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The Bible Study – Our readings for Thursday, Jan. 25 are Zechariah 1:1-21 & Romans 14:1-23. Today we begin the Book of Zechariah. The prophet, whose name means, “Yahweh has remembered,” provides numerous references to the Messiah in his writings. When describing Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, both John (12:15) and Matthew (21:5) cite Zechariah’s words: “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (9:9). Like Ezekiel and Jeremiah, Zechariah was both a prophet and a priest. Born in Babylonia, he travelled to Judah with those returning from exile in 538 B.C. He helped to restore the temple and proper worship in Jerusalem. Zechariah is a messianic prophet of comfort. In his sixth chapter, the prophet foretells of the coming of Christ and the spiritual temple to be built in the world. Zechariah also prophesizes Jesus’ betrayal for 30 pieces of silver (11:12-13); His crucifixion (13:7); Christ’s priesthood and kingship (6:13); His reign (9:10); and coming glory (14:4). In our passage today, the Lord instructs the prophet to tell the returning exiles that if they return to God, He will return to them. Today when people accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ, through faith worked in them by the Holy Spirit, God welcomes them back with loving arms and the promise of eternal life in Heaven. In Romans, Chapter 14, Paul explains that Christians strong in the faith understand the Gospel of Christ allows them to eat whatever they choose. Their menu doesn’t have spiritual significance, as the Old Testament food restrictions no longer apply. The Apostle advises that if Christians weaker in the faith feel a need to follow Old Testament dietary laws, they should be allowed to, and not judged. Our salvation depends on Christ alone. Today some Christians dispute adiaphora, matters which Holy Scripture neither command, nor forbids. Proper Biblical theology must be taught and defended, God’s Word and the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper and not to be compromised. Yet we can remember Paul’s counsel to love fellow believers. That love however manifests itself by giving them the truth of God’s Law as well as the Gospel. We need to build one another up while keeping our eyes on Christ and the proper understanding of His life-giving Word and Sacraments. Pastor Tom Steers Christ the Saviour Lutheran Church, Toronto http://christlutherantoronto.org/beliefs