Lectionary Reading Epiphany 2 Part 2
My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. John 15:8 (NRSV)
Reading. 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 As we read this portion of scripture we need to keep in mind that Paul has been dealing with a real issue of sexual immorality in the church. (ch 5) So this reference is not allegorical, as sexual references often are, particularly in the Old Testament. No, this is a strong statement to remind believers that while all things might be “lawful” there is still a necessity to be disciplined in our daily living. Every aspect of our lives needs to be kept in balance. This discipline applies particularly to the physical aspects of life. Often we gauge our behaviour by what others are doing and saying. This method is not appropriate for any believer. Yet it is more than a morality issue it is about keeping the Lord Jesus in the centre of life as the controlling influence. This is easy to say but difficult to put in place without becoming legalistic. The remedy is to always keep in mind who Jesus is and what he has done on our behalf. “For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:20 (NRSV)
Prayer. Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known; and from whom there are no secrets which are hidden, we come openly before you in prayer recognising our weaknesses and our failures. There is no other way and so we call out to you for mercy, recognising that our Lord Jesus, by his great sacrifice, has won full forgiveness for us. We trust in Him as we approach you. We thank you and praise you for the freedom that in ours through the merits of Jesus and we pray that every aspect of our lives would be worthy of honouring his name. ‘Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing, to the only God our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and forever’. Amen. Jude 1:24-25 (NRSV)
Reading. John 1:43-51 In Judaism it was the law that was the main object of systematic teaching. Prospective pupils would gather around an effective teacher of the law. Their objective was not to assume the personality of the teacher but to fully understand the meaning of the law and then in turn be able to teach the law themselves. In this passage John is describing how different the call of Jesus was to future disciples. Firstly, Jesus called out to them, they did not initially make the choice to come and learn from him. Then we notice the emphasis that Jesus places on disciples; it is to follow him. What Jesus taught was important but of primary importance was Jesus himself. His relationship with God, his relationship with others informed the disciples about the deep truths of his teaching. For a disciple of Jesus it was faith in Jesus and the mission that he accomplished that was paramount. Remember the story that Matthew relates about the request of the mother of James and John. (Matthew 20:20ff) Jesus response to that request was “You will indeed drink my cup,” In other words a disciple shares in the fate of the earthly Lord Jesus because that disciple identifies so closely with him.
The disciples were and are called not because they are gifted or endowed with special qualities; they are call because Jesus himself chooses them. We have sometimes made that choosing more like a chore that we have to fulfil rather than a calling which is a great privilege. The songwriter Phil Spector wrote a song titled, “To know him is to love him” The song is not in any way religious but the title of the song sums up succinctly what a disciple is: To know Him, is to love Him! – And if you love Him, then you will serve Him as a true disciple.
Prayer. Lord, to you belongs all honour and glory, and from you all life flows. Yes Lord, you have loved us and called us, not because of any merit in us but because of your love and grace. We thank you for the privilege of belonging to your family and pray that we might always live out our lives in accordance to your will and purpose for us. May your blessing surround all that we do in your name. Help us Lord, to love as you have loved and to serve without counting the cost; looking always to you and your way for us. All praise and thanks belong to you; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, One God for ever more. Amen
Collect. You astonish us, O God; through Jesus Christ you bring us into the community of faith in unexpected ways, and through unlikely people. Awaken our faith, we pray, that we may be alert to the surprises of your grace; in Christ’s name. Amen.
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