The lectionary epistle reading for Christmas 2 in Year A is Ephesians 1.3–14 (though it is worth starting reading from verse 1). Although broken up in English translations, this forms one long sentence in Greek—of 202 words! It is likely the longest Greek sentence in the New Testament.
In what is effectively an extended cascade of praise, Paul outlines what God has done for us in Jesus. We need to understand what Paul is saying—but hold the different ideas together as he does, and understand them not as intellectual ideas, but as things that draw us into the praise of God.
The gospel reading is from John 1, either the first 18 verses, or verses 10 to 18. The written commentary is here.
And the video discussion is here.
For preaching on Epiphany, written commentary is here.
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This passage reminds me of a poem; “Not Merely In The Words”
by an anonymous author;
a poignant part of the poem states –
For me ’twas not the truth you taught,
to you so clear, to me so dim,
But when you came to me you brought
a sense of Him.
And from your eyes He beckons me,
And from your heart his love is shed,
Till I lose sight of you, and see
the Christ instead.
While not an exact match for the common published versions of this stanza, strongly echo its sentiment of a speaker who cannot fully understand or receive another’s truth until they have shared a profound, personal experience.
A later line of this poem states –
“How can I tell it and how would you receive it
not till he has brought you where I have been”
This phrase suggests that true understanding is only possible
through shared experience and perspective,
a theme common in reflective poetry.
Paul rightly says “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift”
2 Cor 9:15
Sometimes it can only be felt not tell’t. Shalom.
This is above the horizontal level.
It is a glorious, gushing reality. Gushing upwards! A
Though starting at v 3 -6, it is described as ‘a sentence began in eternity’. (Ferguson).
More could be said, and has been on faith union with Jesus.
Does not John 17 have something of a centrality in that regard?
Does God really look at believers in the same way he looks at the Son? Is there not evidence that he continues to punish believers for sinful behaviour?
Yes. It’s the Gospel, As righteous as Jesus! Divine exchange.
It is union with Christ, in his death and in his resurrection.
Flabbergasting isn’t it?
Corrects, yes.
Do we learn? Recognize his absence, rather than presence?
Suffering, yes. We continue to live in a fallen world, a world antagonistic to Jesus. Hence, putting on the armour, which is Christ himself and all he is, brings and gives.
Jesus is the Gospel. He, himself is God’s offer. An indwelling, a two-way union.
He is yours, if you will have him.
There are no blessings outside of Him, detached from Him.
Father, Son, Spirit in One.
Hi Peter @ December 31, 2025 at 1:30 am
” Is there not evidence that he continues to punish believers for sinful behaviour?
For His”sons” God is a faithful Father who “chastens” not punish His children so that they are not condemned with the world,if he does not chasten us” then we are bastards”, if you have never been chastened by God I would begin to be very anxious and fearful. Shalom.
Hi Ian. Great video. I was wondering if you had a ‘written’ version of Paul’s cascade of praise in Eph 1
Thanks John. No, I am not at the moment writing these up—but you can read the transcript on YouTube if that would help.
best