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The Bible Study – Our readings for Friday, Feb. 2 are Zechariah 12:1 – 13:9 & Titus 1:1 – 2:6. The passages between Zechariah, Chapter 12, and the Book’s conclusion constitute what is known as the ‘second oracle.’ This section focusses on two themes: the final siege of Jerusalem, and the return of the Messiah to defeat the enemies of God’s people. The Lord will then re-establish a covenant relationship with His faithful. Our protection, comfort, and salvation are in the One “who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth and formed the spirit of man within him . . . .” (12:1) God has poured out a spirit of grace upon His people that will cause them to mourn and plead for mercy when we look on “Him whom they have pierced,” Christ, our Saviour, who died on the cross for our sins, and by whose wounds we are healed. The Good News is Jesus made complete payment for the sins of the world at Calvary, and offers Christian believers salvation and eternal life. Zechariah ends our reading with a warning to beware of false prophets and worship. We may not have idol figures in our homes, but in this secular society money, power, pagan religions, and the occult have become the idolatry of our times. Today we begin the Book of Titus. Paul left Titus in charge of the Church on the island of Crete. Titus was a considerable help to the Apostle in his missionary work. Paul begins this letter by describing the qualifications for Church elders, and urging Titus to teach sound doctrine. This letter was written by Paul after release from his first Roman imprisonment. In this Epistle we see important summaries of Christian doctrine, such as in Chapter 3:4-7 that emphasize salvation by God’s grace, through faith, in Christ alone as Saviour. Pastor Tom Steers Christ the Saviour Lutheran Church, Toronto http://christlutherantoronto.org/sermons/bible-verses-showing-justification-by-faith-alone