The Daily Lectionary
with Commentary
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Divine Sovereignty and Faithful Obedience
Psalm 111; Deuteronomy 13:1-5; Matthew 8:28—9:1
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Ordinary 4)
Introduction
with Commentary
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Divine Sovereignty and Faithful Obedience
Psalm 111; Deuteronomy 13:1-5; Matthew 8:28—9:1
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Ordinary 4)
Introduction
In the interconnected passages of Psalm 111, Deuteronomy 13:1-5, and Matthew 8:28—9:1, we encounter a divine tapestry weaving together the themes of God's sovereignty, the call for discernment, and the power of faith. Psalm 111 celebrates the Lord's works and unfailing righteousness, offering a backdrop of praise and reverence that is foundational to understanding God's nature. Deuteronomy 13:1-5 warns against false prophets and the temptation to stray from God, emphasizing obedience and discernment as vital responses to God's unchanging authority. In Matthew 8:28—9:1, we witness Jesus' dominion over the natural and supernatural realms, as He heals the demon-possessed and calms the storm, further affirming His divine authority and inviting a deep, personal trust in Him. Together, these passages challenge believers to recognize and respond to God's sovereignty with faithful obedience and unwavering trust, embodying a life that honors the depth and breadth of God's power and love.
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 111
A Celebration of God's Wondrous Works
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 111
A Celebration of God's Wondrous Works
Psalm 111 invites us to join in a song of praise, celebrating the incredible works and steadfast character of God. This psalm, a part of the Hebrew Psalter, stands as a beautiful expression of thanksgiving and awe. The psalmist uses rich imagery and poetic language to highlight the majesty and righteousness of God's deeds. It emphasizes the importance of remembering and honoring God's commandments, and it underscores the eternal nature of His precepts. The psalm serves as a reminder of God's unchanging faithfulness and the wisdom found in following His ways.1 Praise the Lord. *
I will extol the Lord with all my heart
in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
2 Great are the works of the Lord; *
They are pondered by all who delight in them.
3 Glorious and majestic are his deeds, *
And his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has caused his wonders to be remembered; *
The Lord is gracious and compassionate.
5 He provides food for those who fear him; *
He remembers his covenant forever.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works, *
Giving them the lands of other nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; *
All his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established for ever and ever, *
Enacted in faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He provided redemption for his people; *
He ordained his covenant forever—
holy and awesome is his name.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; *
All who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise.
Heavenly Father, we come before You in reverence and awe, reflecting on the wonders of Psalm 111. With grateful hearts, we praise You, for You are great and worthy of all honor. Your works are magnificent and Your righteousness endures forever. You have provided us with a heritage of faith, and Your deeds are a testament to Your steadfast love and truth.
Lord, You are gracious and compassionate. Help us to understand the works of Your hands, so we may dwell in the wisdom that begins with the fear of You. Let our hearts be stirred to seek You more earnestly, to follow Your commandments, and to live in the light of Your grace.
May Your glory be our utmost desire. We thank You for the redemption found in Your covenant, secured through the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant us the grace to share the joy of Your salvation with others, so they too might know Your love and faithfulness.
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 13:1-5 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of unwavering faith and discernment in the face of false prophets and deceptive teachings. This passage underscores the necessity for the Israelites, and by extension all believers, to remain true to the teachings and commandments given to them by God, even when confronted with signs and wonders that may seem to contradict their faith. It emphasizes the significance of loyalty to God and the dire consequences of being led astray.13 1 If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, 2 and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” 3 you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. 5 That prophet or dreamer must be put to death for inciting rebellion against the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. That prophet or dreamer tried to turn you from the way the Lord your God commanded you to follow. You must purge the evil from among you.
Commentary
Verse 1: This verse introduces the scenario of a prophet or dreamer who claims divine insight, presenting signs or wonders as evidence of their authority. It sets the stage for a test of the Israelites' faith, prompting them to question and discern the true source of such prophetic claims. This verse challenges believers to be wary of those who may appear with convincing signs, urging a deeper evaluation of their message's alignment with God's established truths.
Verse 2: Even if the predicted signs or wonders come to pass, the critical issue is the message's content. This verse highlights the danger of being swayed by miracles when they lead away from the worship of the one true God. It warns against the seductive power of false prophets who, despite demonstrating seemingly miraculous signs, advocate for the worship of other gods. The verse calls for discernment between genuine divine acts and those used to deceive and mislead.
Verse 3: This verse provides clear instruction: do not listen to or follow the false prophet. It reveals that such encounters are tests from God, designed to gauge the depth and sincerity of the believers' love and commitment to Him. It emphasizes that loyalty to God should supersede any signs or wonders, no matter how convincing they may be. This verse calls believers to a love that is deep and unwavering, one that holds fast to God's truth above all else.
Verse 4: Verse 4 reinforces the command to follow and revere only the Lord. It is a call to obedience, service, and unwavering commitment. This verse lays out a clear path of fidelity, urging believers to adhere strictly to God's commands, to serve Him wholeheartedly, and to cling to Him in all circumstances. It's a powerful exhortation to maintain spiritual integrity and devotion, resisting any temptation to deviate from the divine path.
Verse 5: The final verse of this passage delivers a severe warning and directive. It decrees the ultimate consequence for the false prophet or dreamer: death. This stark punishment reflects the seriousness with which God views the act of leading His people astray. It is a call for the community to protect its spiritual integrity by removing the corrupting influence, thereby reaffirming their commitment to the path God has set for them. This verse serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of safeguarding the community's faith and the dire consequences of tolerating deception.
Conclusion: Deuteronomy 13:1-5 is a profound call to vigilance, loyalty, and discernment in the spiritual journey. It challenges believers to look beyond the surface, to test the spirits, and to remain steadfast in their devotion to God, even when faced with seemingly miraculous signs. This passage is a timeless reminder of the importance of upholding truth and rejecting deception, emphasizing that our ultimate allegiance should always be to the Lord, our God.
In Matthew 8:28—9:1, we encounter two powerful stories that reveal the authority and compassion of Jesus Christ. As Jesus travels from teaching and healing in Galilee to encountering two demon-possessed men, and finally calming a storm on the sea, we witness a display of divine power and mercy that challenges our understanding of the physical and spiritual realms.8 28 When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29 “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”
30 Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31 The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”
32 He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. 33 Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.
9 1 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town.
Commentary
Matthew 8:28-34 — Jesus Heals Two Demon-Possessed Men
Verse 28: Jesus arrives in the region of the Gadarenes, where he is confronted by two demon-possessed men. These men are so violent that no one can pass that way, indicating the severe impact of demonic influence on individuals and communities.
Verses 29-31: The demons recognize Jesus as the Son of God and question His intentions for them. Their plea to be sent into a herd of pigs instead of being tormented before the appointed time shows their awareness of Jesus' authority and the existence of a timeline for final judgment.
Verses 32-33: Jesus grants the demons' request, and they enter the pigs, causing the entire herd to rush into the lake and die. This act demonstrates Jesus' absolute authority over the spiritual realm and the destructive nature of demonic forces.
Verses 34: The townspeople's reaction is one of fear and rejection. Instead of welcoming the healer, they plead with Jesus to leave their region. This response highlights the varied human reactions to divine intervention and the fear of the unknown.
Matthew 9:1 — Jesus Calms a Storm
Verse 1: Jesus returns to His own town, marking a transition from the Gentile region back to His ministry among the Jewish people. This move sets the stage for the next series of teachings and miracles.
Conclusion: Matthew 8:28—9:1 showcases Jesus' unparalleled power over both the spiritual and natural worlds. Through His interactions with the demon-possessed men and His return to His own town, we see a Savior who is both compassionate and commanding. These passages challenge us to recognize the authority of Jesus in our own lives and to respond with faith rather than fear.
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, aided by ChatGPT.
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, January 27, 2024
Divine Sovereignty and Faithful Obedience
Psalm 111; Deuteronomy 13:1-5; Matthew 8:28—9:1
Today's readings present a unified narrative that explores the concept of divine authority, the importance of wise judgment, and the strength that comes from belief. Psalm 111 praises the Lord for His mighty deeds and steadfast righteousness, setting a tone of worship and deep respect crucial for grasping His essence. Deuteronomy cautions against deceitful prophets and the dangers of deviation, highlighting the importance of adhering to and discerning God's eternal sovereignty. In Matthew, we observe Jesus exerting His control over both natural and supernatural forces, as He delivers the possessed and stills the tempest, reinforcing His heavenly mandate and encouraging a profound, individual reliance on Him. Collectively, these texts invite the faithful to acknowledge and react to God's supremacy with devoted compliance and steadfast confidence, cultivating a life that reveres the immense scope of God's authority and benevolence.
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