Jesus, the salvation of God
Psalm 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23. March 7, 2023 - Tuesday, 2nd Week of Lent
The book of the prophet Isaiah begins with a harsh indictment of Israel and its people. In a rather insulting comparison, the prophet names them “the rulers of Sodom” and “the people of Gomorrah” (Is 1:10). As we read in the Bible, the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was “very grave” (Ten 18:20). Isaiah indicates that the sins of Israel were also grave.
In Psalm 50, God speaks to those in Israel who offer sacrifices and profess God’s covenant, but at the same time disobey God’s commandment. The Lord will not tolerate such behaviour. In Isaiah, the Lord rejects the sacrifices of the people and demands obedience. To quote the famous statement of Samuel to Saul: “to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams” (1 Sam 15:22). Thus, both Isaiah and the psalmist call the people to repentance, to be faithful to the covenant.
Then, the Lord continues his speech that the one who offers a sacrifice of praise glorifies him (see Ps 50:23). What is a sacrifice of praise? The letter to the Hebrews explains it as “the fruit of lips that acknowledge” God’s name through Jesus Christ, His Son (Heb. 13:15). Moreover, the author includes doing good and sharing material resources as sacrifices that please God (see Heb. 13:16).
Finally, the psalm ends with a statement that to the one who repents the Lord will show His salvation. Jesus’ ministry begins with the words: “repent and believe in the Gospel”. He is God’s salvation and He is the Good News about God’s love and mercy. In him is the fulfilment of God’s promise declared in Isaiah: “Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; Though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool” (Is 1:18).
So let us repent of our sinful ways and believe in Jesus. Here is a prayer that can help us to make the first step:
Lord Jesus, I come to you now with humility and trust as a sinner.
I confess with my lips that you are the Lord and I believe in my heart that you have risen and are alive. Now, I surrender my life to you.
Be my light in the darkness; be my way in the wilderness; be my life in death.
With you in my life, I can move mountains.
I love you and thank you for everything.