The Daily Lectionary with Commentary
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Faithfulness Across Generations:
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Faithfulness Across Generations:
The Power of God's Word, Covenant, and Plan
Psalm 119:49-56; Deuteronomy 6:10-25; John 11:45-57
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
Introduction
Psalm 119:49-56; Deuteronomy 6:10-25; John 11:45-57
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
Introduction
In the tapestry of Scripture, certain themes recur with brilliant intensity, casting their light across both Testaments and into the lives of believers today. The selected passages—Psalm 119:49-56, Deuteronomy 6:10-25, and John 11:45-57—reveal a compelling narrative of God's faithfulness, the transformative power of His Word, and the unfolding of His covenantal plan. Each of these passages, while unique in its context and message, contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the constancy of God's love and the complexity of human response.
In examining these passages together, we are invited to explore the ongoing, relational faithfulness of God, expressed through His Word and enacted through His covenant with His people. From the intimacy of personal devotion in the Psalms to the grand sweep of salvation history, these passages invite us to consider how God's faithfulness has been, and continues to be, a transformative force across generations.
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 119:49-56
God’s commandments are my songs
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 119:49-56
God’s commandments are my songs
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Book of Psalms and is renowned for its focus on the Word of God. Verses 49-56, a section traditionally labeled with the Hebrew letter "Zayin," stand as a unique part of this long acrostic poem. Here, the psalmist shares the comfort and hope derived from God's promises during times of affliction. The verses reveal a deeply personal relationship between the individual and God, one that is built on trust and lived out through adherence to God's commands. These lines give us a glimpse into how God's Word serves as both an emotional anchor and a guide for moral living. As we read Psalm 119:49-56, let us reflect on the power of God's promises and how they sustain us, particularly in seasons of struggle or doubt.49 Remember your word to your servant, *
because you have given me hope.
50 This is my comfort in my trouble, *
that your promise gives me life.
51 The proud have derided me cruelly, *
but I have not turned from your law.
52 When I remember your judgments of old, *
O LORD, I take great confort.
53 I am filled with a burning rage, *
because of the wicked who forsake your law.
54 Your statutes have been like songs to me *
wherever I have lived as a stranger.
55 I remember your Name in the night, O LORD, *
and dwell upon your law.
56 This is how it has been with me, *
because I have kept your commandments.
Heavenly Father, we come before You today with humble hearts, acknowledging Your sovereignty and grace. We find solace in the truth that Your Word is eternal and unchanging, a steadfast anchor in a constantly shifting world.
Oh Lord, the Psalmist reminds us that Your promises give life and hope, especially in times of affliction and uncertainty. We too, Lord, hold onto Your promises, finding in them comfort, strength, and a reason to continue on. May Your Word dwell richly within us, guiding our thoughts and actions, lighting the path before us and giving us the wisdom we need to navigate life's complexities.
Father, the Psalmist spoke of the songs that Your statutes inspired, songs sung even in the night. We pray that the teachings of Your Word would become the lyrics of our life, melodies that we carry in our hearts, regardless of the circumstances we face. Help us to be joyful witnesses to Your love and law, so that others may come to know Your transformative power.
We remember that Your commands have made us wiser than our enemies and more insightful than our teachers. Lord, grant us the discernment to apply Your Word practically in our lives, to make choices that honor You, and to grow in righteousness each day.
Thank You for the gift of Your Word, Lord—a gift that surpasses all understanding, shaping our morals and nourishing our spirits. We pray that Your Holy Spirit will continue to guide us in understanding and applying Your Word in our lives, that we might be both hearers and doers of what You have spoken.
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.”
Deuteronomy 6:10-25 serves as a critical passage in the broader context of the Mosaic covenant between God and Israel. Moses, as the mediator of this covenant, addresses the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. This text is not merely historical; its theological and moral instructions reverberate across the ages, offering profound insights into the nature of God's faithfulness, the importance of obedience, and the challenges and opportunities inherent in multi-generational faithfulness.10 When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you—a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, 11 houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, 12 be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
13 Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name. 14 Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; 15 for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land. 16 Do not put the Lord your God to the test as you did at Massah. 17 Be sure to keep the commands of the Lord your God and the stipulations and decrees he has given you. 18 Do what is right and good in the Lord’s sight, so that it may go well with you and you may go in and take over the good land the Lord promised on oath to your ancestors, 19 thrusting out all your enemies before you, as the Lord said.
20 In the future, when your son asks you, “What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the Lord our God has commanded you?” 21 tell him: “We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. 22 Before our eyes the Lord sent signs and wonders—great and terrible—on Egypt and Pharaoh and his whole household. 23 But he brought us out from there to bring us in and give us the land he promised on oath to our ancestors. 24 The Lord commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the Lord our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today. 25 And if we are careful to obey all this law before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness.”
Commentary
Verses 10-12: The Promised Land and The Danger of Forgetfulness
As the Israelites stand on the cusp of entering a land "flowing with milk and honey," Moses warns them about the potential for forgetfulness. Prosperity can often lead to spiritual amnesia, where the comforts of life overshadow the Source of those blessings. The Israelites are admonished to remember the Lord, who brought them out of Egypt, as they enjoy the fruits of the land they did not cultivate.
Verses 13-15: Exclusive Worship
Moses stresses the importance of fearing the Lord and serving Him only. There is no room for syncretism or idolatry. These verses are cautionary, emphasizing that God is "a jealous God" who would not tolerate the worship of other gods. The mention of God's jealousy is a reminder of the exclusive nature of the covenantal relationship.
Verses 16-19: Commandments as a Path to Well-being
Moses recalls the event at Massah (Exodus 17), where the Israelites tested God's patience by doubting His provision. He urges them not to test God again but to diligently follow all His commands, which are designed for their own good and prosperity. Obedience leads to a flourishing life and possession of the land, emphasizing that covenantal fidelity has both spiritual and material benefits.
Verses 20-25: Generational Transmission of Faith
The passage concludes with an eye toward future generations. Moses anticipates the questions children may ask about the "laws and decrees" and outlines the story to be told in response. It's a story of deliverance, obedience, and ongoing relationship with God. This section not only underscores the importance of educating the next generation but also solidifies the Israelites' collective memory and identity.
Theological and Practical Implications
- God's Faithfulness: God keeps His promises, providing for His people both spiritually and materially. However, this provision calls for a response—obedience and worship.
- The Danger of Prosperity: Material blessings can easily turn into distractions if they are not anchored in a broader spiritual context. Prosperity should deepen, not dilute, one's commitment to God.
- The Community Aspect: The passage makes clear that the Israelites have a collective responsibility to keep the covenant and pass down their faith, ensuring that the community's relationship with God spans generations.
John 11:45-57 marks a pivotal moment in the Gospel of John, serving as a bridge between Jesus' public ministry and the events leading to His crucifixion. Following the miraculous resurrection of Lazarus, this passage captures the heightened tension among the Jewish leaders, whose reaction to Jesus' miracle reveals a complex interplay of fear, political considerations, and theological misunderstandings. The narrative sets the stage for the Passion, exposing the human dynamics that contribute to the unfolding of God's salvific plan.45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin.
“What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.”
49 Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! 50 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”
51 He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52 and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. 53 So from that day on they plotted to take his life.
54 Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea. Instead he withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples.
55 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. 56 They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple courts they asked one another, “What do you think? Isn’t he coming to the festival at all?” 57 But the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who found out where Jesus was should report it so that they might arrest him.
Commentary
Verses 45-46: Polarized Responses
Following the resurrection of Lazarus, the people who witnessed the event are divided in their responses. Some believe, recognizing the miracle as a divine act, while others go to the Pharisees. The polarization around Jesus is a recurring theme in the Gospel of John, underscoring the ways in which Jesus' ministry and miracles force a decision about His identity.
Verses 47-48: Fear and Political Expediency
The chief priests and Pharisees convene a meeting of the Sanhedrin, expressing concern over Jesus' growing influence. Their fears are not primarily theological but rather political and social; they worry that Jesus' actions might provoke Roman intervention, leading to the loss of their "place and nation." This reveals that the leaders were more interested in preserving their social and political structures than in recognizing the potential messianic activity of Jesus.
Verses 49-52: Caiaphas' Prophetic Statement
Caiaphas, the high priest, suggests that it is better for one man to die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed. John notes that Caiaphas unwittingly prophesies about Jesus' role in bringing together "the scattered children of God." While Caiaphas thinks in terms of political expediency, John sees a deeper divine orchestration in his words. Jesus' impending death will indeed save, but not in the way Caiaphas envisions. Jesus will die to save people from sin and eternal separation from God, far exceeding political salvation.
Verses 53-57: The Plot and the Passover
From this moment, the religious leaders actively plot to kill Jesus. Ironically, they look for Him as the Passover nears, a festival celebrating God's deliverance of Israel. They are unaware that Jesus, the true Passover Lamb, will bring a greater deliverance. The narrative has come full circle: Jesus' ministry, aimed at revealing His identity as the Son of God and the source of eternal life, has reached a point of crisis that will only be resolved through His death and resurrection.
Theological and Practical Implications:
- Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility: John presents a nuanced picture where human actions, even those aimed against God's plan, are used to fulfill divine purposes. This raises complex questions about free will and divine sovereignty, suggesting that while humans make genuine choices, God remains in control of the larger narrative.
- The Scope of Salvation: The text hints at the universal scope of Jesus' mission. He dies not just for the Jewish nation but to gather "the scattered children of God," pointing to the inclusion of Gentiles in the salvation plan.
- The Cost of Discipleship: The religious leaders' focus on self-preservation offers a cautionary example of what can happen when comfort and status take precedence over the pursuit of truth. The text challenges believers to consider what they are willing to "lose" in order to gain Christ.
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 Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Faithfulness Across Generations: The Power of God's Word, Covenant, and Plan
Psalm 119:49-56; Deuteronomy 6:10-25; John 11:45-57
In the tapestry of Scripture, certain themes recur with brilliant intensity, casting their light across both Testaments and into the lives of believers today. The selected passages of today's readings reveal a compelling narrative of God's faithfulness, the transformative power of His Word, and the unfolding of His covenantal plan. Each of these passages, while unique in its context and message, contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the constancy of God's love and the complexity of human response. In examining these passages together, we are invited to explore the ongoing, relational faithfulness of God, expressed through His Word and enacted through His covenant with His people. From the intimacy of personal devotion in the Psalms to the grand sweep of salvation history, these passages invite us to consider how God's faithfulness has been, and continues to be, a transformative force across generations.
