Lessons for January 21, 2007 – Third Sunday after Epiphany The first lesson Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 all the people assembled together as one person at the square just inside the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had given for Israel to obey. [2] So on October 8 Ezra the priest brought the scroll of the law before the assembly, which included the men and women and all the children old enough to understand. [3] He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand. All the people paid close attention to the Book of the Law. Ezra stood on the platform in full view of all the people. When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet. [6] Then Ezra praised the Lord, the great God, and all the people chanted, "Amen! Amen!" as they lifted their hands toward heaven. Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage. [9] Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, "Don't weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lord your God." All the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the law. [10] And Nehemiah continued, "Go and celebrate with a feast of choice foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!" (NLT) Psalm 19 L. The heavens tell of the glory of God. The skies display his marvelous craftsmanship. C. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. L. They speak without a sound or a word; their voice is silent in the skies; C. yet their message has gone out to all the earth, and their words to all the world. L. The sun lives in the heavens where God placed it. C. It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. L. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race. C. The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end. L. Nothing can hide from its heat. C. The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. L. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. C. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. L. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight to life. C. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. L. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. C. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. L. They are a warning to those who hear them; there is great reward for those who obey them. C. How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. L. Keep me from deliberate sins! Don't let them control me. C. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. L. May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, C. O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (NLT) The second lesson 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up only one body. So it is with the body of Christ. [13] Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into Christ's body by one Spirit, and we have all received the same Spirit. [14] Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. [15] If the foot says, "I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand," that does not make it any less a part of the body. [16] And if the ear says, "I am not part of the body because I am only an ear and not an eye," would that make it any less a part of the body? [17] Suppose the whole body were an eye—then how would you hear? Or if your whole body were just one big ear, how could you smell anything? [18] But God made our bodies with many parts, and he has put each part just where he wants it. [19] What a strange thing a body would be if it had only one part! [20] Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. [21] The eye can never say to the hand, "I don't need you." The head can't say to the feet, "I don't need you." [22] In fact, some of the parts that seem weakest and least important are really the most necessary. [23] And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect from the eyes of others those parts that should not be seen, [24] while other parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together in such a way that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. [25] This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other equally. [26] If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. [27] Now all of you together are Christ's body, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it. [28] Here is a list of some of the members that God has placed in the body of Christ: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who can get others to work together, those who speak in unknown languages. [29] Is everyone an apostle? Of course not. Is everyone a prophet? No. Are all teachers? Does everyone have the power to do miracles? [30] Does everyone have the gift of healing? Of course not. Does God give all of us the ability to speak in unknown languages? Can everyone interpret unknown languages? No! [31] And in any event, you should desire the most helpful gifts. (NLT) The Gospel Lesson Luke 4:14-21 Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit's power. Soon he became well known throughout the surrounding country. [15] He taught in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. [16] When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. [17] The scroll containing the messages of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him, and he unrolled the scroll to the place where it says: [18] "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the downtrodden will be freed from their oppressors, [19] and that the time of the Lord's favor has come." [20] He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. Everyone in the synagogue stared at him intently. [21] Then he said, "This Scripture has come true today before your very eyes!" (NLT)