Jesus Is Revealed as the Savior of All
The Epiphany of Our Lord―CWS Series B

God’s Word for Today

The season of Epiphany (Greek for “appearance”) recalls how Jesus proved himself to be the Son of God and the Savior of all people. The Festival of the Epiphany of Our Lord is celebrated on January 6, the twelfth day of Christmas, and is often called the Gentile Christmas. In the lessons and the Gospel, God makes it clear that his salvation is not only for his chosen Old Testament people but also for the Gentiles (non-Jews). God reveals his only Son, Jesus, as our Savior.

First Lesson (Ruth 4:13-17)

1.	Who took baby Obed and placed him on her lap―his mother Ruth, or his grandmother Naomi?

2.	Ruth and Obed became ancestors of Jesus, your Savior―also born in Bethlehem. How has God placed his Son into your lap, so to speak?

Second Lesson (Ephesians 3:2-12)

3.	Who wrote the letter to the Ephesians? (See 3:1.)

4.	What job had God given to this apostle? (See 3:8-9.)

Gospel (Matthew 2:1-12)

5.	From where did the Magi come to worship the newborn Savior?

6.	Were the Magi Jews or Gentiles?

7.	What gifts did they bring Jesus? (See Isaiah 60:6.)

8.	What do we offer God? (See Hebrews 13:15.)

Answers:

1.	Naomi took Obed and placed him on her lap. Naomi was still a widow; both her sons had died. But Ruth, widow of one of Naomi's sons now remarried, honored Naomi. All the people of Bethlehem praised the Lord for his grace to Naomi too. She who seemed to have lost all got everything back and much more.

2.	God has placed his holy Son into your lap by telling you that Jesus came to live and die in your place. The Holy Spirit convinced you that it is true. Now you are God's heir of eternal life as you hold on to Jesus, trusting in him alone.

3.	St. Paul wrote Ephesians, probably during his first imprisonment in Rome, about 60 AD. The congregation in Ephesus was made up of both Jews and Gentiles, groups that often disliked one another. Paul wanted these groups to get along well with each other (Ephesians 2:14-18).

4.	Paul’s specific mission was to proclaim the good news about Jesus to the Gentiles (non-Jews). The fact that Jesus was the Savior of all people, and not just the Jews, was the big “mystery” that God wanted Paul to proclaim.

5.	The Magi came from the east―perhaps from Persia or Arabia.

6.	We don’t know for certain if the Magi were Jews or Gentiles, since the Scriptures do not directly say so. We assume they were Gentiles―partly from prophecies that nations would come to Jesus' light. Riches of distant lands would belong to him (Isaiah 60:3, 5).

7.	The Magi brought Jesus gold, incense and myrrh. All were expensive items. The prophet Isaiah had specifically predicted people bringing gold and incense (60:6).

8.	We offer God praise and thanks for his name: all he is and does.

Jesus Is Revealed as Our Perfect Substitute
The First Sunday after the Epiphany―CWS Series B
The Baptism of Our Lord

God’s Word for Today

“Why did Jesus need to be baptized? I thought baptism was for sinners.” That’s a common question among Christians. It does not make sense that our Savior, who was perfectly sinless, would need to be baptized. Why was he? Because a) the Father wanted him to, and b) Jesus came to be our perfect substitute. His baptism shows him to be just that. Even from birth he endured the effects of our sin. Jesus was not at all a sinner himself, but he was carrying our sickness and pain (Isaiah 53:4). He needed the assurance of God’s love, just as if he were a sinner himself. He needed strength. Jesus received such gifts in baptism, like we do.

First Lesson (Isaiah 49:1-6)

1.	Which person of the Trinity is speaking through the prophet Isaiah in these verses?

2.	True or false? Jesus felt frustration in his job as Savior.

3.	What task did the Father give his Son, Jesus?

Second Lesson (Acts 16:25-34)

4.	How does the Holy Spirit work the faith that Paul encouraged the jailer to have? (See 16:31.)

5.	Who was baptized that evening?

Gospel (Mark 1:4-11)

6.	What was the purpose of the baptism given by John?

7.	If Jesus was sinless, why was he baptized?

8.	How were all three persons of the Trinity present at the baptism of Jesus?

Answers:

1.	The speaker is Christ before he took flesh―God's Son.

2.	True. The Savior voices his frustration in verse 4. Sometimes he felt like he had pointlessly worked hard, that he had spent his strength for nothing at all. Jesus didn't live in a cozy bubble. Sin was as real then as now, and Jesus was and is a real human being. Yet he never sinned. Jesus persevered in his role as our perfect substitute.

3.	The Father gave the Son the task, not only to “bring Jacob back to (God) and gather Israel” (that is, Jewish Christians) but also to be “a light for the Gentiles” (non-Jews), that they might be brought to faith. See John 10:16 for more on God's desire to save the whole world and his eternal choice of children for himself worldwide.

4.	God works faith through the hearing of the gospel promises (Romans 10:17). In this case, God used both Paul's preaching and the sacrament of Holy Baptism.

5.	The jailer’s whole household was baptized. We may assume that his household had both adults and children.

6.	The purpose of John's baptism in Jesus' day was the same as baptism's purpose today: it is “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:4).

7.	In Jesus' baptism God commissioned him to “go public” and save us, and the Father anointed him with the Holy Spirit and power (Acts 10:38). Also, though Jesus did not have any personal sin, Jesus was not aloof. In his role as Savior he carried the world's guilt. He had come to be our perfect substitute and to identify with every sinner.

8.	The Father spoke from above and sent the Spirit to the Son. Likewise we were baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). We are all sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:26).

Jesus Is Revealed by his Gospel Call
The Second Sunday after the Epiphany―CWS Series B

God’s Word for Today

How is Jesus revealed to the sinful people of this world? Not by threats. God is serious about his “Do's” and “Don't's,” but he does not force people to be Christians. Instead, Jesus is revealed to blind sinners by the call of the gospel, God’s word of forgiveness. The Holy Spirit shows us our sin, then calls out “Jesus died for you” in God's Word and sacraments. He changes unbelievers into believers who want to live for God.

First Lesson (1 Samuel 3:1-10)

1.	Who did Samuel think was calling him?

2.	Who was really calling Samuel?

3.	What model attitude does Samuel display for Christians?

Second Lesson (2 Thessalonians 2:13-17)

4.	Paul has just warned us about believing the lie that our good works can save us from hell. Now he changes topics. Who gets the credit for saving us?

5.	Why did God call us to belief in the truth?

6.	True or false? As long as we trust that Jesus died for us, it doesn't matter if we believe a few lies. 

Gospel (John 1:43-51)

7.	What did Philip do when Jesus commanded: “Follow me”?

8.	How did Nathanael react to Philip’s news?

9.	When Nathanael met Jesus, how did he react?

10.	What now unites heaven and earth, like a stairway?

Answers:

1.	Samuel thought Eli was calling him.

2.	The Lord was calling Samuel.

3.	Samuel displays a humble willingness to hear the Word of the Lord. Today, too―only through the gospel does the Holy Spirit awaken and strengthen faith.

4.	God gets the credit. God gets all the credit. From the beginning he chose us to be saved, through trusting in Jesus as our Savior. We didn't decide to become believers. We could not have.

5.	God called us to belief in the truth so that we would share forever in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

6.	False: Paul urged the Thessalonians to stand firm and hold onto the teachings he had given them face to face and had written to them. We must hold onto all the teachings of the Word of God. We must hold onto what we have learned from the Bible via trustworthy parents, pastors and teachers. The result? We will get eternal encouragement, good hope, and strength to serve God and our neighbor in whatever callings God has placed us.

7.	Not only did Philip follow Jesus, but he went and told his friend Nathanael also.

8.	Nathanael could not believe that the Savior would come from such an insignificant place as Nazareth.

9.	After Nathanael met Jesus, he trusted wholeheartedly that Jesus was the Messiah, the Chosen One.

10.	Something more amazing than the stairway Jacob once saw in a dream (Genesis 28) now unites heaven and earth. Jesus is the Mediator between God and all sinners. He opens heaven to all believers. Trust only in him.

Jesus Is Revealed in a Call to Leave All
The Third Sunday after the Epiphany―CWS Series B

God’s Word for Today

Is God calling you today to sell everything you have, give it away, and move to a foreign country to be a penniless missionary? His Word does not say that. God does call some people to public ministry. He sends some far from home. He gives some of his ministers hard assignments. Note: He calls all believers by our baptisms to be ready to leave anything for him. He left everything for us. He gave his holy life for us.

First Lesson (1 Kings 19:19-21)

1.	Elisha seems to have been from a wealthy family; he plowed with 12 yoke of oxen. Still, what did Elijah call Elisha to do?

2.	What did Elisha do before leaving his family?

3.	What example is God giving you here?

Second Lesson (Acts 13:1-5)

4.	Which of the seven men in Antioch is known now as Paul?

5.	How did other believers set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work to which God the Spirit had called them?

Gospel (Mark 1:14-20)

6.	When did Jesus go into Galilee? What difference does this make?

7.	What message did Jesus proclaim?

8.	Did Jesus preach his message of repentance by himself?

9.	If Jesus has not called you to public ministry, what is God teaching you by this story?

Answers:

1.	Elijah called Elisha to leave behind his family and former duties and to become Elijah's successor as God's prophet.

2.	He slaughtered his yoke of oxen and burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat.

3.	God is giving you an example of full dedication to his call.

4.	Saul is now called Paul.

5.	The other believers set apart Barnabas and Saul for public ministry elsewhere as missionaries by fasting, praying and laying hands on them. (We do similar things today.)

6.	Jesus went into Galilee after John the Baptist was put in prison. Think how ironic Jesus' call to his first disciples was in that case, since these first followers had followed John formerly. If God seemingly could not keep John out of Herod's prison, what would happen to Jesus? What would come from them following Jesus? They should not expect ease and enjoyment.

7.	Jesus preached: “Repent and believe the good news.” (Here Jesus uses the word “repent” in a specific, narrow way, referring to sorrow over sin and admitting to God how bad it is and all the punishment it deserves.)

8.	Jesus did not preach repentance by himself. He began to call his disciples to proclaim that message, too. What faith the Holy Spirit gave them: They dropped everything and followed Jesus.

9.	God is teaching you, among other things, a) to thank him for people who have left behind family and worldly wealth to be full-time servants of the gospel; b) to confess to God how tightly you hang onto things and how often you have failed to follow God for that reason; then―forgiven fully by Jesus' blood―c) to be willing to give up anything for Jesus.

Jesus is Revealed in his Presentation
The Presentation of Our Lord (February 2)

God’s Word for Today

February 2 is the fortieth day after Christmas. On this day we celebrate Jesus’ presentation in the temple at Jerusalem after Mary’s purification. (See Luke 2:22 and Leviticus 12.) Some have also called this day Candlemas, since on this day churches traditionally dedicated the candles to be used in worship for the year. In America the day was secularized and became Groundhog Day. Christians celebrate the fact that Jesus revealed himself as Savior by being subject to the law of God on our behalf.

First Lesson (1 Samuel 1:21-28)

1.	Why was Hannah especially overjoyed to have a son?

2.	How did Hannah show her appreciation to the Lord for Samuel?

Second Lesson (Hebrews 2:14-18)

3.	True or false: Jesus is a human being just like us.

4.	Why did Jesus take on human flesh and blood?

5.	Why is Jesus the perfect “high priest”?

Gospel (Luke 2:22-40)

6.	What is most significant about Jesus’ presentation?

7.	Whom did Jesus’ family meet while at the temple?

8.	Why can you die in peace? (See 2:29-32.)

Answers:

1.	Hannah was overjoyed because she had been unable to bear children (1 Samuel 1:2).

2.	Hannah presented Samuel to the Lord and dedicated him for service in the tabernacle.

3.	True. Jesus was “made like his brothers in every way.” The only difference between us and Jesus in terms of humanity is that we are sinners and Jesus is sinless (Hebrews 4:15).

4.	Jesus took on our human flesh “so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death―that is, the devil.”

5.	Jesus is the perfect high priest because he has experienced the same temptations as we have. He has experienced the pain of sin and temptation, so he can sympathize with us (Hebrews 4:15).

6.	In his presentation Jesus shows his dedication to the law of God. As God himself, Jesus was not subject to his own law, but he subjected himself willingly. St. Paul explains that he was “born under law to redeem (buy back) those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons” (Galatians 4:4-5). Jesus kept God’s law and endured its curses (Galatians 3:13). He did so perfectly and willingly on our behalf.

7.	Jesus, Mary and Joseph met Simeon and Anna. They were both waiting for the Savior to arrive. When they saw Jesus they rejoiced that the Lord had revealed the Messiah to them.

8.	You can die in peace because, like Simeon, you have seen Jesus and held him, through his Word. You have seen God's salvation, prepared for all people.

Jesus is Revealed by Setting Captives Free
The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany―CWS Series B

God’s Word for Today

We call Jesus our Redeemer. The word “redeem” means to buy back from capture and captivity, to pay a ransom. As sinful human beings we were captive to the law of God because of our sin and the consequences of sin, principally death. But Jesus has set us free from the law, its threats and its curses, by keeping God’s law for us perfectly. As Christians we are no longer “under law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14). But we are not to abuse our Christian freedom. Instead Jesus has set us free so we will become slaves to righteousness, serving others in love, always thanking our Redeemer.

First Lesson (Deuteronomy 18:15-20)

1.	What request did the people of Israel have for the Lord when they had previously assembled at Mt. Horeb (Sinai)?

2.	Whom was the Lord going to send?

3.	Which is worse, for a preacher to speak a little that God has not commanded, or to speak in the name of other gods?

Second Lesson (Hebrews 3:1-6)

4.	Who was greater, Moses or Jesus? Why?

5.	Who or what is God's house on this earth?

6.	What will happen if we don't fix our thoughts on Jesus and don't hold onto the eternal hope Jesus gives?

Gospel (Mark 1:21-28)

7.	What did people notice when Jesus taught?

8.	How did Jesus demonstrate his authority?

Answers:

1.	The Israelites asked that the Lord no longer speak to them with his own voice―in all his majesty. They feared they would die. We sinners cannot deal with holy God in his full glory, as the Lord had told Moses: “You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” (Exodus 33:20).

2.	The Lord was going to send a prophet from among the people of Israel who would speak on God’s behalf. He meant his own Son, our Savior Jesus.

3.	Preaching a little false doctrine is just as bad as advocating idolatry. God insists on passing along his Word of truth one hundred percent. Only the truth can combat the father of lies. (See today's Gospel, Mark 1:21-28).

4.	Jesus was greater than Moses. Moses was a faithful servant over God's house, but Jesus is God's Son who is over God's house. Jesus was faithful even when God told him to die on the cross for us with the world's guilt on him.

5.	We are God's house, as long as we hold onto our courage and don't fall away from Christ when others try to influence us. God's Spirit lives in all Christians together and individually. We have become God's holy house by faith.

6.	If we do not, God will not live in us anymore. We will not live with God forever. We will die apart from him, with the devil.

7.	Jesus amazed people because he taught others based on his own authority (verses 22, 27), while the Jewish teachers of the law often based their teachings on quotes from famous rabbis.

8.	Jesus shows his authority by casting out an evil spirit. (Note how the demon tried to scare/deceive people by screaming out the truth.) Jesus is God. He has the power, ability and willingness to set us free from the devil and all harm.

Jesus is Revealed by his Tireless
Compulsion to Preach the Gospel
The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany―CWS Series B

God’s Word for Today

In all three lessons we read today, people are hurting. Jesus reveals himself as God by healing the people of Capernaum. Why doesn't he take all hurts and troubles away from us now? We do not know, finally, but his Word promises that he has power over sickness and the devil, and his Word gives many examples of God using evil for our good. Jesus himself did not stay in Capernaum to be their miracle man. He traveled throughout Galilee. First he prayed―perhaps that his popularity would not go to his head and keep him from going to the cross for us.

First Lesson (Job 7:1-7)

1.	How was Job feeling about his life?

2.	Why did Job feel the way he did?

3.	Job had not lost his faith in God. How can you tell?

Second Lesson (Romans 8:28-30)

4.	Earlier Paul has said that we know that the whole world is groaning as in pains of childbirth. What else do we know?

5.	God's purpose is not necessarily to make us happy now. What is his eternal purpose?

6.	What unbroken chain does Paul want us to picture?

Gospel (Mark 1:29-39)

7.	How did Jesus feel after a long day of ministry?

8.	How did Jesus respond to the demands of the people?

Answers:

1.	Job was frustrated with his lot in life. Tired and depressed, Job figured that he would never be happy again. Job had lost his desire to proclaim good news about his Savior God.

2.	Job had lost his fortune, his children and his reputation. Then he lost his health, too. His friends figured that he had done something terrible to deserve such treatment from God. Job resented them and their accusations. God seemed distant and unfair. Job's suffering led him to discouragement and despair.

3.	Job had not lost his faith in God. Evidence? He still prayed.

4.	We also know that all things work together for good to those who love God, whom God has called to faith.

5.	God's purpose now and forever is to conform us to the likeness of his Son. This is why he chose us to be believers before he made the world. (What grace.)

6.	The unbroken chain of God's grace is that those God predestined in eternity to be his children, he also called to faith in Jesus here in time. Those he called he also declared innocent in his courtroom, for Jesus' sake, and those he justified, he also glorified. We are not on the new earth yet, shining like the sun, but because of God's grace it is as good as done. (What amazing grace.)

7.	Jesus was worn out and looking for solitude. People were demanding an audience with him. Sadly, it seems that they were more interested in earthly blessings (miracles of physical healing) rather than the heavenly blessings that Jesus had to offer: the forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

8.	Jesus left and went to other villages, realizing that his primary mission from the Father was to preach the gospel and bring eternal healing to souls. He had a tireless compulsion to preach the gospel.

Jesus is Revealed by Giving the Crown of Life
The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany―CWS Series B

God’s Word for Today

John the Evangelist tells us that “through (Jesus) all things were made… In him was life, and that life was the light of men” (John 1:3, 4). Apart from Jesus there is no life. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). In the lessons for today we see how Jesus reveals himself as our Savior by giving us the crown of life. Only Jesus can do that. “Oh, tidings of comfort and joy.”

First Lesson (2 Kings 5:1-14)

1.	Who was Naaman, and what was his problem?

2.	What did the prophet Elisha tell Naaman to do?

3.	What happened when Naaman finally obeyed?

Second Lesson (2 Corinthians 1:3-7)

4.	Why, in particular, did Paul and Timothy praise God as Paul wrote this letter?

5.	What is one reason God gives us troubles?

Gospel (Mark 1:40-45)

6.	What disease did Jesus heal?

7.	Why did Jesus heal the man?

8.	How did the man react when he was given new life?

9.	Did Jesus know ahead of time that the man would react this way?

Answers:

1.	Naaman was a commander in the king of Aram’s army. He was a great man, but he had leprosy, a debilitating and disfiguring skin disease.

2.	Elisha told Naaman to wash seven times in the Jordan. At first Naaman went away angry, but his servants encouraged him to listen to Elisha.

3.	When Naaman washed in the Jordan he was healed. More importantly, he was brought to realize that the God of Israel was the only true God, the Savior of all who gives the crown of life.

4.	Paul and Timothy praised God for comforting them in all their troubles.

5.	God's purpose is that later we comfort others with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

6.	Jesus healed a man with leprosy (a skin disease). More importantly, he revealed himself as the Savior who gives the crown of life. The man trusted that Jesus could help, and his faith made him well.

7.	Jesus healed the man, humanly speaking, because the man came, fell to his knees and begged Jesus for help. Jesus answers prayer. Jesus, then, must be God.

8.	Though Jesus told the man to keep quiet, the man went out and began to talk freely about his miraculous healing.

9.	Surely if Jesus could heal the man, he is all-powerful. If he is all-powerful, he is all-knowing, too. He is God. He knows the “risk” he takes by healing the man and telling him to keep quiet. He knows what the man will do. Still, Jesus is so compassionate that he wants to help the man who begs. This, too, gives us sinners great comfort.

Jesus Is Revealed by Blotting Out Our Sin
The Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany―CWS Series B

God’s Word for Today

In the Gospel appointed for this day, the teachers of the law are shocked that Jesus would be so presumptuous as to forgive someone’s sins. “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” they thought to themselves. In a way, they were right. By giving the paralyzed man ability to walk, Jesus proves that he, a man, is God. We all have sinned against Jesus; all sin is against Jesus. Only he can blot out our sin.  He has! Now we forgive others just as in Christ God forgave us (Ephesians 4:32).

First Lesson (Isaiah 43:18-25)

1.	What encouragement did the Lord have for his Jewish people and does he have for us? (See 43:18.)

2.	What complaint did the Lord have about the people of Israel?

3.	Why does the Lord forgive us? (See 43:25.)

Second Lesson (2 Corinthians 1:18-22)

4.	What had made the Corinthians suspicious of Paul?

5.	What reassurance does Paul want to give them?

6.	Explain: “No matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ.”

Gospel (Mark 2:1-12)

7.	What problems did the man in the Gospel have?

8.	How does Jesus solve his problem?

9.	How does Jesus prove his authority to forgive sins?

Answers:

1.	The Lord encourages us to forget former things. We may think specifically of our former sins. In Christ we are freely forgiven. It is miraculous and sudden, like streams in the wasteland.

2.	Jews brought God hollow sacrifices and paid him lip-service, rather than offering him their hearts.

3.	For no reason in us, our Savior blots out our transgressions and remembers our sins no more. He does it only for his own sake. That is, a) he is so patient and merciful, and b) he is rightly jealous of all the glory he deserves.

4.	Paul had changed his travel plans (See 2 Corinthians 1:15-17, 23). When he did this, the Corinthians suspected that Paul’s word was not trustworthy.

5.	Paul wanted to reassure the Corinthians that he had spoken truthfully about Jesus. Jesus never talks out of both sides of his mouth.

6.	Paul means that every promise that God the Father makes through Jesus Christ is a promise that will be kept― no "ifs," "ands" or "buts" about it.

7.	The man was paralyzed, and when he came to Jesus for healing the house where Jesus was teaching was full to capacity. The man’s friends eventually lowered him through the roof. (Think of the commotion, the falling debris and dust, etc. Think of the possible shame.) Most of all, the man was a sinner in need of forgiveness, as we all are.

8.	Jesus solved the man’s greatest problem by saying, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” In their thoughts, the teachers of the law accused Jesus of blasphemy.

9.	Jesus proved his authority to forgive sins and revealed himself as God by letting the paralyzed man walk.
1.	
Jesus Is Revealed as Our Bridegroom
The Eighth Sunday after the Epiphany―CWS Series B

God’s Word for Today

Weddings in our circles are usually joyful. Jewish weddings in Bible times were also happy occasions, but not just for a day or two. Celebrations lasted as much as week. In today's Gospel Jesus uses a wedding picture to teach about fasting. As you read or hear all three lessons, think about the most handsome groom marrying the ugliest, dirtiest bride. Isn't it amazing that Jesus would wed sinners like us, and invite us to an eternal celebration?

First Lesson (Hosea 2:14-16, 19,20)

1.	The Israelites in Hosea's day had become promiscuously unfaithful to God. In amazing grace, what did God still promise to do for his people, after he punished them?

2.	In what ways would God get engaged to Israel and be her husband forever?

Second Lesson (Revelation 21:1-6)

3.	Besides the city of Jerusalem, what else did God's people coming down out of heaven look like to John in his vision?

4.	What will be the best part about eternal life on the new earth?

Gospel (Mark 2:18-22)

5.	What answer did Jesus give first, when asked (evidently, at the dinner at the house of the former tax collector, Levi) why his disciples did not fast?

6.	When would Jesus' disciples fast?

7.	What other two word pictures did Jesus draw?

8.	Is Jesus asking you to tack him onto your busy life?

Answers:

1.	God promised to forgive his people and woo them back to him. God would give them hope again. He said his people would sing again as when he first took them to himself as his beautiful virgin bride.

2.	God would get engaged to his people and marry them forever in righteousness, justice, love, compassion and faithfulness.

3.	They looked like a bride, beautifully dressed for her husband.

4.	The best part about eternal life on the new earth will be God dwelling with us.

5.	Jesus said his disciples did not fast because they were like guests at a wedding. How can they fast as long as they have the bridegroom with them?

6.	Jesus said his disciples would fast when he was taken from them. He meant his death on the cross. Then, like the scapegoat on the Day of Atonement, he would be taken away, along with all our sins. Then his followers would fast, in mourning. (The Day of Atonement was the only day of the year God insisted on the Jews fasting. By his death Jesus showed what that day had always been about.)

7.	Jesus compared his reign in sinners' hearts to patching a garment or pouring wine into wineskins. He said it would wreck the old garment to sew a new patch on it; it would ruin an old wineskin if someone poured new wine into it.

8.	No, Jesus is not asking you to tack him onto your busy life. He is not a tiny addition to the way things work. He and his reign within us are all new. As a result, the issue is whether, like Levi, we will heed Jesus' call and celebrate God's mercy in Christ, or whether we will walk away from the wedding banquet. (Note: There are no other options.)

Jesus Reveals His Future Glory
The Last Sunday after the Epiphany―CWS Series B
The Transfiguration of Our Lord

God’s Word for Today

Scripture only records one time when Jesus shone with divine glory. That was on a hilltop in northern Israel. On the Mount of Transfiguration Peter, James and John got a firsthand (and terrifying) look at Jesus’ perfect glory. Why did Jesus do this? He did it, among many reasons, to give his disciples a glimpse of what the future holds for all believers. They were about to enter a difficult time as disciples. They would see their Messiah crucified. But future glory would follow, by God's grace.

First Lesson (2 Kings 2:1-12a)

1.	Why was Elisha upset?

2.	What request did Elisha have for Elijah?

3.	How was Elijah taken away into heaven?

Second Lesson (2 Corinthians 4:3-6)

4.	Why don't all people trust in Jesus' blood?

5.	In short, who is Jesus, this man who appears in such glory on the Mount of Transfiguration?

6.	If you trust in Jesus―unlike many―why is that? (See 4:6.)

Gospel (Mark 9:2-9)

7.	Who met Jesus and his disciples when they climbed this high mountain?

8.	Why did Peter make the suggestion he did in verse 5?

Answers:

1.	He realized that his master, Elijah, was going to be taken away from him.

2.	Elisha asked Elijah for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. He knew he would need spiritual strength when Elijah was gone. In those days the oldest Jewish son would inherit a double portion of the estate, so Elisha seems to be asking to be Elijah's heir/successor.

3.	A chariot and horses of fire separated Elisha from Elijah, and Elijah was taken to heaven in a whirlwind.

4.	All people do not trust in Jesus' blood because the devil, “the god of this age,” has blinded the minds of unbelievers. Result: They cannot see the light of the good news.

5.	Jesus is the image of God. When we see Jesus, we see exactly what God the Father is like.

6.	The God who did the miracle of making light at the beginning, just by saying, “Let there be light,” did a similar miracle in you. He made light where there was only darkness. He gave you light to know the glory of God in the face of Christ.

7.	Jesus and his three disciples met Moses and Elijah, who were generally considered by the Jews to be the two greatest prophets in the Old Testament.

8.	Peter wanted to build shelters on the mountain for Jesus, Moses and Elijah, in order to keep the glory of God all to themselves. Mark the Evangelist suggests that Peter was speaking foolishly. Jesus needed to head for Jerusalem, where he would suffer death on a cross to secure eternal glory for his followers (verse 9).