COMMENTARY

Old Testament: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Isaiah 61:1-13 is the text for Jesus' inaugural sermon at Nazareth (Luke 4). It gave the forecast of his ministry. This passage comes from an unknown author of the sixth century B.C. when the Babylonian exiles returned to Judea and found their country in ruins. It constituted a message of good news of liberation and comfort. Verses 10-11 comprise Israel's happy response to the glad tidings of liberation and salvation. The people rejoice in Yahweh for his salvation and righteousness.

Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 5:(12-15) 16-28
Last Sunday's second lesson came from the latest book in the New Testament. Today it is taken from the earliest of Paul's letters. The letter is concerned with two questions raised by the people in Thessalonica: What will …