Seventh Sunday in Epiphany: God Manifests His Perfect Holiness in Christ through

Compassion and ForgivenessLeviticus 19:1–2, 9–18; 1 Corinthians 3:10–23;

Matthew 5:38–48; Psalm 119:33-40

Exegesis of the LectionaryStudying, expounding, and interpreting the Bible readings through the Church Year

THE SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

 

Leviticus 19:1–2, 9–18

1 Corinthians 3:10–23

Matthew 5:38–48

 

God Manifests His Perfect Holiness in Christ through Compassion and Forgiveness

 

God reveals His perfect holiness in compassion as “He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matt. 5:45). By His grace in Jesus Christ we are holy just as He is holy (Lev. 19:2) and we are “God’s temple” in whom “God’s Spirit dwells” (1 Cor. 3:16). This gift of holiness begins with fearing, loving, and trusting God above all things and leads us to love our neighbor as ourselves (Lev. 19:18). No longer should we practice “injustice in court”; no longer should we “be partial to the poor or defer to the great”; no longer should we “go around as a slanderer” among God’s people; no longer should we “take vengeance or bear a grudge” (Lev. 19:15-18). Though we were His enemies, our Lord Jesus Christ has loved us and forgiven us. Nourished and sustained by His holy body and blood under the bread and wine of His holy Supper, we “shall be holy” (Lev. 19:2) even as the Lord our God is holy.

This week:

Sanctification

How does God make us holy?

O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart. Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling and scatter there Thy cheerful beams.Saint Augustine

LSB 834

Use your prayer notes. Use a verse from the

bible to reflect on. Pray about holiness. P raise

R epentanceA ppreciationY ouE veryoneR esolve

Prayer Activity

In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For all people, that we might have confidence in our right standing before God the Father because of the perfect righteousness that comes only from Jesus, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For this congregation, that we might show forth the mercy we have received by an abundance of good works, serving our neighbors with the love we have known in our Savior, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For all Christians, that we might be granted a genuine, repentant

faith, turning from our sins, trusting in Christ for forgiveness and growing in works of mercy and acts of charity for our neighbors, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For this country, that those whom God has set into positions of public trust would serve honorably. Grant that we might be guarded from all harm and danger and that our citizens would submit to the governing authorities, loving, honoring, serving and obeying those whom God has placed over us, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

Use your prayer notes. Use a verse from the

bible to reflect on. Pray about holiness. P raise

R epentanceA ppreciationY ouE veryoneR esolve

Prayer Activity

For the sick and suffering, [especially _________________,] that God might grant them relief from pain and healing for their afflictions according to His will, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For those who grieve the death of loved ones, that they might have hope in the promise of the resurrection of the dead and eternal life for all believers in Jesus, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For those who receive the body and blood of Jesus at this altar today, that in genuine and repentant faith they might

receive these treasures for forgiveness and everlasting life, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For the faithful who have been gathered into the heavenly home, let us give thanks to the Lord, asking Him to bring us with them to the day that never ends in the Kingdom of our Father, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. These things and whatever else You know that we need, kind Father, grant us for the sake of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Meet w/teams3-5 min per box

What are the major points of your text? How does your topic fit the pericope

theme? How does it connect to the other texts?

How is it unique?

Group Time God Manifests His Perfect Holiness in Christ through Compassion and Forgiveness

Leviticus 19:1-2Various Laws19 The LORD said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.Leviticus 19:9-189 “‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10 Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am theLORD your God.11 “‘Do not steal.“‘Do not lie.“‘Do not deceive one another.12 “‘Do not swear falsely by my nameand so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.

13 “‘Do not defraud or rob your neighbor.“‘Do not hold back the wages of a hired worker overnight.14 “‘Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the LORD.15 “‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.16 “‘Do not go about spreading slanderamong your people.“‘Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the LORD.17 “‘Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor franklyso you will not share in their guilt.18 “‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

1 Corinthians 3:10-2310 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit

dwells in your midst? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”[a

]; 20 and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”[b

] 21 So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas[c] or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23 and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.

Matthew 5:38-48Eye for Eye38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[a] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.Love for Enemies43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[b] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He

causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Psalm 119:33-40He ה33 Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees,    that I may follow it to the end.[a]

34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law    and obey it with all my heart.35 Direct me in the path of your commands,    for there I find delight.36 Turn my heart toward your statutes    and not toward selfish gain.37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;    preserve my life according to your word.[b]

38 Fulfill your promise to your servant,    so that you may be feared.39 Take away the disgrace I dread,    for your laws are good.

40 How I long for your precepts!    In your righteousness preserve my life. 

The Transfiguration of Our Lord: God Manifests His Glory in the Body of Christ Jesus, Transfigured for Us by His Cross

Exodus 24:8–18 The Covenant Confirmed

2 Peter 1:16–21 Prophecy of Scripture Matthew 17:1–9 The Transfiguration Psalm 2:6-12 I have installed my king

on Zion

Next Week…

Exodus 24:8–18; 2 Peter 1:16–21; Matthew 17:1–9; Psalm 2:6-12

Exodus 24:8-188 Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.”9 Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up10 and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky. 11 But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank.12 The LORD said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of stone with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.”13 Then Moses set out with Joshua his aide, and Moses went up on the mountain of God. 14 He said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we come back to you. Aaron and Hur are with you, and anyone involved in a dispute can go to them.”15 When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, 16 and the glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day theLORD called to Moses from within the cloud. 17 To the Israelites the glory of the LORD looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain. 18 Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

2 Peter 1:16-21 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”[a] 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 17:1-9The Transfiguration17 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud

covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified.7 But Jesus came and touched them.“Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Psalm 2:6-126 “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.”7 I will proclaim the LORD’s decree:He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father.8 Ask me, and I will make the nationsyour inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.9 You will break them with a rod of iron[a]; you will dash them to pieceslike pottery.”10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.11 Serve the LORD with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling.12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction,for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refugein him.