The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Wednesday, April 3, 2024: Wednesday in Easter Week

 

The Daily Lectionary
With Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Wednesday in Easter Week

Dawn of Hope

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Song of Solomon 3:1-11; Mark 16:1-8
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Easter 1)

Introduction

As we journey through the Wednesday of Easter Week, our hearts and minds are enveloped by the profound tapestry of love, victory, and rebirth. Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 calls us to a place of joyful thanksgiving, recognizing the Lord's enduring mercy and His role as our strength and salvation. In the intimate and passionate verses of Song of Solomon 3:1-11, we encounter the depth of love and the soul's relentless search for the beloved, symbolizing the soul's yearning for divine union. The narrative reaches its climax in Mark 16:1-8, where the awe and mystery of Jesus’ resurrection unfold. Here, the women at the tomb experience both fear and elation, as they become the first witnesses to the most pivotal event in Christian faith—the resurrection of Christ. These scriptures together weave a story of divine love, human longing, and the triumphant defeat of death, inviting us to reflect on the boundless grace that Easter embodies.

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
On This Day God Has Acted

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 is a vibrant and uplifting passage that radiates with themes of gratitude, deliverance, and divine faithfulness. This section of the Psalm is often associated with celebrations of God's enduring mercy and the joy of salvation. It begins with a call to thankfulness, inviting all to acknowledge the Lord's unfailing love. Verses 14 to 24 further emphasize God's role as a protector and deliverer, symbolizing a spiritual journey from distress to rejoicing. This passage is particularly significant in Christian tradition, often cited during Easter as it reflects the triumph of life over death, light over darkness, and the fulfillment of God's promises. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's presence in times of adversity and the enduring hope found in His steadfast love.

1    O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
        his steadfast love endures forever!

2    Let Israel say,
        “His steadfast love endures forever.”

14  The LORD is my strength and my might;
        he has become my salvation.

15  There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous:
    “The right hand of the LORD does valiantly;
16        the right hand of the LORD is exalted;
        the right hand of the LORD does valiantly.”
17  I shall not die, but I shall live,
        and recount the deeds of the LORD.
18  The LORD has punished me severely,
        but he did not give me over to death.

19  Open to me the gates of righteousness,
        that I may enter through them
        and give thanks to the LORD.

20  This is the gate of the LORD;
        the righteous shall enter through it.

21  I thank you that you have answered me
        and have become my salvation.
22  The stone that the builders rejected
        has become the chief cornerstone.
23  This is the LORD’s doing;
        it is marvelous in our eyes.
24  This is the day that the LORD has made;
        let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Expository Commentary

Verse 1: This verse sets the tone for the entire Psalm, emphasizing the goodness of the Lord and His everlasting love. It is an invitation for believers to express gratitude for God's unchanging and unconditional love.

Verse 2:Here, the psalmist calls upon Israel, representing God's people, to acknowledge and proclaim God's enduring love. It reflects a communal aspect of worship, where the faithful together recognize and voice God’s faithfulness.

Verses 14-15: These verses express personal testimony of God's deliverance, acknowledging Him as the source of strength, might, and salvation. The reference to "glad songs of victory" in the tents of the righteous suggests a communal celebration of God's saving acts.

Verses 16-17: The psalmist continues to praise God's power and victory, symbolized by His "right hand". The declaration of choosing life over death is symbolic of spiritual deliverance and a commitment to proclaim God's deeds.

Verse 18: Here, there's an acknowledgment of God's discipline, yet it is tempered with mercy. The verse reflects the belief that God's chastisement is not destructive but corrective and aimed at salvation.

Verse 19: This verse symbolizes a request for access to God’s presence or His temple, a place where one can offer thanks and praise. It reflects a desire for a righteous life that leads to communion with God.

Verse 20: The psalmist identifies the gate as belonging to the Lord, accessible to the righteous. It implies that living a life in accordance with God’s ways is the path to experiencing His presence.

Verses 21-22: These verses express gratitude for God's response to prayer and His role as the savior. The metaphor of the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone is significant; it suggests that what is undervalued or dismissed by humans can be exalted by God.

Verses 23-24: The psalm concludes with an acknowledgment of God's mighty works as wondrous, urging the faithful to rejoice in the day the Lord has made. It reflects a sense of awe at God’s actions and a call to rejoice in every moment granted by Him.

Overall, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 is a profound expression of faith, recognizing God's unfailing love, salvation, and the extraordinary ways in which He works in the lives of His people. It encourages believers to maintain hope, practice gratitude, and rejoice in the Lord's unceasing mercy and love.

Song of Solomon 3:1-11
The Song of the Lover

Song of Solomon 3:1-11, part of the poetic and deeply symbolic book in the Old Testament, depicts a vivid and intimate portrayal of love and yearning. This passage narrates a dreamlike sequence where the female protagonist searches for her beloved throughout the city at night, underscoring the intensity and depth of her love. Her relentless pursuit finally culminates in finding him and bringing him to her mother's house, a symbol of security and permanence in their relationship. The latter part of the passage beautifully transitions to a royal wedding procession, possibly symbolizing King Solomon's own nuptials. This section is notable for its rich, allegorical imagery that has been interpreted in various ways, ranging from a literal celebration of human love to a metaphorical representation of God's love for His people. The passage, therefore, stands out as a testament to the power and passion of love, both human and divine.

3 1 Upon my bed at night
        I sought him whom my soul loves;
    I sought him, but found him not;
        I called him, but he gave no answer.
2    “I will rise now and go about the city,
        in the streets and in the squares;
    I will seek him whom my soul loves.”
        I sought him, but found him not.
3    The sentinels found me,
        as they went about in the city.
    “Have you seen him whom my soul loves?”
4    Scarcely had I passed them,
        when I found him whom my soul loves.
    I held him, and would not let him go
        until I brought him into my mother’s house,
        and into the chamber of her that conceived me.
5    I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
        by the gazelles or the wild does:
    do not stir up or awaken love
        until it is ready!

6    What is that coming up from the wilderness,
        like a column of smoke,
    perfumed with myrrh and frankincense,
        with all the fragrant powders of the merchant?
7    Look, it is the litter of Solomon!
    Around it are sixty mighty men
        of the mighty men of Israel,
8    all equipped with swords
        and expert in war,
    each with his sword at his thigh
        because of alarms by night.
9    King Solomon made himself a palanquin
        from the wood of Lebanon.
10  He made its posts of silver,
        its back of gold, its seat of purple;
    its interior was inlaid with love.
        Daughters of Jerusalem,
11        come out.
    Look, O daughters of Zion,
        at King Solomon,
    at the crown with which his mother crowned him
        on the day of his wedding,
        on the day of the gladness of his heart.

Expository Commentary

Verses 1-4: The Search for the Beloved

• Verses 1-2: The female protagonist, often interpreted as the Shulammite woman, expresses her deep longing for her beloved. She seeks him in her bed during the night, a time typically associated with solitude and introspection. This search symbolizes not just physical yearning but also a deeper emotional and spiritual quest.

• Verse 3: The watchmen, who patrol the city, encounter her during her search. This interaction signifies the public nature of her love; it is not hidden but known to others.

• Verse 4: The moment of finding her beloved is deeply significant. She holds him and refuses to let him go, illustrating the depth and intensity of her love. Bringing him to her mother's house, instead of a more private place, suggests a desire for societal recognition and perhaps hints at the sanctity and seriousness of their relationship.

Verses 5-7: The Adjuration and the Approach of Solomon’s Litter

• Verse 5: This verse is a refrain seen in other parts of the Song, an adjuration to the "daughters of Jerusalem" not to stir or awaken love until it is ready. This reinforces the idea that true love is profound and should develop at its own pace.

• Verses 6-7: These verses transition to a new scene, a royal procession. The imagery is rich in fragrances and smoke, symbolizing grandeur and mystery. This could be a metaphorical representation of Solomon's own wedding, signifying the sanctity and celebration of marital love.

Verses 8-11: The Description of Solomon’s Litter and the Wedding Day

• Verses 8-10: The focus shifts to a detailed description of King Solomon’s litter, an elaborate and luxurious conveyance. The guards, the finest warriors, the purple fabric, and the gold all signify royalty, opulence, and the importance of the event being described.

• Verse 11: The daughters of Zion are invited to witness Solomon wearing the crown his mother crowned him with on his wedding day. This not only highlights the communal aspect of the marriage but also draws attention to the role of Solomon's mother, indicating the respect and importance of the maternal figure in his life.

In conclusion, Song of Solomon 3:1-11 is a passage that intricately weaves themes of love, desire, societal norms, and royal grandeur. It oscillates between the deeply personal experience of love and its public, communal celebration, thus offering a multifaceted portrayal of both human and divine love.

Mark 16:1-8
Mark’s Resurrection Account

Mark 16:1-8 presents a pivotal moment in the Christian narrative, where the events of the Resurrection unfold. This passage begins with Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bringing spices to Jesus' tomb to anoint his body, signifying their devotion and the customary burial rites of the time. Upon arrival, they are confronted with the astonishing reality that the stone sealing the tomb has been rolled away. Inside, they encounter a young man, traditionally interpreted as an angel, who announces the miraculous news of Jesus' resurrection. He instructs them to tell the disciples and Peter that Jesus has gone ahead to Galilee and will meet them there, as he had foretold. Overwhelmed with a mixture of fear and joy, the women flee from the tomb, initially saying nothing to anyone because of their amazement and fear. This passage is crucial as it marks the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy of his resurrection and sets the stage for the spread of the Christian faith.

16 1 When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Expository Commentary

Verse 1: This verse sets the scene just after the Sabbath, underlining the adherence to Jewish law, as work such as anointing a body was not permitted on the Sabbath. The women’s intention to anoint Jesus’ body was a customary act of respect and care for the deceased in Jewish culture. Their devotion to Jesus is evident in their actions.

Verse 2: The phrase "very early on the first day of the week" indicates it was Sunday morning, which becomes significant in Christian tradition as the day of the Lord's Resurrection. Their visit at sunrise shows their eagerness and dedication.

Verse 3: This verse highlights a practical concern of the women, showing their humanity and realism. The stone was typically large and heavy, signifying a barrier not just physically but also in the unfolding revelation of the Resurrection.

Verse 4: The rolling away of the stone is a key moment, symbolizing the breaking of the barriers to new life and the power of God intervening in human affairs. It’s a visual and symbolic representation of the Resurrection’s groundbreaking nature.

Verse 5: The young man in white is commonly interpreted as an angel, a messenger of God. The white robe signifies purity and divinity. Their alarm reflects a natural human reaction to divine encounters.

Verse 6: This is the proclamation of the Resurrection. The angel reassures them and directs their attention to the empty space where Jesus' body had been, confirming the truth of his words. This verse is central to Christian faith, affirming the belief in Jesus’ victory over death.

Verse 7: The instruction to tell the disciples and specifically Peter (who denied Jesus) shows the continuation of Jesus' ministry and forgiveness. The mention of Galilee is significant as it’s where Jesus’ ministry began and where he promised to reunite with his disciples.

Verse 8: This ending is abrupt and filled with human emotion—fear, amazement, and silence. The women’s initial silence could reflect their struggle to comprehend the miraculous event. This verse adds a sense of realism and authenticity to the narrative, as it doesn’t immediately jump to joyous proclamation but acknowledges the overwhelming nature of the event.

This passage, as a whole, serves as a foundation for the Christian belief in the Resurrection, encompassing themes of faith, revelation, and the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy. It highlights both divine action and human reaction, intertwining the supernatural with the very real emotions and actions of the individuals involved.

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