I am an emeritus professor from Cornell University and was a Commissioned Lay Preacher in the Presbyterian Church (USA). For many years I have followed the Daily Lectionary as printed in the Mission Yearbook of my church. For each day of a two-year cycle, the lectionary lists four psalms and three other scriptural passages--usually one from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament. My practice is to copy down a verse or two from one of the psalms and from each of the other three passages. After I have written out all four selections, I reflect upon them, rearrange their order, and incorporate them into a meditation. Sometimes I retain much of the original wording; sometimes all that remains of a selection is an idea that was stimulated when I read the original words. All selections are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. For the Daily Lectionary, see the link below.

January 28, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 47, 57, 85
Genesis 14:1-24
Hebrews 8:1-13
John 4:43-54

II. Selections
Psalm 47:1
Clap your hands, all you peoples;
shout to God with loud songs of joy.

Genesis 14:22-23
But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have sworn to the LORD, God Most High, maker of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or sandal-thong or anything that is yours, so that you might not say, 'I have made Abram rich.' ... "

Hebrews 8:6
But Jesus has now obtained a more excellent ministry, and to that degree he is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted through better promises.

John 4:49
The official said to [ Jesus], "Sir, come down before my little boy dies."

III. Meditation: A better covenant

Sometimes our concern springs from love-
"Sir, come down before my little boy dies."
Sometimes we are motivated by petty pride-
"I refuse to accept any gift, lest I be indebted."

As the first motivation surpasses the second,
the new covenant in you is better than the first.
With all peoples, we clap our hands to praise you;
with all nations, we shout to you with songs of joy.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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