Lectionary Readings for 2 July 2023 – Fifth Sunday After Pentecost

By John Lee

Jeremiah 28:5-9; Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18; Romans 6:12-23; Matthew 10:40-42

You may have your favorite Bible Study guide (Our Daily Bread, Navigators series, etc.). If you are a worshipper in JCC, you would regularly notice the Bible Reading list in our Sunday bulletin. These weekly selections of scriptural readings (or lectionary readings) can serve as your regular reference for Bible Study too. One may discern a common theme that runs through each week’s selection of OT & NT passages, and it is aligned with the church season.

As illustration, here I share my lectionary readings for 2 July 2023. The passages Jeremiah 28:5-9, Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18, Romans 6:12-23 and Matthew 10:40-42 all bear the theme of faithfulness. (Note: You may perceive a different theme as God speaks to you personally.)

Jeremiah 28: Trusting in God’s faithfulness

In Jeremiah 28, Hananiah and Jeremiah were both prophesying about the future of Judah. Hananiah prophesied that God would soon overthrow Babylon and restore Judah to its former glory. Jeremiah, on the other hand, prophesied that Judah would remain in exile for many years.

• Jeremiah’s prophecy was based on his trust in God’s faithfulness, even amid difficult circumstances.

• Hananiah’s prophecy, on the other hand, was based on his hope for a quick and easy solution to Judah’s problems.

In the end, Jeremiah’s prophecy was the one that came true. However, God was faithful to His people throughout this time. He provided for them in their exile, and He eventually brought them back to their homeland.

Lesson: We can trust in God’s faithfulness, even when things are difficult. God may not always give us the easy answers that we want, but He will always be with us and He will never abandon us.

Psalm 89: Struggles of faith

Psalm 89 is a song of praise to God, who is described as a faithful and trustworthy God. The psalmist sings of God’s covenant with David, and how God has always been faithful to his promises. The psalmist also prays that God will continue to be faithful to his people, even when they are unfaithful to him.

The psalmist is facing a dilemma in trying to reconcile his faith in God’s promises with the reality of the current situation in which the nation is suffering. He is struggling to understand why God has allowed this dilemma.

This psalm offers a glimpse into the struggles of faith that God’s people often face. It is a reminder that even the most faithful people can sometimes question God’s promises.

David’s faith in God was ultimately vindicated. This is supported by the fact that God’s promises to David and his descendants were ultimately fulfilled, as Solomon became king and the Davidic line continued.

Romans 6: Faithfulness in our Christian Life

Romans 6:12-23 reminds us that we have been freed from sin. We are no longer slaves to sin, but we are now slaves of God. This means that we are free to choose to do what is right, even when it is difficult.

However, Paul also warns us that we should not use our freedom to sin. Just because we are free from sin does not mean that we can do whatever we want. Instead, we should use our freedom to choose to obey God.

When we obey God, we will be rewarded with eternal life.

Matthew 10: Importance of Faithfulness

Matthew 10:40-42 teaches us that faithfulness to Jesus is not just about following his commands or believing in his teachings. It is also about showing hospitality to those who are following him, and about serving others in need. When we are faithful to Jesus in these ways, we are showing our love for him and for the Father.

The passage also teaches us that faithfulness is rewarded. Jesus says that those who serve Him will be honored by the Father. This means that they will be rewarded in the future, both in this life and in the life to come.

Conclusion

All these passages teach us about faithfulness in different ways. When we are faithful to God, we are trusting in his promises and living in obedience to his commands. This does not mean that we will never face challenges or difficulties, but it does mean that we can have hope in God’s faithfulness, even when things are tough.