The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Wednesday, March 13, 2024

 

The Daily Lectionary
With Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Light in the Darkness

Psalm 107:1-16; Isaiah 60:15-22; John 8:12-20
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Lent 4)

Introduction

This compilation of scriptural passages from Psalm 107:1-16, Isaiah 60:15-22, and John 8:12-20 presents a powerful narrative of transformation and hope. Psalm 107:1-16 opens the dialogue with a vivid depiction of human despair and divine rescue, emphasizing the steadfast love of the Lord towards those in distress. Isaiah 60:15-22 then elevates this theme, portraying a future filled with glory and divine favor, where the previous desolation turns into eternal splendor. In John 8:12-20, the theme reaches its zenith with Jesus Christ's declaration as the Light of the World, illuminating the path for humanity and challenging the darkness of misunderstanding and disbelief. Together, these passages weave a tapestry of redemption, showcasing God's unending love and the transformative power of His light in the midst of darkness.

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 107:1-16
God Gives Food and Light

Psalm 107:1-16 beautifully illustrates God's boundless mercy and His ability to provide for His people in times of distress. The Psalm opens with a call to give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and wonderful deeds for humanity. It then vividly describes various distressful situations—wandering in desert wastelands, hunger, and darkness—and how the Lord delivers from these adversities. This section of the Psalm particularly focuses on God's provision of nourishment and light, symbolizing both physical sustenance and spiritual enlightenment, underscoring the idea that God is a refuge and a provider for those who call upon Him.

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.

4    Some wandered in desert wastes, *
        finding no way to an inhabited town;

5    Hungry and thirsty, *
        their soul fainted within them.

6    Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, *
        and he delivered them from their distress;

7    He led them by a straight way, *
        until they reached an inhabited town.

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

9    For he satisfies the thirsty, *
        and the hungry he fills with good things.

10  Some sat in darkness and in gloom, *
        prisoners in misery and in irons,

11  For they had rebelled against the words of God, *
        and spurned the counsel of the Most High.

12  Their hearts were bowed down with hard labor; *
        they fell down, with no one to help.

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

14  He brought them out of darkness and gloom, *
        and broke their bonds asunder.

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

16  For he shatters the doors of bronze, *
        and cuts in two the bars of iron.

Gracious and Everlasting Lord, we come before You with hearts full of gratitude, for Your steadfast love endures forever. In the spirit of Psalm 107:1-16, we acknowledge Your unending mercy and Your wondrous works for the children of humanity.

Lord, we remember those who wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city to dwell in. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. In their distress, they cried to You, and You delivered them from their troubles. You led them by a straight way until they reached a city to dwell in. For this, O Lord, we give thanks.

We recall how You satisfied the thirsty and filled the hungry with good things. You turned rivers into a desert, flowing springs into thirsty ground, and fruitful land into a salt waste, because of the wickedness of its inhabitants. Yet, when they cried to You in their trouble, You delivered them from their distress. You turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs.

We think of those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons, for they had rebelled against Your commands and spurned the counsel of the Most High. Their hearts were bowed down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help. Then they cried to You in their trouble, and You saved them from their distress. You brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart.

O Lord, Your wondrous works and Your deep compassion are beyond compare. May we always remember Your love and kindness, and may we walk in the path of righteousness, guided by Your light and truth.

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 60:15-22
God is Our Light

Isaiah 60:15-22 speaks to the transformative power of God's grace and the restoration of Israel. In this section, the Prophet Isaiah conveys a message of hope and redemption, portraying a future where Israel, once forsaken and hated, is elevated to an everlasting glory. The imagery used is rich and evocative, depicting a time when Israel will no longer rely on the sun for light or the moon for brightness; instead, the Lord will be its everlasting light. This prophetic vision extends beyond the physical restoration of the nation, suggesting a spiritual renewal where sorrow is replaced with joy, and the people's relationship with God is characterized by closeness and direct guidance. The passage culminates with a promise of rapid reconstruction and prosperity, symbolizing the swift and powerful work of God in bringing about a new era for His people.

60 15 Whereas you have been forsaken and hated,
        with no one passing through,
    I will make you majestic forever,
        a joy from age to age.
16  You shall suck the milk of nations,
        you shall suck the breasts of kings;
    and you shall know that I, the LORD, am your Savior
        and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

17  Instead of bronze I will bring gold,
        instead of iron I will bring silver;
    instead of wood, bronze,
        instead of stones, iron.
    I will appoint Peace as your overseer
        and Righteousness as your taskmaster.
18  Violence shall no more be heard in your land,
        devastation or destruction within your borders;
    you shall call your walls Salvation,
        and your gates Praise.

19  The sun shall no longer be
        your light by day,
    nor for brightness shall the moon
        give light to you by night;
    but the LORD will be your everlasting light,
        and your God will be your glory.
20  Your sun shall no more go down,
        or your moon withdraw itself;
    for the LORD will be your everlasting light,
        and your days of mourning shall be ended.
21  Your people shall all be righteous;
        they shall possess the land forever.
    They are the shoot that I planted, the work of my hands,
        so that I might be glorified.
22  The least of them shall become a clan,
        and the smallest one a mighty nation;
    I am the LORD;
        in its time I will accomplish it quickly.

Expository Commentary

Verse 15: This verse speaks of a transformation. Once forsaken and hated, Jerusalem will now become an "everlasting pride." This shift from desolation to glory signifies a radical change in the city's status and fortune.

Verse 16: The imagery here is of Jerusalem nursing and being nourished by the nations and kings. This symbolizes a reversal of fortunes where those who once might have oppressed Jerusalem will now support and respect it. The phrase "Then you will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior" emphasizes that this transformation is an act of divine salvation.

Verse 17: This verse contains promises of prosperity and peace. The replacement of bronze with gold and iron with silver metaphorically suggests an upgrade in quality and value. Peace and righteousness replacing violence and ruin indicates a profound change in the social and moral fabric of the city.

Verse 18: The verse continues the theme of peace and safety, emphasizing that violence, devastation, and destruction will be things of the past. The walls being named "Salvation" and the gates "Praise" symbolize the city's new character as a place of divine protection and worship.

Verse 19: This verse introduces a powerful eschatological image. The LORD will be the everlasting light, and the days of mourning will end. This suggests a time when God's presence will be so manifest that no other light will be necessary.

Verse 20: It reinforces the idea of the LORD as an eternal light and that the people's time of troubles is over. The "days of your mourning shall be ended" points to an end of suffering and a new era of perpetual joy and righteousness.

Verse 21: This verse speaks to the righteousness of the people. All the inhabitants will be righteous and will possess the land forever. This is a promise of both moral integrity and enduring security.

Verse 22: The final verse ties together the themes of growth and divine intervention. The small becoming a strong nation and the least a mighty clan, in a short time, reflects the miraculous growth and blessing bestowed by God.

In summary, Isaiah 60:15-22 offers a vision of hope and restoration for Jerusalem, transitioning from a state of abandonment to one of eternal glory and divine favor. It emphasizes the role of God as the redeemer and protector, promising prosperity, righteousness, and everlasting light to the people. The passage is rich in symbolic language and eschatological themes, painting a picture of a complete transformation under God's guidance and power.

John 8:12-20
Christ the Light of the World

John 8:12-20 presents a profound exchange between Jesus and the Pharisees, highlighting core themes of light, truth, and divine authority. In this passage, Jesus declares Himself as the "Light of the World," a metaphorical statement that not only asserts His divine role but also contrasts the spiritual darkness of the world. The Pharisees challenge His testimony, leading to a deep theological discourse on the nature of Jesus' witness and His relationship with the Father. This section not only reinforces the identity of Jesus in the Christian faith but also delves into the Jewish legal requirement of multiple witnesses, through which Jesus explains the divine validation of His mission and authority. The dialogue encapsulates key aspects of Christian theology, including the nature of belief, the revelation of God in Jesus, and the spiritual blindness of those who refuse to accept His light.

8 12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” 13 Then the Pharisees said to him, “You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid.” 14 Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid because I know where I have come from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge by human standards; I judge no one. 16 Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is valid; for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. 17 In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid. 18 I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me testifies on my behalf.” 19 Then they said to him, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 20 He spoke these words while he was teaching in the treasury of the temple, but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.

Expository Commentary

Verse 12: This statement by Jesus is one of the "I am" statements found in John's Gospel, which reveal His divine identity. The metaphor of light symbolizes truth, righteousness, and divine revelation. Jesus is saying that He is the source of spiritual illumination and salvation. Following Him brings one out of the darkness of sin and ignorance into the light of understanding and eternal life.

Verses 13-14: The Pharisees challenge the validity of Jesus' claims based on Jewish law, which required the testimony of two witnesses. Jesus counters by emphasizing His unique authority. He knows His divine origin and destiny, unlike the Pharisees, who lack this spiritual insight.

Verses 15-16: Here, Jesus contrasts the Pharisees' judgment, which is based on human standards and limitations, with His own, which is in perfect harmony with God the Father. His judgment, therefore, carries divine authority and truth.

Verses 17-18: Jesus addresses their legalistic approach by pointing to the Law's requirement for two witnesses. He presents Himself and God the Father as the two witnesses, fulfilling the legal requirement in a deeper, spiritual sense.

Verses 19-20: The Pharisees' question reveals their lack of spiritual understanding. Jesus implies that knowing Him is the key to knowing the Father, emphasizing the unity between Him and God the Father. The setting in the temple, particularly in the treasury, is significant as it was a place associated with light during the Festival of Tabernacles, further reinforcing the theme of light. The mention of His hour not yet coming points to Jesus' awareness of His destiny and the divine timing of His passion and death.

This passage from John 8 reveals deep truths about Jesus' identity, His relationship with the Father, and the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees. It underscores the contrast between divine and human understanding and the essential need to accept Jesus as the source of spiritual light and truth.

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