The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Saturday, March 9, 2024

 

The Daily Lectionary
With Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Saturday, March 9, 2024

From Wilderness to New Birth

Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22; Numbers 20:22-29; John 3:1-13
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Lent 4)

Introduction

In this collection of scriptural passages, we encounter profound themes of faith, transformation, and divine mercy, spanning from the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites to the enlightening conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 invites us to reflect on God's steadfast love and deliverance, as it vividly describes the redemption of those who have faced dire circumstances and cried out to the Lord. Numbers 20:22-29 shifts our focus to the poignant moment of Aaron's death on Mount Hor, symbolizing the transitional phase of the Israelites' journey in the wilderness and the passing of old leadership. Lastly, in John 3:1-13, we delve into the mysterious yet transformative concept of being 'born again,' as Jesus unveils the spiritual rebirth necessary to see the kingdom of God. These passages collectively guide us through a journey of faith, challenging us to trust in God's providential care and to embrace the transformative power of spiritual rebirth.

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
God Delivers from Distress

Psalm 107 is a powerful song of thanksgiving and praise in the Bible, found in the Old Testament. This particular passage, Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22, reflects on the steadfast love and deliverance of God. It speaks to the human experience of distress, the act of crying out to the Lord in times of trouble, and the wondrous relief and healing that comes from His intervention. As we prepare our hearts to delve into these verses, let us remember the countless ways in which God has shown His enduring love and faithfulness in our lives and in the history of His people.

1    O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; *
        For his steadfast love endures forever.

2    Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, *
        Those he redeemed from trouble

3    And gathered in from the lands, *
        From the east and from the west,
        from the north and from the south.

17  Some were sick through their sinful ways, *
        And because of their iniquities endured affliction;

18  They loathed any kind of food, *
        And they drew near to the gates of death.

19  Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, *
        And he saved them from their distress;

20  He sent out his word and healed them, *
        And delivered them from destruction.

21  Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, *
        For his wonderful works to humankind.

22  And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices, *
        And tell of his deeds with songs of joy.

Heavenly Father, we come to You with hearts full of gratitude, for Your steadfast love endures forever. You have gathered us from the east and west, from the north and south, and have shown us Your unending mercy.

Lord, we acknowledge those times when we were foolish, when our rebellious ways brought us to our lowest point. In our distress, we cried out to You, and You, in Your infinite compassion, sent Your word to heal and rescue us from destruction.

We thank You for Your wondrous deeds, for the miracles that You perform in our lives every day. You turn rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground, and a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the wickedness of its inhabitants. But You also turn a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water, and there You make the hungry live, so they may establish a town to live in.

Help us, O Lord, to offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and to tell of Your deeds with songs of joy. May our lives reflect Your love and grace, as we bear witness to Your mighty acts and enduring love.

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.”

Numbers 20:22-29
The Death of Aaron

In Numbers 20:22-29, we encounter a poignant and significant moment in the journey of the Israelites through the wilderness. This passage narrates the death of Aaron, the brother of Moses and the first high priest of the Israelites, at Mount Hor. As the Israelites continue their sojourn towards the Promised Land, this section marks a transition in leadership and a profound moment of change for the community. Aaron's death symbolizes the passing of the old generation that had come out of Egypt, and the emergence of a new generation that would enter Canaan. The ritual of passing Aaron's priestly garments to his son Eleazar underlines the continuity of the priesthood amidst the backdrop of loss and transformation. This passage not only reflects the human experience of grief and change but also underscores the faithfulness of God in guiding and providing for His people, even in times of significant transition.

20 22 They set out from Kadesh, and the Israelites, the whole congregation, came to Mount Hor. 23 Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron at Mount Hor, on the border of the land of Edom, 24 “Let Aaron be gathered to his people. For he shall not enter the land that I have given to the Israelites, because you rebelled against my command at the waters of Meribah. 25 Take Aaron and his son Eleazar, and bring them up Mount Hor; 26 strip Aaron of his vestments, and put them on his son Eleazar. But Aaron shall be gathered to his people, and shall die there.” 27 Moses did as the LORD had commanded; they went up Mount Hor in the sight of the whole congregation. 28 Moses stripped Aaron of his vestments, and put them on his son Eleazar; and Aaron died there on the top of the mountain. Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain. 29 When all the congregation saw that Aaron had died, all the house of Israel mourned for Aaron thirty days.

Expository Commentary

Verses 22-23 — Context: The Israelites, under Moses' leadership, journey from Kadesh to Mount Hor. God tells Moses and Aaron that Aaron will not enter the promised land because of their disobedience at Meribah (Numbers 20:12), where they failed to uphold God's holiness before the people.

Verse 24 — Aaron's Death Foretold: God's pronouncement that Aaron will die and not enter the promised land is a direct consequence of the incident at Meribah. This reinforces the theme of divine justice and the seriousness with which God views the actions of His chosen leaders.

Verses 25-26 — Transition of Priestly Garments: Moses is instructed to take Aaron and his son Eleazar up Mount Hor. There, Aaron's priestly garments are to be removed and put on Eleazar. This act symbolizes the transfer of priestly authority from Aaron to Eleazar, emphasizing the importance of continuity in leadership and the hereditary nature of the priesthood.

Verses 27-28 — Aaron's Death: The obedience of Moses in following God's instructions is highlighted. Aaron dies on the mountain after his priestly garments are given to Eleazar. This moment is solemn and marks the end of an era in Israel's journey. Aaron's death on the mountain, away from the camp, may also signify a peaceful transition and the respect given to Aaron as a leader.

Verse 29 — The People's Mourning: The entire community mourns Aaron's death for thirty days. This shows the high esteem in which Aaron was held and the collective sense of loss felt by the community. It also reflects the communal nature of grief in Israelite culture.

In summary, this passage not only recounts the death of Aaron but also serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience, the importance of faithful leadership, and the solemnity of transitions in roles within a community. It underscores the continuity of the priestly line and the communal aspect of mourning in Israelite society.

John 3:1-13
Jesus and Nicodemus

In John 3:1-13, the Gospel of John presents a profound nocturnal encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council. This passage is pivotal in understanding the concept of rebirth and salvation in Christian theology. It begins with Nicodemus acknowledging Jesus' divine teachings, prompting Jesus to introduce the essential doctrine of being "born again" or "born from above" to enter the Kingdom of God. This concept confounds Nicodemus, leading to a deeper explanation by Jesus about the spiritual rebirth through water and Spirit, distinct from physical birth. This section is crucial as it contains the famous verse John 3:16, a cornerstone in Christian belief about God's love and the promise of eternal life through belief in Jesus. Furthermore, the dialogue shifts to a discussion about the heavenly versus earthly things and Jesus' role as the mediator between God and humanity, emphasizing His unique authority to speak of heavenly matters. This encounter encapsulates the theme of misunderstanding and revelation that runs throughout the Gospel, showcasing the transformative power of Jesus' teachings.

3 1 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

11 “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.

Expository Commentary

Verses 1-2 — The Introduction of Nicodemus: Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night, indicating a possible secrecy due to his position in the Jewish council. His opening statement acknowledges Jesus as a teacher from God, recognized by the signs or miracles Jesus performed.

Verse 3 — The Concept of 'Being Born Again': Jesus introduces a fundamental Christian concept: one must be "born again" to see the kingdom of God. This introduces the theme of spiritual rebirth, distinct from physical birth.

Verse 4 — Nicodemus' Misunderstanding: Nicodemus misunderstands Jesus, thinking in literal terms about a second physical birth. This confusion highlights the difference between earthly and spiritual understanding.

Verses 5-6 — Spiritual Rebirth: Jesus clarifies that being "born again" involves being born of water and the Spirit. This is often interpreted as a reference to baptism. The flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit, emphasizing the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.

Verses 7-8 — The Work of the Spirit: Jesus expresses that the spiritual rebirth is like the wind—its effects are seen, but it's mysterious and beyond human control. This analogy emphasizes the unpredictability and sovereignty of the Spirit's work in regeneration.

Verses 9-10 — Nicodemus' Continued Confusion: Despite being a religious teacher, Nicodemus struggles to grasp these spiritual truths. Jesus expresses surprise at this, suggesting that spiritual leaders should understand these concepts.

Verses 11-12 — Trust and Belief: Jesus contrasts earthly and heavenly things, indicating that his teachings are based on his heavenly authority and experience. The challenge is for Nicodemus and others to believe in what they cannot see or fully understand.

Verse 13 — The Authority of Jesus: The passage concludes with Jesus asserting his unique authority as one who has descended from heaven. This is a claim to his divine origin and a unique source of knowledge about heavenly matters.

Throughout this passage, the theme of spiritual rebirth and the necessity of faith in understanding spiritual truths are central. It contrasts human misunderstanding with divine revelation and emphasizes the need for spiritual insight to comprehend the teachings of Jesus. The dialogue with Nicodemus serves as a powerful illustration of the challenge of accepting and understanding the new life offered through Jesus 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 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 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