Preparing for Worship - January 23, 2022

In Psalm 19:(1-6)7-14, David praises God for His glorious creation, but is even more grateful for the Word of God, including the laws and statutes, which is better than gold and sweeter than honey. That Word convicts him, and he knows he cannot even comprehend all his sins. He prays that his Redeemer will forgive him and not allow sin to have dominion over him and help him to meditate more on that Word.

In the Old Testament lesson, Nehemiah 8:1-3,5-6,8-10, God has helped Nehemiah and the people to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem, for their protection after they returned from the exile in Babylon. Now Ezra the scribe and others help them be spiritually protected by reading the Word of God to them. The people were feeling sorrow at what they had been failing to do when they heard the Word, but they were reminded that this was also a new year and a holy day and and a time for celebrating, because there was forgiveness, and the “joy of the Lord” would be their “strength.”

The Gospel lesson is Luke 4:16-30. Jesus visited His hometown of Nazareth and in the synagogue quoted the Word of God, a prophecy from Isaiah 61:1-2 about Himself and His bringing “good news” of spiritual freedom and blessing, as God brought His “favor” to people through Him. Jesus also knew that many in His own hometown were not accepting Him. He gave several examples of how God’s own people missed out on His help and mercy in Old Testament days, too. The people became so angry at Jesus that they tried to kill Him. It was not yet time for Him to die, though, so He escaped.

The Epistle lesson is the second of six readings from 1 Corinthians 12-15. This reading is from Chapter 12:12-31a. The church is pictured as a human body which has many parts with many functions. It is best when every part, no matter how seemingly important or unimportant, is doing what it should be doing and working together with the rest of the body. In the church, then, everyone is important, and we are called to care for each other in times of rejoicing and suffering, as we follow our Head, the Lord Jesus, and His Word.