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2018, March 25 ~ Isaiah 50:4-9a and Philippians 2:5-11

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Isaiah 50:4-9a

The Book of Isaiah is a composite of writings from three distinct periods in Israel’s history. Chapters 1-39 are called “First Isaiah” and were written in the 20 years before Jerusalem was under direct siege by the Assyrians in 701 BCE. “Second Isaiah” is Chapters 40 to 55 and brings hope to the Judeans during the time of the Exile in Babylon (587 to 539 BCE) by telling them they have suffered enough and will return to Jerusalem. “Third Isaiah” is Chapters 56 to 66 and gives encouragement to the Judeans who returned to Jerusalem after the Exile.

Today’s reading is from “Second Isaiah” and is a statement by the prophet that his authority came from YHWH. The prophet also recounted that he was mistreated and persecuted (v. 6) just as Jeremiah was persecuted (Jer.11:9). Today’s reading gave weight to the prophet’s statements that the Judeans would be restored to Jerusalem.

In the verse following today’s reading (v.10), the prophet referred to himself as YHWH’s “servant,” a motif that was expanded in Isaiah 52 and 53. This concept was substantially adopted by the author of the Gospel According to Mark to describe the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. Prior to the writing of the Gospels, the “servant” reference was present in today’s reading from Philippians.

Philippians 2:5-11

Philippi was a major city in Macedonia on the Roman road to Byzantium (Istanbul). Most of its inhabitants were Roman citizens. Paul had a deep affection for the Jesus Followers in Philippi and thanked them for gifts sent to him in prison (4:18).

Today’s reading was derived from a hymn that was already in use in Jesus Follower communities by the 50’s (CE), perhaps in a Baptism liturgy. Its statements are not only religious, they are also political. The Roman Caesars claimed to be “in the form [the essence] of God” and that they were “Lord” (the one to whom ultimate allegiance was owed).

Paul noted that instead of exploiting his connectedness to God, Jesus took the form of a slave/servant and emptied himself (poured himself out) for others. For this, Paul said Jesus has been highly exalted (resurrected). As the Christ, he is also the “Lord” and at the name of Jesus, every knee should bend.

2017, January 8 ~ Isaiah 42:1-9 & Acts 10:34-43

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Isaiah 42:1-9

The Book of Isaiah is a composite of writings from three distinct periods in Israel’s history. Chapters 1-39 are called “First Isaiah” and were written in the 20 years before Jerusalem was under direct siege by the Assyrians in 701 BCE. “Second Isaiah” is Chapters 40 to 55 and brings hope to the Judeans during the time of the Exile in Babylon (587 to 539 BCE) by telling them they have suffered enough and will return to Jerusalem. “Third Isaiah” is Chapters 56 to 66 and gives encouragement to the Judeans who returned to Jerusalem after the Exile.

Today’s reading is from “Second Isaiah,” and the prophet speaks for Yahweh (“LORD” – all capital letters in the NRSV). In Chapters 40 to 48, the LORD calls Israel the LORD’s “servant” (v.1) and a “covenant to the people” (v.6) called to “bring justice to the nations/Gentiles” (v. 1) and be a “light to the nations” (v. 6).

Acts 10:34-43

The book called “The Acts of the Apostles” was written by the author of the Gospel According to Luke. The first 15 chapters of Acts are a didactic “history” of the early Jesus Follower Movement starting with an account of the Ascension. The last 13 chapters describe Paul’s Missionary Journeys – not always consistently with Paul’s letters.

Today’s reading is a speech by Peter that is a synopsis of Luke’s Gospel. It is given in the context of the conversion of a Roman Centurion, Cornelius, to being a Jesus Follower, and follows Peter’s dream in which he is told that “what God has made clean [referring to foods], you must not call profane” (Ac. 10.15). The story about Cornelius is intended to show that being a Jesus Follower is not inconsistent with Roman citizenship and is available to persons who are Gentiles.

The issue whether Gentiles could be Jesus Followers was finally decided at the so-called Council of Jerusalem (described in Acts 15) attended by “the apostles and elders” (Ac.15.4). At the gathering, Paul and Peter argued in favor of baptizing Gentiles. James decided (reluctantly) that Gentiles could become Jesus Followers and did not have to be circumcised or keep all the Kosher rules.