The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Wednesday, April 10, 2024

 

The Daily Lectionary
With Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Unwavering Faith in the Eternal God

Psalm 135; Isaiah 26:1-15; Mark 12:18-27
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Easter 2)

Introduction

In this scriptural tapestry, we weave together passages from Psalm 135, Isaiah 26:1-15, and Mark 12:18-27, exploring the profound dimensions of faith, trust, and the recognition of God's eternal sovereignty. Psalm 135 praises the unique nature of the Lord, emphasizing His might and unwavering faithfulness. Isaiah 26:1-15 reflects on God's steadfastness, proclaiming His role as the eternal protector and peace-giver for those who remain faithful. Mark 12:18-27 challenges the understanding of resurrection and eternal life, as Jesus enlightens the Sadducees, affirming God as not the God of the dead, but of the living. Together, these passages invite us to a deeper understanding of God's eternal nature and the unshakeable trust we can place in Him, transcending the confines of earthly life and understanding.

Psalm 135
Praise to God

Psalm 135 is a vibrant hymn of praise that invites worshippers to glorify the Lord for His greatness and mighty acts. This Psalm stands as a profound testament to God's sovereignty, emphasizing His power over all things, both in the heavens and on earth. It serves not only as a call to worship but also as a reminder of God's enduring faithfulness and mercy towards His people. Through a litany of reasons for praise, including God's creation, deliverance, and enduring love, Psalm 135 inspires believers to reflect on the majesty and enduring presence of God in their lives.

1    Praise the LORD!
        Praise the name of the LORD;
        give praise, O servants of the LORD,
2    you that stand in the house of the LORD,
        in the courts of the house of our God.
3    Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good;
        sing to his name, for he is gracious.
4    For the LORD has chosen Jacob for himself,
        Israel as his own possession.

5    For I know that the LORD is great;
        our LORD is above all gods.
6    Whatever the LORD pleases he does,
        in heaven and on earth,
        in the seas and all deeps.
7    He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth;
        he makes lightnings for the rain
        and brings out the wind from his storehouses.

8    He it was who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
        both human beings and animals;
9    he sent signs and wonders
        into your midst, O Egypt,
        against Pharaoh and all his servants.
10  He struck down many nations
        and killed mighty kings—
11  Sihon, king of the Amorites,
        and Og, king of Bashan,
        and all the kingdoms of Canaan—
12   and gave their land as a heritage,
        a heritage to his people Israel.

13    Your name, O LORD, endures forever,
        your renown, O LORD, throughout all ages.
14  For the LORD will vindicate his people,
        and have compassion on his servants.

15  The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
        the work of human hands.
16  They have mouths, but they do not speak;
        they have eyes, but they do not see;
17  they have ears, but they do not hear,
        and there is no breath in their mouths.
18  Those who make them
        and all who trust them
        shall become like them.

19  O house of Israel, bless the LORD!
        O house of Aaron, bless the LORD!
20  O house of Levi, bless the LORD!
        You that fear the LORD, bless the LORD!
21  Blessed be the LORD from Zion,
        he who resides in Jerusalem.
    Praise the LORD!

Expository Commentary

Verses 1-4 — Call to Praise God: These verses serve as an opening exhortation, calling all servants of the Lord, particularly those in the temple, to praise God. It underscores God's special choice of Jacob (Israel) and the intimacy of this relationship. The call to praise is not just a duty but a privilege stemming from God's gracious election.

Verses 5-7 — God's Sovereignty over Creation: This section declares the supremacy of God over all gods and His control over the universe. It describes His power in creating weather phenomena, emphasizing that natural events are not random but governed by a divine hand.

Verses 8-12 — Historical Acts of Deliverance: Here, the psalmist recounts God's mighty acts in the history of Israel, such as the smiting of the firstborn of Egypt and the defeat of mighty kings. These acts are reminders of God's faithfulness and His ability to save His people from their adversaries.

Verses 13-14 — God's Eternal Name and Justice: These verses reflect on God's eternal nature and His commitment to justice. The psalmist assures that God will vindicate His people and have compassion on them, emphasizing that God’s justice is not fleeting but enduring.

Verses 15-18 — The Folly of Idolatry: This portion of the Psalm contrasts the living God with lifeless idols made by human hands. It's a critique of idolatry, pointing out the absurdity of worshipping created things instead of the Creator, and it also implies that those who make and trust in idols will be as lifeless as the idols themselves.

Verses 19-21 — Renewed Call to Praise: The Psalm concludes by urging various groups—the house of Israel, the house of Aaron, the house of Levi, and those who fear the Lord—to bless God. This inclusive call highlights that all who revere God, regardless of their specific role or lineage, are invited to join in the worship of the One true God.

In summary, Psalm 135 is a rich tapestry of praise, historical recollection, and theological reflection. It invites readers to not only recognize God’s mighty acts in history but also to respond in heartfelt worship, while drawing a stark line between the worship of the true God and the emptiness of idolatry.

Isaiah 26:1-15
Song of Victory

Isaiah 26:1-15 presents a profound and lyrical song of trust and praise in the midst of adversity. This passage offers a glimpse into the deep faith of the Israelites, emphasizing their reliance on God's steadfastness and protection. The text beautifully intertwines themes of divine justice, salvation, and peace, depicting a strong city whose walls and ramparts symbolize God's salvation. As the Israelites reflect on their past struggles and God's mighty acts, they express a confident hope in the Lord's continual guidance and deliverance. The passage culminates in a recognition of God's supremacy over other lords and a profound acknowledgment of His grace and mercy, which bring life to the righteous and ultimately transform the world. Isaiah 26:1-15 stands as a testament to unwavering faith and a yearning for God's enduring peace and justice.

26 1 On that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:
    We have a strong city;
        he sets up victory
        like walls and bulwarks.
2    Open the gates,
        so that the righteous nation that keeps faith
        may enter in.
3    Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace—
        in peace because they trust in you.
4    Trust in the LORD forever,
        for in the LORD God
        you have an everlasting rock.
5    For he has brought low
        the inhabitants of the height;
        the lofty city he lays low.
    He lays it low to the ground,
        casts it to the dust.
6    The foot tramples it,
        the feet of the poor,
        the steps of the needy.

7    The way of the righteous is level;
        O Just One, you make smooth the path of the righteous.
8    In the path of your judgments,
        O LORD, we wait for you;
    your name and your renown
        are the soul’s desire.
9    My soul yearns for you in the night,
        my spirit within me earnestly seeks you.
    For when your judgments are in the earth,
        the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.
10  If favor is shown to the wicked,
        they do not learn righteousness;
    in the land of uprightness they deal perversely
        and do not see the majesty of the LORD.
11  O LORD, your hand is lifted up,
        but they do not see it.
    Let them see your zeal for your people, and be ashamed.
        Let the fire for your adversaries consume them.
12  O LORD, you will ordain peace for us,
        for indeed, all that we have done, you have done for us.
13  O LORD our God,
        other lords besides you have ruled over us,
        but we acknowledge your name alone.
14  The dead do not live;
        shades do not rise—
    because you have punished and destroyed them,
        and wiped out all memory of them.
15  But you have increased the nation, O LORD,
        you have increased the nation; you are glorified;
        you have enlarged all the borders of the land.

Expository Commentary

Verses 1-2: These verses introduce a song of praise for a fortified city, symbolizing God's protection and strength. The "strong city" represents a spiritual stronghold safeguarded by God. The call to "open the gates" for the righteous nation suggests a welcoming of those who faithfully follow God into a place of safety and peace.

Verses 3-4: These verses emphasize the peace and stability found in trusting God. The phrase "steadfast mind" implies a constant, unwavering focus on God. The Lord is described as an "everlasting rock," indicating His unchanging and reliable nature.

Verses 5-6: This passage speaks to God's justice, humbling the proud and exalted, symbolized by the "lofty city." The imagery of the city being trampled underfoot by the poor and needy suggests a reversal of worldly fortunes, highlighting God's concern for the marginalized.

Verses 7-9: These verses reflect the righteous' journey, made smooth by God's guidance. The yearning for God indicates a deep spiritual longing and a desire for His presence and justice.

Verses 10-11: The passage here notes the stubbornness of the wicked, who fail to recognize or learn from God's grace. The raised hand of the Lord symbolizes His power and might, often unseen or ignored by those who are wicked.

Verses 12-15: The final verses acknowledge God's sovereignty and the futility of other powers. The passage recognizes that true peace and prosperity come from God alone. The mention of the dead and shades serves as a stark contrast to the living God who sustains and expands His people.

This passage from Isaiah beautifully illustrates themes of God's protection, justice, faithfulness, and the transformative power of trust in Him. It offers both comfort and a reminder of God's sovereign role in the lives of His people.

Mark 12:18-27
Jesus Teaches about the Resurrection

In Mark 12:18-27, we encounter a compelling passage where Jesus is approached by the Sadducees, a group known for their denial of the resurrection. They present to Him a hypothetical scenario involving marriage and the afterlife, intending to challenge or discredit His teachings on the resurrection of the dead. This section of the Gospel of Mark highlights Jesus' profound understanding and interpretation of Scripture, as well as His ability to navigate complex theological questions. In His response, Jesus not only addresses the specific query about resurrection and marital status in the afterlife but also offers a deeper insight into the nature of God and the eternal life, underscoring the transformative power of the resurrection and the limitations of earthly perspectives in comprehending heavenly realities.

12 18 Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him a question, saying, 19 “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. 20 There were seven brothers; the first married and, when he died, left no children; 21 and the second married the widow and died, leaving no children; and the third likewise; 22 none of the seven left children. Last of all the woman herself died. 23 In the resurrection whose wife will she be? For the seven had married her.”

24 Jesus said to them, “Is not this the reason you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? 25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26 And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the story about the bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? 27 He is God not of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong.”

Expository Commentary

Verses 18-19 — Context: The Sadducees, a Jewish sect that differed from the Pharisees, particularly in their denial of the resurrection, approach Jesus. They refer to the Leverite marriage law from Deuteronomy 25:5-6, a custom intended to preserve the lineage of a deceased man by having his brother marry the widow and raise offspring in the deceased's name.

Verses 20-23 — Hypothetical Scenario: The Sadducees present a theoretical situation designed to ridicule the concept of resurrection. They create a case of a woman who marries seven brothers in succession, each dying without leaving children. The question about whose wife she would be in the resurrection aims to demonstrate the absurdity of resurrection, as perceived by the Sadducees.

Verse 24 — Jesus' Rebuke: Jesus points out the Sadducees' fundamental error: ignorance both of the Scriptures and of God's power. This emphasizes that their misunderstanding of the resurrection stems not just from a lack of knowledge but also from an underestimation of God's capabilities.

Verse 25 — Nature of the Resurrection: Jesus explains that earthly institutions like marriage do not apply in the afterlife. In the resurrection, humans will live a different kind of existence, akin to angels, transcending earthly relationships and concerns. This highlights the transformational nature of resurrection life.

Verses 26-27 — Scriptural Basis for Resurrection: Jesus cites Exodus 3:6 to demonstrate the reality of the resurrection. He points out that God identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who were long deceased at the time of Moses. Jesus interprets this as evidence that they are alive to God, thereby affirming the resurrection and life beyond death. Correction of Misunderstanding: Jesus concludes by reiterating that the Sadducees are mistaken. He emphasizes that God is not a God of the dead, but of the living, thereby underlining the continuity of life beyond physical death and the transformative power of God.

In summary, Mark 12:18-27 showcases Jesus' profound scriptural knowledge and theological insight, as He clarifies the nature of the resurrection and corrects the Sadducees' misunderstanding, affirming the power and promises of God concerning eternal life.

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