The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Wednesday, December 20, 2023

 

The Daily Lectionary
with Commentary
Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Enduring Faith and the Day of the Lord

Psalm 125; Malachi 3:16—4:6; Mark 9:9-13
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Advent 3)

Introduction

Psalm 125, Malachi 3:16—4:6, and Mark 9:9-13 speak across the Testaments, united by themes of steadfastness in faith and the divine promise of restoration. Psalm 125 offers reassurance to those who trust in the Lord, likening them to Mount Zion, unshakeable and enduring forever. It is a testament to God's protective embrace around His people. In Malachi, the conversation turns toward the "Day of the Lord," a time of both judgment and healing, where the faithful are remembered and the wicked face reckoning. The righteous are promised a rising sun of righteousness with healing in its rays. In the Gospel of Mark, the narrative of the Transfiguration concludes with Jesus instructing his disciples on the prophecy of Elijah's return—a symbol of restoration before the great and dreadful day of the Lord. Together, these passages weave a tapestry of divine faithfulness, encouraging believers to remain firm in their faith, for the Lord's day of justice and renewal is at hand.

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 125
The Assurance of God’s Protection

Psalm 125 is a song of ascent, sung by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem, reflecting on the enduring security of those who trust in the Lord. This psalm draws a vivid analogy between the steadfast mountains surrounding Jerusalem and the Lord's unshakeable protection of His people. It is a powerful reminder that, just as the mountains encircle the city, God encompasses His people, both now and forevermore.

1    Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, *
        which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

2    As the mountains surround Jerusalem, *
        so the Lord surrounds his people
            both now and forevermore.

3    The scepter of the wicked will not remain
        over the land allotted to the righteous, *
    for then the righteous might use
        their hands to do evil.

4    Lord, do good to those who are good, *
        to those who are upright in heart.

5    But those who turn to crooked ways *
        the Lord will banish with the evildoers.

Heavenly Father, as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so Your protection encompasses Your people, from this time forth and forevermore. We take refuge in You, trusting that like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever, our faith in You will stand unmovable. Lord, we pray for Your peace and goodness to be upon the righteous, and for Your guidance to lead our hearts towards what is good and just. Keep us steadfast in Your ways, and let not the wicked sway us. May Your boundless love and strength be the pillars upon which we build our lives, and may we forever dwell in Your presence.

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.”

Malachi 3:16—4:6
The Day of Judgment and Promise of Restoration

The passage from Malachi 3:16 to 4:6 presents a profound dichotomy between the righteous and the wicked, setting the stage for the great and dreadful Day of the Lord. This section closes the book of Malachi and, with it, the Old Testament, leaving a final message of hope and warning. It speaks to the faithfulness of those who fear the Lord, promising them remembrance and salvation. Simultaneously, it warns of the judgment to come upon the wicked, portraying it as a consuming fire. The passage ends with a forward-looking promise, prophesying the coming of Elijah before this great Day, signifying the coming of Jesus Christ and the ultimate reconciliation of God’s people.

3 16 Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name.

17 “On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.

4 1 “Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. 2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. 3 Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty.

4 “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel.

5 “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”

Commentary

In Malachi 3:16, we see a registry of the faithful, a concept that comforts believers with the thought that God notices and records their reverence. As the text progresses to chapter 4, it presents a stark contrast: blessings for the righteous, who will triumph like calves released from the stall, and a curse for the wicked, likened to stubble set ablaze.

The evocative imagery of a healing sun' with wings in Malachi 4:2 portrays the coming of Christ as a source of liberation and restoration. This is juxtaposed with the unequivocal destruction of the wicked, emphasizing the completeness of divine justice. The concluding verses (4:5-6) remind the readers of the law of Moses while looking forward to the 'great and dreadful day' when Elijah will turn hearts toward reconciliation, averting the land from a curse.

This passage thus serves as a powerful reminder of the Lord's dual role as both judge and healer, offering a sobering yet hopeful message for humanity. It calls for introspection on one's standing before God and encourages a life led in anticipation of the coming Savior.

Mark 9:9-13
The Mystery of Elijah: Understanding the Transformation

The passage from Mark 9:9-13 is a fascinating narrative that follows the profound event of the Transfiguration of Jesus. This section delves into the complexities of prophetic fulfillment and spiritual understanding as the disciples grapple with Jesus’ instructions and the role of Elijah in the coming of God's Kingdom. The text presents a unique intersection between divine revelation and human interpretation, inviting us to explore the depth of Jesus' mission and the expectations surrounding the Messiah.

9 9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant.

11 And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

12 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? 13 But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”

Commentary

In Mark 9:9-13, we witness Jesus instructing His disciples to keep the vision of His transfiguration a secret until after His resurrection. This command emphasizes the importance of understanding the messianic mission not by might or glory, but through the lens of suffering and resurrection. The disciples' question regarding Elijah's coming reflects a common Jewish belief of the time, rooted in the prophecy of Malachi, that Elijah would return to restore all things before the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

Jesus affirms this expectation but clarifies that Elijah has come in a way they did not recognize, and he has suffered at the hands of the people, just as Jesus also will suffer. This reframing suggests that the restoration prophesied is not merely political or earthly but is deeply spiritual and transformative, marked by suffering.

The passage invites readers to ponder the role of prophecy, the necessity of the cross, and the transformative power of Christ's resurrection. It challenges believers to look beyond conventional expectations and recognize the workings of God's redemptive plan, even when it defies our understanding or comes wrapped in the guise of suffering. Through this, the text calls us to a deeper faith and a more profound engagement with the mystery of God's work in the world.

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 Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Enduring Faith and the Day of the Lord
Psalm 125; Malachi 3:16—4:6; Mark 9:9-13
Today's readings speak across the Testaments, united by themes of steadfastness in faith and the divine promise of restoration. Psalm 125 offers reassurance to those who trust in the Lord, likening them to Mount Zion, unshakeable and enduring forever. It is a testament to God's protective embrace around His people. In Malachi, the conversation turns toward the "Day of the Lord," a time of both judgment and healing, where the faithful are remembered and the wicked face reckoning. The righteous are promised a rising sun of righteousness with healing in its rays. In the Gospel of Mark, the narrative of the Transfiguration concludes with Jesus instructing his disciples on the prophecy of Elijah's return—a symbol of restoration before the great and dreadful day of the Lord. Together, these passages weave a tapestry of divine faithfulness, encouraging believers to remain firm in their faith, for the Lord's day of justice and renewal is at hand.