The Daily Lectionary
with Commentary
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Divine Assurance in Restoration
with Commentary
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Divine Assurance in Restoration
and Eternal Life
Psalm 28; Jeremiah 31:10-14; John 5:19-40
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
Introduction
Psalm 28; Jeremiah 31:10-14; John 5:19-40
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
Introduction
The interconnected themes of divine assurance, restoration, and the promise of eternal life are vividly illustrated in Psalm 28, Jeremiah 31:10-14, and John 5:19-40. These scriptures emphasize the importance of placing our trust in the Lord, as He is the ultimate source of strength, salvation, and hope. In times of distress and uncertainty, these passages reassure us that God is our refuge, a loving shepherd who gathers His flock, bringing restoration and joy. Moreover, they emphasize the power and authority of Jesus Christ in granting eternal life to those who believe in Him, serving as a testament to God's unending love and commitment to His people. Together, these scriptures encourage us to seek the Lord and have faith in His promises, for in doing so, we find solace, redemption, and the assurance of life everlasting.
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 28
Shepherd your people forever
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 28
Shepherd your people forever
Psalm 100 is one of the most cherished and recognized psalms in the entire Psalter. Often referred to as a "Psalm of Praise," it invites all of the Earth to come before the Lord with joy and thanksgiving. With its short span of only five verses, it is concise, yet its message resonates deeply with profound simplicity. Echoing the thematic essence of worship, the psalm serves as a universal call for all peoples to recognize the sovereignty of God, and to approach Him with a heart full of gladness.1 To you, Lord, I call;
you are my Rock,
do not turn a deaf ear to me. *
For if you remain silent,
I will be like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear my cry for mercy
as I call to you for help, *
As I lift up my hands
toward your Most Holy Place.
3 Do not drag me away with the wicked,
with those who do evil, *
Who speak cordially with their neighbors
but harbor malice in their hearts.
4 Repay them for their deeds
and for their evil work; *
Repay them for what their hands have done
and bring back on them what they deserve.
5 Because they have no regard for the deeds of the Lord
and what his hands have done, *
He will tear them down
and never build them up again.
6 Praise be to the Lord, *
For he has heard my cry for mercy.
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. *
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him.
8 The Lord is the strength of his people, *
A fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
9 Save your people and bless your inheritance; *
Be their shepherd and carry them forever.
Heavenly Father, we come before you today, echoing the words of David in Psalm 28. Just as he cried out to you, we lift our voices to seek your help and your guidance. We recognize that you are our rock and our fortress, and without you, we would be lost.
Lord, hear our prayers and be merciful to us. Do not let our hearts be hardened or turn us away in anger. Instead, draw us near to you and fill us with your grace and your love.
Help us to trust in you and to rely on your strength in times of trouble. Give us the wisdom to discern your will and the courage to follow it, no matter where it may lead.
We pray for those who do evil in this world, that they may turn from their wicked ways and seek your face. May your love and your truth shine in the darkest places and bring hope to those who need it most.
Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness and your steadfast love. We know that you are always with us, and we are grateful for your protection and your provision. May we always give thanks to you and sing your praises, for you are worthy of all glory and honor.
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 31:10-14 is a beautiful passage that speaks of God's steadfast love and promise to restore Israel. This text is part of a larger section in the book of Jeremiah known as the Book of Consolation (chapters 30-33), which contains messages of hope and restoration for the people of Israel who were facing exile and despair. This specific passage uses vivid imagery and poetic language to describe God's commitment to bringing his people back to their land and giving them a future full of joy and prosperity.
11 10 “Hear the word of the Lord, you nations;
proclaim it in distant coastlands:
‘He who scattered Israel will gather them
and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.’
11 For the Lord will deliver Jacob
and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they.
12 They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion;
they will rejoice in the bounty of the Lord—
the grain, the new wine and the olive oil,
the young of the flocks and herds.
They will be like a well-watered garden,
and they will sorrow no more.
13 Then young women will dance and be glad,
young men and old as well.
I will turn their mourning into gladness;
I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.
14 I will satisfy the priests with abundance,
and my people will be filled with my bounty,”
declares the Lord.
Commentary
Verse 10 highlights God's sovereignty and his care for his people, likening him to a shepherd who watches over his flock. This imagery is powerful and comforting, as it emphasizes God's active role in gathering and protecting his people.
Verse 11 speaks to the deliverance and redemption that God will provide for Jacob (another name for Israel). This message of hope is particularly significant given the context of the Israelites' suffering and exile.
Verses 12-13 use rich, vibrant imagery to depict the joy and prosperity that will come to Israel when God restores them. The mention of the bounty of the Lord and the well-watered garden symbolize the physical and spiritual nourishment that God will provide for his people. The dancing and rejoicing of young and old alike highlight the communal and intergenerational nature of this restoration.
Finally, verse 14 emphasizes God's commitment to satisfying the spiritual needs of his people, including the priests who serve him. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's provision and the abundance of blessings he has in store for those who are faithful to him.
In conclusion, Jeremiah 31:10-14 is a message of hope and restoration that reminds us of God's unending love and faithfulness. It encourages us to trust in God's promises and look forward to the future with hope and anticipation, knowing that God will always watch over us and provide for our needs.
The Gospel of John consistently presents the divinity, authority, and mission of Jesus Christ in profound and often poetic terms. In John 5:19-40, the narrative moves from a controversy over the Sabbath to an exposition of the relationship between Jesus and the Father. Here, Jesus speaks on His unique relationship with God the Father, the divine mandate for judgment, and the witnesses that testify to His Messiahship. It's a passage that pushes its readers to consider not only who Jesus is, but also the evidence supporting His claims.5 19 Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. 22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.
24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. 25 Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.
28 “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. 30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.
31 “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is true.
33 “You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. 34 Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. 35 John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.
36 “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 38 nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. 39 You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
Commentary
Verse 19: Jesus emphasizes that He doesn't act independently but operates in perfect sync with the Father, highlighting the intimate relationship between them.
Verses 20-23: The Father loves the Son and shows Him all things. This divine favor results in greater works that would astonish many. The authority to give life and to judge was granted to the Son so that all might honor Him just as they honor the Father. This brings to the fore the profound theological claim of the equality of the Father and the Son.
Verse 24: Faith in the words of Jesus and the One who sent Him results in eternal life. Such a believer has already passed from death to life, emphasizing the present reality of salvation.
Verses 25-29: The Son has the power to give life. There will come a time when the dead will hear the voice of the Son and rise. This section underlines the theme of judgment where those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.
Verse 30: Jesus reiterates that He does not judge on His own but in accordance with the Father’s will. This showcases His humility and underlines the perfect unity between the Father and the Son.
Verses 31-35: The testimony about oneself is not enough, and Jesus acknowledges that. He points to John the Baptist as a witness who testified about the light. John was a lamp, shining brightly and pointing to Jesus, the Messiah.
Verses 36-38: Beyond John's testimony, Jesus cites His miracles as evidence of His divine mandate. However, despite these signs, many did not believe or recognize Him, suggesting that they do not have the word of God in them.
Verse 39-40: The scriptures testify about Jesus, but even studying them can lead to missing Him. It's not enough to know the scriptures; one must recognize and come to Jesus whom they point to.
In this passage, Jesus presents a multi-faceted defense of His authority and mission. He calls on the testimony of the Father, the witness of John the Baptist, His own miraculous works, and the Scriptures. Each one corroborates His claim, challenging the beliefs and expectations of His audience, and by extension, all readers of the Gospel.
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 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, November 29, 2023
Divine Assurance in Restoration and Eternal Life
Psalm 28; Jeremiah 31:10-14; John 5:19-40
The interconnected themes of divine assurance, restoration, and the promise of eternal life are vividly illustrated in today's readings. These scriptures emphasize the importance of placing our trust in the Lord, as He is the ultimate source of strength, salvation, and hope. In times of distress and uncertainty, these passages reassure us that God is our refuge, a loving shepherd who gathers His flock, bringing restoration and joy. Moreover, they emphasize the power and authority of Jesus Christ in granting eternal life to those who believe in Him, serving as a testament to God's unending love and commitment to His people. Together, these scriptures encourage us to seek the Lord and have faith in His promises, for in doing so, we find solace, redemption, and the assurance of life everlasting.
