Holy Textures

Matthew 2:1-12

"That this comet is understood to be a sign of the birth of a "child who has been born King of the Jews" is particularly frightening to Herod since HE is King of the Jews and this unknown child is a threat to him and his heirs."

Holy Textures is a resource on The Text This Week, www.textweek.com: Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis for the Gospel reading.

Year A, B, C, Season of Epiphany
Epiphany of the Lord Day
January 6  or  First Sunday of January

Read the passage at the bottom of this post: Matthew 2:1-12, The Message   or   Matthew 2:1-12, The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

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Listen to or download an MP3 of this post:

Matthew 1:1-12

Sermon on Matthew 2:1-12 by The Rev. Dr. George Hermanson, "Joy That Brings Change."

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Verse  1 - "In the time of King Herod." This King Herod died in 4 BC.

             - "Wise men from the East." They were astrologers, probably not kings.

Verse  2 - "Observed his star at its rising" probably refers to a comet. "At its rising" could also be translated as "at the place of the rising of the sun, i.e., the east." Celestial events such as this were understood to be omens of the future. That this comet is understood to be a sign of the birth of a "child who has been born King of the Jews" is particularly frightening to Herod since HE is King of the Jews and this unknown child is a threat to him and his heirs.

Luke 2:22-40

The circumcision and naming of the infant Jesus on the 8th day is parallel to similar events that Luke records about the birth of John the Baptizer, Luke 1:59 and following. This ritual marks the male child as a descendant of Abraham, and also as the son of the father - in this case, Joseph. Needless to say, in a patriarchal culture this marking was significant and crucial for securing the infant and his mother's place in the community.

Mark 13:24-37, Year B, Advent 1

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Note: For Advent, I am including comments on the First and Second Testament passages.

Isaiah 64:1-9 
Read the passage: The Message   or   The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

This lament is a good place to begin Advent.

Like most laments in the Bible, it begins with a deeply felt sense of God’s absence:

O that you would tear open the heavens and come down!

Mountains would see you and shake with fear. And certainly our enemies would tremble. (Unlike now, where they oppress us with impunity.)

Then there is the re-collection of times past:

From ages past no one has heard, … a God like you.

Luke 1:26-38

Short, easy to use, thought provoking background commentary for your sermon, bible study lesson, or scripture reflection.
Listed on The Text This Week, www.textweek.com.

Year B, Season of Advent
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Sunday Between December 18 and December 24 Inclusive

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Note: For Advent, I am including comments on the First and Second Testament passages.

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 
Read the passage: The Message   or   The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

For we Christians, our ears need to perk up especially at Verse 16:

• Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever. (New Revised Standard Version) or,
• Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever. (Good News Bible) or,
• Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever. (The Message)

This promise was made to King David at a time of peace and unity, but it came to be remembered most intensely in later centuries during times of defeat and exile. The “throne of David” was literally, actually destroyed. The descendants of David were overthrown. But if – since – God is trustworthy (and if God is NOT trustworthy who can we trust?), whatever is happening now cannot last because God will keep God’s promise to David. David’s throne will be established, and a descendant of David will once again be King.

John 1:6-8, 19-28, Year B, Advent 3

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Note: For Advent, I am including comment on the First and Second Testament passages.

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 
Read the passage: The Message   or   The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

This passage is from “third” Isaiah, chapters 56 through 66, and so is written at the time of the restoration of the Jews exiled to Babylon who were now allowed to return to Jerusalem.

Verses 1-4 is the passage read by Jesus at the outset of his ministry – see Luke 4:18-19.

Note two crucial and recurring theme in scriptures:

1. a blessing is given in order to be a blessing to others (in this case the blessing of “the Spirit of the Lord God is upon me” is given in order to pronounce good news to the oppressed); and,
2. God sees and responds to the oppressed, the broken hearted, the captives, prisoners, and mourners with good news, healing, liberty, release, favour and comfort, because as verse 8 plainly says, “I, the Lord, love justice.”

Mark 1:1-8, Year B, Advent 2

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Note: For Advent I am commenting on both the First and Second Testament passages.

Isaiah 40:1-11
Read the passage: The Message   or   The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

The Isaiah text of “Comfort” comes at a time when Jerusalem has been conquered by the Babylonians. The temple destroyed, the walls of the city levelled, and many taken off into captivity in Babylon. This is what is being referred to in verse 2, “she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.”

The “wilderness” in verse 3 is a reference to the actual landscape surrounding Jerusalem, and also to the 40 years the Israelites spent in the wilderness after fleeing captivity Egypt. It was in this first wilderness experience that the glory of God was revealed to Moses, and the 10 Commandments were given. And so once again, the glory of God will be revealed, but this time “all people shall see it together.” There will be a universal – not just Moses – recognition of the glory of the God of Israel.