Third Sunday in Lent: March 19, 2006

Exodus 20:1-17

Psalm 19

2 Corinthians 1:18-25

John 2:13-22

Cupped Ear/Psalm Sounds

Listen to the psalmist calling us to "hear" the creation speak/witness to the Creator. For in creation's "confession" our ears tingle with the words, "O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer" (v. 14).

Verses 1-6 speak of the world's testimony to her Creator. The sun, heaven, day, and night all witness to God. Creation manifests the glory of her Creator. Verses 7-9 discuss God's torah with the use of six synonyms: law, decree, commandment, ordinances, fear of the Lord, and precepts. God's torah bestows the blessings of wisdom, joy, endurance, enlightenment, restoration, and righteousness. Finally, the psalmist knows that he still needs God's forgiveness and help and clings to the Lord, his Rock.

Open Mouth/Psalm Speech

Once again the preacher hears the theme of the love of God's word in the psalms. God's instructions and teachings are understood not as punishment but rather as a joyful experience. To swim in the sea of Scripture is to be washed in wisdom, joy, endurance, enlightenment, restoration, and righteousness. The preacher could preach an entire Lenten series on these gifts alone. Creation itself confesses the glory of God's law. What a wonderful opportunity for the preacher to expand and to deepen the richness of our world's beauty and sacredness. There is also the possibility of a sermon built on the image of God as Rock and Redeemer. Last year in our parish we used a Lenten series that involved the use of rocks as reminders of God's power, love, and forgiveness at work in our lives. DRB

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