In today’s reading from Isaiah 26:1-6. It is important to recall that in yesterday’s selection the prophet began with the image of a banquet: “On this mountain, the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines.” (Is 25:6). Isaiah chapters 24 and 25 focus on the Lord’s victory and the feast which follows. The following chapters (26 and 27) reflect in a somewhat more solemn vein upon the meaning of this victory for Judah.
Continue reading“He went throughout (the) whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Luke 3:3)
The basic meaning of the verb baptizo is “to wash,” which is how it is translated in Luke 11:38 (re: ritual washing before meals). The word often also carries, in context, ritual or purifying aspects to the washing. This image is used by Luke in Acts 22:16: “Get up, and have yourself baptized (baptisai) and your sins washed away (apolouo), calling on his name.” When one surveys the reports in the Gospels concerning John’s baptism (Mark 1:2–6), the origin and significance of which was debated (Matt 21:25; Mark 11:30; Luke 20:4), one notices: Continue reading
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