The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Tuesday, March 19, 2024

 

The Daily Lectionary
With Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Guidance, Identity, and Proclamation

Psalm 119:9-16; Isaiah 44:1-8; Acts 2:14-24
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Lent 5)

Introduction

In this exploration of scriptural wisdom, we delve into a triad of profound passages, each offering unique perspectives on spiritual guidance, identity, and proclamation. Psalm 119:9-16 serves as a meditation on the sanctity of God's commandments and the desire to live in accordance with divine law. Isaiah 44:1-8 offers an assurance of God's unchanging promise and a reaffirmation of Israel's unique identity as His chosen people. In Acts 2:14-24, we witness the bold proclamation of Peter, as he articulates the fulfillment of prophecy and the transformative power of Christ's death and resurrection. Together, these passages weave a tapestry of faith, challenging believers to reflect on their journey, understand their spiritual lineage, and embrace their role in continuing the story of salvation.

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 119:9-16
I Treasure Your Promise in My Heart

Psalm 119:9-16 is a profound and reflective passage that delves into the theme of living a life in accordance with God's commandments. This segment of the longest psalm in the Bible emphasizes the importance of young people maintaining purity and righteousness through adherence to the Word of God. It underscores the significance of treasuring God's teachings in one's heart as a means to avoid sinning. The psalmist expresses a deep love and respect for God's statutes, vowing to meditate on His precepts and delight in His decrees. This passage is not only a personal commitment to follow God's laws but also an invitation for readers to reflect on the impact of divine guidance in their own lives, highlighting the transformative power of God's word in leading a faithful and righteous path.

9    How can young people keep their way pure?
        By guarding it according to your word.
10  With my whole heart I seek you;
        do not let me stray from your commandments.
11  I treasure your word in my heart,
        so that I may not sin against you.
12  Blessed are you, O LORD;
        teach me your statutes.
13  With my lips I declare
        all the ordinances of your mouth.
14  I delight in the way of your decrees
        as much as in all riches.
15  I will meditate on your precepts,
        and fix my eyes on your ways.
16  I will delight in your statutes;
        I will not forget your word.

Heavenly Father, in the light of Your Word, as revealed in Psalm 119:9-16, we come before You seeking guidance and wisdom. Your teachings, O Lord, are the path to purity and righteousness. Help us, Your children, to walk in Your way wholeheartedly, guarding our lives according to Your truth.

Grant us the strength to seek You with all our hearts and the courage to not stray from Your commandments. Inscribe Your statutes in our hearts, so we may recount Your wondrous deeds and rejoice in Your righteous ordinances.

Teach us, O Lord, to meditate on Your precepts, to fix our eyes on Your ways, and to delight in Your statutes. May we never forget Your word, for in it, we find life and joy.

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.”

Isaiah 44:1-8
God Gives Life to the People

Isaiah 44:1-8 presents a powerful and comforting message from the prophet Isaiah. This passage is a direct address from God to His people, offering both reassurance and a reaffirmation of His sole deity. In these verses, God reminds Israel of their chosen status, calling them His servant and promising to pour out His Spirit upon their descendants, symbolizing a future of blessing and prosperity. The passage emphasizes God's uniqueness as the only true God, dismissing any rival gods as mere idols. It showcases God's omniscience and omnipotence, while also serving as a call to the people of Israel to remember their special relationship with the Almighty. This section of Isaiah is a poignant reflection on the nature of God's relationship with His people, His unchanging promises, and the futility of idolatry in the face of divine sovereignty.

44 1 But now hear, O Jacob my servant,
        Israel whom I have chosen!
2    Thus says the LORD who made you,
        who formed you in the womb and will help you:
    Do not fear, O Jacob my servant,
        Jeshurun whom I have chosen.
3    For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
        and streams on the dry ground;
    I will pour my spirit upon your descendants,
        and my blessing on your offspring.
4    They shall spring up like a green tamarisk,
        like willows by flowing streams.
5    This one will say, “I am the LORD’s,”
        another will be called by the name of Jacob,
    yet another will write on the hand, “The LORD’s,”
        and adopt the name of Israel.

6    Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel,
        and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts:
    I am the first and I am the last;
        besides me there is no god.
7    Who is like me? Let them proclaim it,
        let them declare and set it forth before me.
    Who has announced from of old the things to come?
        Let them tell us what is yet to be.
8    Do not fear, or be afraid;
        have I not told you from of old and declared it?
        You are my witnesses!
    Is there any god besides me?
        There is no other rock; I know not one.

Expository Commentary

Verse 1: This verse sets the tone for the entire passage. God addresses His people directly, emphasizing two key identities: 'Jacob' and 'Israel.' 'Jacob' refers to the patriarch, symbolizing the nation's origins and struggles, while 'Israel' signifies the transformed identity of the people as God's chosen. The call to listen ('hear') indicates the importance of the message that follows.

Verse 2: Here, God's role as the Creator and Sustainer is highlighted. The phrase 'formed you from the womb' signifies a deep, intimate relationship. 'Jeshurun' is a poetic name for Israel, often used to denote an idealized state of the nation. The command 'Do not fear' is a reassurance of God's continuous support and chosen status of the people.

Verse 3: This verse uses the metaphor of water in a dry land to symbolize the life-giving, rejuvenating power of God's spirit and blessings. It implies physical and spiritual revitalization, not just for the current generation but for the descendants as well, ensuring a lasting covenant.

Verse 4: This imagery continues the theme of rejuvenation. The tamarisk and willows by streams are symbols of growth, prosperity, and vitality. It suggests that the people, under God's blessing, will flourish even in adverse conditions.

Verse 5: This verse speaks to individual and communal identity in God. It reflects a voluntary and personal commitment to God, indicating a variety of ways people express their devotion and affiliation to Him.

Verse 6: Here, God is described with multiple titles, emphasizing His authority, redemptive power, and omnipotence. The statement 'I am the first and I am the last' echoes the eternal and unchanging nature of God, affirming monotheism and dismissing the existence of other deities.

Verse 7: This verse challenges any rivals to God's sovereignty. It's a rhetorical question underscoring God's uniqueness as the one who knows and declares future events, a power that no idol or false god possesses.

Verse 8: The passage concludes with a reassurance against fear, reminding the people of God's longstanding relationship and revelations to them. The call for them to be witnesses is significant, as it implies their role in testifying to God's uniqueness and faithfulness. The term 'rock' is metaphorical for strength, stability, and protection, further emphasizing the futility of turning to other gods.

Overall, Isaiah 44:1-8 is a rich tapestry of reassurance, covenant promises, and a clear declaration of God's unique sovereignty and enduring relationship with His people.

Acts 2:14-24
Peter Proclaims the Crucified Christ to be Alive

Acts 2:14-24 presents a pivotal moment in the Christian narrative. This passage begins with Peter standing up with the Eleven Apostles, addressing the crowd that had gathered in Jerusalem during the Feast of Pentecost. Here, Peter delivers a powerful sermon, marking the beginning of his public ministry. He speaks with conviction, explaining the miraculous events they are witnessing as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. Peter cites the Prophet Joel, emphasizing the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, a key element in Christian theology. This moment signifies not only the inauguration of the Church but also serves as a testament to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Peter boldly proclaims Jesus as both Lord and Messiah, confronting the people with their role in his death yet assuring them of God's predetermined plan for salvation through Christ's resurrection, a central tenet of Christian faith. This passage, rich in theological significance, encapsulates the transformative power of the Holy Spirit and the genesis of Christian proclamation.

2 14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15 Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16 No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

17  ‘In the last days it will be, God declares,
    that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
        and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
    and your young men shall see visions,
        and your old men shall dream dreams.
18  Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
        in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
            and they shall prophesy.
19  And I will show portents in the heaven above
        and signs on the earth below,
            blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
20  The sun shall be turned to darkness
        and the moon to blood,
            before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
21  Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

22 “You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— 23 this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. 24 But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power.

Expository Commentary

Verse 14: This verse marks a significant leadership role of Peter among the Apostles. His act of standing up and addressing the crowd signifies the beginning of his public ministry. It also represents the unity and authority of the Apostolic witness.

Verses 15-16: Peter confronts the crowd's misunderstanding (that the Apostles were drunk) and redirects their attention to a prophetic interpretation of the events. He implies that the phenomena they are witnessing (speaking in tongues) are not random but fulfill the prophecy of Joel. The reference to the early hour underlines the sobriety and seriousness of the situation.

Verses 17-21: This section quotes the prophecy of Joel (Joel 2:28-32). Peter uses this prophecy to explain the events of Pentecost. Key points include:

• The outpouring of the Holy Spirit is not limited by age, gender, or social status.

• Visions and prophecy are signs of the Spirit's activity.

• The mention of 'wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below' can be seen as an allusion to the cosmic significance of Christ's life, death, and resurrection.

• The promise of salvation to 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord' emphasizes the universality of the Christian message.

Verse 22: Peter introduces Jesus of Nazareth, affirming His divine mission. He emphasizes Jesus’ miracles, wonders, and signs as evidence of His divine authority and identity.

Verse 23: This verse presents the crucifixion of Jesus as part of God's predetermined plan. It confronts the people with their responsibility in Jesus' death while acknowledging the divine purpose behind it.

Verse 24: This verse is central to Christian theology. It speaks of the Resurrection, affirming that Jesus overcame death. This underscores the belief in Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God, whose resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian faith.

In summary, Acts 2:14-24 presents a foundational Christian sermon by Peter, explaining the events of Pentecost in light of Old Testament prophecy, affirming Jesus’ divine mission, and proclaiming the resurrection. It marks the birth of the Church and the beginning of its mission to spread the Gospel to all nations.

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 biblical commentaries provided here are intended for educational and spiritual enrichment purposes only. The interpretations and insights offered are based on the authors' understanding and perspective of the Bible, which may be influenced by their theological training, denominational background, and personal beliefs.

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