The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Friday, March 15, 2024

 

The Daily Lectionary
With Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Friday, March 15, 2024

A Journey of Atonement, Sanctity,

and Divine Mediation

Psalm 51:1-12; Exodus 30:1-10; Hebrews 4:14—5:4
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Lent 5)

Introduction

In this harmonious convergence of scripture, we embark on a journey that interweaves the profound depths of penitence, the sanctity of divine worship, and the pivotal role of the High Priest as an intercessor between God and humanity. Psalm 51:1-12 offers a heartfelt cry for mercy and cleansing from King David, acknowledging his sinfulness and yearning for restoration with God. Exodus 30:1-10 shifts the focus to the sacred, detailing the construction and purpose of the altar of incense within the Tabernacle, symbolizing the continual offering of prayers and sanctification of the people. The passage from Hebrews 4:14—5:4 culminates this spiritual tapestry by presenting Jesus Christ as the ultimate High Priest, who sympathizes with our weaknesses and offers a superior mediation, opening a new and living way for believers to approach God. Together, these scriptures invite reflection on the themes of repentance, holy intercession, and the unchanging grace found in Christ’s priesthood.

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 51:1-12
Create in Me a Clean Heart

Psalm 51:1-12 is a profound and heartfelt plea for mercy, forgiveness, and renewal. Traditionally attributed to King David after his moral failing with Bathsheba, this psalm expresses deep remorse and a sincere desire for spiritual cleansing. Its opening verses, "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions," set the tone for a deeply personal and universal appeal for divine grace. The psalmist acknowledges his sins and seeks restoration, not through his own merits, but through God's unfailing love and compassion. This passage resonates with anyone seeking redemption and transformation, emphasizing the themes of contrition, confession, and the hope for a renewed spirit within the context of a loving and forgiving God.

1    Have mercy on me, O God,
        according to your steadfast love;
    according to your abundant mercy
        blot out my transgressions.
2    Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
        and cleanse me from my sin.

3    For I know my transgressions,
        and my sin is ever before me.
4    Against you, you alone, have I sinned,
        and done what is evil in your sight,
    so that you are justified in your sentence
        and blameless when you pass judgment.
5    Indeed, I was born guilty,
        a sinner when my mother conceived me.

6    You desire truth in the inward being;
        therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
7    Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
        wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8    Let me hear joy and gladness;
        let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.
9    Hide your face from my sins,
        and blot out all my iniquities.

10  Create in me a clean heart, O God,
        and put a new and right spirit within me.
11  Do not cast me away from your presence,
        and do not take your holy spirit from me.
12  Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
        and sustain in me a willing spirit.

O Merciful God, in Your boundless compassion and unfathomable grace, hear my humble prayer. As I reflect on the words of Psalm 51, I recognize my own frailty and the multitude of my transgressions. In Your great mercy, blot out my iniquities and cleanse my heart from sin.

Lord, I acknowledge my offenses and my sins are ever before me. Against You alone have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight. Yet, in Your steadfast love and abundant mercy, wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.

Teach me Your ways, O Lord, that I may walk in Your truth. Help me to understand the depth of Your forgiveness, that I may be a vessel of Your grace to others. May my lips, once purified, declare Your praise, and my life be a testament to Your redeeming 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.”

Exodus 30:1-10
Aaron’s Responsibility for Altar and Atonement

Exodus 30:1-10 presents a detailed description of the construction and use of the altar of incense in the tabernacle. This passage outlines specific instructions given by God to Moses, emphasizing the meticulous craftsmanship and sacred materials required for its construction. The altar, made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, is to be placed in front of the veil that shields the Ark of the Covenant. The passage further details the ceremonial role of Aaron, the high priest, in burning fragrant incense upon this altar every morning and evening, symbolizing the perpetual prayers of the Israelites. This ritual is set within the broader context of Israel's worship practices and serves as a powerful symbol of God's presence and the ongoing communication between God and His people.

30 1 You shall make an altar on which to offer incense; you shall make it of acacia wood. 2 It shall be one cubit long, and one cubit wide; it shall be square, and shall be two cubits high; its horns shall be of one piece with it. 3 You shall overlay it with pure gold, its top, and its sides all around and its horns; and you shall make for it a molding of gold all around. 4 And you shall make two golden rings for it; under its molding on two opposite sides of it you shall make them, and they shall hold the poles with which to carry it. 5 You shall make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. 6 You shall place it in front of the curtain that is above the ark of the covenant, in front of the mercy seat that is over the covenant, where I will meet with you. 7 Aaron shall offer fragrant incense on it; every morning when he dresses the lamps he shall offer it, 8 and when Aaron sets up the lamps in the evening, he shall offer it, a regular incense offering before the LORD throughout your generations. 9 You shall not offer unholy incense on it, or a burnt offering, or a grain offering; and you shall not pour a drink offering on it. 10 Once a year Aaron shall perform the rite of atonement on its horns. Throughout your generations he shall perform the atonement for it once a year with the blood of the atoning sin offering. It is most holy to the LORD.

Expository Commentary

Verses 1-5: Construction of the Altar of Incense

• Materials and Design: The altar is to be made of acacia wood, a durable and precious wood, symbolizing endurance and purity. Its dimensions are specific, being a square of one cubit per side and two cubits in height. Its horns are of one piece with it, signifying strength and the power of God.

• Overlay of Gold: The altar is overlaid with pure gold, the most precious metal, symbolizing divinity, purity, and the presence of God.

• Rings and Poles: Rings and poles are included for transportation, emphasizing the nomadic nature of the Israelites and the need for the presence of God to travel with them.

Verse 6: Placement of the Altar

• Location in the Tent of Meeting: The altar is to be placed in front of the veil that is before the ark of the covenant, indicating its importance in the worship rituals. This placement symbolizes the altar's role as a mediator between God and the people.

Verses 7-8: Ritual Use of the Altar

• Aaron's Role: Aaron, as the high priest, is instructed to burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning and evening, symbolizing continual prayer and devotion.

• Perpetual Incense: The burning of incense is a perpetual statute, signifying the ongoing need for atonement and communication with God.

Verse 9: Prohibition Against Strange Incense

• Exclusivity of Worship: The prohibition against offering unauthorized incense, burnt offerings, or grain offerings, and from pouring drink offerings on it, emphasizes the sacredness of the altar and the specificity of worship practices commanded by God.

Verse 10: The Atonement Rite

• Annual Atonement: Aaron is to make atonement upon the horns of the altar once a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonement. This annual rite highlights the seriousness of sin and the need for regular atonement.

• Holiness of the Altar: The altar is most holy to the Lord, signifying its exclusive dedication to God and its role in the spiritual life of the Israelite community.

In summary, these verses provide detailed instructions for the construction, placement, and use of the altar of incense, emphasizing its significance in the religious life of the Israelites. The altar serves as a symbol of God's presence, the continual need for prayer and atonement, and the sacredness of worship practices as commanded by God.

Hebrews 4:14—5:4
Jesus’ Priesthood Surpasses Aaron’s

Hebrews 4:14—5:4 serves as a profound theological passage that bridges the Old and New Testaments, emphasizing the uniqueness and supremacy of Jesus Christ as our High Priest. This section begins with a call to hold firmly to our faith in Jesus, who has ascended into heaven and can empathize with our weaknesses, having been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. It further elaborates on the qualifications and characteristics of a high priest, drawing parallels between the high priests of the Old Testament and Jesus. The text underscores the compassion and appointed nature of the high priest's role, highlighting that Jesus, chosen by God, surpasses the traditional lineage of priesthood. This passage invites believers to approach the throne of grace with confidence, reassured by the perfect intercession of Christ on their behalf.

4 14 Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

5 1 Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; 3 and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. 4 And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

Expository Commentary

Verses 4:14-15:* These verses affirm that Jesus is the great high priest who has ascended into heaven. The writer highlights the uniqueness of Jesus as a high priest who is fully able to empathize with human weaknesses, having been tempted in every way as humans are, yet without sin. This is meant to encourage believers, as Jesus is portrayed as both fully divine and fully human, making him the perfect mediator between God and humans.

Verse 4:16: This verse invites believers to approach the throne of grace with confidence, so they may receive mercy and find grace in times of need. The "throne of grace" symbolizes God’s presence and favor. The assurance here is that, because of Jesus, believers can approach God directly and receive mercy and grace.

Verse 5:1: This verse outlines the role of a high priest in Judaism. It explains that a high priest is chosen among the people and is appointed to act on behalf of humans in relation to God, offering gifts and sacrifices for sins. This sets the context for comparing the traditional Jewish high priest with Jesus.

Verse 5:2: It describes two key characteristics of a high priest: he can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, because he himself is subject to weakness. This emphasizes the humanity and empathy expected of a high priest.

Verse 5:3: This verse explains that because of his own weakness, the high priest must offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the people's. This highlights the imperfect nature of the high priesthood under the old covenant.

Verse 5:4: This verse states that no one takes this honor upon himself, but receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was. This contrasts with Christ, who was appointed by God, as explained in the following verses.

In summary, Hebrews 4:14-5:4 contrasts the earthly Jewish high priests with Jesus Christ, the divine high priest. While Jewish high priests were compassionate and empathetic because of their own weaknesses and sins, Jesus, although sinless, is portrayed as empathetic and compassionate, fully understanding human weakness. This passage underlines the new covenant's belief in Jesus as the mediator between God and humanity, offering a direct relationship with God through grace.

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