Sunday, January 07, 2007
JOhn 2: 1-11
ENTERING THE SCENE:
In Jesus’ day there was a “science” called numerology. This is the belief that certain numbers indicate qualities over and above quantities. Three signaled completion. Thirty would share that same feeling. Six implied incompletion. So we have three days, thirty years and six jars. Reading between the lines we are sensing that John invites us to know, maybe even before Jesus appeared to know, that his time has indeed come. In introducing 6 jars we find John implying that Jesus will bring to completion the beginning of salvation history: the heavenly banquet so often spoken of in his Hebrew scriptures. Now we, like the servants who were the only ones who knew what really happened that day, carry this “secret” in our hearts. Did you ever wonder what they did with this “inside knowledge”? What are you doing with it today?
DISCUSSION QUESTION: The servants knew what Jesus had done that day with the water becoming wine. What do you think they did with this information?
In Jesus’ day there was a “science” called numerology. This is the belief that certain numbers indicate qualities over and above quantities. Three signaled completion. Thirty would share that same feeling. Six implied incompletion. So we have three days, thirty years and six jars. Reading between the lines we are sensing that John invites us to know, maybe even before Jesus appeared to know, that his time has indeed come. In introducing 6 jars we find John implying that Jesus will bring to completion the beginning of salvation history: the heavenly banquet so often spoken of in his Hebrew scriptures. Now we, like the servants who were the only ones who knew what really happened that day, carry this “secret” in our hearts. Did you ever wonder what they did with this “inside knowledge”? What are you doing with it today?
DISCUSSION QUESTION: The servants knew what Jesus had done that day with the water becoming wine. What do you think they did with this information?
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Matthew 2: 1-12
ENTERING THE SCENE:
Down through the ages we have called these visitors from afar “wise men”. A close look at the gospel however reveals that they only became wise AFTER they saw the holy family! They came looking for a king. The kind of king that would appreciate gold, frankincense and myrrh, and they found a humble family in a cave. It took the dream in which God warned them to go home another way, before they became wise. Their wisdom came from listening to the “voice” of God that emerged from within their own hearts. We visit this text to celebrate what is known as the Epiphany. They literally had their “epiphany” in those dreams and had the wisdom to respond in an uncommon way. May this year be one where we each do likewise.
DISCUSSION QUESTION: The magi listened to God’s voice in their dream and wisely avoided going back to Herod. Have you ever “slept” on a decision and received a message from God that helped you avoid making a bad decision?
Down through the ages we have called these visitors from afar “wise men”. A close look at the gospel however reveals that they only became wise AFTER they saw the holy family! They came looking for a king. The kind of king that would appreciate gold, frankincense and myrrh, and they found a humble family in a cave. It took the dream in which God warned them to go home another way, before they became wise. Their wisdom came from listening to the “voice” of God that emerged from within their own hearts. We visit this text to celebrate what is known as the Epiphany. They literally had their “epiphany” in those dreams and had the wisdom to respond in an uncommon way. May this year be one where we each do likewise.
DISCUSSION QUESTION: The magi listened to God’s voice in their dream and wisely avoided going back to Herod. Have you ever “slept” on a decision and received a message from God that helped you avoid making a bad decision?
