The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Friday, December 8, 2023

 

The Daily Lectionary
with Commentary
Friday, December 8, 2023

God's Restoring Grace and the Call

to Proclaim His Goodness

Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; Jeremiah 1:4-10; Acts 11:19-26
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Advent 2)

Introduction

The selected passages from Psalm 85, Jeremiah 1, and Acts 11, beautifully intertwine to reveal the transforming power of God's grace and the imperative call for us to be instruments of His message. In Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13, we see the Psalmist recalling God's past blessings and expressing a yearning for revival and restoration, highlighting the Lord's steadfast love and faithfulness. Similarly, Jeremiah 1:4-10 recounts the calling of Jeremiah, a testament to how God equips and empowers those He calls to be His spokespeople. In Acts 11:19-26, we witness the growth of the early church as believers in Antioch are taught the teachings of Jesus, exemplifying the impact of spreading the Gospel. These passages collectively remind us of the importance of seeking God's restoring grace and our responsibility to share His goodness with the world.

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
Revival through God's Mercy and Truth

Psalm 85 is a song of the sons of Korah, expressing a deep longing for the restoration and revival of God's people. This passage reflects on God's past mercies, seeking His forgiveness and favor once again. It beautifully depicts the harmonious relationship between God's mercy, truth, righteousness, and peace.

1    You, Lord, showed favor to your land; *
        you restored the fortunes of Jacob.

2    You forgave the iniquity of your people *
        and covered all their sins.

8    I will listen to what God the Lord says; *
        he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—
            but let them not turn to folly.

9    Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, *
        that his glory may dwell in our land.

10    Love and faithfulness meet together; *
        righteousness and peace kiss each other.

11    Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, *
        and righteousness looks down from heaven.

12    The Lord will indeed give what is good, *
        and our land will yield its harvest.

13    Righteousness goes before him *
        and prepares the way for his steps.

Heavenly Father, we give thanks for Your favor and blessings upon our land. You have forgiven the iniquity of Your people and covered all their sins. You have set aside Your wrath and turned from Your fierce anger.

Help us, Lord, to listen to what You will speak, for we know that Your words bring peace to those who are faithful and true. May we not turn to folly but walk in the light of Your presence.

Let Your love and faithfulness meet, and righteousness and peace kiss each other. Let faithfulness spring forth from the earth, and righteousness look down from heaven.

Lord, give us Your good gifts, and let our land yield its harvest. Let righteousness go before You and prepare the way for Your steps.

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.”

Jeremiah 1:4-10
The Divine Call and Empowerment

The Book of Jeremiah is not just a collection of prophecies and warnings to a wayward nation, but it's also a deeply personal account of a young man's calling and journey with God. In Jeremiah 1:4-10, we encounter the very beginning of this journey. This passage offers profound insights into the nature of God's call, the challenges of feeling unqualified, and the assurance of divine empowerment for the tasks God gives us.

1 4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying,

5    “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
        before you were born I set you apart;
        I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

6 “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”

7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”

Commentary

Verses 4-5: Right from the outset, we see the intimate nature of God's knowledge and relationship with Jeremiah. Before Jeremiah's very existence, God had a divine plan for him. This speaks to the omniscience and sovereignty of God. Just as He had plans for Jeremiah, each one of us is known by God even before our conception. We are not accidents, but intentionally designed and purposed creations of a loving God.

Verse 6: Jeremiah's initial response is one of hesitancy and self-doubt, focusing on his perceived inadequacies. Many of us can relate to this feeling of inadequacy when faced with a daunting task or responsibility. However, God doesn't call the equipped; He equips the called. God's choice is perfect, and when He calls, He provides all that is necessary for the task.

Verses 7-8: God’s response to Jeremiah's hesitancy is not a dismissal of his feelings but an assurance of His presence and protection. God's command to Jeremiah is clear: obedience is essential. But it's paired with the promise of His unwavering support and protection. God doesn't send us out alone. When He gives a task, He also promises to be with us every step of the way.

Verses 9-10:  The touch of God symbolizes the empowerment and the authority given to Jeremiah. The words that Jeremiah would speak were not his own, but directly from God. This divine empowerment is both a privilege and a responsibility. Jeremiah was not just called to deliver pleasant messages, but to declare God's judgment and restoration. God's word can bring both destruction to what is wrong and construction to what is right.

In conclusion, Jeremiah 1:4-10 is a powerful testimony to the intimate knowledge, purposeful calling, and divine empowerment of God in the lives of His servants. It serves as a reminder that when God calls, He also equips and walks alongside us in the mission He sets before us. Whether we feel ready or not, His presence and power are more than enough to accomplish His purposes.

Acts 11:19-26
The Birth of Antioch's Church: A Testament to Grace

The early Christian church faced numerous challenges, from persecution to internal disputes. Yet, despite these adversities, the gospel of Jesus Christ spread rapidly across various regions. Acts 11:19-26 presents a pivotal moment in the growth of the early church, documenting the birth of the church in Antioch and introducing us to the grace-filled dynamics of God’s work beyond the Jewish community.

11 19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

Commentary

In Acts 11:19-26, the scattering of believers due to Stephen's martyrdom led them to various places, including Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. What seemed like a consequence of persecution turned into a divinely orchestrated opportunity. These believers, initially preaching only to Jews, soon began sharing the message of Jesus with Gentiles as well. This was revolutionary, a tangible manifestation of the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles as prophesied.

Antioch emerges as a significant location. Here, the blending of cultures provided a backdrop for the message of Christ to reach both Jews and Greeks. It's fascinating to consider that it was in Antioch that followers of Jesus were first called Christians. The name indicated recognition from the outside world; they identified these followers by their association with Christ.

Barnabas, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, played a crucial role in Antioch's church growth. Recognizing the gravity of the task in Antioch, he sought Saul (Paul), marking the beginning of a vital partnership in the spread of the gospel. Their year-long teaching in Antioch laid a strong foundation for the church and prepared it for the missionary journeys ahead.

In essence, this passage shows God's grace working in multiple dimensions: grace in turning persecution into an opportunity for evangelism, grace in breaking centuries-old barriers between Jews and Gentiles, and grace in forging partnerships like Barnabas and Saul for His kingdom's expansion. The birth of the church in Antioch stands as a testament to how God's grace can work through adversity, cultural differences, and individual callings to bring about His purposes.

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. Commentaries are by Kenny Sallee, ThM.

The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year B. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2024, we will be in Year C. The year which ended at Advent 2023 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 Friday, December 8, 2023
God's Restoring Grace and the Call to Proclaim His Goodness
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; Jeremiah 1:4-10; Acts 11:19-26
The selected passages from today's readings, beautifully intertwine to reveal the transforming power of God's grace and the imperative call for us to be instruments of His message. In Psalm 85, we see the Psalmist recalling God's past blessings and expressing a yearning for revival and restoration, highlighting the Lord's steadfast love and faithfulness. Similarly, Jeremiah 1 recounts the calling of Jeremiah, a testament to how God equips and empowers those He calls to be His spokespeople. In Acts 11, we witness the growth of the early church as believers in Antioch are taught the teachings of Jesus, exemplifying the impact of spreading the Gospel. These passages collectively remind us of the importance of seeking God's restoring grace and our responsibility to share His goodness with the world.