Grace & Peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ.
I get the chance to read the lectionary each week as I prepare worship slides for my local church. I can’t even tell you how much value there is in that, but to read it all as I often do is to see connections that might otherwise be missed. So, look what I see on this week’s lectionary.
Nehemiah is a delightful book, but we’re not going to look at very much of it. (Of course I realize that’s a subjective assessment.) Because it all starts there.
Nehemiah 8 NIV
1b-2
They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded for Israel.
So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand.
5-6
Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
8
They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clearand giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.
Psalm 19:7-8 NIV
The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9b-11
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
Statute: a law intended as a permanent rule
Precept: a command or principle intended especially as a general rule of action
Command: to give (someone) an order
Decree: an order usually having the force of law
In Luke 4:16-17a NIV
He (Jesus) went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him.
All the people listened.
All the people stood.
All the people worshipped the reading of the Word.
Can you even imagine when Jesus stood to read?
The hush of the crowd, the sound of the scroll?
His voice so gentle, yet as strong as a roar,
These Words are fulfilled, He said, right here, right now.
Sweeter than honey, yes, more precious than gold.
Perfect, radiant, trustworthy and righteous,
in keeping them there is great reward.
May we revere the Word in all it’s reading and open our hearts to hear what is read for the light of His Presence accompanies us at all times. Watch for what He will show you as you read.
May you be blessed in the reading this week.