UNIFORM LESSON FOR June 23, 2019 Scripture passage and lesson focus: Colossians 2:1-15 Whatever we say about the cross in relation to the covenant, we must recognize that the cross is finally more about life than death! Some theories of the atonement seem to teach that the covenant is fulfilled in Jesus’ death in a way that requires no resurrection. However, the covenant of baptism is both a burial and a raising: “In [the water of baptism] we are buried with Christ in his death; from it we are raised to share in his resurrection,” says the Book of Common Worship. We began this study by talking about God’s covenant as a living covenant. Paul, writing to the church in Colossae, now makes that point clear. Colossians 2:1-6 — The struggle of faith Death is not solely something we face at the end of life. We can die to the faith while we are still alive. The writer of Colossians knows something about this struggle (2:1). You don’t talk about being encouraged (2:2), unless someone … [Read more...]

UNIFORM LESSON FOR June 16, 2019 Scripture passage and lesson focus: Hebrews 9:11-22 Hebrews can be read as an argument for “one-up-man-(or woman!)-ship.” Better to read Hebrews as an example of God’s ever-broadening graciousness with regard to God’s loving sacrifices toward us and our loving sacrifices toward one another. Hebrews 9:11-14 — Jesus as high priest The Day of Atonement was a high and holy day in the Jewish festival calendar. This was the only day of the year when a priest went inside the curtain to offer fire and smoke before the altar of the Lord (Leviticus 16:12). This was an awesome and dangerous task, which required careful preparation (“He shall put on the holy linen tunic, and shall have the linen undergarments next to his body, fasten the linen sash, and wear the linen turban,” Leviticus 16:4), a series of sacrifices (“Aaron shall present the bull as a sin offering for himself, and shall make atonement for himself and for his house,” Leviticus 16:11) and a … [Read more...]

UNIFORM LESSON FOR June 9, 2019 Scripture passage and lesson focus: Mark 15:6-15, 25, 26, 33-39 The fact that this is a living covenant – initiated by God and faultless from the perspective of God’s participation – becomes painfully clear in this week’s lesson. Jesus Christ, as God incarnate, keeps covenant with us “to the point of death – even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). There is no such thing as cheap grace. Nor is there any cheap way to make a covenant fulfilled. Mark 15:6-15 —We crucified thee Last week we made the point that if the covenant between God and humanity is faulty, the fault lies with us. This week’s lesson drives home that indictment in a horrendous fashion. At the heart of this passage’s dramatic tension is Pilate’s attempt to avoid Jesus’ crucifixion. There was a custom, apparently, of releasing a prisoner during the festival of the Passover. Pilate had in custody a man named Barabbas who was guilty of murder during a recent insurrection. Surely … [Read more...]

UNIFORM LESSON FOR June 2, 2019 Scripture passage and lesson focus: Mark 14:17-25; Hebrews 8:6, 7, 10-12 This summer we will explore the theme of “living in covenant.” It would be a good idea to spend some time thinking about the concept of covenant, and how it is fulfilled by God and lived into by us. This takes me all the way back to the “Covenant Life Curriculum,” a denominational study series that formed my understanding of God and God’s community, the church. We are God’s covenant people. A living relationship One of the first things we must say about covenant is that it points toward a living relationship. While a contract can simply be transactional, guiding the transfer of property or services between two persons or communities, a covenant in the Bible is a promise of loyalty, love and commitment between two living persons or communities. Some of us may have made blood covenants with close friends growing up (see 1 Samuel 20:16). Many of us have established marital … [Read more...]