Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Jesus is Revealed by His Tireless Compulsion to Preach the Gospel
These are the readings for the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany.
God’s Word for This Week
In all three lessons we read today, people are hurting. Jesus reveals himself as God by healing the people of Capernaum. Why doesn’t he take all hurts and troubles away from us now? We do not know, but his Word promises that he has power over sickness and the devil, and his Word gives many examples of God using evil for our good. Jesus himself did not stay in Capernaum to be their miracle man. He traveled throughout Galilee. First he prayed—perhaps that his popularity would not go to his head and keep him from going to the cross for us.
First Lesson – Job 7:1–7
How was Job feeling about his life?
Job was frustrated with his lot in life. Tired and depressed, Job figured that he would never be happy again. Job had lost his desire to proclaim good news about his Savior God.
Why did Job feel the way he did?
Job had lost his fortune, his children, and his reputation. Then he lost his health, too. His friends figured that he had done something terrible to deserve such treatment from God. Job resented them and their accusations. God seemed distant and unfair. Job’s suffering led him to discouragement and despair.
Job had not lost his faith in God. How can you tell?
Though frustrated, tired, and depressed due to all the calamity touching his life, Job still addressed God in prayer (verse 7).
Second Lesson – 1 Corinthians 9:16-23
How much was Paul being paid to preach?
Paul was preaching to the Corinthians free of charge, not using his right as a minister of the gospel to be paid for his work among them (cf. 1 Co 9:15). Normally this would bring disappointment, but Paul boasted of the situation. He was motivated to preach by the gospel, not by payment.
What does Paul mean: “I have become all things to all men”? (Verse 22)
Paul is referring to the servant attitude he had taken toward his listeners. Although as a Christian Paul had been given complete freedom in Christ in matters of conscience, he surrendered his Christian freedom in order “to please everybody in every way” (1 Co 10:33). He did this so that he might have an opportunity to preach the gospel.
What was Paul’s motivation to preach?
Paul was motivated by the freedom that Jesus gives through the gospel of forgiveness. He couldn’t help but proclaim that message of forgiveness to others. He had a tireless compulsion to preach the gospel.
Supplemental Second Lesson – Romans 8:28–30
Earlier Paul has said that we know that the whole world is groaning as in pains of
childbirth. What else do we know?
We also know that all things work together for good to those who love God, whom God has called to faith.
God’s purpose is not necessarily to make us happy now. What is his eternal purpose?
God’s purpose now and forever is to conform us to the likeness of his Son. This is why he chose us to be believers before he made the world. (What grace!)
What unbroken chain does Paul want us to picture?
The unbroken chain of God’s grace is that those God predestined in eternity to be his children, he also called to faith in Jesus here in time. Those he called he also declared innocent in his courtroom for Jesus’ sake, and those he justified, he also glorified. We are not on the new earth yet, shining like the sun, but because of God’s grace it is as good as done. (What amazing grace!)
Gospel – Mark 1:29–39
How did Jesus feel after a long day of ministry?
Jesus was worn out and looking for solitude. People were demanding an audience with him. Sadly, it seems that they were more interested in earthly blessings (miracles of physical healing) rather than the heavenly blessings that Jesus had to offer: the forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
How did Jesus respond to the demands of the people?
Jesus left and went to other villages, realizing that his primary mission from the Father was to preach the gospel and bring eternal healing to souls. He had a tireless compulsion to preach the gospel.
