The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Saturday, September 30, 2023

 

The Daily Lectionary with Commentary
Saturday, September 30, 2023
Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16; Numbers 27:12-14; Mark 11:27-33
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16
Recounting God’s power

Psalm 78 serves as both a historical recounting and a spiritual reminder for the people of God. It opens with an earnest call to listen to the teachings that recount the glorious deeds of the Lord, aiming to keep the memory of God's works alive from one generation to the next. The psalmist exhorts the importance of oral tradition—of telling stories that describe God's power, miracles, and praiseworthy deeds.

In verses 12-16, the Psalm delves into the wonders God performed during the time of the Exodus. From dividing the Red Sea to providing water in the wilderness, the Psalm emphasizes God's divine interventions that were not only miraculous but also life-sustaining. These past acts serve as perpetual reminders of God's power and care for His people.

In today's context, this Psalm calls us not just to remember but also to proclaim the goodness of God to the next generation. In an age where stories can be instantly shared across the globe, the mandate to tell of God's goodness is as relevant as ever.

Hear my teaching, O my people; *
  incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

I will open my mouth in a parable; *
  I will declare the mysteries of ancient times.

That which we have heard and known,
    and what our forefathers have told us, *
  we will not hide from their children.

We will recount to generations to come
    the praiseworthy deeds and the power of the LORD, *
  and the wonderful works he has done.

He worked marvels in the sight of their forefathers, *
  in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.

He split open the sea and let them pass through; *
  he made the waters stand up like walls.

He led them with a cloud by day, *
  and all the night through with a glow of fire.

He split the hard rocks in the wilderness *
  and gave them drink as from the great deep.

He brought streams out of the cliff, *
  and the waters gushed out like rivers.

Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today in humility, longing to hear Your teachings and to embrace the wisdom You generously provide. Open our ears, O Lord, that we might listen attentively to the words of Your mouth, and open our hearts that Your teachings might find fertile ground within us.

Lord, You have revealed hidden things from of old, ancient truths handed down through generations. You have shown us Your mighty acts, Your wondrous deeds, and Your limitless power. Just as You led the Israelites out of Egypt and through the Red Sea, we pray that You lead us through the challenges and trials we face today. May we see Your miracles unfold in our lives, your guidance and providence every step of the way.

Father, we commit to not hiding Your praiseworthy deeds from the next generation. With intentionality, we will share Your love, power, and miracles, ensuring that our children and their children understand the depth of Your goodness. We recognize the importance of passing down a spiritual legacy that exclaims Your wonders, just as our ancestors told us of Your works.

As You split the rocks in the wilderness to provide water, we trust that You will meet our needs, both physical and spiritual. When we find ourselves in barren places, dry and weary, we look to You to make streams flow from rocky crags, knowing that Your provision is abundant and Your love unfailing.

Thank you, Father, for Your constant guidance, miraculous deeds, and steadfast love. Continue to lead us, as You did with a cloud by day and fire by night, that we may walk in Your ways, always moving closer to You.

Be with us today and every day in 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.”

Numbers 27:12-14
Moses’ punishment for Meribah

Numbers 27:12-14 is a poignant moment within the broader narrative of the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land. This passage specifically deals with Moses' impending death and the consequences of his earlier disobedience to God. It serves as a crucial juncture in the Israelite leadership, highlighting the significance of obedience and the gravity of leadership in God's plan.

12 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go up this mountain in the Abarim Range and see the land I have given the Israelites. 13 After you have seen it, you too will be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was, 14 for when the community rebelled at the waters in the Desert of Zin, both of you disobeyed my command to honor me as holy before their eyes.” (These were the waters of Meribah Kadesh, in the Desert of Zin.)

Commentary

A Final Glimpse at the Promised Land
In verse 12, God instructs Moses to ascend a mountain in the Abarim Range to see the Promised Land. This land was the culmination of Israel's hope, a land "flowing with milk and honey" that had been promised to Abraham and his descendants. While Moses would not enter it, God grants him the consolation of seeing it from a distance. The moment is bittersweet, full of both God's grace and the gravity of missed opportunities.

The Gravity of Leadership
In verse 13, God confirms that after seeing the land, Moses would die and be "gathered to his people," similar to his brother Aaron. Moses' and Aaron's deaths mark the end of an era and indicate a transition in leadership for the Israelites. This is significant, given that Moses had led the Israelites out of Egypt and through their wilderness wanderings for 40 years. His leadership was pivotal, yet even he was not above God's laws and judgments.

The Cost of Disobedience
The reason for Moses' inability to enter the Promised Land is recounted in verse 14. God reminds Moses of the incident at Meribah Kadesh, where Moses and Aaron disobeyed God by striking the rock to produce water, instead of speaking to it as God had commanded. This disobedience was not just a slight mistake; it was a failure to "honor [God] as holy before their eyes." Moses' and Aaron’s actions misrepresented God's holiness to the Israelites, making it a serious offense.

The passage serves as a stark reminder that disobedience to God, especially from those in positions of leadership, has significant consequences. Moses, despite his years of faithful service, was held accountable for his actions. Yet, even in this solemn moment, God’s grace shines through. Moses is allowed to see the culmination of his life’s work, even if he cannot partake in it.

In conclusion, Numbers 27:12-14 captures a powerful moment of transition, accountability, and grace. It teaches us about the high standards God holds for leaders and the consequences of disobedience, but it also shows us that God's grace is present, even in our failures.

Mark 11:27-33
Jesus’ authority is questioned

Mark 11:27-33 is a compelling passage that takes place in the context of Holy Week, the final week of Jesus' life before His crucifixion. The passage recounts an exchange between Jesus and the religious leaders of His day—the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders—in the temple courts. This interaction centers on the issue of authority, challenging us to consider who truly has the right to speak, act, and judge in matters of faith and spirituality.

27 They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. 28 “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?”

29 Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30 John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!”

31 They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)

33 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

Commentary

Question of Authority
In verse 27, Jesus is approached by the religious leaders in the temple courts. This was a place of religious authority and these leaders felt threatened by Jesus, who had just recently cleared the temple (Mark 11:15-19). They demand to know by what authority Jesus was doing these things, a question that is not just about the recent events, but also challenges His teachings, healings, and miracles.

Jesus’ Counter-Question
Instead of directly answering their question, Jesus, in verses 29-30, counters with a question of His own about John the Baptist's baptism. This question is brilliantly strategic for several reasons. First, it spotlights the religious leaders' hypocrisy: If they claim to be authorities on spiritual matters, why couldn't they give a clear answer about John’s baptism? Secondly, Jesus's question puts them in a theological and political dilemma.

The Dilemma of the Religious Leaders
Verses 31-32 reveal the conundrum faced by these religious leaders. Acknowledging that John's authority was from heaven would imply that they should have believed in John (and by extension, Jesus, whom John pointed to). Denying John's divine authority would upset the crowds who considered John a prophet. Their inability to answer exposes their lack of spiritual insight and courage.

The Refusal of Jesus to Answer
Finally, in verse 33, they respond with, "We don't know." This admission of ignorance from those who were supposed to be Israel’s spiritual guides is both ironic and telling. Jesus responds by saying that He will also not tell them by what authority He does these things. His refusal isn't due to a lack of authority but stems from the leaders' unwillingness to engage in an honest theological dialogue.

In sum, Mark 11:27-33 serves as an exposing mirror to the religious leaders of the day, revealing their spiritual blindness and cowardice. It challenges us today to consider upon what authority we base our own beliefs and actions. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of religious hypocrisy, encouraging us to seek genuine understanding and courage in our own spiritual journeys.

Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets.]

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. Responsive Readings from the Common Book of Prayer (1789). Commentaries are by Rev. Kenny Sallee, ThM.

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 Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Saturday, September 30, 2023
Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16; Numbers 27:12-14; Mark 11:27-33
Today's Psalm reading calls us not just to remember but also to proclaim the goodness of God to the next generation. In an age where stories can be instantly shared across the globe, the mandate to tell of God's goodness is as relevant as ever.
The passages in Numbers captures a powerful moment of transition, accountability, and grace. It teaches us about the high standards God holds for leaders and the consequences of disobedience, but it also shows us that God's grace is present, even in our failures.
The passage in Mark serves as an exposing mirror to the religious leaders of the day, revealing their spiritual blindness and cowardice. It challenges us today to consider upon what authority we base our own beliefs and actions. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of religious hypocrisy, encouraging us to seek genuine understanding and courage in our own spiritual journeys.