Lectionary for Epiphany 5
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory. Isaiah 6:3
Collect. Lord of hosts, whose glory fills all heaven and earth: you have entrusted to our unclean lips and fragile hands the mission of proclaiming the gospel. Strengthen us with your Spirit, that your word may find a welcome in hearts both open and generous, and so bring forth abundant fruit in every part of the world. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reading. 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. The letters to the Corinthians are some of the earliest scriptures in the New Testament. When Paul wrote this passage it is quite possible that some of the apostles were still alive and may have been known to many of the new congregations. (An Apostle was considered to be one of the key disciples who had seen Jesus alive after his resurrection!) At the time of writing probably only a generation had passed since the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, so when Paul wrote that this message was of first importance he was not over stating the gospel’s importance. Furthermore he is reminding them that this message is not something that he has assembled over time but is a message that he himself had received because it had been handed down to him by the Risen Lord. Paul always considered himself to be an Apostle following his encounter with the Risen Lord on the Damascus road and the Apostles in Jerusalem accepted him as such.
The gospel message does not build up over time; it is not an education system that little by little gives you greater knowledge. On the contrary it is the message itself that brings life and changes lives. It does this because it is vested in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The message is heard and stirs faith within the believer: With faith comes also belief and a confidence that the message makes perfect sense; Jesus’ death and resurrection brings to each believer a new life with their sins forgiven.
Paul is writing to a congregation that has huge pastoral and ethical problems and that is why Paul reminds them of the gospel message he had delivered to them. It was because of this message the church had been established. However subsequent actions and habits where causing Paul to question if they had perhaps slipped back into a previous lifestyle, that is why he asks the question if they had “believed in vain?” There is a truth here that is important for every believer: on initially coming to faith there is much enthusiasm and excitement but the real test of faith is how your life changes in the long term. Each believer is called to be a disciple of Jesus and follow in his way. The original Christian believers were called, “Followers of the Way”. This is the reason Paul is calling into question the sincerity of their faith for much of their behaviour was contrary to a true follower whose sins had been forgiven and whose life style had been sanctified. It took more than a single letter to readjust the behaviour of the Corinthian church but given the leadership of Paul, Timothy and Titus things finally improved and the gospel had its true effect. For us as we read this passage today it gives us the opportunity to ask ourselves the question is the death and resurrection of Jesus, still of “first importance” in our life and living? It is the gospel which gives us life and hope, power and strength for it is centred on the Saviour Jesus Christ.
What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:4f NRSV
Prayer. Lord Jesus Christ, the great shepherd of the sheep whose will and purpose it is to seek and save the lost, teach us in all ways to continue your ministry of proclaiming the good news of God’s salvation. Be present in power at all your church’s works of mission and service, where good news is presented. Open the ears of those who hear and the eyes of those who see that the true inner purpose of your work might re-create hearts and lives and bring them safely home to you. In all things may we your people give to you all thanks and praise as we celebrate the new life that you in your mercy have won for us. This we pray through the power of your name alone. Amen
Reading. Luke 5:1-11. Each story in Luke is filled with information and this passage is no exception. Luke reminds us that Jesus popularity as a preacher and teacher continues to grow for there is no room on the shoreline and so Jesus preaches from Peter’s fishing boat. After his teaching, Jesus turns his attention to Peter and his fishing companions. Putting down the nets is no easy task, it is hard manual work. However, having listened to his teaching, they loved and respected him enough to do as he suggests, even though he is by trade a carpenter and not a fisherman. Suddenly the net is filled to breaking point and they have to call on their fishing partners to give them the assistance they need. At that point in the story Luke puts our attention onto Peter. When Jesus’ insight or foresight is demonstrated in Peter’s workplace, Peter himself is filled with amazement being confronted by his own limitations compared to those of Jesus. The vast quantity of fish does not stun Peter it is the insight into who Jesus is that brings him to his knees. Luke makes this perfectly clear for at the beginning of the passage Jesus is honoured with the title of “Master”; after Peter’s revelation Jesus is referred to with the title of “Lord’, the title given to Jesus by the early church, “Jesus is Lord”. Thus in Peter’s life an amazing transformation has occurred and the divinity of Jesus is plainly revealed. Jesus does not need to call Peter to repentance: Peter’s experience of Jesus drives him to his knees; for him it is a true Epiphany! Having focused our attention on the divinity of Jesus Luke then introduces the promise and the command of Jesus that will be Peter’s watchword; not to be afraid but to gather people together to follow Jesus, even as Peter and his companions are following Jesus. By the time Luke wrote this passage, Peter would have been recognised as the key leader of the church and so the words of Jesus would have applied generally to all believers: Firstly to recognise that Jesus was divine, the Son of God, and secondly that his divinity would give them the confidence to reach out to others without fear. Fishing was not simply a pleasant pastime it was a way of life; similarly being a disciple of Jesus was to make a lifestyle choice to live under his authority. Luke makes it clear when he ends by saying, “They left everything and followed him”. Luke’s reminder still applies today!
Prayer. Holy Lord. Luke’s story reminds us of our need to recognise afresh the divinity of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Before we can truly be one of his disciples we need to recognise him as Lord of all. And yet once we see him as such we can only follow him in humble yet joyful obedience. So, O Lord, stir our hearts and renew our love of Jesus; may such knowledge enable us to trust him and not be afraid. By your grace help us to face life with confidence; holding on to the promise that Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us. Grant that we may have the faith to rely on him in our work and in our play and recognise in every situation his great love for us. May we be so steeped in the love he has for us that we in turn will love those around us and so in every way give honour and praise to his Holy Name. We pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Collect. O Lord our God, we bow in your presence; we see the glory of holiness in your Son, and tremble with awe as he comes. As you lift our heads, and speak our names, we offer grateful thanks in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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