The Daily Lectionary
with Commentary
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Majesty and Mercy:
with Commentary
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Majesty and Mercy:
Reflections on Divine Glory and Grace
Psalm 148; Exodus 33:18-23; 1 John 1:1-9
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Days around Christmas)
Introduction
Psalm 148; Exodus 33:18-23; 1 John 1:1-9
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Days around Christmas)
Introduction
This compilation of scripture passages from Psalm 148, Exodus 33:18-23, and 1 John 1:1-9 presents a profound exploration of God's majestic creation, the desire to witness His glory, and the revelation of His eternal truth. Psalm 148 calls upon all creation, from the highest heavens to the depths of the earth, to praise the Lord for His supreme power and might. In Exodus 33:18-23, we witness Moses' deep yearning to behold God's glory, a moment where God's mercy and grace are poignantly displayed as He protects Moses from the full intensity of His divine presence. Finally, in 1 John 1:1-9, we are invited into the intimate experience of fellowship with Jesus Christ, the Word of life, and are reminded of the cleansing power of His light, which forgives and purifies us from all sin. Together, these passages weave a tapestry of divine majesty and mercy, inviting believers to ponder the depths of God's love and the splendor of His creation.
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 148
Universal Praise: A Symphony of Creation
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 148
Universal Praise: A Symphony of Creation
Psalm 148 stands as a majestic call to universal praise. This Psalm is a vibrant tapestry of worship, weaving together voices from the heavens and the earth. It summons every element of creation—from celestial beings to the smallest creatures, and even the elements themselves—to join in a grand chorus of adoration to the Lord. The Psalm vividly illustrates the interconnectedness of all things under the sovereign reign of God, inviting us to ponder our place in this cosmic hymn of praise.1 Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord from the heavens; *
Praise him in the heights above.
2 Praise him, all his angels; *
Praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
3 Praise him, sun and moon; *
Praise him, all you shining stars.
4 Praise him, you highest heavens *
And you waters above the skies.
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord, *
For at his command they were created,
6 And he established them for ever and ever— *
He issued a decree that will never pass away.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth, *
You great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
8 Lightning and hail, snow and clouds, *
Stormy winds that do his bidding,
9 You mountains and all hills, *
Fruit trees and all cedars,
10 Wild animals and all cattle, *
Small creatures and flying birds,
11 Kings of the earth and all nations, *
You princes and all rulers on earth,
12 Young men and women, *
Old men and children.
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted; *
His splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
14 And he has raised up for his people a horn,
the praise of all his faithful servants,
of Israel, the people close to his heart. *
Praise the Lord.
Heavenly Father, in the spirit of Psalm 148, we lift our voices in praise and adoration to You, the Creator of all. Just as the psalmist calls upon the heavens, angels, sun, moon, and all of creation to praise Your name, we too join this chorus of worship.
We marvel at the splendors of Your creation, from the highest heavens to the depths of the sea. Every star, every creature, every element of nature sings of Your glory and testifies to Your boundless wisdom and power.
Lord, let our lives reflect the same harmony and obedience to Your will as shown in the natural order You have established. May we, Your people, young and old, from all nations and walks of life, unite in reverence and awe of Your majestic name.
As the psalmist reminds us, You have raised up a horn for Your people, a sign of strength and salvation. In gratitude and love, we remember Your greatest gift to us, Your Son Jesus Christ, through whom we have redemption and eternal life.
Help us to live each day as a testament to Your love and goodness, sharing the joy of Your salvation with the world. May our hearts be ever filled with praise, not only in our words but in our actions and thoughts.
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.”
In this deeply significant passage from Exodus 33:18-23, we encounter Moses, a man deeply yearning for a closer, more tangible experience of God's presence and glory. Standing on holy ground, Moses makes a bold request to the Lord: to see His glory. This passage reveals not only the nature of divine glory but also speaks to the intimate relationship between God and His faithful servant, Moses. It underscores the majesty and holiness of God, and the human longing to know and experience the divine in a more profound way.33 18 Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”
19 And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”
21 Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”
Commentary
Verse 18 — Moses' Request: Moses asks to see God’s glory, reflecting a deep desire for a more profound understanding and experience of God. This request is bold, yet it stems from Moses' intimate relationship with God, showcasing his exceptional status as a leader and prophet.
Verses 19-20 — God's Response: God agrees to proclaim His name and goodness, but He clarifies that no one can see His face and live. This response highlights the transcendence and incomprehensibility of God’s full glory. It reminds us of the limitations of human capacity in the presence of the divine.
Verses 21-22 — The Cleft of the Rock: God provides a way for Moses to experience His glory in a manner that protects him. He places Moses in the cleft of a rock, covering him with His hand as He passes by. This act is a powerful metaphor for God’s protection and the grace that allows humans to encounter God without being overwhelmed or destroyed.
Verse 23 — Seeing God's Back: God allows Moses to see His back, but not His face. This partial revelation is symbolic of the way God reveals Himself to humanity. We can know and experience God, but there is always a mystery that remains, a part of God that is beyond our understanding.
In conclusion, Exodus 33:18-23 poignantly illustrates the human desire to know and experience God, balanced with the divine mystery that remains just beyond full human comprehension. It is a passage of awe, mystery, and the profound grace of a God who makes Himself known, yet remains infinitely beyond complete understanding.
1 John 1:1-9 presents a profound message about the nature of Jesus Christ and the foundational truths of the Christian faith. This passage, penned by the Apostle John, emphasizes the tangible reality of Jesus, the "Word of Life," who was both seen and touched, affirming His physical incarnation. It also delves into the concept of fellowship with God and fellow believers, highlighting the importance of living in the light of God's truth. This section of Scripture is a testament to the transformative power of Christ's presence and the cleansing from sin available through Him.1 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete.
5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Commentary
Verses 1-3: These verses affirm the physical reality of Jesus Christ. John emphasizes that Christ was not just a spiritual entity but a tangible person who lived among us. The phrase Word of Life refers to Jesus being the living embodiment of God's word. The emphasis on hearing, seeing, and touching underscores the eyewitness testimony of the apostles. The proclamation of this truth aims to invite others into the same fellowship that the apostles have with the Father and the Son.
Verse 4: John writes to make the joy of this fellowship complete. This joy stems from knowing Christ and being in fellowship with Him and other believers.
Verses 5-7: These verses introduce the concept of God is light, signifying purity, truth, and holiness. Walking in the light means living in truth and righteousness, a contrast to walking in darkness or sin. Fellowship with God is contingent on walking in the light, which includes honest living and moral clarity.
Verse 8: This verse acknowledges the human condition of sinfulness. Denying our sinfulness equates to self-deception and untruthfulness, which are inconsistent with God’s nature.
Verse 9: It presents the assurance of God's forgiveness and cleansing. Confessing our sins is key to maintaining fellowship with God, as He is faithful and just to forgive us and purify us from all unrighteousness. This verse encapsulates the Christian doctrine of redemption and the transformative power of confession and forgiveness.
In summary, 1 John 1:1-9 eloquently captures the essence of the Christian faith—the reality of Christ, the importance of fellowship, living in truth, acknowledging our sinfulness, and the assurance of God’s forgiveness. It is a powerful passage that encourages believers to live authentically in the light of God's truth.
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 27, 2023
Majesty and Mercy: Reflections on Divine Glory and Grace
Psalm 148; Exodus 33:18-23; 1 John 1:1-9
This compilation of scripture passages from today's readings presents a profound exploration of God's majestic creation, the desire to witness His glory, and the revelation of His eternal truth. Psalm 148 calls upon all creation, from the highest heavens to the depths of the earth, to praise the Lord for His supreme power and might. In Exodus, we witness Moses' deep yearning to behold God's glory, a moment where God's mercy and grace are poignantly displayed as He protects Moses from the full intensity of His divine presence. Finally, in 1 John, we are invited into the intimate experience of fellowship with Jesus Christ, the Word of life, and are reminded of the cleansing power of His light, which forgives and purifies us from all sin. Together, these passages weave a tapestry of divine majesty and mercy, inviting believers to ponder the depths of God's love and the splendor of His creation.
