The Daily Bible Readings
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
Psalm 148; Proverbs 8:32-36; John 21:19b-24
with commentaries from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
Psalm 148; Proverbs 8:32-36; John 21:19b-24
with commentaries from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible
Introduction & Summary
Our psalm calls upon all creation to praise the Lord in today’s lectionary readings. It is easy to see that praise is the theme. The command to praise the Lord is repeated nine times in the first five verses and twelve times in the entire psalm.
In our reading in Proverbs, wisdom urges human beings to listen to her and promises blessings to those who respond positively. She promises life to those who listen to her and favor from the Lord. However, those who fail to find wisdom—those who ignore God’s teaching—inflict injury on themselves and love death. They will ultimately be separated from God.
Christ’s prediction of Peter’s death leads Peter to a natural question in our gospel reading. John, who only refers to himself indirectly, is nearby. Peter naturally wonders what will happen to him. Jesus’ response is not harsh, but it is blunt. What happens to John is irrelevant to Peter’s faith; Peter simply needs to follow Christ, regardless of God’s will for other people. Unfortunately, some believers misinterpret Jesus’ remarks. Though He refuses to make a prediction about John, some assume this means John will live forever—or at least until Jesus returns. John makes a point of repeating Jesus’ exact words to show this was not the case.
In our verse of the day, David called upon his soul to praise the Lord. It was as if David looked at his soul and understood that it was not praising God enough. He called upon his soul to do more.
In our reading in Proverbs, wisdom urges human beings to listen to her and promises blessings to those who respond positively. She promises life to those who listen to her and favor from the Lord. However, those who fail to find wisdom—those who ignore God’s teaching—inflict injury on themselves and love death. They will ultimately be separated from God.
Christ’s prediction of Peter’s death leads Peter to a natural question in our gospel reading. John, who only refers to himself indirectly, is nearby. Peter naturally wonders what will happen to him. Jesus’ response is not harsh, but it is blunt. What happens to John is irrelevant to Peter’s faith; Peter simply needs to follow Christ, regardless of God’s will for other people. Unfortunately, some believers misinterpret Jesus’ remarks. Though He refuses to make a prediction about John, some assume this means John will live forever—or at least until Jesus returns. John makes a point of repeating Jesus’ exact words to show this was not the case.
In our verse of the day, David called upon his soul to praise the Lord. It was as if David looked at his soul and understood that it was not praising God enough. He called upon his soul to do more.
Today’s Verse of the Day:
Psalm 103:1-2
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.God wants every part of us—body, soul, and spirit—to grow close to Him and to enter into a joyful relationship with Him. He seeks worshipers who will gladly give everything they are to Him.
Today’s Lectionary Readings:
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 148
Laudate Dominum
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 148
Laudate Dominum
Leader: Hallelujah! Praise the LORD from the heavens;
People: praise him in the heights.
Leader: Praise him, all you angels of his;
People: praise him, all his host.
Leader: Praise him, sun and moon;
People: praise him, all you shining stars.
Leader: Praise him, heaven of heavens,
People: and you waters above the heavens.
Leader: Let them praise the Name of the LORD;
People: for he commanded, and they were created.
Leader: He made them stand fast for ever and ever;
People: he gave them a law which shall not pass away.
Leader: Praise the LORD from the earth,
People: you sea-monsters and all deeps;
Leader: Fire and hail, snow and fog,
People: tempestuous wind, doing his will;
Leader: Mountains and all hills,
People: fruit trees and all cedars;
Leader: Wild beasts and all cattle,
People: creeping things and winged birds;
Leader: Kings of the earth and all peoples,
People: princes and all rulers of the world;
Leader: Young men and maidens,
People: old and young together.
Leader: Let them praise the Name of the LORD,
People: for his Name only is exalted, his splendor is over earth and heaven.
Leader: He has raised up strength for his people and praise for all his loyal servants,
People: the children of Israel, a people who are near him. Hallelujah!
Lord God, we gather in Your presence to praise You with Your people, those who love You and earnestly desire to serve You every day. We confess that we have not always succeeded in our efforts to remain Your loyal and faithful servants. We have sometimes put our selfish desires first and have disregarded Your teachings. Today, we confess our sins, knowing that You will forgive us and restore our relationship with You through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray,
People: praise him in the heights.
Leader: Praise him, all you angels of his;
People: praise him, all his host.
Leader: Praise him, sun and moon;
People: praise him, all you shining stars.
Leader: Praise him, heaven of heavens,
People: and you waters above the heavens.
Leader: Let them praise the Name of the LORD;
People: for he commanded, and they were created.
Leader: He made them stand fast for ever and ever;
People: he gave them a law which shall not pass away.
Leader: Praise the LORD from the earth,
People: you sea-monsters and all deeps;
Leader: Fire and hail, snow and fog,
People: tempestuous wind, doing his will;
Leader: Mountains and all hills,
People: fruit trees and all cedars;
Leader: Wild beasts and all cattle,
People: creeping things and winged birds;
Leader: Kings of the earth and all peoples,
People: princes and all rulers of the world;
Leader: Young men and maidens,
People: old and young together.
Leader: Let them praise the Name of the LORD,
People: for his Name only is exalted, his splendor is over earth and heaven.
Leader: He has raised up strength for his people and praise for all his loyal servants,
People: the children of Israel, a people who are near him. Hallelujah!
Lord God, we gather in Your presence to praise You with Your people, those who love You and earnestly desire to serve You every day. We confess that we have not always succeeded in our efforts to remain Your loyal and faithful servants. We have sometimes put our selfish desires first and have disregarded Your teachings. Today, we confess our sins, knowing that You will forgive us and restore our relationship with You through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray,
“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”
From the Books of Wisdom
Proverbs 8:32-36
Happy the One Who Listens to Wisdom
32 “Now then, my children, listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.
35 For those who find me find life
and receive favor from the Lord.
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;
all who hate me love death.”
blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.
35 For those who find me find life
and receive favor from the Lord.
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;
all who hate me love death.”
Commentary
Surely we should hearken to Christ's voice with the readiness of children. Let us all be wise, and not refuse such mercy. Blessed are those who hear the Savior's voice, and wait on him with daily reading, meditation, and prayer. The children of the world find time for vain amusements, without neglecting what they deem the one thing needful. Does it not show contempt of Wisdom's instructions, when people professing godliness, seek excuses for neglecting the means of grace? Christ is Wisdom, and he is Life to all believers; nor can we obtain God's favor, unless we find Christ, and are found in him. Those who offend Christ deceive themselves; sin is a wrong to the soul. Sinners die because they will die, which justifies God when he judges.
From the Gospels
John 21:19b-24
John’s Testimony
21:19b Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”
24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.
20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”
24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.
Commentary
Sufferings, pains, and death, will appear formidable even to the experienced Christian; but in the hope to glorify God, to leave a sinful world, and to be present with his Lord, he becomes ready to obey the Redeemer's call, and to follow Him through death to glory. It is the will of Christ that his disciples should mind their own duty, and not be curious about future events, either as to themselves or others. Many things we are apt to be anxious about, which are nothing to us. Other people's affairs are nothing to us, to intermeddle in; we must quietly work, and mind our own business. Many curious questions are put about the counsels of God, and the state of the unseen world, as to which we may say, What is this to us? And if we attend to the duty of following Christ, we shall find neither heart nor time to meddle with that which does not belong to us. How little are any unwritten traditions to be relied upon! Let the Scripture be its own interpreter, and explain itself; as it is, in a great measure, its own evidence, and proves itself, for it is light. See the easy setting right such mistakes by the word of Christ. Scripture language is the safest channel for Scripture truth; the words which the Holy Ghost teaches, 1 Corinthians 2:13. Those who cannot agree in the same terms of art, and the application of them, may yet agree in the same Scripture terms, and to love one another.
The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2023, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2022 was Year A. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org. The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Commentaries from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible.
The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2023, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2022 was Year A. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org. The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Commentaries from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible.
The Daily Bible Readings for Tuesday, December 27, 2022
Psalm 148; Proverbs 8:22-31; 1 John 5:1-12
Psalm 148; Proverbs 8:22-31; 1 John 5:1-12
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