The Daily Lectionary
with Commentary
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Redemption's Waters and the Light of Promise
Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36; Isaiah 41:14-20; John 1:29-34
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Ordinary 1)
Introduction
with Commentary
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Redemption's Waters and the Light of Promise
Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36; Isaiah 41:14-20; John 1:29-34
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Ordinary 1)
Introduction
In this harmonious blend of scriptures from Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36, Isaiah 41:14-20, and John 1:29-34, we delve into a profound journey of hope, deliverance, and divine revelation. Psalm 69 opens with a poignant plea for salvation from overwhelming adversities, symbolized by deep waters, reflecting the soul's yearning for God's rescue. This plea is echoed in Isaiah 41, where God reassures His people, the 'worm Jacob,' of transformation and empowerment, promising to turn their wilderness into a flourishing garden. This theme of divine intervention culminates in John 1, where John the Baptist reveals Jesus as the Lamb of God, the ultimate embodiment of redemption and the fulfillment of God's promise. Together, these passages weave a tapestry of faith, redemption, and the unwavering light of God's promise, guiding believers from despair to a place of hope and abundance.
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36
Seeking Salvation in Deep Waters
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36
Seeking Salvation in Deep Waters
Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36 resonates with the raw emotions of despair and hope. This passage vividly portrays a plea for deliverance and the enduring faith of the psalmist in God's unfailing love and salvation. As the psalmist navigates through overwhelming challenges, symbolized by deep waters and mire, they remain steadfast in seeking God's mercy. This psalm teaches us about the power of steadfast faith amidst life's tumultuous trials and the transformative grace of God's salvation.1 Save me, O God, *
For the waters have come up to my neck.
2 I sink in the miry depths,
where there is no foothold. *
I have come into the deep waters;
the floods engulf me.
3 I am worn out calling for help;
my throat is parched. *
My eyes fail,
looking for my God.
4 Those who hate me without reason
outnumber the hairs of my head; *
Many are my enemies without cause,
those who seek to destroy me.
I am forced to restore *
What I did not steal.
5 You, God, know my folly; *
My guilt is not hidden from you.
30 I will praise God’s name in song *
And glorify him with thanksgiving.
31 This will please the Lord more than an ox, *
More than a bull with its horns and hooves.
32 The poor will see and be glad— *
You who seek God, may your hearts live!
33 The Lord hears the needy *
And does not despise his captive people.
34 Let heaven and earth praise him, *
The seas and all that move in them,
35 For God will save Zion
and rebuild the cities of Judah. *
Then people will settle there and possess it;
36 The children of his servants will inherit it, *
And those who love his name will dwell there.
Heavenly Father, in the depths of my struggles, I reach out to You, echoing the heartfelt words of Psalm 69. In my distress, I feel as though I am sinking in deep mire, where there is no foothold, engulfed by waters that threaten to overwhelm me. My throat is parched from crying out for Your help, and my eyes grow weary with longing for Your aid.
Lord, You know my folly, my wrongs are not hidden from You. Despite my shortcomings, I seek Your mercy and Your grace. Let not those who hope in You be put to shame through me, Lord Almighty.
I turn to You with a heart full of thankfulness, knowing that praising Your name is a source of joy and delight. In my praise, I find strength and solace. I am reminded that Your salvation is for the poor and oppressed, that You hear the needy and do not despise Your captive people.
I pray for Your deliverance, not only for myself but also for those who are in distress. May Your love and truth protect and guide us. Rebuild and renew our spirits, and let Your glory be manifest in our lives.
May heaven and earth praise You, the seas and all that move in them. For You, God, will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. Your servants will inherit it, and those who love Your name will dwell there.
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 Isaiah 41:14-20, we encounter a profound message of hope and reassurance from God to His people. This passage is a vivid reminder of God's unwavering commitment to His people, especially in times when they feel most vulnerable and powerless. The imagery used here is rich and evocative, speaking directly to the heart of those who are struggling, offering them a promise of transformation and renewal.41 14 Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob,
little Israel, do not fear,
for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord,
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
15 “See, I will make you into a threshing sledge,
new and sharp, with many teeth.
You will thresh the mountains and crush them,
and reduce the hills to chaff.
16 You will winnow them, the wind will pick them up,
and a gale will blow them away.
But you will rejoice in the Lord
and glory in the Holy One of Israel.
17 “The poor and needy search for water,
but there is none;
their tongues are parched with thirst.
But I the Lord will answer them;
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
18 I will make rivers flow on barren heights,
and springs within the valleys.
I will turn the desert into pools of water,
and the parched ground into springs.
19 I will put in the desert
the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive.
I will set junipers in the wasteland,
the fir and the cypress together,
20 so that people may see and know,
may consider and understand,
that the hand of the Lord has done this,
that the Holy One of Israel has created it.
Commentary
Verses 14-15: These verses address Israel, referred to as a worm and little Israel, highlighting their perceived insignificance and vulnerability. Yet, God promises to transform this weakness into strength, making them into a new, powerful threshing sledge with sharp teeth. This metaphor illustrates the dramatic change God can bring about in the lives of those who trust in Him, turning their frailty into formidable strength.
Verse 16: Here, the promise of empowerment continues. The once weak will now thresh the mountains and crush them, and winnow the hills like chaff. This powerful imagery suggests a complete reversal of the natural order, where the once powerless become powerful, emphasizing God's ability to change circumstances in extraordinary ways.
Verse 17: This verse shifts the focus to the needs of the people. Their thirst represents their spiritual and physical needs. God hears their plight and responds, not with a mere trickle of assistance, but with rivers, springs, and pools of water. This abundance reflects God's generous provision and care for His people.
Verses 18-19: The transformation continues with the promise of turning the barren landscape into a fertile land. God commits to planting in the wilderness various trees—cedar, acacia, myrtle, olive, juniper, fir, and pine. This not only signifies a physical transformation of the land but also symbolizes spiritual renewal and growth.
Verse 20: The passage concludes by highlighting the purpose of these transformations: that people may see, know, consider, and understand that the hand of the Lord has done this. It's a call for recognition and acknowledgment of God’s power and involvement in the world, encouraging faith and trust in Him.
In summary, Isaiah 41:14-20 is a powerful testament to God's ability to transform weakness into strength and desolation into abundance. It serves as an enduring reminder of God's steadfast love and mighty power, offering comfort and hope to all who face challenges and hardships.
In John 1:29-34, the narrative unveils a profound moment in the New Testament where John the Baptist publicly recognizes Jesus Christ as the long-awaited Messiah. This passage is a cornerstone in Christian theology, as it captures the essence of Jesus's divine mission and identity. John the Baptist, a pivotal figure in the advent of Jesus's ministry, heralds Jesus as "the Lamb of God," signifying a sacrificial role in the redemption of humanity. This section of the Gospel according to John offers a deep insight into the nature of Jesus's mission and the beginning of his public ministry.1 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”
32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”
Commentary
Verse 29: John the Baptist's proclamation of Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world is laden with theological significance. The imagery of the lamb in Jewish tradition is associated with sacrifice and deliverance, harking back to the Passover lamb in Exodus. This title ascribes to Jesus a role of sacrificial redemption, hinting at his eventual crucifixion for the sins of humanity.
Verses 30-31: These verses emphasize the preeminence of Jesus, indicating that though John came before Jesus, Jesus surpasses him, being before him in divine nature and purpose. John's admission that he did not recognize Jesus at first, but came baptizing with water to reveal Jesus to Israel, underscores the divine revelation involved in recognizing Jesus as the Messiah.
Verses 32-33: John testifies to having witnessed the Spirit descending on Jesus like a dove, a symbolic event that not only affirmed Jesus’s divine sonship but also marked the anointing of Jesus by the Holy Spirit for his earthly ministry. The descent of the Spirit in this manner is a unique event, signifying the special relationship between Jesus and the Father, and the start of a new era in God's interaction with humanity.
Verse 34: John concludes with a bold and unequivocal statement of faith, declaring Jesus to be the Son of God. This title is pivotal in Christian belief, affirming the divine nature of Jesus and his unique relationship with God the Father. It encapsulates the Christian doctrine of the Trinity and sets the stage for the unfolding of Jesus’s redemptive work.
Overall, John 1:29-34 encapsulates key Christian doctrines concerning the identity and mission of Jesus Christ. It sets a foundational premise for understanding the nature of Jesus's sacrificial role and his divine sonship, weaving together themes of revelation, redemption, and the fulfillment of prophecy.
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, January 10, 2024
Redemption's Waters and the Light of Promise
Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36; Isaiah 41:14-20; John 1:29-34
In this harmonious blend of scriptures from today's readings, we delve into a profound journey of hope, deliverance, and divine revelation. Psalm 69 opens with a poignant plea for salvation from overwhelming adversities, symbolized by deep waters, reflecting the soul's yearning for God's rescue. This plea is echoed in Isaiah 41, where God reassures His people, the 'worm Jacob,' of transformation and empowerment, promising to turn their wilderness into a flourishing garden. This theme of divine intervention culminates in John 1, where John the Baptist reveals Jesus as the Lamb of God, the ultimate embodiment of redemption and the fulfillment of God's promise. Together, these passages weave a tapestry of faith, redemption, and the unwavering light of God's promise, guiding believers from despair to a place of hope and abundance.
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