Second Sunday After Epiphany, Jan. 19, 2003
1 Sam. 3:1-10 (11-20); Psalm 63:1-8; 1 Cor. 6:11b-20; John 1:43-51
Both Old Testament and New Testament lessons feature God’s word, which is given to God’s servant. In Samuel’s case, we read that the “word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.” When the word of God did come, it proved to be a word of judgment directed in the first instance toward the family of Eli. The revelatory word of the Lord was also closed for several hundred years before the time of John the Baptist. However, with the advent of the Baptist, the word of the Lord was again being heard.
God’s word needs a teacher and servant of that word. Samuel proves to be a reluctant prophet, but he finally responds to God’s call. John the Baptist is that servant, and he points his disciples to the word made flesh, Jesus, the Son of God. In today’s reading, Jesus proclaims the word to Philip and Nathanael. It is fascinating that even as Philip and Nathanael encounter the Lord himself, it is the Hebrew scriptures which support and illumine their understanding of the Lord. Philip says to Nathanael, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth.”
The Lord’s word needs a teacher and servant of that word. In addition, servants of the word need the courage of Samuel, whose task, as that of all the prophets, was to deliver a message of judgment to the people, beginning with the house of Eli. While the apostles are told that they will “see heaven opened, and angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man” (meaning perhaps that heaven is now open for continuous communication between God and man), they are also promised opposition. Why? People love the darkness and do not want their evil deeds exposed.
Perhaps fear of controversy moved the crafters of the lectionary to omit 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, without which today’s New Testament reading makes little sense.
There is no reason why the word of the Lord should be rare today. However, the word of the Lord will be rare if we do not teach it.
Look It Up
Study John 1:51. Look up Genesis 28:12 (Jacob’s dream). How does that help us understand John's meaning here.
Think About It
What parts of the Bible are we reluctant to preach on, and if so, why?
Next Sunday
Third Sunday After Epiphany, Jan. 26, 2003
Jer. 3:21-4:2; Psalm 130; 1 Cor. 7:17-23; Mark 1:14-20
