EPIPHANY IV – SUNDAY LESSON: MATTHEW 8:23-27 Why are you afraid, O men of little faith? Matthew 8:26 In what does the unbelief of the disciples consist? It sees no more than it feels! Life and safety are no longer in their feelings – there is nothing here but the waves crashing over the ship, and…

EPIPHANY III – SATURDAY LESSON: 1 THESSALONIANS 2:13-16 When Jesus heard him, he marveled, and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” Matthew 8:10 The words of Jesus to the centurion have caused no end of trouble to the commentators. They have raised…

EPIPHANY III – FRIDAY LESSON: MATTHEW 6:5-15 Lord, if you will, you can make me clean. Matthew 8:2 This modest prayer of the leper must not be understood as an expression of doubt in Christ’s goodness and grace. For such a faith would be quite worthless, even if he did believe that Christ was almighty and…

EPIPHANY III – THURSDAY LESSON: COLOSSIANS 3:12-17 Only say the word, and my servant will be healed. Matthew 8:8 We learn from the example of the centurion at Capernaum that we must begin with the Gospel and put our whole faith and trust in it without looking to any merits or works. The centurion makes no appeal…

EPIPHANY III – WEDNESDAY LESSON: 1 JOHN 3:11-18 No man has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. 1 John 4:12 I have often remarked how faith makes us free lords and love makes us slaves. Through faith we become gods and partakers…

EPIPHANY III – TUESDAY LESSON: GALATIANS 2:11-16 We hold that a man is justified by faith apart from works of law. Romans 3:28 You see how the example of the leper (Matthew 8:1-4) supports faith against works. For, just as Christ helped this leper out of pure grace through faith without any works or merits on…

EPIPHANY III – MONDAY LESSON: GALATIANS 1:6-9 Continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel which you heard. Colossians 1:23 The Gospel is the beginning, middle, and end of all that is good, and our one source of salvation. We have stated repeatedly that first of all one must…

EPIPHANY III – SUNDAY LESSON: MATTHEW 8:1-13 A leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” Matthew 8:2 See how the faith of the leper manifests itself. He is under no delusions at all. All that he desires and hopes to obtain is the pure goodness…

EPIPHANY II – SATURDAY LESSON: MARK 8:31-35 Jesus said to her, “O woman, what have you to do with me?” John 2:4 We should note here that Jesus adopts a harsh attitude to His mother not only to give us an example of faith, but also to remind us that in the affairs of God and…

EPIPHANY II – FRIDAY LESSON: ROMANS 8:31-39 We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him. Romans 8:28 The most important lesson in this Gospel (John 2:1-11), and what we should especially note here, is that we should accord God the honor of being good and gracious, even though He…