The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Saturday, March 2, 2024

 

The Daily Lectionary
With Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Saturday, March 2, 2024

The Glory of God Revealed

in Majesty and Mystery

Psalm 19; Exodus 19:16-25; Mark 9:2-8
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Lent 3)

Introduction

Psalm 19, Exodus 19:16-25, and Mark 9:2-8 collectively unfold a breathtaking tapestry of divine revelation, showcasing the glory of God through distinct, yet interconnected narratives. Psalm 19 eloquently declares the heavens as a testament to God's majestic creation, speaking without words, yet resounding with celestial praise. In Exodus, we witness the formidable power of God at Mount Sinai, where thunder, lightning, and the sound of a trumpet signal His presence, instilling both awe and fear among the Israelites. Mark’s account of the Transfiguration of Jesus on a high mountain offers a glimpse into the divine mystery, where Jesus is transfigured, revealing His heavenly glory in the presence of select disciples. Together, these passages invite reflection on the multifaceted ways God's glory and presence have been manifested to humanity, bridging heaven and earth, fear and fascination, and the seen and unseen realms.

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 19
The Commandments Give Light to the Eyes

Psalm 19 is a profound reflection on the glory of God as revealed through His creation and His law. This Psalm, attributed to King David, is a celebration of the ways in which God communicates with humanity. The first part marvels at how the heavens proclaim the glory of God, illustrating the divine hand in the natural world. The second part shifts to a deep appreciation of the law of the Lord, emphasizing how the commandments provide guidance and enlightenment to the human heart and mind. This Psalm beautifully captures the dual revelation of God through creation and scripture, ultimately portraying God's commandments as a source of light and wisdom. The title "The Commandments Give Light to the Eyes" encapsulates the Psalm's central theme of finding divine insight and clarity through God's laws.

1    The heavens are telling the glory of God; *
        And the firmament proclaims his handiwork.

2    Day to day pours forth speech, *
        And night to night declares knowledge.

3    There is no speech, nor are there words; *
        Their voice is not heard;

4    Yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
            and their words to the end of the world. *
        In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,

5    Which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, *
        And like a strong man runs its course with joy.

6    Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
            and its circuit to the end of them; *
        And nothing is hid from its heat.

7    The law of the LORD is perfect,
            reviving the soul; *
        The decrees of the LORD are sure,
            making wise the simple;

8    The precepts of the LORD are right,
            rejoicing the heart; *
        The commandment of the LORD is clear,
            enlightening the eyes;

9    The fear of the LORD is pure,
            enduring forever; *
        The ordinances of the LORD are true
            and righteous altogether.

10  More to be desired are they than gold,
            even much fine gold; *
        Sweeter also than honey,
            and drippings of the honeycomb.

11  Moreover by them is your servant warned; *
        in keeping them there is great reward.

12  But who can detect their errors? *
        Clear me from hidden faults.

13  Keep back your servant also from the insolent;
            do not let them have dominion over me. *
        Then I shall be blameless,
            and innocent of great transgression.

14  Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
            be acceptable to you, *
        O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Heavenly Father, in the spirit of Psalm 19, we come before You in awe of Your creation. The heavens declare Your glory, the skies proclaim the work of Your hands. Day after day they pour forth speech, night after night they reveal knowledge.

Lord, Your law is perfect, refreshing the soul. Your statutes are trustworthy, making wise the simple. Your precepts are right, giving joy to the heart. Your commands are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of You is pure, enduring forever. Your decrees are firm, and all of them are righteous.

We ask for the grace to keep Your laws and to be aware of our faults. Forgive our hidden faults, and keep Your servants also from willful sins; may they not rule over us. Then we will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

May the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.

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.”

Exodus 19:16-25
Preparation for the Giving of the Commandments

Exodus 19:16-25 captures a moment of awe and revelation at Mount Sinai. This passage vividly describes the manifestation of God's presence, marked by thunder, lightning, a thick cloud, and an exceedingly loud trumpet blast, as the Israelites prepare to receive divine instruction. The intensity of the scene is heightened by God's command that the people must not break through to the Lord to gaze, under penalty of death. Moses' role as a mediator is emphasized, as he speaks with God and relays instructions to the people, signifying a profound interaction between the divine and the mortal. This passage serves as a crucial point in the narrative of the Israelites, underscoring the sanctity and power of their covenant with God, as well as setting the stage for the giving of the Ten Commandments.

19 16 On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, as well as a thick cloud on the mountain, and a blast of a trumpet so loud that all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17 Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God. They took their stand at the foot of the mountain. 18 Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke, because the LORD had descended upon it in fire; the smoke went up like the smoke of a kiln, while the whole mountain shook violently. 19 As the blast of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses would speak and God would answer him in thunder. 20 When the LORD descended upon Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain, the LORD summoned Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. 21 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go down and warn the people not to break through to the LORD to look; otherwise many of them will perish. 22 Even the priests who approach the LORD must consecrate themselves or the LORD will break out against them.” 23 Moses said to the LORD, “The people are not permitted to come up to Mount Sinai; for you yourself warned us, saying, ‘Set limits around the mountain and keep it holy.’” 24 The LORD said to him, “Go down, and come up bringing Aaron with you; but do not let either the priests or the people break through to come up to the LORD; otherwise he will break out against them.” 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.

Expository Commentary

Verse 16: This verse sets the scene with dramatic natural phenomena: thunder, lightning, a thick cloud, and a very loud trumpet blast. These elements symbolize the presence of God and the gravity of the moment. The trumpet, often a call to action or attention in ancient times, signifies a divine summons for the Israelites to prepare themselves.

Verse 17: Moses leads the people out of the camp to meet God. This act signifies the role of Moses as a mediator between God and the Israelites. The phrase "to meet God" suggests a direct and significant encounter between the divine and the people.

Verse 18: Mount Sinai is enveloped in smoke because the Lord descends upon it in fire. The smoke and fire imagery is consistent with theophany (a visible manifestation to humankind of God), indicating God's holiness and unapproachable power. The trembling of the mountain may symbolize the awe and fear that the presence of God instills in both the people and creation itself.

Verse 19: The trumpet grows louder, and Moses speaks while God answers him in thunder. This interaction illustrates the communication between God and Moses, highlighting Moses' unique position as the one who can speak directly to God.

Verse 20: The Lord descends to the top of Mount Sinai and calls Moses to the top. This ascent signifies Moses' role as the chosen intermediary. God's descent and Moses' ascent are powerful images of the meeting of the divine and human realms.

Verses 21-22: God instructs Moses to warn the people not to break through to see the Lord, emphasizing the holiness and danger of God's direct presence. The priests also need to consecrate themselves, highlighting the need for purity and preparation before approaching the divine.

Verse 23: Moses responds by noting that the people cannot come up Mount Sinai because of God’s own command to set limits around the mountain. This response reaffirms the importance of obeying God's commands and the boundaries set by God for the protection of the people.

Verse 24: The Lord emphasizes the need for only Moses and Aaron to come up, underscoring the unique roles they have in this covenantal relationship. This directive reinforces the separation between the divine and the masses, with only certain individuals like Moses and Aaron being permitted closer access.

Verse 25: Moses descends and delivers God's instructions to the people. This descent marks the transition from the divine encounter back to the earthly realm, where Moses must communicate and enforce God's commands among the Israelites.

In summary, Exodus 19:16-25 is a powerful narrative that portrays the awe-inspiring presence of God at Mount Sinai, establishes Moses' role as a mediator, and sets the stage for the giving of the Ten Commandments. It underscores themes of holiness, obedience, and the boundary between the divine and human realms.

Mark 9:2-8
Moses with Elijah and Jesus on a Mountain

Mark 9:2-8 presents the profound and mystical event known as the Transfiguration of Jesus. This passage narrates a pivotal moment where Jesus leads Peter, James, and John up a high mountain, separate from the others. There, Jesus is transfigured before them, his clothes becoming dazzling white, an embodiment of divine glory. This miraculous transformation is witnessed by the disciples, and they also see Elijah and Moses talking with Jesus. This event highlights the connection between Jesus and the great prophets of Israel, emphasizing his role in fulfilling God's plan. The climax of this account occurs when a cloud overshadows them, and a voice from the cloud declares Jesus to be God's beloved Son, commanding the disciples to listen to him. This declaration echoes the voice at Jesus' baptism and foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice Jesus will make. The Transfiguration stands as a testament to Jesus' divine nature and his central role in salvation history.

9 2 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” 8 Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.

Expository Commentary

Verse 2: This verse sets the scene for a significant event. The "six days" may symbolize a period of waiting or preparation, echoing the six days Moses waited before encountering God on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:16). The choice of Peter, James, and John, Jesus' inner circle among the disciples, underscores the importance of the event. The high mountain, a traditional place for encountering the divine, prepares for a revelation of Jesus' true nature. The transfiguration, where Jesus' appearance is dramatically altered to a glorified state, signifies his divine nature and the revelation of his glory.

Verse 3: The description of Jesus' clothes as "dazzling white" symbolizes purity and divinity. This extraordinary whiteness, beyond human capability, suggests a supernatural occurrence, emphasizing that this transformation is an act of God. This imagery is reminiscent of the divine manifestations in the Hebrew Scriptures, like the vision in Daniel 7:9.

Verse 4: Elijah and Moses represent the Law and the Prophets, key components of Jewish religious tradition. Their appearance with Jesus signifies that he is the fulfillment of both the Law and the prophetic messages. This conversation could imply a discussion of Jesus' upcoming death and resurrection, seen as the fulfillment of what the Law and Prophets foretold.

Verse 5: Peter's response reflects a common human desire to capture or prolong a miraculous experience. His suggestion to make three dwellings (or tents) may indicate a desire to honor each of the figures equally. It could also be an allusion to the Feast of Tabernacles, a festival commemorating the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness.

Verse 6: This verse highlights the disciples' fear and confusion in the face of this divine revelation. Their terror is a common reaction in biblical accounts when humans encounter the divine.

Verse 7: The cloud, symbolizing God's presence, is a recurrent image in biblical theophanies. The voice from the cloud reaffirms Jesus' identity as God's Son, echoing the declaration at Jesus' baptism (Mark 1:11). This divine endorsement emphasizes the importance of listening to Jesus, placing his teachings above the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah).

Verse 8: The sudden disappearance of Elijah and Moses, leaving only Jesus, emphasizes that while the Law and Prophets are important, Jesus is now the central focus of God's plan. This moment underscores the transition from the old covenant to the new in Jesus Christ.

This passage, therefore, presents a rich tapestry of theological symbolism, connecting Jesus firmly with Jewish tradition while simultaneously affirming his unique and central role in God's salvific plan.

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