The Daily Lectionary
With Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Tuesday in Easter Week
Creation, Resurrection, and Victory
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Genesis 1:20—2:4a;
With Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Tuesday in Easter Week
Creation, Resurrection, and Victory
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Genesis 1:20—2:4a;
1 Corinthians 15:50-58
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Easter 1)
Introduction
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Easter 1)
Introduction
As we journey through Easter Week, our reflections bring us to a convergence of themes of creation, resurrection, and victory in the light of God's enduring love. Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 opens our hearts to the steadfast love of the Lord, echoing the joyous refrain of salvation and deliverance. It's a hymn of thanksgiving, praising God for His strength and salvation, a cornerstone in our faith journey. Genesis 1:20—2:4a takes us back to the very beginning, to the wonders of creation. Here, we witness the birth of life in all its forms, a testament to God’s intricate design and boundless creativity. This narrative of beginnings sets the stage for the ultimate act of new creation, as depicted in 1 Corinthians 15:50-58. This passage illuminates the mystery of resurrection and the transformation that awaits us, culminating in the victory over death through Christ. As we delve into these scriptures, let us embrace the themes of renewal and hope, celebrating the eternal love and power of God that triumph over all.
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.
This passage in Genesis marks a profound moment in the Biblical account of creation, where the focus shifts to the burgeoning diversity of life. Genesis 1:20 begins with God's command to fill the waters with living creatures and the skies with birds, highlighting the emergence of sea and air life. The narrative continues through the creation of land animals and culminates in the formation of humans, created in God's own image. This section, which concludes at Genesis 2:4a, is not just a simple account of creation; it is rich with theological and symbolic meanings. It underscores the intentional and orderly nature of God's creative work, emphasizing the blessing and sanctification of the Sabbath. This segment of Genesis sets the stage for understanding humanity's unique relationship with God and stewardship role in the world, encapsulating the themes of life, responsibility, and divine-human interaction that are central to Judeo-Christian thought.1 20 And God said, “Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.” 21 So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm, and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.
24 And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind.” And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind, and the cattle of every kind, and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good.
26 Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.”
27 So God created humankind in his image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” 29 God said, “See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. 30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31 God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
2 1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. 2 And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation.
4a These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created.
Expository Commentary
Genesis 1:20-23 — The Fifth Day — Creation of Sea Creatures and Birds
- Verses 20-21: God commands the waters to "swarm with swarms of living creatures" and for birds to fly above the earth. This directive highlights the creation of a vast array of sea creatures and the first appearance of life in the air. The text notes God's blessing of these creatures, emphasizing their ability to be fruitful and multiply. This segment underscores the richness and diversity of life God intended for the earth.
- Verse 22: The blessing to be fruitful and multiply is not just a command but also a provision for the continual renewal and sustenance of life. It reflects the divine intention for life to exist in abundance and variety.
Genesis 1:24-31 — The Sixth Day — Creation of Land Animals and Humans
- Verse 23: Marks the end of the fifth day. The passage underscores the cyclical and orderly nature of creation, with each day bringing forth new elements in a structured manner.
- Verses 24-25: Focus shifts to the land, with God creating various kinds of land animals. Each creature is made "according to its kind," suggesting a categorization and order in the creation of life. These verses continue the theme of diversity and balance in creation.
- Verses 26-27: Mark a significant transition with the creation of humans. Humans are made in the image and likeness of God, setting them apart from other creatures. This notion implies a special status and role for humanity in the created order, including the responsibility of stewardship over other forms of life.
- Verse 28: Echoes the blessing given to sea creatures and birds, but with an added dimension of dominion and stewardship. Humans are blessed with fertility and given the responsibility to care for the earth and its creatures.
- Verses 29-30: Detail God's provision for all creatures. It establishes a harmony in creation, where every living being is provided for. This reflects a vision of an interconnected and balanced ecosystem.
Genesis 2:1-3 — The Seventh Day — The Sanctity of the Sabbath
- Verse 31: Concludes the sixth day with God seeing everything as "very good." This phrase implies a completion and perfection of God's creative work.
- Verses 1-2: Describe the completion of creation and God's rest on the seventh day. This 'rest' signifies a cessation from creating, marking the completion of the work.
Genesis 2:4a — Transitional Verse
- Verse 3: God sanctifies the seventh day, setting it apart as a day of rest. This establishes the Sabbath, a key concept in Judeo-Christian tradition, symbolizing rest, reflection, and reverence.
This section of Genesis, from the creation of sea creatures to the establishment of the Sabbath, presents a theology rich in themes of diversity, order, responsibility, and sanctity. It sets the foundation for understanding humanity's unique role in the divine plan and the sacredness of life and creation.
- This verse serves as a transition, summarizing the account of creation. It introduces the next section of Genesis, which provides a different perspective on creation, particularly the creation of humans and the Garden of Eden.
1 Corinthians 15:50-58 presents the Apostle Paul's profound teachings on the nature of the resurrection and the transformation of the body. In this passage, Paul addresses a crucial theological question about the resurrection of the dead, emphasizing the transformation that must occur for humans to inherit the Kingdom of God. He contrasts the perishable nature of our current physical bodies with the imperishable nature of our resurrected bodies. This section culminates in a triumphant declaration of victory over death, encapsulated in the famous phrase, 'Death has been swallowed up in victory.' Through his eloquent and theologically rich discourse, Paul provides comfort and hope, affirming the Christian belief in the resurrection and the ultimate defeat of death through Jesus Christ.15 50 What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When this perishable body puts on imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled:
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Expository Commentary
Verse 50: Here, Paul emphasizes the fundamental difference between our current physical state and the spiritual realm of God’s kingdom. The terms "flesh and blood" symbolize our mortal, perishable nature. Paul asserts that our current physical form is not suitable for inheriting the eternal, imperishable kingdom of God.
Verses 51-52: Paul reveals a "mystery," a divine truth previously unknown. He speaks of a sudden, transformative event for all believers, whether alive or dead, at the time of Christ’s return. The "last trumpet" symbolizes the final divine call, marking the end of the current age and the resurrection of the dead. This change will be instantaneous, signifying a transition from mortality to immortality.
Verse 53: This verse reiterates the necessary transformation of the human body. To exist in God's eternal kingdom, our perishable, mortal bodies must be transformed into a state of imperishability and immortality.
Verse 54: Paul anticipates the fulfillment of a prophecy from Isaiah (25:8). The transformation of our bodies will signify the final defeat of death, a victory for God's plan and for believers. The imagery of death being "swallowed up" conveys total eradication and triumph over mortality.
Verse 55: This verse, echoing Hosea 13:14, is a taunt against death, personifying it as a defeated enemy. It reflects the Christian confidence in the resurrection, where death no longer holds power or fear.
Verse 56: Paul explains the relationship between death, sin, and the law. Sin brings death, and the law, by defining sin, gives it power. However, this is not the final word, as Paul leads into the next verse.
Verse 57: This verse is a declaration of gratitude and victory. Paul credits God, through Jesus Christ, for providing the means to overcome both sin and death. The victory is not through human effort but through Christ's resurrection.
Verse 58: In conclusion, Paul encourages the Corinthians to remain firm in their faith and diligent in their service to the Lord. The assurance of resurrection and victory over death gives purpose and meaning to their efforts, affirming that their work for the Lord is significant and will have lasting value.
This passage is a cornerstone of Christian eschatology, providing hope and assurance of the resurrection and the ultimate defeat of death through Christ.
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
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
