The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Tuesday, March 19, 2024

 

The Daily Lectionary
With Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Guidance, Identity, and Proclamation

Psalm 119:9-16; Isaiah 44:1-8; Acts 2:14-24
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Lent 5)

Introduction

In this exploration of scriptural wisdom, we delve into a triad of profound passages, each offering unique perspectives on spiritual guidance, identity, and proclamation. Psalm 119:9-16 serves as a meditation on the sanctity of God's commandments and the desire to live in accordance with divine law. Isaiah 44:1-8 offers an assurance of God's unchanging promise and a reaffirmation of Israel's unique identity as His chosen people. In Acts 2:14-24, we witness the bold proclamation of Peter, as he articulates the fulfillment of prophecy and the transformative power of Christ's death and resurrection. Together, these passages weave a tapestry of faith, challenging believers to reflect on their journey, understand their spiritual lineage, and embrace their role in continuing the story of salvation.

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 119:9-16
I Treasure Your Promise in My Heart

Psalm 119:9-16 is a profound and reflective passage that delves into the theme of living a life in accordance with God's commandments. This segment of the longest psalm in the Bible emphasizes the importance of young people maintaining purity and righteousness through adherence to the Word of God. It underscores the significance of treasuring God's teachings in one's heart as a means to avoid sinning. The psalmist expresses a deep love and respect for God's statutes, vowing to meditate on His precepts and delight in His decrees. This passage is not only a personal commitment to follow God's laws but also an invitation for readers to reflect on the impact of divine guidance in their own lives, highlighting the transformative power of God's word in leading a faithful and righteous path.

9    How can young people keep their way pure?
        By guarding it according to your word.
10  With my whole heart I seek you;
        do not let me stray from your commandments.
11  I treasure your word in my heart,
        so that I may not sin against you.
12  Blessed are you, O LORD;
        teach me your statutes.
13  With my lips I declare
        all the ordinances of your mouth.
14  I delight in the way of your decrees
        as much as in all riches.
15  I will meditate on your precepts,
        and fix my eyes on your ways.
16  I will delight in your statutes;
        I will not forget your word.

Heavenly Father, in the light of Your Word, as revealed in Psalm 119:9-16, we come before You seeking guidance and wisdom. Your teachings, O Lord, are the path to purity and righteousness. Help us, Your children, to walk in Your way wholeheartedly, guarding our lives according to Your truth.

Grant us the strength to seek You with all our hearts and the courage to not stray from Your commandments. Inscribe Your statutes in our hearts, so we may recount Your wondrous deeds and rejoice in Your righteous ordinances.

Teach us, O Lord, to meditate on Your precepts, to fix our eyes on Your ways, and to delight in Your statutes. May we never forget Your word, for in it, we find life and joy.

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 44:1-8
God Gives Life to the People

Isaiah 44:1-8 presents a powerful and comforting message from the prophet Isaiah. This passage is a direct address from God to His people, offering both reassurance and a reaffirmation of His sole deity. In these verses, God reminds Israel of their chosen status, calling them His servant and promising to pour out His Spirit upon their descendants, symbolizing a future of blessing and prosperity. The passage emphasizes God's uniqueness as the only true God, dismissing any rival gods as mere idols. It showcases God's omniscience and omnipotence, while also serving as a call to the people of Israel to remember their special relationship with the Almighty. This section of Isaiah is a poignant reflection on the nature of God's relationship with His people, His unchanging promises, and the futility of idolatry in the face of divine sovereignty.

44 1 But now hear, O Jacob my servant,
        Israel whom I have chosen!
2    Thus says the LORD who made you,
        who formed you in the womb and will help you:
    Do not fear, O Jacob my servant,
        Jeshurun whom I have chosen.
3    For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
        and streams on the dry ground;
    I will pour my spirit upon your descendants,
        and my blessing on your offspring.
4    They shall spring up like a green tamarisk,
        like willows by flowing streams.
5    This one will say, “I am the LORD’s,”
        another will be called by the name of Jacob,
    yet another will write on the hand, “The LORD’s,”
        and adopt the name of Israel.

6    Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel,
        and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts:
    I am the first and I am the last;
        besides me there is no god.
7    Who is like me? Let them proclaim it,
        let them declare and set it forth before me.
    Who has announced from of old the things to come?
        Let them tell us what is yet to be.
8    Do not fear, or be afraid;
        have I not told you from of old and declared it?
        You are my witnesses!
    Is there any god besides me?
        There is no other rock; I know not one.

Expository Commentary

Verse 1: This verse sets the tone for the entire passage. God addresses His people directly, emphasizing two key identities: 'Jacob' and 'Israel.' 'Jacob' refers to the patriarch, symbolizing the nation's origins and struggles, while 'Israel' signifies the transformed identity of the people as God's chosen. The call to listen ('hear') indicates the importance of the message that follows.

Verse 2: Here, God's role as the Creator and Sustainer is highlighted. The phrase 'formed you from the womb' signifies a deep, intimate relationship. 'Jeshurun' is a poetic name for Israel, often used to denote an idealized state of the nation. The command 'Do not fear' is a reassurance of God's continuous support and chosen status of the people.

Verse 3: This verse uses the metaphor of water in a dry land to symbolize the life-giving, rejuvenating power of God's spirit and blessings. It implies physical and spiritual revitalization, not just for the current generation but for the descendants as well, ensuring a lasting covenant.

Verse 4: This imagery continues the theme of rejuvenation. The tamarisk and willows by streams are symbols of growth, prosperity, and vitality. It suggests that the people, under God's blessing, will flourish even in adverse conditions.

Verse 5: This verse speaks to individual and communal identity in God. It reflects a voluntary and personal commitment to God, indicating a variety of ways people express their devotion and affiliation to Him.

Verse 6: Here, God is described with multiple titles, emphasizing His authority, redemptive power, and omnipotence. The statement 'I am the first and I am the last' echoes the eternal and unchanging nature of God, affirming monotheism and dismissing the existence of other deities.

Verse 7: This verse challenges any rivals to God's sovereignty. It's a rhetorical question underscoring God's uniqueness as the one who knows and declares future events, a power that no idol or false god possesses.

Verse 8: The passage concludes with a reassurance against fear, reminding the people of God's longstanding relationship and revelations to them. The call for them to be witnesses is significant, as it implies their role in testifying to God's uniqueness and faithfulness. The term 'rock' is metaphorical for strength, stability, and protection, further emphasizing the futility of turning to other gods.

Overall, Isaiah 44:1-8 is a rich tapestry of reassurance, covenant promises, and a clear declaration of God's unique sovereignty and enduring relationship with His people.

Acts 2:14-24
Peter Proclaims the Crucified Christ to be Alive

Acts 2:14-24 presents a pivotal moment in the Christian narrative. This passage begins with Peter standing up with the Eleven Apostles, addressing the crowd that had gathered in Jerusalem during the Feast of Pentecost. Here, Peter delivers a powerful sermon, marking the beginning of his public ministry. He speaks with conviction, explaining the miraculous events they are witnessing as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. Peter cites the Prophet Joel, emphasizing the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, a key element in Christian theology. This moment signifies not only the inauguration of the Church but also serves as a testament to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Peter boldly proclaims Jesus as both Lord and Messiah, confronting the people with their role in his death yet assuring them of God's predetermined plan for salvation through Christ's resurrection, a central tenet of Christian faith. This passage, rich in theological significance, encapsulates the transformative power of the Holy Spirit and the genesis of Christian proclamation.

2 14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15 Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16 No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

17  ‘In the last days it will be, God declares,
    that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
        and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
    and your young men shall see visions,
        and your old men shall dream dreams.
18  Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
        in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
            and they shall prophesy.
19  And I will show portents in the heaven above
        and signs on the earth below,
            blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
20  The sun shall be turned to darkness
        and the moon to blood,
            before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
21  Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

22 “You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— 23 this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. 24 But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power.

Expository Commentary

Verse 14: This verse marks a significant leadership role of Peter among the Apostles. His act of standing up and addressing the crowd signifies the beginning of his public ministry. It also represents the unity and authority of the Apostolic witness.

Verses 15-16: Peter confronts the crowd's misunderstanding (that the Apostles were drunk) and redirects their attention to a prophetic interpretation of the events. He implies that the phenomena they are witnessing (speaking in tongues) are not random but fulfill the prophecy of Joel. The reference to the early hour underlines the sobriety and seriousness of the situation.

Verses 17-21: This section quotes the prophecy of Joel (Joel 2:28-32). Peter uses this prophecy to explain the events of Pentecost. Key points include:

• The outpouring of the Holy Spirit is not limited by age, gender, or social status.

• Visions and prophecy are signs of the Spirit's activity.

• The mention of 'wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below' can be seen as an allusion to the cosmic significance of Christ's life, death, and resurrection.

• The promise of salvation to 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord' emphasizes the universality of the Christian message.

Verse 22: Peter introduces Jesus of Nazareth, affirming His divine mission. He emphasizes Jesus’ miracles, wonders, and signs as evidence of His divine authority and identity.

Verse 23: This verse presents the crucifixion of Jesus as part of God's predetermined plan. It confronts the people with their responsibility in Jesus' death while acknowledging the divine purpose behind it.

Verse 24: This verse is central to Christian theology. It speaks of the Resurrection, affirming that Jesus overcame death. This underscores the belief in Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God, whose resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian faith.

In summary, Acts 2:14-24 presents a foundational Christian sermon by Peter, explaining the events of Pentecost in light of Old Testament prophecy, affirming Jesus’ divine mission, and proclaiming the resurrection. It marks the birth of the Church and the beginning of its mission to spread the Gospel to all nations.

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

Morning Prayer for Tuesday, March 19, 2024

 

Tuesday Morning Prayer
March 19, 2024

“And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they shall be called children of the living God.”
Romans 9:26

Heavenly Father, as we greet the dawn of this new day, we come before You in humble gratitude, recalling Your words in Romans 9:26. In places where we have felt lost, You have found us. In moments when we felt unworthy, You have called us Your children.

Lord, let this day be a testament to Your unending grace. Help us to see Your hand in every moment, guiding us back to Your love. In situations where we may feel like outsiders, remind us that we are indeed Your beloved children, cherished and embraced by Your boundless mercy.

Guide our actions and our words, that they may reflect Your love and kindness. In our interactions, let us be beacons of Your grace, showing others the path to becoming Your people.

We thank You, God, for the promise of belonging and identity in You. As we start this day, fill our hearts with the joy of being called children of the living God. May this truth guide us, comfort us, and empower us in all we do.

In Your holy name, we pray, Amen.

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I hope this prayer resonates with you aiming to start the day with a spirit of faith and surrender to God's guidance and brings comfort and peace to your morning.

The Bible texts 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.
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Verse of the Day for Tuesday, March 19, 2024

 

Verse of the Day
Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Galatians 5:22-23

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.

Galatians 5:22-23 is a part of the Apostle Paul's letter to the Galatians. This epistle addresses the communities in Galatia, a region in present-day Turkey. Paul is concerned about the Galatians turning to different teachings, particularly the argument that Gentile converts must adhere to Jewish law, including circumcision. In response, Paul emphasizes faith in Jesus Christ and the freedom it brings, contrasting it with the bondage of the law.

These verses fall within a section where Paul is discussing the life in the Spirit as opposed to life in the flesh. He contrasts the "works of the flesh," which he enumerates earlier in the chapter, with the "fruit of the Spirit." This passage is one of the most poetic and uplifting parts of Paul's writings, providing a blueprint for Christian ethical behavior.

In this passage, Paul outlines the nine aspects of the "fruit of the Spirit." This metaphor of fruit suggests a natural, organic growth of these virtues in a person living in alignment with the Holy Spirit. Each aspect reflects a part of God's own character and serves as a mark of a Christian living in harmony with God's will.

1. Love: This is agape love, a selfless, sacrificial love that seeks the best for others. It's the foundational characteristic of Christian living.

2. Joy: Unlike mere happiness based on circumstances, this joy is a deep-seated sense of well-being in Christ, regardless of life's challenges.

3. Peace: This is more than the absence of conflict; it's an inner tranquility and assurance in God's control and plan, even amidst turmoil.

4. Patience: Also translated as "longsuffering," it's the ability to endure hardship and suffering with a godly demeanor.

5. Kindness: This speaks of a tender concern for others, expressed in a gracious and compassionate manner.

6. Generosity: Sometimes translated as "goodness," it involves benevolence and a readiness to give freely.

7. Faithfulness: It indicates reliability, trustworthiness, and steadfastness in commitments, reflecting God's own faithfulness.

8. Gentleness: This is not weakness, but strength under control, characterized by a humble and gracious spirit.

9. Self-control: Mastery over one's desires and impulses, enabling a disciplined and holy life.

Paul's message is that these virtues are not achieved by human effort or adherence to the law, but are the natural product of a life led by the Holy Spirit. They form a comprehensive picture of the moral life to which Christians are called, and against such virtues, as Paul notes, "there is no law." This emphasizes the idea that these qualities transcend legalistic morality and represent a higher standard of living in God's grace.

The Bible texts 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. Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM.
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Daily Devotions with Chaplain Kenny for Tuesday, March 19, 2024: Rest and Justice

 

The Daily Devotional
Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Rest and Justice

Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, for you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Colossians 4:1

Introduction

In the heart of Colossians 4:1, the Apostle Paul calls for justice and fairness in our treatment of those who serve us. This message, transcending centuries, resonates deeply with a recent development in Singapore's labor policy. In 2022, the Singaporean Ministry of Manpower mandated that all migrant domestic workers must have at least one non-negotiable rest day per month. This decision, while progressive, sparked concern among employers about the care of their loved ones on these rest days. This scenario offers a poignant opportunity to reflect on the Christian call to justice and fair treatment in our modern context.

Reflection

Colossians 4:1 transcends time in its call for fairness and recognition of every worker's dignity, a principle mirrored in Singapore's recent labor policy. This policy, which mandates rest days for migrant workers, reflects the biblical ethos of respecting the humanity of each individual, irrespective of their role or status. However, the unease shown by some employers in response to this policy highlights a persistent challenge: the difficulty in fully acknowledging and treating workers not merely as subordinates, but as equals under the same divine authority, with inherent rights to rest and respect. This echoes Paul's timeless message, wherein he counters the then-prevailing view of servants as mere property by advocating for their just and fair treatment, thus underlining the enduring relevance of these principles in shaping ethical and considerate interactions in any era.

Application

How then, do we apply this ancient wisdom to our contemporary lives? Whether we are employers, colleagues, or clients, we are called to value and respect the labor of others. This might mean making inconvenient adjustments to accommodate the rightful rest of those who work for us or with us. It's about seeing each person as more than just their output or the services they provide, but as individuals with their own needs, rights, and dignity.

Conclusion

The decision by Singapore's Ministry of Manpower to ensure a mandatory rest day for migrant workers reflects a significant stride towards equitable labor practices, resonating with the teachings of Colossians 4:1. This directive not only echoes Paul's exhortation for servants to work with a mindset of serving the Lord and masters to remember their own submission to a higher authority, Jesus, but also challenges Christians to actively pursue and embody justice and fairness in all areas of life. By embracing these principles in our roles, whether as employers, employees, or members of our communities, we not only adhere to the letter of scripture but more importantly, its spirit, acknowledging the divine image in every individual and striving to align our actions with the compassionate and just heart of Christ.

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You for Your unending love and the wisdom found in Your word. Guide us to treat others with the justice and fairness You desire, as reminded in Colossians 4:1. Help us to see Your face in each person we interact with, especially those who labor for us. Grant us the grace to respect their need for rest and to value their dignity as Your beloved children. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM, USA
The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV)© 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.
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The Lenten Prayer for Tuesday, March 19, 2024

 

40 Days of Lenten Prayers
Day 30 — Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Loving God, You have heard my complaints, my impatience. Sometimes I become frightened when I move away from you. Guide my heart back to you. Help me to think beyond my own wants and to desire only to do you will.

Thank you for the many blessings in my life and for the ways I feel your presence. Amen.