The Living Word

Bible study on the set readings widely used by various churches and chapels and a weekly storytelling video. Also at www.medium.com/the-living-word and https://thelivingword.substack.com

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May 2 — Knowing we’re loved

April 25, 2021 by Ian Greig Leave a Comment

Green space in early spring
Image credit: Ian Greig

Welcome to The Living Word for Sunday, May 2 (Easter 5)TLW17B. Read the Scriptures as they stand first and invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you about them. Then dig deeper with the verse-by-verse comment Ary and reflection notes. See also this week’s linked article drawing out the story that these Scriptures tell.

Theme: Receiving God’s love is the key to our fruitfulness

• See also the linked article ‘The big story — knowing we are loved enables everything‘

• And a short video telling ‘The Big Story of God’s love for us‘

Psalm 22:25-31 — A time will come when all people and nations are thankfully celebrating the Lord’s rule of love

John 15:1-8 — As God’s vine is Jesus, we are to be His healthy trimmed branches

Acts 8:26-40 — Philip is led by the Spirit to the right person at the right time and leads the Ethiopian to Christ

1 John 4:7-21 — Unselfish love sourced from God Himself is the stand-out quality shown by spiritually reborn believers


Psalm 22:25-31 — A time will come when many respond to God’s love

The psalmist sees all people and nations thankfully celebrating the Lord’s rule

25-26 From You comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear You I will fulfil my vows. The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the Lord will praise Him — may your hearts live for ever!

“I will fulfil my vows” — share praise as a response to answered prayer in “the great assembly” of worshippers.

27-28 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before Him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and He rules over the nations.

“All the families of the nations” — far-off nations recognising God’s grace to them.

29 All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before Him – those who cannot keep themselves alive.

“All the rich of the earth” — the proud and the poor of every nation celebrate God’s goodness together.

30 Posterity will serve Him; future generations will be told about the Lord.

“Future generations” — revival as future generations respond to the message of Christ crucified for us.

31 They will proclaim His righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!

“He has done it” — prophetic of Jesus’ last words: “It is finished!”

Reflection

SUMMARY  The psalmist praises God for His goodness, recognised by future generations — a picture of His kingdom embracing all kinds of people with love, justice and equanimity.

APPLICATION  God seeks spiritual revival where people who are complete opposites find themselves receiving His love and salvation together.

QUESTION  What part do we play in God’s dominion and kingdom coming?


John 15:1-8 — As God’s vine is Jesus, we are to be healthy branches

Branches are trimmed to produce more fruit, and taken out if they are barren

1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the gardener.

“The true vine” — begins an illustration in which Jesus is the vine, producing fruit through believers who are His branches.

• Further study: in the OT God’s people were the vine, Psalm 80:8-9; Hosea 10:1, or vineyard, Isaiah 5:1-7. Jesus makes this personal and organic, vv. 4-5 below.

2 “He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

“Branch… that bears no fruit” — removal of unproductive branches and attention to good ones to strengthen them during the growing season.

3 “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

“You are already clean” — by contrast with Judas.

4-5 “Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.

“Remain in Me as I… remain in you” — this simply describes a close relationship, connected spiritually.

“Apart from Me you can do nothing” — exaggeration makes the point that fruitfulness only comes through spiritual rebirth.

6 “If you do not remain in Me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

“Such branches are… thrown into the fire” — those claiming to belong to Jesus, but with unsubmitted hearts..

7 “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

“Ask… and it will be done” — in such a close relationship we are praying in line with His intentions.

8 “This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples.”

“Bear much fruit [as] My disciples” — God needs us to “bear fruit” as the ones advancing His kingdom in changed lives.

SUMMARY  Jesus’ first hearers knew about Israel as God’s vine. Now Jesus makes it deeply personal. His disciples are growing and producing the fruit of love and knowing God personally as Father — His kingdom on earth.

APPLICATION  The lesson is, not trying to prove how much we can do apart from Christ, but finding His ways for us to be fruitful with Him.

 QUESTION  How have you become more fruitful through God’s pruning?


Acts 8:26-40 — Philip is led by the Spirit to the right person

He shows the Ethiopian Jesus in the Scriptures and baptises him in an oasis

26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road — the desert road — that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”

“An angel of the Lord said to Philip” — introducing a story of fruitfulness from following the Holy Spirit’s leading.

27-28 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means ‘queen of the Ethiopians’). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet.

“Ethiopian eunuch” — this high-ranking Nubian courtier, was searching for the truth in Judaism.

“The Kandake” — queen mother who managed the king’s civic duties and exchequer.

29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”

“The Spirit told Philip” — believers were confident in being guided where and when to go, and what to say, v.26.

• For further study, see Acts 9:15, 10:19-20, 11:12, 16:6; 1 Cor. 2:13; 1 Peter 1:12.

30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.

“Heard the man reading” — usually aloud in the ancient world.

31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

“Unless someone explains it” — for the born-again Christian the Holy Spirit reveals the Scriptures and gives us the words, as Jesus promised, Luke 12:12, John 14:26. 

32-33 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:

“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.”

34-35 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

“Who is the prophet talking about?” — Jews, unable to imagine a suffering Messiah, taught Israel as the suffering servant.

“Told the good news about Jesus” — that all and any can come to Jesus, believe in Him and receive Him as their Lord in salvation. Philip led this man to receive Christ.

36 As they travelled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptised?”

“What can stand in the way” — the rules of Judaism would not admit him but he knew Christ had died for him. 

38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptised him.

39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.

“Went on his way rejoicing” — by church tradition he became a missionary to his own people. Philip had been more fruitful than he knew.

40 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and travelled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

“Azotus… Caesarea — both with a large Gentile population, underlining the urgency of the mission to Gentiles.

Reflection

SUMMARY  Philip, one of the seven “men full of the Spirit and wisdom” of Acts 6:5 obeys an extraordinary prompting to head south on the desert road and encounters the Ethiopian minister of finance who is reading Scripture aloud. He is invited to explain it — and he shows the connection between the Suffering Servant of Isaiah and Jesus’ sacrifice and what it means for this man. He seeks to be baptised at the next watering place.

APPLICATION  Philip, listening to the Spirit of Jesus, took some risks and found this man at the right time and place and led him to personal faith. That is being fruitful.

QUESTION  What would Philip want to teach us from his story and experience?


1 John 4:7-21 — How the source of love is God’s love for us

Unselfish love is the stand-out quality shown by spiritually reborn believers

7-8 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

“Everyone who loves… knows God” — a spiritually reborn believer’s love for others is evidence of their connection to the source.

“God is love” — but also spirit, light, faithfulness and justice, and goodness, John 4:24; 1 John 1:5, 1 John 1:9, Luke 18:19.

9-10 This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

“God showed His love” — in a concrete way, sending His only Son into a cruel world to pay the price for sinful men to receive forgiveness and new life.

11-12 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.

“Love one another” — those who have received God’s love experience a fellowship with all others who have received the same.

13-14 This is how we know that we live in Him and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Saviour of the world.

“How we know” — introduces a section predicated on “He has given us of His Spirit” which sets out the spiritual hallmarks of genuine disciples, as distinct from unregenerate false teachers.

Spirit… the Father… His Son — a clear reference to the Trinity of God

15-16 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

“If anyone acknowledges” — in 1 John 4:2 it was to affirm Christ’s full humanity; here it is to affirm His deity. Believers hold both to be true.

16-17 God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: in this world we are like Jesus.

“Whoever lives in love” — living in God and living in love are inseparable (also v.12).

18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

“No fear in love” — fear as an insecurity is linked to condemnation and eternal punishment. When our experience of God is complete in knowing His love, that anxiety has nothing to feed on.

19-20 We love because He first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.

“Claims to love” — we cannot claim to love God and not love those who are His.

21 And He has given us this command: anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

“Love their brother and sister” — the claim to love God is verified by unselfish love within the fellowship, and beyond.

Reflection

SUMMARY  John writes about love being such an essential part of who God is, it will be an outstanding characteristic of anyone who truly belongs to Him in Jesus.

APPLICATION  To be fruitful for God is first and foremost to be channels of His grace and love. This comes from the close relationship and spiritual bond that Jesus spoke about in the branches fed by the vine, and that Philip knew when he was prompted to head off into the desert for a strategic encounter. In the growing churches, John emphasises showing the life of God by giving away the love of God.

QUESTION  Why does John portray God’s love as an antidote to the devil’s fear?

PRAYER  Father God, we reflect again on Your gracious love that sent Your only Son to an ungracious earth. We consider how He showed that love by taking on Himself the suffering of the Cross to purchase our freedom. May we live lives full of Your Spirit and overflowing with Your love for others, to grow in fruitfulness for You and Your kingdom. Amen.


PRINT EDITION  There is a print edition of TLW and you can download a PDF from the link below. This prints on A4 paper to produce a Bible-size four-page folder. Permission given to copy for your own use, your house or home or other small group, or include with your church’s bulletin.

TLW17B-May-2-final-BookletDownload

Filed Under: Easter, Year B

April 25 — Knowing the Good Shepherd

April 20, 2021 by Ian Greig Leave a Comment

Early spring colour in garden and lawn of country house
Image credit: Ian Greig

Welcome to the non-denominational Bible study for Sunday April 25 (Easter 4) TLW15B. Read the passages as they stand first and let the Holy Spirit reveal them to you. Then for a deeper dive you’ll find below the verse-by-verse commentary and reflections. There is also an article linked to this post, ‘Knowing the Good Shepherd — It’s personal’, see link below.

Theme: A personal relationship with the Good Shepherd

• See the article linked to this post ‘Knowing the Good Shepherd — it’s personal‘

• And there’s a video which tells the story ‘Knowing the Good Shepherd’

OT Psalm 23 — David’s special relationship with God points the way for knowing God through Jesus
NT gospel John 10:11-18 — Jesus reveals His mission as the Good Shepherd to rule His people with care and justice
NT narrative Acts 4:5-12 — Peter tells the court that salvation is found in no one else but the resurrected Jesus
NT letter 1 John 3:16-24 — Believers who truly belong to the Lord are known by their confidence before God and generous spirit


Psalm 23 — Knowing the provider and protector secures the soul

David’s special relationship with God points the way for knowing God through Jesus

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

“Shepherd” — a common metaphor for kings in Israel and the ancient Near East. In OT, widely used for the Lord as the Shepherd of Israel. In the NT, used of Jesus the great and good Shepherd, John 10:11, 14; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 5:4; Revelation 7:17.

• For further study on the Lord as the Shepherd of Israel, Psalms 28:9; 79:13; 80:1; 95:7; 100:3; Genesis 48:15; Isaiah 40:11; Jeremiah 17:16; 31:10; 50:19.

2-3 He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul.

“Green pastures… still waters” — sheep, unlike the more independent goats, rely on the shepherd to find them good places for feeding and safe, still water for drinking.

3-4 He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake.

“The right paths” — free from danger, and not wandering off.

4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

“Darkest valley” — like the dark and deep wadis of dry riverbeds, inviting concealment and attack.

“You are with me” — these words emphasise God’s nearness and caring relationship, underlined by being at the exact centre of the psalm.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

“A table before me” — picture of a covenant treaty celebration with the vassal an honoured guest and enemies excluded.

6 Surely Your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

“Your goodness and love” — goodness coupled with mercy, chesed or faithful love, an intense expression.

“Dwell in the house of the Lord” — for a non-Levite, having ready access to the sanctuary for worship. This also describes the Christian of personal faith, who can worship any place and any time.

Reflection

SUMMARY  A psalm that describes the unusually close relationship David had with the Lord. It is clearly prophetic of Jesus who is both the Good Shepherd of the flock made up of those that trust in Him, and also the King with a perfect and caring rule that will be established.

APPLICATION  What God wants more than anything, is a personal relationship in which He guides, provides and protects through earthly life, as a preparation for eternal life in heaven. Life will bring challenges and darker episodes, but God is with us in them

QUESTION  In a recent life situation, good or bad, where in this psalm did you experience God?


John 10:11-18 — Jesus reveals His mission as the Good Shepherd

Ezekiel prophesied that God Himself would shepherd His people with justice

11 “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

“I am” — one of seven (number of completeness) “I am” sayings by Jesus which for Jewish hearers resonated with the way God revealed Himself to Moses, Exodus 3:14 and the seven “I am he” statements in Isaiah.

“The Good Shepherd” — Jesus is alluding to Psalm 23 (above) and also the scathing rebuke through Ezekiel in which which God called out the evil leaders of Israel and promised to personally become Israel’s Good Shepherd. Jesus identifies Himself with God by using this title.

For further study, read Ezekiel 34:1-6 and 7-31.

12-13 “The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

“Hired hand” — villages often had a communal flock and employed a shepherd to look after them. But a hired hand would not take the risks for the flock that their owner would.

14-15 “I am the Good Shepherd; I know My sheep and My sheep know Me — just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father — and I lay down My life for the sheep.”

“I know My sheep” — deep mutual experience, like the Father and the Son.

16 “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to My voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

I have other sheep” — for the first hearers, the gathering of God’s scattered people, Ezekiel 37:21-24; Micah 2:12 but here Jesus shows that He has sheep among the despised Gentiles also, John 7:35, and anticipates the mission to the Gentiles after Pentecost.

17-18 The reason my Father loves Me is that I lay down My life — only to take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

“I lay down My life” — this part of John’s gospel brings out Christ’s stated purpose of dying for His people. He would allow by His own authority; otherwise no one would have had the power to kill Him, Luke 23:46.

Reflection

SUMMARY  Jesus reminds His hearers of David’s psalm about the Lord who is his Good Shepherd. Less directly He references God’s rebuke of the harsh and corrupt leaders of Israel through Ezekiel, in which He stated He would be Israel’s Good Shepherd Himself. By identifying Himself as the Good Shepherd, Jesus was showing His deity and Messiahship.

APPLICATION  The relationship that God seeks can only come through Jesus the Good Shepherd. It is central to understanding how this works, that this Shepherd is exceptional in sacrificially losing His life to save His sheep.

QUESTION  What is the importance of the sheep listening to the Shepherd’s voice, v.16?


Acts 4:5-12 — Salvation is found in no one else but Jesus

Jesus crucified then raised from the dead healed the lame man, Peter tells court

5-6 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family.

“Rulers… elders… teachers of the law” — the three groups represented on the supreme court that was comprised of 70 of the wealthiest and mosat powerful men of Israel, presided over by the high priest of the time. This was the same court that had condemned Jesus.

7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

“By what power” — the healing was indisputable; the question was about how the man was healed, and by whose authority.

8-10 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.

“Filled with the Holy Spirit” — there are a number of instances in Acts of people being filled with the Spirit, a repeatable and also a situational experience.

“Called to account” — Jesus had promised that the disciples would stand before kings and rulers and that the Spirit of God within them would give them what to say, Matthew 10:16-20.

• For further study, read Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; Acts 9:17; Acts 13:9.

11 “Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’

“The cornerstone” — Peter uses the argument of precedent, as used in courts today, quoting Psalm 118:22 which Jesus has also used in His parable about the wicked tenant farmers, directed against these same corrupt leaders of Israel, Luke 20:17.

12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other Name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

“Found in no one else” — in that one sense exclusive, but in another fully inclusive, available to all who believe. The Bible is clear that there is no means of salvation other than Jesus the Messiah.

• For further study, read Matt. 11:27; John 3:18; 14:6; 1 Tim. 2:5; 1 John 5:12.

Reflection

SUMMARY  Peter and John are brought before the same court that convicted Jesus. Jesus had told them that they would be put on trial before rulers, but the Holy Spirit would tell them exactly how to answer. This is seen in Peter’s bold, unapologetic reply which makes one of the clearest statements about Jesus and salvation in Him.

APPLICATION  To say that there are many paths to salvation and many dimensions of the truth may sound inclusive and politically correct, but it is impossible to square with this statement by Peter which is supported by the general thrust of the New Testament. Salvation comes through repenting of our own efforts and believing what Jesus has done for us.

QUESTION  Why is “Salvation is found in no one else” held by some to be controversial? Is salvation exclusive or inclusive?


1 John 3:16-24 — Those who belong to the Lord have changed lives

Confidence before God, generosity towards other sets apart the true believer

16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

“Lay down our lives” — in John’s churches some believers were martyred and slaves were often tortured for information. A believer might have to pay a big price to avoid betraying a brother.

17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?

“Material possessions” — material objects that sustain life, essentials.

18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

“Love… with actions and in truth” — or in reality. Love is not sentiment but has an outworking, James 2:15-16.

19-20 This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything.

“God is greater” — an inner conviction by the Holy Spirit that our love has lacked substance is more than matched by God’s capacity to forgive. 

21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from Him anything we ask, because we keep His commands and do what pleases Him.

“We have confidence” —if we have a clear conscience, we can go to God confidently in the relationship we have with Him.

23 And this is His command: to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us.

“To believe… and to love” — compare with Jesus’ answer to the scribe about the Great Commandment, Matthew 22:34-40

24 The one who keeps God’s commands lives in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us.

“We know it by the Spirit” —The Holy Spirit’s work in the believer is assumed throughout the letter. Here John summarises the test for discerning who has the Spirit — not (as the false teachers claimed) an elite who claim to be enlightened without their lives being changed but the evidence of believers growing in faith and sacrificial love, v.23 and Galatians 5:22-23.

SUMMARY  John writes from the perspective of Spirit-filled believers growing in the their faith and witness against the twin dangers of unregenerate and deceptive teachers; and the ever-present risk of martyrdom. True believers stand out by their transformed lives, their loving concern for others in sharing necessities, praying confidently and growing in discipleship.

APPLICATION  As James said in His letter, faith and love must be sincere, resulting in deeds and actions. John expands that teaching, emphasising that the born-again believer will be a transformed person, of confident faith and prayer life and evidently full of the Spirit of God and full of God’s love.

QUESTION  Most believers in the western world do not face the kind of persecution that John’s readers did. What does laying down our lives for our brothers mean to us?

PRAYER  Thank You, God our Father, for sending Your Son to make a way back for us to be accepted by You.
Thank You for His incomparable love shown in the self-sacrifice of the Cross, and for being faithful and merciful to us, when our love for You has often been fickle.
May we grow in faith and love towards You, and among all Your diverse children, as we share the precious relationship we have through Your Son, Jesus. Amen.


PRINT EDITION  You can download a PDF print edition which prints on A4 paper to form a four-page Bible-size handout. Permission is granted to copy for your own use, your home group or Bible study, or to include with your church bulletin.

TLW16B April 25 – BookletDownload

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Filed Under: Easter, Year B

April 18: Restoration and renewal

April 13, 2021 by Ian Greig Leave a Comment

Image credit: Ian Greig

Welcome to The Living Word for Sunday, April 18 (TLW15Br). This was posted earlier with the readings for April 25 in error. Humble apologies for that. Here are the correct readings for April 18 although there is quite a lot of variation in the Easter scheme. This is a non-denominational Bible study, so it won’t fit every church or chapel’s use exactly.

Theme: Restoration and renewal

• See also the linked article ‘Renewed and Restored‘
• And a video telling the story of God’s plan to restore and renew

OT: Zephaniah 3:14-20 — A word of hope: the Lord has taken away the punishment and promised to be with us

NT gospel: Luke 24:36-49 — Jesus encourages the disciples and reveals to them how what has happened is all in  the Scriptures

NT narrative: Acts 3:11-19 — Peter says faith in the living, healing Jesus has healed the crippled man and calls hearers to repent

NT letter: 1 John 3:1-7 — We believers should know we are children of God with the freedom to choose to live for Him


Zephaniah 3:14-20 — The Lord has taken away the punishment

A word of hope — the God of love and justice has promised to be with us

14 Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem!

“Daughter Zion… Daughter Jerusalem” — meaning the people of God.

“Sing… be glad and rejoice” — God promises unrestrained joy for His people. Contemporary worship emphasises praise and joy.

15 The Lord has taken away your punishment, He has turned back your enemy. The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm.

“The Lord… is with you” — this prophetic word of hope is fulfilled in part by Jesus’ reign through His church of joyfully forgiven people.

16 On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp.

“Hands hang limp” — do not go about discouraged.

17 “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Mighty Warrior who saves” — combining various attributions for Yahweh; and the Messiah.

• For further study, compare Psalm 24:8-10; Isaiah 10:21); Isaiah 42:13; Hab. 3:8-15; and Isaiah 9:6.

18 “I will remove from you all who mourn over the loss of your appointed festivals, which is a burden and reproach for you.

“I will remove from you” — better, “I will gather you who mourn for the appointed festivals; you will be disgraced no more” NLT.

19-20 “At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you. I will rescue the lame; I will gather the exiles. I will give them praise and honour in every land where they have suffered shame. At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honour and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes,” says the Lord.

“I will gather exiles” — those who have been abused and alienated for upholding God’s values will be first to know the justice of Jesus’ kingdom, Ezekiel 34:16; Micah 4:6-7; Matthew 5:3-4.

Reflection

SUMMARY  Zephaniah foretells God restoring justice, with His favour and joy for those who have been oppressed and marginalised by unrighteous power.

APPLICATION  Throughout history, those who exalt their position and power over God’s sovereignty have oppressed those seeking to live by God’s values. Bad things happen to morally upright people. But God’s  just kingdom is becoming more evident.

QUESTION  If you have found loving God costly, what does He say to you? (v.17)

Luke 24:36-49 — Jesus encourages the disciples and eats with them

He reveals to them how what has happened is all in  the Scriptures

36-39 Jesus Himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at My hands and My feet. It is I Myself! Touch Me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

“Look at My hands and feet” — which bore the scars of having been nailed to the Cross. Jesus was not an immaterial spirit but had the same body that had been put to death, but now gloriously not corruptible nor subject to death.

• For further study, read 1 Cor. 15:1-19, 50-58.

40-43 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave Him a piece of broiled fish, and He took it and ate it in their presence.

“He took it and ate it” — Jesus proves that He is not a spiritual manifestation by allowing the disciples to touch Him and by eating.

44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

“Fulfilled in the Law… Prophets and… Psalms” — meaning everything pointing to Christ in the OT. What Jesus did earlier on the road to Emmaeus,  Luke 24:25-29, He now shares with the wider group of disciples.

45 Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: the Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.

“He opened  their minds” —  what was hidden before now becomes plain, with greater revelation promised, v.49.

• For further study, Peter’s Pentecost message references Joel, Acts 2:16-21.

“The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead” — the OT foretells this in several places, see Acts 3:13 and 18 and notes, below.

49 “I am going to send you what My Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

“I am going to send you what My Father promised” — essential ending (the set reading ends incomplete on v.48) of the encounter with Jesus, fulfilled at Pentecost, Acts 2:1-41 and link to the continuation in Acts.

Reflection

SUMMARY  It is the evening of the day of the resurrection and following reports that Jesus had been seen, He has appeared in a renewed resurrection body where they are gathered.  He shares fellowship — and food — and then takes them through the Scriptures (our OT) which point to Him, including the promise of the Holy Spirit.

APPLICATION  This passage links the bodily resurrection of Jesus; the OT prophecies, Jesus, and the apostles; and divine empowering promised. They needed to understand from the OT references how this was always God’s plan. So do we.

QUESTION  Why was sharing food with the disciples important?


Acts 3:11-19 — Peter says faith in Jesus has healed the crippled man

His hearers had called for Jesus to be killed; now God calls them to repent

11 While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.

“Solomon’s Colonnade” — a long portico enclosing the temple outer court near the Beautiful Gate where the disabled man had just been given new legs.

12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?

“As if by our own power” — following the common pattern in Acts of a story related to Jesus’ life, death and resurrection (vv.11-16), then calling for a response to who Jesus is (vv.17-26 in the Bible).

13 “The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus. You handed Him over to be killed, and you disowned Him before Pilate, though he had decided to let Him go.

“The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” — Peter grounds the good news of Jesus firmly in the Hebrew Scriptures.

“His servant Jesus” — both God’s representative and the suffering servant of Isaiah 52:13-53:12 (see also v.18 below).

14 “You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.

“You disowned the Holy and Righteous One” — chose against Him, although Pilate had six times declared Him innocent.

15 “You killed the author of life, but God raised Him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.

“You killed… God raised… we are witnesses” — a frequent theme in Acts (see below). They did not recognise Jesus as Messiah, and did not understand that the Messiah would be divine, Daniel 7:13-14; John 1:1-18.

• For further study, read Acts 2:23–24; 4:10; 5:30-32; 10:39-41; 13:28-29.

16 “By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through Him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

“Faith in the name of Jesus” — the name stands for the truth about the person and the faith here is the Holy Spirit’s gift of faith operating in Peter.

17-18 “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. But this is how God fulfilled what He had foretold through all the prophets, saying that His Messiah would suffer.

“Saying that His Messiah would suffer” — not only through Isaiah, v.13 and note above, but Luke also references suffering and rejection as follows: Psalm 2:1-2 in Acts 4:25-26; Psalm 16:8-11 in Acts 2:25-28, Acts 13:35; and Psalm 118:22 in Acts 4:11.

19 “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”

“Repent” — turn to God in a change of mind and will that expresses remorse for sin.

“Times of refreshing” — every renewal movement of Christ’s church is a step change towards the ultimate end-time of refreshing.

Reflection

SUMMARY  A man disabled from birth has been miraculously given his mobility and as he goes leaping into the temple courts a crowd gathers. Peter addresses them in direct manner, saying that Jesus who they defied Pilate to have crucified, is alive, has been seen by t hem and is still healing people today. He calls for a response — repentance.

APPLICATION  Former fisherman Peter, now full of the Holy Spirit, has done what He had seen Jesus do, taking a miraculous sign and giving God glory for it. He knows that the same Holy Spirit will bring conviction in his hearers. He calls on them to repent and take the opportunity to get right with God. Many who heard the message believed, Acts 4:4 and the church now numbered 5,000 with women not counted..

QUESTION  To what extent is this a Christ-centred gathering, and a possible pattern for our meetings? What brings change and new life in us?


1 John 3:1-7 — We believers should know we are children of God

Jesus has given us a remedy for sin and the freedom to choose to live for Him

3 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.

“See what great love” — amazement at the extent of God’s love.

“We should be called children of God” — a very big statement about the identity believers have through belonging to Christ, John 1:12.

2-3 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. All who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure.

“We shall be like Him” —God’s children reflect the image of Christ and will share in His glory, Romans 8:18-30.

“Purify themselves, just as He is pure” — developed in vv. 5-6 below. Knowing who we are in Christ helps to keep us true to Him.

4-5 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that He appeared so that He might take away our sins. And in Him is no sin.

“Sin is lawlessness” — likened  to a spirit of rebellion against God’s law. Lawlessness, Gk. anomia, is activity wilfully independent from God’s guidance and law. 

“He appeared so that He might take away our sins” — Jesus came so that our sin might be forgiven, but also to break the power of sin’s bondage.

6 No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen Him or known Him.

“Keeps on sinning” — the difference between a moral lapse and habitual sin. John has in mind false teachers who professed Christ without the evidence of new life or morality. Genuine believers will show their faith in generally upright, if not perfect, lives.

7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as He is righteous.

“Does what is right, is righteous” — true believers live in union with the One who is righteous, so will want to make righteous choices and guard against deceptive temptations to be independent from God.

Reflection

SUMMARY  John writes to believers in the young churches about living their new lives in right living. He warns that there are some who talk the talk but don’t walk the walk, and they are not to be deceived by them.

APPLICATION   Genuine believers will live like renewed people who love the Lord — because they love His ways.

QUESTION  What difference does it make to how you see yourself and how you pray, to know you are a child of God?

PRAYER  Father God we thank You for the joy we have in knowing You through Jesus, and for choosing us to be part of your renewal and refreshing of the world.
And thank You, Jesus, for breaking the hold of sin so we can choose to live for You — and we have You to restore us if we slip.
You are alive and with us, and with joy we can can tell others. Amen.

///////

PRINT EDITION  You can download a PDF of the print edition here. It prints on A4 paper to produce a 4-page Bible-size handout. Permission granted to copy for your own use, for your home or other small group, or for inclusion with your church bulletin.

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  • So, who is this Jesus?
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  • The Grace and Glory of God Appear — and Our Part In It
  • The Great Realisation
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  • Three Common Pitfalls to Avoid
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  • Understanding God’s grace + our faith = new life in salvation 
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  • Understanding… How we learn to see where Jesus is present
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  • Why as Christians We Never Get to Stand Down
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  • About…
    • The pros and cons of the lectionary format
    • A personal guide through the maze of Bible versions
  • About TLW print edition
  • Explaining…
    • Explaining… Christmas: the call to worship
    • Explaining… God’s call to all
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    • Explaining… How God’s grace doesn’t work by our rules
    • Explaining… How to see ourselves as God sees us
    • Explaining… How too easily we can be frustrating God’s plan
    • Explaining… Our assurance in the kingdom of God
    • Explaining… Revitalisation — God’s kingdom vs our control
    • Explaining… the ‘review and renew’ that God is doing
    • Explaining… Why the good news is good
    • Understanding… The danger in our complacency
    • Explaining the kingdom of God 1
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    • Explaining Pentecost
    • Explaining the Trinity
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    • Explaining the covenant with Abraham
  • Understanding…
    • Understanding… Holiness and the Great Commandment
    • Understanding… how deception undermines God’s truth
    • Understanding… How we raise our expectation
    • Understanding… Revival
    • Understanding… Stepping out in faith
    • Understanding… the difference between reacting and responding to God
    • Understanding… The freedom that is ours in Christ
    • Understanding… the generosity of God
    • Understanding… The invitation we must respond to
    • Understanding… The need to be ready for the Lord’s return
    • Understanding… The way agreement and conflict play out in the kingdom of God
    • Understanding the Good News – God’s grace
    • Inexpressible and glorious joy
    • The need to be reborn from above
    • Understanding the Trinity of God
    • First-century gnosticism

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Welcome to The Living Word

You get a lot more out of the Sunday service readings if they are already speaking to you. TLW is about reading and re-reading these Scriptures with some commentary to bring out what is hidden and make connections with cross references. This is different from liturgy because it is a Bible study, putting the Bible passages in sequence from OT, through the NT gospel era, and then through the lens of the post-resurrection, early church in the power of the Spirit. Enabling this progressive revelation points to a theme.  The translation used is the readable and widely-used 2011 edition of the New International Version (NIV) Bible. Commentary is drawn from a wide range of sources and is Bible-centric and theologically neutral. As we read and reflect and allow the Holy Spirit to help us hear God through His word during the week, we prepare ourselves to hear afresh and receive the Sunday sermon in church or chapel.

For convenience, use the ‘Subscribe’ box below to receive a short email with the Bible passage and notes for each weekday (and that’s all!).

Unsubscribing is just as easy.

A little about me and my vision for The Living Word

I live in the Marches, a green and beautiful expanse of hills between England and Wales where churches and chapels share duty to the Christian faithful in every valley, and churchgoing is still part of the community life. However, there are few Bibles to be seen in these buildings, and home-based groups for fellowship and Bible study are rare.

I want to encourage Sunday worshippers in churches and chapels to enjoy reading the Bible during the week, to get used to hearing God for themselves through His word, and to be  spiritually prepared for the message they will hear on Sunday from the lectionary readings they all share. It is no substitute for meeting and worshipping together, nor for Holy Spirit-inspired preaching. It supports both by encouraging the personal growth of church and chapel members of any denomination. It offers faith encouragement for those no longer able to, or no longer wanting to take part in, formal physical church.

My background is not in churches that use the lectionary and I bring a breadth of tradition and spiritual understanding to the writing.  I have pastored a number of churches and been involved in a variety of other missional initiatives with a ‘kingdom of God’ agenda.

As well as The Living Word and its weekly video I also post regularly on www.freshbread.today and www.thelivingword.substack.com with a podcast as well as video and written content. There is also a Facebook page at fb.com/TLWbiblestudy

Revd Ian Greig BD (Hons), DPS

SEE ALSO other Living Word Publications

Substack newsletter and podcast (free subscription) — audio podcast, video and written content all in one place

Fresh Bread Today — the freshest bake, with a bit of a tang, unpackaged and uncut. His word to live by, today.

Believe the Good News – finding the good news and encouragement all through the Bible

GLOW – God’s Love Over Weobley, encouraging prayer and spiritual fellowship. With a local flavour for this NW Herefordshire village.

 

 

 

 

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