sandal!” 28 All this took place in Beit-Anyah, east of the Yarden, where Yochanan was immersing.
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John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Verse 1
[1] The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Upon me — Though the prophet may speak of himself, yet it is principally to be understood of Christ.
Anointed — Set me apart, both capacitating him with gifts, and commissioning him with authority; and yet more, as it is applied to Christ, a power to make all effectual, from whence he hath also the name of Messiah among the Hebrews, and of Christ among the Greeks; nay, Christ alone among the prophets hath obtained this name, Psalms 45:7. The prophet describes first, who Christ is, and then what are his offices.
Liberty — This appertains to Christ's kingly office, whereby he proclaims liberty from the dominion of sin, and from the fear of hell.
Verse 2
[2] To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
Vengeance — It being necessary, that where God will deliver his people, he should take vengeance on their enemies; principally on the enemies of his church, and the spiritual ones chiefly, Satan, sin, and death.
Verse 3
[3] To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Ashes — By ashes understand whatever is proper for days of mourning, as by beauty whatever may become times of rejoicing.
Oil of joy — He calls it oil of joy in allusion to those anointings they were wont to use in times of joy, gladness for heaviness; and it is called a garment in allusion to their festival ornaments, for they had garments appropriated to their conditions, some suitable to times of rejoicing, and some to times of mourning.
Called — That they may be so.
Trees — That they shall be firm, solid, and well rooted, being by faith engrafted into Christ, and bringing forth fruit suitable to the soil wherein they are planted.
Verse 8
[8] For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
Love judgment — I will do them right, for I love justice in myself, and in them that practise it.
Robbery — All things gotten by injustice, though it be for sacrifice.
Direct — I will lead them so, that they shall do all things in sincerity.
Everlasting covenant — Though you have broken covenant with me, yet I will renew my ancient covenant made with your fathers, confirmed with the blood of Christ, and it shall be everlasting, never to be abrogated.
Verse 9
[9] And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed.
Shall be — That is, eminently a promise of the increase of the church; such shall be their prosperity, and multiplying, that they shall be known abroad by their great increase; or else, the meaning is, the church shall have a seed of the Gentiles, whereas the church has been confined to one corner of the world, now it shall remain in one nation alone no more, but shall fill all the nations of the earth.
Hath blessed — There shall be such visible characters of God's love to them, and of God's grace in them.
Verse 10
[10] I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
I will — This is spoken in the person of the church.
Garments, … — With salvation as with a garment, and with righteousness as with a robe.
Verse 11
[11] For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
Righteousness — His great work of salvation shall break out and appear.
Praise — As the natural product, and fruit of it.
Psalm 126
Verse 1
[1] When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
Turned — Brought the captive Israelites out of Babylon into their own land.
Dream — We were so surprized and astonished.
Verse 4
[4] Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.
Turn — As thou hast brought us home, bring also the rest of our brethren.
As — As thou art pleased sometimes to send floods of water into dry and barren grounds, such as the southern parts of Canaan were.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Verse 16
[16] Rejoice evermore.
Rejoice evermore — In uninterrupted happiness in God.
Pray without ceasing — Which is the fruit of always rejoicing in the Lord.
In everything give thanks — Which is the fruit of both the former. This is Christian perfection. Farther than this we cannot go; and we need not stop short of it. Our Lord has purchased joy, as well as righteousness, for us. It is the very design of the gospel that, being saved from guilt, we should be happy in the love of Christ. Prayer may be said to be the breath of our spiritual life. He that lives cannot possibly cease breathing. So much as we really enjoy of the presence of God, so much prayer and praise do we offer up without ceasing; else our rejoicing is but delusion. Thanksgiving is inseparable from true prayer: it is almost essentially connected with it. He that always prays is ever giving praise, whether in ease or pain, both for prosperity and for the greatest adversity. He blesses God for all things, looks on them as coming from him, and receives them only for his sake; not choosing nor refusing, liking nor disliking, anything, but only as it is agreeable or disagreeable to his perfect will.
Verse 18
[18] In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
For this — That you should thus rejoice, pray, give thanks.
Is the will of God — Always good, always pointing at our salvation.
Verse 19
[19] Quench not the Spirit.
Quench not the Spirit — Wherever it is, it burns; it flames in holy love, in joy, prayer, thanksgiving. O quench it not, damp it not in yourself or others, either by neglecting to do good, or by doing evil!
Verse 20
[20] Despise not prophesyings.
Despise not prophesyings — That is, preaching; for the apostle is not here speaking of extraordinary gifts. It seems, one means of grace is put for all; and whoever despises any of these, under whatever pretence, will surely (though perhaps gradually and almost insensibly) quench the Spirit.
Verse 21
[21] Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Meantime, prove all things - Which any preacher recommends. (He speaks of practice, not of doctrines.) Try every advice by the touchstone of scripture, and hold fast that which is good - Zealously, resolutely, diligently practise it, in spite of all opposition.
Verse 22
[22] Abstain from all appearance of evil.
And be equally zealous and careful to abstain from all appearance of evil - Observe, those who "heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears," under pretence of proving all things, have no countenance or excuse from this scripture.
Verse 23
[23] And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
And may the God of peace sanctify you — By the peace he works in you, which is a great means of sanctification.
Wholly — The word signifies wholly and perfectly; every part and all that concerns you; all that is of or about you.
And may the whole of you, the spirit and the soul and the body — Just before he said you; now he denominates them from their spiritual state.
The spirit — Galatians 6:8; wishing that it may be preserved whole and entire: then from their natural state, the soul and the body; (for these two make up the whole nature of man, Matthew 10:28;) wishing it may be preserved blameless till the coming of Christ. To explain this a little further: of the three here mentioned, only the two last are the natural constituent parts of man. The first is adventitious, and the supernatural gift of God, to be found in Christians only. That man cannot possibly consist of three parts, appears hence: The soul is either matter or not matter: there is no medium. But if it is matter, it is part of the body: if not matter, it coincides with the Spirit.
Verse 24
[24] Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
Who also will do it — Unless you quench the Spirit.
John 1:6-8, 19-28
Verse 6
[6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
There was a man — The evangelist now proceeds to him who testified of the light, which he had spoken of in the five preceding verses.
Verse 7
[7] The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
The same came for (that is, in order to give) a testimony - The evangelist, with the most strong and tender affection, interweaves his own testimony with that of John, by noble digressions, wherein he explains the office of the Baptist; partly premises and partly subjoins a farther explication to his short sentences. What St. Matthew, Mark, and Luke term the Gospel, in respect of the promise going before, St. John usually terms the testimony, intimating the certain knowledge of the relator; to testify of the light - Of Christ.
Verse 19
[19] And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?
The Jews — Probably the great council sent.
Verse 20
[20] And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
I am not the Christ — For many supposed he was.
Verse 21
[21] And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet And he answered, No.
Art thou Elijah? — He was not that Elijah (the Tishbite) of whom they spoke.
Art thou the prophet — Of whom Moses speaks, Deuteronomy 18:15.
Verse 23
[23] He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
He said — I am that forerunner of Christ of whom Isaiah speaks.
I am the voice — As if he had said, Far from being Christ, or even Elijah, I am nothing but a voice: a sound that so soon as it has expressed the thought of which it is the sign, dies into air, and is known no more. Isaiah 40:3.
Verse 24
[24] And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.
They who were sent were of the Pharisees — Who were peculiarly tenacious of old customs, and jealous of any innovation (except those brought in by their own scribes) unless the innovator had unquestionable proofs of Divine authority.
Verse 25
[25] And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?
They asked him, Why baptizest thou then? — Without any commission from the sanhedrim? And not only heathens (who were always baptized before they were admitted to circumcision) but Jews also?
Verse 26
[26] John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
John answered, I baptize — To prepare for the Messiah; and indeed to show that Jews, as well as Gentiles, must be proselytes to Christ, and that these as well as those stand in need of being washed from their sins.
Verse 28
[28] These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Where John was baptizing — That is, used to baptize.
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