Love. Bless. Pray.

GodSpeak for the Week of February 24

We continue in the Lectionary this week for the second of a three-week tour of assigned Sunday readings, before starting a new sermon series for Lent.

Day 1…Read Genesis 45:3-15 (especially v. 3).

• Consider this – Joseph has been away from his brothers for so long, they don’t recognize him. But, in v. 3 Joseph identifies who he is – to these brothers who’d betrayed him.
• Answer this – what is Joseph’s response to his brothers’ betrayal and his message to them?
  • How is it possible that he could have responded in this way?

 Day 2…Read 1 Corinthians 15:30-32.

• Consider this – presumably, Paul is here referring to Roman gladiators (which had reached its peak in popularity of entertainment in Paul’s day). His quote: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” was an attitude of resignation among those compelled to fight for entertainment.
• Answer this – what is Paul’s point, here? Why does he “boast” in Christ?

Day 3…Read 1 Corinthians 15:35-42.

• Consider this – it is a timeless question: “What will we be like…what will we look like, when we go to heaven?”
• Answer this – how does Paul answer this question?
  • What metaphor does Paul use, which: a) speaks to what he does know, without b) offering an answer which God has not made known to him?

 Day 4…Read Luke 6:27-38 (especially, v. 27).

• Consider this – when Jesus speaks of “loving” our enemies, He means that we are to wish them well.
  • Jesus closely follows this command with: “…do good to those who hate you…”
• Answer this – what does wishing our enemies “well” practically look like? What does “do good” to them look like, too?
  • How does this manifest itself in and through us?
  • What’s the ultimate desired outcome from wishing our enemies well?

Day 5…Read Luke 6:27-38 (especially, v. 28).

• Consider this – when Jesus says to “bless” those who curse us, He’s calling us to invoke God’s blessing on these kinds of people.
• Consider this – Martin Luther’s definition to the 8^th Commandment closely aligns to Jesus’ command, here. In it, Luther notes: “We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way.”
• Answer this – what does “blessing” those who curse us practically look like in our day and age?

 Day 6…Read Luke 6:27-38 (especially, v. 28).

• Consider this – Jesus finally commands that we “pray” for those who “mistreat” us (i.e., those who insult, treat spitefully, revile, etc.)
• Answer this – what is trying to be accomplished by obeying this command from Christ?