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Introduction:

This is the next installment in our journey through chapters of Fr. Thomas Hopko’s podcast, The Names of Jesus. In this session, we will explore the title “Jesus the Sun of Righteousness,” which comes from Malachi 3:20 in the Orthodox Study Bible. This verse prophecies that the “Sun of Righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings.”

This image portrays Jesus as the one who brings light, justice, and healing into a world darkened by sin. It emphasizes how Jesus is the source of spiritual illumination and righteousness for all believers.

This title aligns with the Orthodox understanding of Christ as the Light of the World (John 8:12), illuminating our hearts and minds, guiding us to live in truth and holiness. We invite you to listen to the podcast episode here, reflect on the scriptures, and engage in the following discussion with your chapter.

Questions for Discussion:

  1. What is the significance of the metaphor “Sun of Righteousness” in Malachi 3:20 from Orthodox Study Bible? How does this Old Testament prophecy foreshadow the coming of Christ? How does the image of the sun relate to Jesus’s role as both judge and healer?
  2. How does Thomas explains the connection between light and righteousness in Scripture? In what ways does Jesus, as the Sun of Righteousness, bring spiritual illumination? Discuss how this title is related to other biblical imagery of light, such as in John 1:9 and John 8:12.
  3. How does Jesus’s righteousness contrast with the world’s understanding of righteousness? Reflect on how Jesus’s life exemplifies divine justice and mercy, and how this differs from human ideas of What does it mean for us to live in the light of His righteousness?
  4. What role does Jesus’s healing have in understanding Him as the Sun of Righteousness? Why is it significant that Malachi 3:20 mentions healing “in its wings”? How does Jesus bring spiritual, emotional, and physical healing into the lives of those who follow Him?

Bonus Activity:

Have everyone in your chapter bring their Orthodox Study Bibles and search for passages that mention light and righteousness, focusing on the New Testament. Each person can share one passage and explain how it reflects Jesus’s role as the source of righteousness. Afterward, discuss how living in the light of Christ impacts our daily lives and relationships with others.

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