UNIFORM LESSON FOR April 22, 2018 Scripture passage and lesson focus: Revelation 4:1-11 The last book in the New Testament is the Revelation to John. It is also known as the apocalypse, a Greek word for a revelation. Early Christian tradition identified the recipient of this revelation as the author of the Gospel of John and the epistles of John. He was also thought to have been one of the sons of Zebedee and one of the 12 disciples. These identifications are not confirmed in the document itself, however, since the author does not claim any of these traditional identities. Instead he simply says that he is a servant of Jesus Christ who has testified to the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ shown to him in a vision mediated by an angel. Most interpreters date this document to the last decade of the first century A.D., although some consider it to have been written earlier during the reign of Nero, who was the emperor of Rome from 54-68 A.D. The author writes in … [Read more...]

UNIFORM LESSON FOR April 15, 2018 Scripture passage and lesson focus: John 21:15-19 The breakfast that Jesus served the disciples on the beach in our previous lesson was not yet cold when Jesus turned to Peter with a question that Peter may have anticipated with dread. After all, Peter had not lived up to his own promise that he would follow Jesus even if it meant laying down his own life (John 13:37). The three-fold denial that Jesus knew was coming actually happened when Peter denied any connection with Jesus as he sat near a fire — just as he was doing here on the shore of the sea of Galilee. But what a tremendously different situation Peter found himself in now. Jesus – whom the Romans had arrested, condemned to death and crucified with assistance from a few Jewish leaders – was now alive. The resurrected Jesus had some unfinished business with Peter. John 21:15-17 — Do you love me? Jesus does not rebuke Peter for his denials or confront him with his failure. Instead, … [Read more...]

UNIFORM LESSON FOR April 8, 2018 Scripture passage and lesson focus: John 21:1-14 It is not difficult to see why many interpreters of John 21 consider this chapter to be an addition to this Gospel. Chapter 20 appears to be an appropriate conclusion with a commissioning of the disciples by the risen Lord, a climactic confession of faith by Thomas and a statement of the saving purpose of this gospel. The considerable differences from the previous chapters in language and style have led many to conclude that this chapter is a postscript added later by someone familiar with Johannine traditions. Robert Kysar suggests that the author of this postscript belonged to the Johannine community and believed that under the guidance of the Paraclete (see John 14:26 and 15:26 where the Greek word paracletos is translated “advocate”) he was empowered to continue the work of the evangelist. John 21:1-3 — A fruitless fishing trip Does it seem peculiar to you that the disciples returned … [Read more...]

UNIFORM LESSON FOR April 1, 2018 Scripture passage and lesson focus: Luke 24:1-12, 28-35 For Christians who celebrate the resurrection of Jesus every year, it takes a special effort to recognize how countercultural and revolutionary the biblical resurrection stories are in our secular age. Modernity decrees that resurrections do not happen. In antiquity, however, resurrection stories were not uncommon. They usually involved gods or god-like human beings. Luke wanted his readers to know that his resurrection story involved a unique person: Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah. Furthermore, the resurrection Luke describes was not limited to one person. It had very important consequences for every human being. The followers of the resurrected Messiah believed that sin and death no longer held sway over humanity. Repentance and forgiveness of sins were now possible for all who believed. Luke 24:1-7 — The empty tomb Caves in the hills around Jerusalem were often used for tombs, since … [Read more...]

UNIFORM LESSON FOR March 25, 2018 Scripture passage and lesson focus: 2 Chronicles 7:12-22 In some parts of the United States an acrimonious debate rages about the significance and value of statues that memorialize Civil War heroes. In a similar way, controversy exists regarding the proper respect that should be shown to such cultural monuments as the U.S. flag and the national anthem. For many people, these symbols belong to a heritage from a culture that no longer exists or they stand for a political ideal (“the land of the free and the home of the brave”) that is questioned by some. What happens when cultures go through identity-changing developments? That is the underlying issue the Chronicler deals with in our passage for today. The Israelites, returnees from exile in Persia, were now living in a small client state of the Persian Empire. No longer an independent nation and struggling to rebuild their temple in Jerusalem, they were faced with the challenge of redefining … [Read more...]

UNIFORM LESSON FOR March 18, 2018 Scripture passage and lesson focus: 2 Chronicles 7:1-9 Rewriting the history of Israel approximately 300 years after the original historical accounts found in the books of Samuel and Kings had been compiled was the difficult task the Chronicler undertook during the fourth century B.C. Using a variety of sources, the Chronicler’s purpose was to create a common identity for Jews who had returned from exile and others who had remained in Judea. The task of writing history is never objective. It always reflects the perspective and assumptions of the history writer. As we noted last week, the Chronicler selectively rewrote the history of Israel. Beginning with creation and continuing with the reigns of David and Solomon, the story of Israel is a tale of the highs and lows of the covenant people. The persistent theme is that God is the shaper and director of history. The Chronicler links Israel’s history with the faithfulness of the king. Faithful … [Read more...]