Sunday, March 20, 2022

The Sunday Bible Readings and Prayers for Sunday, March 20, 2022 — Third Sunday in Lent

 

The Sunday Bible Readings and Prayers
Sunday, March 20, 2022
Third Sunday in Lent
Isaiah 55:1-9; Psalm 63:1-8; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Luke 13:1-9
with commentaries from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible


Where is God when we feel lost in the storms of life? The Bible says our hope in God is the anchor for the soul. But what if we can’t feel His presence during the storm?

Introduction & Theme

Come to the Water (Isaiah 55:1-9)
O God Eagerly I Seek You (Psalm 63:1-8)
Israel Baptized in Cloud and Seas (1 Corinthians 10:1-13)
The Parable of the Fig Tree (Luke 13:1-9)

These Lenten lections provide a number of reminders for the wilderness periods in our lives—times of struggle, illness, grief, loss, or simple ennui. Isaiah and the psalmist speak to the soul’s longing for God’s presence, for spiritual sustenance, for that which will truly satisfy. Both scriptures call us to seek the holy, to call upon God for mercy, love, in-filling, and help. Corinthians sets up something of a dichotomy between the body and the spirit, but this can be read at a deeper level—as an acknowledgement that even as we suffer, we can find strength in a faithful God who will show us the way through. Luke carries us further, encouraging us to take the suffering or the barren periods of our lives, learn from them, and use them to grow into newness of life.

Opening Prayer
(Psalm 63)

Holy One, when we are alone in the desert, wandering through the wilderness, we call to you, for you are our help. Our souls cling to you. Come, God, and hold us up. Come, bring your presence and fill us with your peace. In the shadow of your wings, we will sing for joy. Amen.

Call to Confession
(Isaiah 55, 1 Corinthians 10)

God of Mercy, we long to come when you call, yet often do not. When we are most alone, we fail to turn to you. When we are most afraid, we do not always think we can turn to you. When we are lost, hurting, and in pain, we fail to realize how much we suffer. We refuse to ask for help. We lash out at others. We numb our hearts. We hide. Forgive us. But you, O God, are faithful. You see us and know us and love us as we are. In times of trial, you show us the way through. Receive us once more, and have mercy on us. As we seek your presence, help us place our trust in the grace of your heart, and help us begin again. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon
(Isaiah 55, Luke 13)

Anything we have done, God knows already. Anything we have hidden, God has already seen. God’s love for us and grace to us are higher than we have imagined, deeper than we have guessed. Before we have asked, God’s mercies are already given. For God does not waste our struggles, but uses them to grow joy.

Today’s Verse-of-the-Day:
1 Peter 2:2-3

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
As infants crave their mothers’ nutritious milk, so we are to yearn for the life-giving Word of God. Growing in Christ requires that we spend time in His Word—learning His ways and being transformed into His image through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Today’s Lectionary Readings:
From the Prophetic Books of Major Prophets
Isaiah 55:1-9
Come to the Water

1 “Come, all you who are thirsty,
     come to the waters;
  and you who have no money,
     come, buy and eat!
  Come, buy wine and milk
     without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
     and your labor on what does not satisfy?
  Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
     and you will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me;
     listen, that you may live.
  I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
     my faithful love promised to David.
4 See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,
     a ruler and commander of the peoples.
5 Surely you will summon nations you know not,
     and nations you do not know will come running to you,
  because of the Lord your God,
     the Holy One of Israel,
     for he has endowed you with splendor.”

6 Seek the Lord while he may be found;
     call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake their ways
     and the unrighteous their thoughts.
  Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
     and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
     neither are your ways my ways,”
  declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
     so are my ways higher than your ways
     and my thoughts than your thoughts.


Commentary

An invitation to receive freely the blessings of the Savior (vv. 1-5); Gracious offers of pardon and peace (vv. 6-9).

Verses 1-5: All are welcome to the blessings of salvation, to whom those blessings are welcome. In Christ there is enough for all, and enough for each. Those satisfied with the world, that see no need of Christ, do not thirst. They are in no uneasiness about their souls: but where God gives grace, he gives a thirst after it; and where he has given a thirst after it, he will give it. Come to Christ, for he is the Fountain opened, he is the Rock smitten. Come to holy ordinances, to the streams that make glad the city of our God. Come to the healing waters, come to the living waters, Revelation 22:17. Our Savior referred to this, John 7:37. Come, and buy; make it your own by application of the grace of the gospel to yourselves. Come, and eat; make it still more your own, and enjoy it. The world comes short of our expectations; we promise ourselves, at least, water in it, and we are disappointed; but Christ outdoes our expectations. We come to him, and we find wine and milk. The gifts offered to us are such as no price can be set upon. The things offered are already paid for; for Christ purchased them at the full price of his own blood, 1 Peter 1:19. Our wants are beyond number, and we have nothing to supply them; if Christ and heaven are ours, we see ourselves for ever indebted to free grace. Hearken diligently; let the proud heart stoop; not only come, but accept God's offers. All the wealth and pleasure in the world, will not yield solid comfort and content to the soul. They do not satisfy even the appetites of the body; for all is vanity and vexation. Let the disappointments we meet with in the world, help to drive us to Christ, and to seek for satisfaction in him only. Then, and not before, we shall find rest for our souls. Hear, and your soul shall live. On what easy terms is happiness offered us! By the sure mercies of David, we are to understand the Messiah. All his mercies are covenant mercies; they are purchased by him, they are promised in him, and out of his hand they are dispensed to us. We know not how to find the way to the waters, but Christ is given to be a Leader, a Commander, to show us what to do, and enable us to do it. Our business is to obey him, and follow him. And there is no coming to the Father but by him. He is the Holy One of Israel, true to his promises; and he has promised to glorify Christ, by giving him the heathen for his inheritance.

Verses 6-9: Here is a gracious offer of pardon, and peace, and of all happiness. It shall not be in vain to seek God, now his word is calling to us, and his Spirit is striving with us. But there is a day coming when he will not be found. There may come such a time in this life; it is certain that at death and judgment the door will be shut. There must be not only a change of the way, but a change of the mind. We must alter our judgments about persons and things. It is not enough to break off from evil practices, we must strive against evil thoughts. To repent is to return to our Lord, against whom we have rebelled. If we do so, God will multiply to pardon, as we have multiplied to offend. But let none trifle with this plenteous mercy, or use it as an occasion to sin. Men's thoughts concerning sin, Christ, and holiness, concerning this world and the other, vastly differ from God's; but in nothing more than in the matter of pardon. We forgive, and cannot forget; but when God forgives sin, he remembers it no more.


From the Psalter
Psalm 63:1-8
O God Eagerly I Seek You

1 You, God, are my God,
     earnestly I seek you;
  I thirst for you,
     my whole being longs for you,
  in a dry and parched land
     where there is no water.

2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
     and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life,
     my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
     and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
     with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

6 On my bed I remember you;
     I think of you through the watches of the night.
7 Because you are my help,
     I sing in the shadow of your wings.
8 I cling to you;
     your right hand upholds me.


Commentary

David's desire toward God (vv. 1, 2); His satisfaction in God (vv. 3-6); His dependence upon God, and assurance of safety (vv. 7-8).

Verses 1, 2: Early will I seek thee. The true Christian devotes to God the morning hour. He opens the eyes of his understanding with those of his body, and awakes each morning to righteousness. He arises with a thirst after those comforts which the world cannot give, and has immediate recourse by prayer to the Fountain of the water of life. The true believer is convinced, that nothing in this sinful world can satisfy the wants and desires of his immortal soul; he expects his happiness from God, as his portion. When faith and hope are most in exercise, the world appears a weary desert, and the believer longs for the joys of heaven, of which he has some foretastes in the ordinances of God upon earth.

Verses 3-6: Even in affliction we need not want matter for praise. When this is the regular frame of a believer's mind, he values the loving-kindness of God more than life. God's loving-kindness is our spiritual life, and that is better than temporal life. We must praise God with joyful lips; we must address ourselves to the duties of religion with cheerfulness, and speak forth the praises of God from a principle of holy joy. Praising lips must be joyful lips. David was in continual danger; care and fear held his eyes waking, and gave him wearisome nights; but he comforted himself with thoughts of God. The mercies of God, when called to mind in the night watches, support the soul, making darkness cheerful. How happy will be that last morning, when the believer, awaking up after the Divine likeness, shall be satisfied with all the fullness of God, and praise him with joyful lips, where there is no night, and where sorrow and sighing flee away!

Verses 7-8: True Christians can, in some measure, and at some times, make use of the strong language of David, but too commonly our souls cleave to the dust. Having committed ourselves to God, we must be easy and pleased, and quiet from the fear of evil. Those that follow hard after God, would soon fail, if God's right hand did not uphold them. It is he that strengthens us and comforts us. The psalmist doubts not but that though now sowing in tears, he should reap in joy. Messiah the Prince shall rejoice in God; he is already entered into the joy set before him, and his glory will be completed at his second coming. Blessed Lord, let our desire towards thee increase every hour; let our love be always upon thee; let all our enjoyment be in thee, and all our satisfaction from thee. Be thou all in all to us while we remain in the present wilderness state, and bring us home to the everlasting enjoyment of thee for ever.


From the Epistles
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Israel Baptized in Cloud and Seas

10:1 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9 We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.

11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Commentary

The great privileges, and yet terrible overthrow of the Israelites in the wilderness (vv. 1-5); Cautions against all idolatrous, and other sinful practices (vv. 6-14).

Verses 1-5: To dissuade the Corinthians from communion with idolaters, and security in any sinful course, the apostle sets before them the example of the Jewish nation of old. They were, by a miracle, led through the Red Sea, where the pursuing Egyptians were drowned. It was to them a typical baptism. The manna on which they fed was a type of Christ crucified, the Bread which came down from heaven, which whoso eats shall live for ever. Christ is the Rock on which the Christian church is built; and of the streams that issue therefrom, all believers drink, and are refreshed. It typified the sacred influences of the Holy Spirit, as given to believers through Christ. But let none presume upon their great privileges, or profession of the truth; these will not secure heavenly happiness.

Verses 6-13: Carnal desires gain strength by indulgence, therefore should be checked in their first rise. Let us fear the sins of Israel, if we would shun their plagues. And it is but just to fear, that such as tempt Christ, will be left by him in the power of the old serpent. Murmuring against God's disposals and commands, greatly provokes him. Nothing in Scripture is written in vain; and it is our wisdom and duty to learn from it. Others have fallen, and so may we. The Christian's security against sin is distrust of himself. God has not promised to keep us from falling, if we do not look to ourselves. To this word of caution, a word of comfort is added. Others have the like burdens, and the like temptations: what they bear up under, and break through, we may also. God is wise as well as faithful, and will make our burdens according to our strength. He knows what we can bear. He will make a way to escape; he will deliver either from the trial itself, or at least the mischief of it. We have full encouragement to flee from sin, and to be faithful to God. We cannot fall by temptation, if we cleave fast to him. Whether the world smiles or frowns, it is an enemy; but believers shall be strengthened to overcome it, with all its terrors and enticements. The fear of the Lord, put into their hearts, will be the great means of safety.


Today’s Gospel Reading
Luke 13:1-9
The Parable of the Fig Tree


13:1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’

8 “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”


Commentary

Christ's reproof to Herod, and to the people of Jerusalem.

Verses 1-5: Mention was made to Christ of the death of some Galileans. This tragic story is briefly related here, and is not met with in any historians. In Christ's reply he spoke of another event, which, like it, gave an instance of people taken away by sudden death. Towers, that are built for safety, often prove to be men's destruction. He cautioned his hearers not to blame great sufferers, as if they were therefore to be accounted great sinners. As no place or employment can secure from the stroke of death, we should consider the sudden removals of others as warnings to ourselves. On these accounts Christ founded a call to repentance. The same Jesus that bids us repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, bids us repent, for otherwise we shall perish.

Verses 6-9: This parable of the barren fig-tree is intended to enforce the warning given just before: the barren tree, except it brings forth fruit, will be cut down. This parable in the first place refers to the nation and people of the Jews. Yet it is, without doubt, for awakening all that enjoy the means of grace, and the privileges of the visible church. When God has borne long, we may hope that he will bear with us yet a little longer, but we cannot expect that he will bear always.


Here end the Readings

The Nicene Creed

  • We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
  • And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made; of the same essence as the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and was made human. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried. The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will never end.
  • And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and to life in the world to come. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer


Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that 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, for ever and ever. Amen.

Holy Communion

A nondenominational serving of bread and wine
Though no video can truly replace the experience of celebrating together in our places of worship, we know that where two or more are gathered, the Lord is present. This table is open to all who recognize Jesus Christ as healer and redeemer. This table is open to all who work to bring God’s Kingdom here on earth. No one is turned away because of life circumstances. No one is barred from this table. No one seeking God’s abundant grace and mercy is turned aside. We see before us the abundance that a life of faith offers as we respond to God’s everlasting mercy in prayer and deed.

Benediction
(Isaiah 55)

People of God, listen that you may live. Go forth and seek the Lord. Find all that is holy wherever you go. As our souls have been fed, so may we share our gifts and our blessings with others.


 
 
Today’s Lectionary Readings are selected from the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, a three-year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year C. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2022, we will be in Year A. The year which ended at Advent 2021 was Year B. 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 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 Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Commentaries from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible.

The Morning Prayer for Sunday, March 20, 2022

 

The Morning Prayer
Sunday, March 20, 2022


Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”
Revelation 12:10-11, NIV


Lord our God, in praise and thanksgiving we look toward your kingdom and the reign of Jesus Christ in your kingdom. We rejoice that you make him Lord not only in heaven but also on earth, where he will gain the victory in all mankind. Men will become good and will love one another, and they will find peace when everything is done according to your will. For the time must come when, on earth as in heaven, your will is done everywhere and in everything. Be with us with your Spirit so that we may stand firm as your children until the moment comes for us to exult: Up out of all grief and trouble! Up from evil and death! Up to you, our Father in heaven! Praise to your name today while we are still groaning. Glory to your kingdom. Glory to Jesus Christ our Savior, whom you have given us. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Sunday, March 20, 2022

 

Verse of the Day
Sunday, March 20, 2022


1 Peter 2:2-3
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
As infants crave their mothers’ nutritious milk, so we are to yearn for the life-giving Word of God. Growing in Christ requires that we spend time in His Word—learning His ways and being transformed into His image through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Read the full chapter



Scripture from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Our Daily Bread — Rising to Dance

 

Rising to Dance

The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable. 1 Corinthians 15:42

READ 1 Corinthians 15:35–44



In a widely shared video, an elegant elderly woman sits in a wheelchair. Once a famed ballet dancer, Marta González Saldaña now suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. But something magical happens when Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake is played to her. As the music builds, her frail hands slowly rise; and as the first trumpets blast, she starts performing from her chair. Though her mind and body are perishing, her talent is still there.

Reflecting on that video, my thoughts went to Paul’s teaching on resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15. Likening our bodies to a seed that is buried before it sprouts into a plant, he says that though our bodies may perish through age or illness, may be a source of dishonor, and may be wracked with weakness, the bodies of believers will be raised imperishable, full of glory and power (vv. 42–44). Just as there is an organic link between the seed and the plant, we will be “us” after our resurrection, our personalities and talents intact, but we will flourish like never before.

When the haunting melody of Swan Lake began to play, Marta at first looked downcast, perhaps mindful of what she once was and could no longer do. But then a man reached over and held her hand. And so it will be for us. Trumpets will blast (v. 52), a hand will reach out, and we’ll rise to dance like never before.

By Sheridan Voysey
REFLECT & PRAY


What do you look forward to being able to do after the resurrection? How can this give you hope for loved ones suffering the effects of age?

I praise You, Jesus, that nothing will be lost, but only regained, in the future.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

The Bible Knowledge Commentary elaborates on Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 15:35–37 about “how foolish it is” to ask about our resurrection bodies: “Belief in the Resurrection was like belief in seedtime and harvest. Neither could be completely understood but both were real. As a plant which sprouted from a seed was directly linked to it but remarkably different from it, so too was the relationship of a natural and a resurrected body.” Our resurrection body will be so much more than our natural body, which is weak, imperfect, and temporal. Elsewhere Paul states: “Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who … will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:20–21). We will be like Him!