The Sunday Lectionary
with Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Sunday, March 3, 2024: Third Sunday in Lent
The Wisdom of Divine Revelation:
with Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Sunday, March 3, 2024: Third Sunday in Lent
The Wisdom of Divine Revelation:
Unveiling the Power and Law of God
Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; John 2:13-22
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Lent 3)
Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; John 2:13-22
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Lent 3)
Lent A Season of Reflection
The Third Sunday in Lent, a pivotal moment in the Lenten season, invites Christians around the world to deepen their spiritual journey towards Easter. This day, falling roughly halfway through Lent, serves as a time for reflection and renewal, emphasizing penance, prayer, and almsgiving. The liturgy often focuses on themes of repentance and redemption, reminding the faithful of the need for inner transformation and the grace available through God's mercy. The scripture readings for this day typically include a powerful Gospel story that challenges believers to confront their own weaknesses and to seek God's strength in overcoming them. As the faithful continue their Lenten observance, the Third Sunday in Lent offers a profound opportunity to recommit to their spiritual disciplines and to draw closer to the essence of their faith, preparing their hearts for the commemoration of Christ's Passion and Resurrection.
Introduction
As we gather on the Third Sunday in Lent, our scripture readings invite us into a profound reflection on the nature of divine law, wisdom, and power. In Exodus 20:1-17, we encounter the foundational Ten Commandments, given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, offering a blueprint for a life in harmony with God and neighbor. The Psalmist in Psalm 19 celebrates the perfection and life-giving power of the Lord's law, which is more to be desired than gold and sweeter than honey. The epistle reading from 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 confronts us with the paradox of the cross, where human wisdom is confounded by God's wisdom and strength is found in apparent weakness. Finally, in John 2:13-22, we witness Jesus' zealous cleansing of the temple, an act that challenges our understanding of sacred space and divine authority, and points to His own resurrection as the ultimate sign of God’s power and love. Together, these passages guide us in discerning the sacred within our daily lives and understanding the profound mystery of God’s ways, which are often beyond human understanding yet intimately intertwined with our journey of faith.
Today’s Lectionary Readings
First Reading
From the Pentateuch
Exodus 20:1-17
The Commandments Given at Sinai
First Reading
From the Pentateuch
Exodus 20:1-17
The Commandments Given at Sinai
Exodus 20:1-17 presents the iconic Ten Commandments, delivered by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. This passage forms the cornerstone of Judeo-Christian ethics and jurisprudence, outlining fundamental principles that govern moral behavior and societal laws. These commandments, ranging from directives about the worship of God to guidelines for human relationships, such as honoring one's parents and prohibitions against murder, theft, and bearing false witness, have had a profound influence on Western legal systems and cultural values. This passage not only reflects the religious and moral obligations of the Israelites but also offers insights into the nature of God's covenant with His people, emphasizing both divine authority and the pursuit of a righteous community.20 1 And God spoke all these words:
2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
3 “You shall have no other gods before me.
4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
7 “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
13 “You shall not murder.
14 “You shall not commit adultery.
15 “You shall not steal.
16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Expository Commentary
Verses 1-2 — Introduction of God's Authority: This prelude establishes God's authority and the context of the commandments. It reminds the Israelites of their liberation from Egypt, emphasizing God's role as a liberator and protector, which legitimizes His right to prescribe these laws.
Verse 3 — No Other Gods: This commandment establishes monotheism at the heart of Israelite religion. It underscores the exclusive devotion to Yahweh, rejecting the polytheistic practices prevalent in the surrounding cultures.
Verses 4-6 — Prohibition of Idolatry: This passage prohibits the creation and worship of idols, emphasizing the intangible and incomprehensible nature of God. It warns of consequences for idolatry, yet also promises steadfast love for those who follow God's commandments.
Verse 7 — Misusing God’s Name: This commandment focuses on respecting God's name, forbidding its use in false oaths, blasphemy, or trivial matters. It underscores the holiness and reverence due to God.
Verses 8-11 — Keeping the Sabbath: This is a directive to observe the seventh day as a day of rest and worship, rooted in the Creation narrative. It's a call for communal observance, promoting rest for all, including servants and animals.
Verse 12 — Honoring Parents: This commandment extends beyond respect for parents, encompassing a broader principle of social stability and continuity through the reverence of family structure and authority.
Verse 13 — Prohibition of Murder: This straightforward commandment sanctifies human life, distinguishing murder from other forms of killing like in war or self-defense.
Verse 14 — Adultery: This rule protects the sanctity of marriage and family relationships, addressing moral and social stability.
Verse 15 — Prohibition of Theft: This underscores the respect for property rights and the integrity of community members.
Verse 16 — Bearing False Witness: This commandment emphasizes the importance of truthfulness, particularly in legal proceedings, crucial for maintaining justice and trust in the community.
Exodus 20:17 — Coveting: This final commandment addresses the internal attitude rather than external actions. It warns against envy and the desire for what belongs to others, promoting contentment and respect for others' rights and relationships.
These commandments, while rooted in ancient Israelite culture, have had a lasting impact on Western legal and moral philosophy. They represent a blend of ethical, religious, and societal principles, aimed at fostering a just, moral, and harmonious community.
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 19
The Commandments Give Light to the Eyes
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 19
The Commandments Give Light to the Eyes
Psalm 19 is a profound reflection on the glory of God as revealed through His creation and His law. This Psalm, attributed to King David, is a celebration of the ways in which God communicates with humanity. The first part marvels at how the heavens proclaim the glory of God, illustrating the divine hand in the natural world. The second part shifts to a deep appreciation of the law of the Lord, emphasizing how the commandments provide guidance and enlightenment to the human heart and mind. This Psalm beautifully captures the dual revelation of God through creation and scripture, ultimately portraying God's commandments as a source of light and wisdom. The title "The Commandments Give Light to the Eyes" encapsulates the Psalm's central theme of finding divine insight and clarity through God's laws.1 The heavens are telling the glory of God; *
And the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours forth speech, *
And night to night declares knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words; *
Their voice is not heard;
4 Yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world. *
In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,
5 Which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, *
And like a strong man runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them; *
And nothing is hid from its heat.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul; *
The decrees of the LORD are sure,
making wise the simple;
8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart; *
The commandment of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eyes;
9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever; *
The ordinances of the LORD are true
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold; *
Sweeter also than honey,
and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is your servant warned; *
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can detect their errors? *
Clear me from hidden faults.
13 Keep back your servant also from the insolent;
do not let them have dominion over me. *
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you, *
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
O Lord, our God, whose glory is declared in the heavens and whose handiwork is displayed in the skies, we stand in awe of Your majestic creation. As the sun, which You have set in the heavens, rises each day with new strength, so does our gratitude for Your unending love and faithfulness.
In the vast expanse of the universe, Your glory is proclaimed, and in the stillness of Your sanctuary, Your wisdom is known. Your laws, O Lord, are perfect, reviving our souls; Your decrees are sure, making wise the simple.
Guide us, O God, in Your truth and teach us, for in Your commandments we find clarity and light. May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to You, our Rock and our Redeemer.
Help us, Lord, to discern the errors of our ways and cleanse us from hidden faults. Keep us also from willful sins; may they not have dominion over us.
In Your magnificent creation, in Your law, and in Your love, we find our strength and our purpose. All glory and honor to You, O Lord, our Creator and Guide. Amen.
In this powerful passage from 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Paul addresses the contrasting perspectives on the power and wisdom of God as revealed through the cross of Christ. He confronts the division between what the world considers foolish and weak and what God demonstrates as true wisdom and strength. Paul emphasizes that the message of the cross, though perceived as foolishness by those who are perishing, is the power of God for those who are being saved. He challenges the conventional wisdom of his time, both Jewish demands for signs and Greek quests for wisdom, by presenting Christ crucified as a stumbling block and foolishness to some, but as the ultimate manifestation of God's power and wisdom to those who believe. This passage invites readers to reconsider their own perceptions of wisdom and power in the light of the cross.1 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
Expository Commentary
Verse 18: Paul contrasts two groups of people: those who are perishing and those who are being saved. For the former, the message of the cross is nonsensical, perhaps because it depicts a Messiah who suffered and died, a concept that clashes with conventional expectations of power and glory. However, for believers, this same message is the very embodiment of God's power, offering salvation and a radical redefinition of strength and victory.
Verse 19: Paul cites Isaiah 29:14 to support his argument, indicating that God's plan often subverts human wisdom. This Old Testament reference serves to validate his point that divine wisdom surpasses human understanding and can overturn established norms and expectations.
Verse 20: Here, Paul challenges the authority of worldly wisdom, represented by the wise, the scribe, and the debater. He suggests that in the grand scheme of God’s plan, the wisdom of this world is made to look foolish. This rhetorical questioning underscores the limitations of human intellect in comprehending divine matters.
Verse 21: Paul asserts that worldly wisdom failed to lead humanity to a true knowledge of God. Instead, God chose to reveal Himself and offer salvation through what the world considers foolish—the preaching of the Gospel. This "foolish" proclamation is ironically the means of divine revelation and salvation for believers.
Verses 22-23: Paul acknowledges the differing expectations of Jews and Greeks (Gentiles). Jews sought miraculous signs as proof of divine intervention, while Greeks pursued philosophical wisdom. The message of Christ crucified doesn’t fit into either category; it is a stumbling block to Jews (who couldn’t fathom a crucified Messiah) and foolishness to Greeks (who sought rational wisdom).
Verse 24: Despite these cultural barriers, for those who are called—irrespective of their background—Christ represents both the power and wisdom of God. This verse encapsulates the core of Paul's message: in Christ, the apparent paradox of power in weakness and wisdom in foolishness is resolved.
Verse 25: Paul concludes this section with a profound paradoxical statement. What might be perceived as foolishness or weakness in God’s actions (like the crucifixion) is, in reality, far beyond the greatest wisdom or strength humans can conceive. This verse serves as a humbling reminder of the vast difference between divine and human perspectives.
In this pivotal passage of John 2:13-22, the narrative unfolds during the Jewish Passover, illustrating a significant moment in Jesus' ministry. As Jesus enters the temple in Jerusalem, He is confronted with the sight of commerce and trade in a place meant for worship and prayer. In a display of righteous indignation, Jesus drives out the money changers and animal sellers, declaring the temple a house of prayer, not a marketplace. This act not only challenges the prevailing practices of His time but also fulfills Old Testament prophecies, symbolizing His authority and divine mission. The disciples recall the words of Psalm 69:9, “Zeal for your house will consume me,” seeing in Jesus' actions the embodiment of this prophecy. The Jews demand a sign to justify His actions, to which Jesus responds with a profound prediction of His death and resurrection, referring to His body as the temple that will be raised in three days. This section of the Gospel of John thus serves as a critical moment, revealing Jesus' zeal for God's house, His authority over religious practices, and foreshadowing His resurrection.2 13 The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15 Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” 18 The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking of the temple of his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
Expository Commentary
Verse 13: This verse sets the scene for the narrative. The Passover, a major Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' Exodus from Egypt, is significant. Jesus' journey to Jerusalem for Passover is a fulfillment of Jewish custom, highlighting His adherence to Jewish law and tradition.
Verse 14: Jesus enters the temple, a sacred place of worship, and finds it being used for commercial activities. The selling of animals was ostensibly for convenience in offering sacrifices required by the Law, but the presence of money changers and merchants in the temple court perverted the temple's sanctity.
Verse 15: Jesus' actions here are forceful and symbolic. The whip of cords is a tool of authority and purification. Jesus cleanses the temple by driving out those who defile it with commercial activities. This act is a physical manifestation of His zeal for the sanctity of God's house.
Verse 16: Jesus specifically addresses the sellers of doves, often associated with offerings made by the poor. His words, "my Father’s house," assert His unique relationship with God and His authority over the temple. He condemns the transformation of a place of worship into a commercial space.
Verse 17: The disciples recall Psalm 69:9, understanding Jesus' actions as a fulfillment of this prophecy. This verse highlights the messianic aspect of Jesus' mission and His deep commitment to honoring and purifying the worship of God.
Verse 18: The Jewish leaders challenge Jesus, demanding a miraculous sign to justify His dramatic actions. Their request for a sign reflects skepticism and a misunderstanding of Jesus’ authority and mission.
Verse 19: Jesus’ response is enigmatic and prophetic. He speaks of the temple of His body, foretelling His death and resurrection. This statement is a profound assertion of His divinity and the transformative nature of His mission.
Verse 20: The Jewish leaders misunderstand Jesus' metaphor, thinking He refers to the physical temple. Their incredulity highlights a common theme in John: the misunderstanding of Jesus' spiritual teachings in literal terms.
Verse 21: This verse clarifies the previous metaphor. Jesus was not referring to the physical temple, but to His body, indicating that His resurrection will be the ultimate sign of His authority and divinity.
John 2:22 This verse ties the beginning of Jesus' ministry to its culmination in His resurrection. The disciples' understanding and belief in Jesus' words and scriptures are affirmed post-resurrection, emphasizing the importance of faith and understanding in the light of the fulfillment of prophecy.
Here end the Readings
Lent A Prayer
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
