The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Saturday, December 9, 2023

 

The Daily Lectionary
with Commentary
Saturday, December 9, 2023

Restoration and Renewal:
Embracing God’s Mercy and Authority

Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; Ezekiel 36:24-28; Mark 11:27-33
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Advent 2)

Introduction

In the passages of Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; Ezekiel 36:24-28; and Mark 11:27-33, we are presented with a rich tapestry of themes that intertwine to create a message of restoration, renewal, and the importance of embracing God’s mercy and authority in our lives. These scriptures provide a profound insight into the nature of God's relationship with His people, and how our acknowledgment of His power and grace can lead to a transformation that touches every aspect of our existence. Let us delve into these scriptures and uncover the treasures they hold, as we seek to understand the depth of God's love and the call to live in accordance with His will.

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 unfailing love and mercy. Just as You restored the fortunes of Your people and forgave their iniquity, we pray that You would forgive our sins and bring restoration to our lives.

Help us to listen to Your voice and to heed Your guidance. We long for Your peace, and we ask that You would fill our hearts with Your love and truth.

May Your goodness and faithfulness meet, and Your righteousness and peace kiss each other. Let Your truth spring up from the earth, and Your righteousness look down from heaven.

We pray that You would grant us Your salvation, and that Your glory would dwell in our land. May Your love and faithfulness guide our steps, and may Your righteousness go before us.

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.”

Ezekiel 36:24-28
A New Heart and A New Spirit

The passage from Ezekiel 36:24-28, serves as a testament to God’s redeeming love and transformative power. At a time when the Israelites felt the weight of their disobedience and were dispersed among the nations, God, through the prophet Ezekiel, delivers a promise of restoration and spiritual renewal. This passage speaks not only of the physical return to the land but a profound internal transformation—a new heart and a new spirit.

36 24 “‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. 28 Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God.

Commentary

In this passage, God offers a vivid portrayal of renewal and restoration. This renewal process begins with a promise of physical gathering—a return to the Promised Land. Yet, the essence of this promise is not merely geographic; it’s profoundly spiritual. Here are key insights to consider:

1. Cleansing from Past Sins: God promises to sprinkle clean water on His people, symbolizing purification. This act cleanses them from impurities and idols, marking a clear break from past sins. It signifies God's unwavering commitment to redeem His people, even after their repeated transgressions.

2. Transformation from the Inside Out: The metaphor of exchanging a heart of stone for a heart of flesh is powerful. A stony heart signifies insensitivity, rebellion, and distance from God. A heart of flesh, on the other hand, represents tenderness, responsiveness, and intimacy with the Divine. This internal transformation ensures that God's people are not just physically restored but spiritually reborn.

3. The Indwelling of the Spirit: By placing His Spirit within the people, God guarantees their ability to follow His decrees and laws. This divine empowerment ensures that the renewed relationship is sustainable and steadfast. It speaks of an intimacy where God's Spirit continually guides, empowers, and transforms.

4. Restoration of Relationship: The concluding promise, you will be my people, and I will be your God, echoes the covenant language used throughout the Old Testament. It’s a reaffirmation of the special relationship between God and His people. Despite the setbacks and failures, God remains faithful, eager to restore and reclaim His people.

This passage reminds us of God’s transformative power and His relentless pursuit of His people. It offers hope to all who feel distant, lost, or hardened by life’s challenges, affirming that God’s love and power are potent enough to renew, restore, and reclaim.

Mark 11:27-33
Authority Questioned and Challenged

In Mark 11:27-33, we encounter Jesus in the temple courts, where the chief priests, teachers of the law, and the elders confront Him. These religious leaders are not merely seeking clarity but are attempting to corner Jesus, questioning the source of His authority. Jesus, with His unparalleled wisdom, responds not with a direct answer but with a question of His own. This passage illuminates the tension between the religious establishment and the radical nature of Jesus' ministry. It reminds us of the challenges that often come when God's ways clash with human institutions and traditions.

11 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

1. Confrontation in the Temple (v. 27): As Jesus walks in the temple courts, the highest echelons of the religious leadership approach Him. This setting is significant. The temple was the heart of Jewish religious life. By questioning Jesus here, the religious leaders are not only challenging His personal authority but also His public teachings and actions.
 
2. Questioning Jesus’ Authority (v. 28): The leaders ask Jesus, "By what authority are you doing these things?" Their query might have stemmed from a genuine desire to understand, but it is more likely that they sought to trap Him. If Jesus claimed divine authority, they could accuse Him of blasphemy. If He claimed human authority, they could discredit Him.

3. A Question for a Question (v. 29-30): Jesus, always a step ahead, poses a question in return. He asks them about John the Baptist's baptism—was it from heaven or from men? The significance of this question is multifaceted. By linking His ministry with John's, Jesus indirectly affirms the divine mandate of His own mission. Moreover, Jesus puts the leaders in a position where any answer would have ramifications.

4. The Leaders' Dilemma (v. 31-32): The religious leaders are trapped. If they acknowledge that John's baptism was from heaven, they admit to ignoring a divine messenger. If they say it was from men, they risk the ire of the people who held John as a prophet. Their hesitancy exposes the depth of their hypocrisy and the self-serving nature of their leadership.

5. Admission of Ignorance (v. 33): The leaders’ final response is a reluctant admission of ignorance. They say, "We don’t know." This is quite telling. These are the religious elite, the ones who are supposed to have answers, yet they admit their inability to discern truth when faced with a challenge. Jesus, not wishing to entertain their insincerity further, withholds the answer to their initial question.

In sum, Mark 11:27-33 serves as a mirror, reflecting the heart conditions of those who engage with God’s truth. It challenges us to consider whether we approach God's revelations with genuine seeking or with self-serving motives. As the religious leaders learned, when we approach God's work with a hardened heart, we risk missing the profound truths right in front of us.

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 Saturday, December 9, 2023
Restoration and Renewal: Embracing God’s Mercy and Authority
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; Ezekiel 36:24-28; Mark 11:27-33
In the passages of today's readings, we are presented with a rich tapestry of themes that intertwine to create a message of restoration, renewal, and the importance of embracing God’s mercy and authority in our lives. These scriptures provide a profound insight into the nature of God's relationship with His people, and how our acknowledgment of His power and grace can lead to a transformation that touches every aspect of our existence. Let us delve into these scriptures and uncover the treasures they hold, as we seek to understand the depth of God's love and the call to live in accordance with His will.