The Daily Lectionary
With Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Thursday, May 2, 2024
Universal Praise and Redemption:
Embracing Diversity in God's Salvation
Psalm 98; Isaiah 49:5-6; Acts 10:1-34
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Easter 6)
Introduction
With Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Thursday, May 2, 2024
Universal Praise and Redemption:
Embracing Diversity in God's Salvation
Psalm 98; Isaiah 49:5-6; Acts 10:1-34
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Easter 6)
Introduction
This compilation, drawn from the rich texts of Psalm 98, Isaiah 49:5-6, and Acts 10:1-34, invites readers into a profound reflection on the universality and inclusiveness of God's plan for salvation. Psalm 98 celebrates with jubilant music and nature's awe the Lord's victorious justice and unfailing love, a theme echoed in Isaiah's prophecy where the Lord's servant is not only to restore Israel, but also to be a light for the nations, extending God's salvation to the ends of the earth. This global embrace of diverse peoples is vividly demonstrated in Acts 10, where Peter's encounter with Cornelius, a Gentile, breaks traditional boundaries, affirming that God shows no partiality and that His mercy is available to all who fear Him and act righteously, irrespective of their ethnic or cultural backgrounds. Together, these passages weave a tapestry of hope, inclusivity, and divine love, emphasizing that the reach of God's redemption is as boundless as His creation.
Psalm 98 is a vibrant and jubilant hymn that invites the entire creation to praise God for His marvelous deeds. This psalm, also known as a 'new song,' celebrates the Lord's victory and righteousness, portraying Him as a just and merciful ruler. It emphasizes the universality of God's rule, extending an invitation to all the earth to join in the joyful praise. With vivid imagery and poetic language, the psalmist calls upon the sea, the rivers, and the mountains to make a joyful noise before the Lord, illustrating a profound sense of God's salvation and kingship not only over Israel but over all the nations. Psalm 98 encourages the faithful to recognize and rejoice in God's justice and faithfulness, reflected in His wondrous works and the promise of His righteous judgment.1 O sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done marvelous things.
His right hand and his holy arm
have gotten him victory.
2 The Lord has made known his victory;
he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the victory of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
5 Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody.
6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.
7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
the world and those who live in it.
8 Let the floods clap their hands;
let the hills sing together for joy
9 at the presence of the LORD, for he is coming
to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with equity.
Expository Commentary
Verse 1: This opening verse sets the tone for the entire psalm, calling for a 'new song' to celebrate the Lord's wondrous deeds. The "right hand and holy arm" symbolize God's strength and power in securing victory, perhaps referencing historical deliverance or spiritual salvation.
Verse 2: The psalmist declares that God's victory and righteousness are not just for Israel, but are displayed for all nations to see. This reflects a universal aspect of God’s salvation.
Verse 3: Here, the focus is on God's loyalty and faithfulness to Israel. The mention of "all the ends of the earth" implies that God's acts for Israel serve as a testimony to the entire world.
Verse 4: The psalmist invites the entire earth, not just Israel, to celebrate joyously. This inclusive call for praise suggests the universal relevance of God's rule.
Verse 5: Musical instruments, like the lyre, are encouraged in this act of worship, indicating a celebration with music and song.
Verse 6: Trumpets and horns, often used in royal and religious ceremonies, emphasize the majestic and kingly aspect of God, inviting a triumphant and regal tone in the praise.
Verse 7: The call to praise extends to the sea and its inhabitants, signifying the whole of creation, not just humanity, in recognizing God’s sovereignty.
Verse 8: In this picturesque language, natural elements like floods and hills are personified, clapping and singing in a collective celebration of God's rule.
Verse 9: The psalm concludes with the anticipation of God’s coming to judge the earth. This judgment is characterized by righteousness and fairness, bringing the theme of God’s justice to a climactic end.
In essence, Psalm 98 is a vivid and all-encompassing hymn of praise, acknowledging God's power, justice, and universal sovereignty, while calling all of creation to join in jubilant worship.
Isaiah 49:5-6 unfolds as a profound and evocative segment within the book of Isaiah, a pivotal work in the Old Testament. In these verses, the prophet Isaiah articulates his divine commission, reflecting on the purpose and scope of his mission. These lines express the Lord's intention to not only restore Israel but to extend His salvation beyond the Jewish nation to all corners of the earth. This expansion of Isaiah's mission signifies a pivotal moment, highlighting the universal nature of God's redemptive plan. Here, the imagery and language not only underscore the significance of Israel in God's plan but also herald a future where salvation and God’s light reach every nation, reiterating the inclusive and global scope of God's love and salvation.49 5 And now the LORD says,
who formed me in the womb to be his servant,
to bring Jacob back to him,
and that Israel might be gathered to him,
for I am honored in the sight of the LORD,
and my God has become my strength—
6 he says,
“It is too light a thing that you should be my servant
to raise up the tribes of Jacob
and to restore the survivors of Israel;
I will give you as a light to the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
Expository Commentary
Verse 5: This verse reveals the prophet Isaiah's understanding of his divine calling, a mission that was preordained even before his birth. The phrase "who formed me in the womb to be his servant" signifies a divine selection and purpose, emphasizing the sovereignty of God in the life of the prophet. Isaiah's primary mission, as articulated here, is to bring Jacob (a metaphor for the people of Israel) back to God, signifying a call to repentance and renewal for the Israelites. This return to God is both a physical gathering (from exile) and a spiritual reawakening. Isaiah’s mention of being honored in the sight of the Lord denotes the esteem and divine support he receives, further emphasizing the legitimacy of his prophetic authority. The phrase "my God has become my strength" conveys a deep personal relationship between Isaiah and God, underscoring the prophet’s reliance on divine empowerment for his mission.
Verse 6: This verse expands the scope of Isaiah’s mission beyond the tribes of Israel. God declares that restoring Israel alone is a "too light a thing," implying that Isaiah's mission has a much grander scale. The expression "light to the nations" introduces a universal aspect to Isaiah's prophetic role. Light, often symbolizing knowledge, truth, and salvation in biblical texts, is here a metaphor for the revelation of God’s salvation to all peoples, not just Israel. This is a pivotal declaration in the Old Testament, pointing towards the inclusive nature of God's salvation plan. The phrase "that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth" is particularly significant, suggesting that God's salvific intent is global, extending far beyond the Jewish nation. It foreshadows the Christian understanding of Jesus as the light for all humanity and the universal availability of salvation.
In summary, Isaiah 49:5-6 reflects a profound understanding of the prophet's mission, which begins with the restoration of Israel but ultimately transcends national boundaries to encompass all nations, foreshadowing the universal salvation offered through Christ.
Acts 10:1-34 presents a pivotal narrative in the early Christian Church, marking a significant expansion of its mission beyond Jewish boundaries. This passage introduces Cornelius, a Roman centurion living in Caesarea, who is described as a devout and God-fearing man. Despite his Gentile status, Cornelius receives a divine vision instructing him to send for Peter. Concurrently, Peter experiences a revelatory vision that challenges traditional Jewish dietary laws and symbolically prepares him to embrace Gentiles into the Christian faith. The chapter culminates in Peter's visit to Cornelius' house, where he acknowledges God's impartiality and proclaims the message of Jesus Christ to all present, regardless of their ethnic background. This account not only depicts the transformative visions experienced by Cornelius and Peter but also underscores a defining moment in the early Church's history—the inclusion of Gentiles and the universal nature of the Christian message.10 1 In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort, as it was called. 2 He was a devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God. 3 One afternoon at about three o’clock he had a vision in which he clearly saw an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius.” 4 He stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” He answered, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa for a certain Simon who is called Peter; 6 he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.” 7 When the angel who spoke to him had left, he called two of his slaves and a devout soldier from the ranks of those who served him, 8 and after telling them everything, he sent them to Joppa.
9 About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 Then he heard a voice saying, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.” 15 The voice said to him again, a second time, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” 16 This happened three times, and the thing was suddenly taken up to heaven.
17 Now while Peter was greatly puzzled about what to make of the vision that he had seen, suddenly the men sent by Cornelius appeared. They were asking for Simon’s house and were standing by the gate. 18 They called out to ask whether Simon, who was called Peter, was staying there. 19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Look, three men are searching for you. 20 Now get up, go down, and go with them without hesitation; for I have sent them.” 21 So Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for your coming?” 22 They answered, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” 23 So Peter invited them in and gave them lodging.
The next day he got up and went with them, and some of the believers from Joppa accompanied him. 24 The following day they came to Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 On Peter’s arrival Cornelius met him, and falling at his feet, worshiped him. 26 But Peter made him get up, saying, “Stand up; I am only a mortal.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found that many had assembled; 28 and he said to them, “You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without objection. Now may I ask why you sent for me?”
30 Cornelius replied, “Four days ago at this very hour, at three o’clock, I was praying in my house when suddenly a man in dazzling clothes stood before me. 31 He said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon, who is called Peter; he is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33 Therefore I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. So now all of us are here in the presence of God to listen to all that the Lord has commanded you to say.”
34 Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality.
Expository Commentary
Acts 10:1-8 — Cornelius’s Vision
- Verses 1-2: Cornelius, a Roman centurion, is introduced as a devout and God-fearing man, generous to the poor and a man of prayer. Despite being a Gentile, his lifestyle reflects Jewish piety, showing God’s work beyond the Jewish community.
- Verses 3-6: Cornelius experiences a vision of an angel of God, instructing him to send for Peter. This divine encounter signifies the beginning of a significant shift in the early Christian mission.
Acts 10:9-16 — Peter’s Vision
- Verses 7-8: Cornelius acts promptly on the angel’s instruction, demonstrating his faith and obedience.
- Verses 9-12: While praying, Peter falls into a trance and sees a vision of a sheet containing various animals, representing the Jewish dietary laws.
Acts 10:17-23a — Peter’s Response to the Vision
- Verses 13-16: A voice instructs Peter to eat, but he initially refuses, adhering to Jewish dietary restrictions. The voice, representing God, declares that what God has made clean must not be called profane. This thrice-repeated message symbolizes the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles.
- Verses 17-20: Peter ponders the meaning of his vision, while the messengers from Cornelius arrive. The Holy Spirit guides Peter to go with them without hesitation.
Acts 10:23b-33 — Cornelius Meets Peter
- Verses 21-23a: Peter welcomes the messengers and agrees to go to Cornelius, indicating his willingness to cross cultural and religious boundaries.
- Verses 23b-27: Peter enters Cornelius’s house, which is significant as Jews traditionally avoided entering Gentile homes to maintain ritual purity.
- Verses 28-29: Peter acknowledges the traditional Jewish view but explains that God has shown him not to call anyone profane or unclean.
Acts 10:34-43 - Peter’s Speech
- Verses 30-33: Cornelius recounts his vision and states his readiness to hear what the Lord has commanded Peter to say, demonstrating reverence and expectancy.
- Verses 34-35: Peter begins his speech by recognizing that God shows no partiality, a radical statement for a Jewish audience.
This section of Acts represents a watershed moment in early Christianity. The visions of Cornelius and Peter, along with Peter's subsequent actions, signify a turning point where the Christian message is explicitly extended to Gentiles. It underscores the theme of inclusivity and universality in the Christian faith.
- Verses 36-43: He recounts the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, emphasizing that the message is for all people. Peter's speech encapsulates the core message of the Christian faith and its universal applicability.
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
