Episcopal Church of the
Incarnation
The Last Sunday after the Epiphany (B)
2
Kings 2.1-12 Psalm 50.1-6 2 Corinthians 4.3-6
Mark 9.2-9
The Last Sunday after the Epiphany is also known as Quinquagesima. This name derives from the Latin word for “fifty”, since the day falls fifty days before Easter (using inclusive counting). It is the last Sunday before Ash Wednesday. The season of Epiphany can be longer or shorter, depending on the date of Easter, and so this year there is a jump from the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany to the Last Sunday. In other years up to eight numbered Sundays may fall after the Epiphany.
2
Kings 2.1-12
1) The story which introduces Elisha as the successor of Elijah has his loyalty tested and demonstrated three times.
2)
Elijah’s power recalls that of Moses. He makes the water of the
a) When Elisha asks for a “double share” of this power, he is following the specification made at Deut. 21.17 that the oldest son is to receive such a share.
i) The double share is thus not twice the spirit of Elijah, but twice as much as any share of prophetic power given to any other prophet.
3) Elijah is always associated with fire, as a manifestation of the Lord’s power. His departure is thus associated with fire.
a) Elisha must see this; he is to witness that Elijah is Israel’s guide and prophet.
i) At 13.14, the reference to fire will be repeated to Elisha at the end of his own life.
b) Elisha receives Elijah’s cloak or mantle (at v.13), as an extension of Elijah’s person and thus of his power.
Psalm
50.1-6
1) The complete psalm 50 is a part of a covenant renewal liturgy from the Temple, and may have close ties to the tradition of the prophets.
a) In the overall structure of the psalm, God raises charges against His vassal, Israel, for violating the covenant.
b) vv. 1-6 are a call to judgment.
2) God calls the earth (v. 1) and heavens (v. 4) as “witnesses” in His covenant lawsuit against Israel (cf. Jer. 2.9-13).
3) At His return, the Lord will come as Judge.
2
Corinthians 4.3-6
1) When Paul states, rhetorically, that even “If our gospel is veiled ...” he is harking back to those who have criticized his ministry.
a) This is a concession that his preaching may have been partly ineffective (possibly that he failed to make Jewish converts in Corinth, see 3.14-15).
2) “Those perishing” are unbelievers. As set forth at 1 Cor. 1.18 the fact of the acceptance or rejection of the Gospel divides humanity into two groups.
a) This is not a matter of predestination, but of individual free will. The status of one as a believer or unbeliever can change.
3) The “god of this world” (4.4) can be thought of as Belial (a local Corinthian evil spirit, see 6.15) as distinguished from Satan.
a) Belial can also be thought of as “sin” in general. See Rom. 3.9; 6.6-23.
4) Paul quotes from Genesis freely, “Let light shine ...” This identifies the Creator as the author of the Gospel, in direct contrast to the “god of this world”.
a) Light is contrasted with the effect of sin (which keeps believers from seeing the light).
Mark
9.2-9
1) In Mark the disciples are not present at Jesus’ baptism (Mark 1.9-11). Therefore, it is at the Transfiguration that they (a select group of them) first apprehend Jesus’ identity.
a) The voice from heaven uses the same language as found at Psalm 2.7, i.e., as found in a psalm redolent of Messianic references.
b) This is, in effect, God’s confirmation of Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ (Mark 8.29).
i) The description of Jesus matches that of the “Ancient of Days” at Daniel 7.9 (clothing of dazzling whiteness).
(1) The confirms Jesus’ confirmation that He is the Christ (the Son of Man) made (at 8.31) immediately after Peter has confessed that he is the Christ.
2) This account of the Transfiguration begins with the description that it happens after “six days”. This is intended as a direct parallel to Exodus 24.13-16, that the Lord reveals Himself to Moses after six days.
3) Jesus becomes a being of light; His nature becomes luminous, transparent to the disciples’ gaze.
a) In other words, His true visage is revealed in part.
b) The disciples see “face to face” rather than “through a glass, darkly”.
c) The cloud of God’s glory (shekinah) is as that which enveloped Moses.
4) Moses and Elijah are speaking with Jesus. In other words, the Law and the Prophets testify to Him.