Epiphany light spreads out as the light of Jesus ignited in Bethlehem now lifts high before the whole earth. With the Baptism of Jesus, active ministry begins. Soon he returns to the synagogue in Nazareth. This Sabbath reading was handed to him, coming as readings of comfort and hope toward the end of the Jewish year in late summer.

The momentum of Epiphany builds; move with it. Are there personal aspects of your life or the lives of those close to you that could be described as in ruins?

Promises abound in this chapter. The Holy Spirit takes the inspired words of millennia meant for millions and tailors them just for you. When you hear the second personal pronouns from verse 10, are they not meant as though for you alone?

Isaiah 61

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Garland instead of ashes v. 3

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the seasons of Advent through Epiphany this year we read Isaiah 56 to 66..

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.

The early church found three Epiphanies of the Lord, contemplated this year on the first three Sundays of the New Year: The Magi, last week; The Baptism of the Lord, today; The Marriage Feast at Cana, next week.

In his baptism, Jesus begins the public ministry, taking on our sinful condition that needs to be washed clean. He descends into water as a sign of his death, rising and looking heavenward, in an anticipation of the resurrection.

Jesus takes us beyond water into the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire. As you pray this passage, surrender to the power of the Spirit to have you descend into the waters of your chaos, which threaten to drown you, and watch the waters become sacrament of resurrection for you. Look how God turns death-bound attacks against you into steppingstones toward life.

Luke 3:15–17; 21–22
Example: Baptized with Spirit and fire v. 16

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Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
In year C, we generally read from the Gospel of Luke.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.

The death of one’s first child—is there any pain greater for a parent? This plague brought Pharaoh to let God’s people go.

Rejoice in the reading, the paradigm of all freedom, the Exodus. Read about the importance of continuing its remembrance in the regulations given for the Passover. The use of unleavened bread—a tradition in Holy Communion—recalls that there was no time for the bread to rise. When the Lord says, “GO”, we must be ready.

God moved at night. Think of this as you drop off to sleep and end each day. “He who keeps you will not slumber” (Ps 121: 3). An observant male Jews ties leather cases on his head and left hand, which contain passages from the Torah. What can you do to never forget the obvious—that the blood of Jesus has set you free?

Exodus 12:29—13:16

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Example: Going where You’d have me go 12:41

The Saturday passages follow the reading list that Jewish people use in their synagogue worship
throughout the world. They are taken from
“The Torah,” the first five books of the Bible from Genesis to Deuteronomy
that are read each year beginning with autumn.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information