Daily Lesson for Monday 26th of February 2024

Many psalms express the agonizing feelings of utmost forsakenness of the suffering Messiah (e.g. Psalms 42:1-11, Psalms 88:1-18, and Psalms 102:1-28). Psalms 22:1-31 is a direct Messianic prophecy because many details in this psalm cannot be historically connected to King David but perfectly fit the circumstances of Christ’s death. Jesus prayed with the words of Psalms 22:1-31:1 on the cross (Matthew 27:46).

Image © Lars Justinen at Goodsalt.com

The torment of Christ’s separation from His Father, caused by Christ carry­ing the entire world’s sins, can be measured only by the extent of their closeness, namely, their unparalleled oneness (John 1:1-2; John 10:30). Yet, even the depths of inexplicable suffering could not break the unity between the Father and the Son. In His utter forsakenness, Christ unconditionally entrusts Himself to the Father, despite the utter depths of despair He faced.

“Upon Christ as our substitute and surety was laid the iniquity of us all. He was counted a transgressor, that He might redeem us from the condemnation of the law. The guilt of every descendant of Adam was pressing upon His heart. The wrath of God against sin, the terrible mani­festation of His displeasure because of iniquity, filled the soul of His Son with consternation.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 753.

The threatening animal imagery of strong bulls, roaring lions, and dogs highlights the people’s cruelty and animosity that Christ, who is compared to a harmless and helpless worm, met in His final hours. With amazing accuracy, Psalms 22:1-31 conveys the venomous remarks of the crowd that mocked Jesus with His own words to the Father (Psalms 22:1,8; Matthew 27:43) and the soldiers dividing Jesus’ garments (Psalms 22:18, Matthew 27:35). Little did the people understand then that the “worm” they sought to crush would become the chief “cornerstone” of the Temple and secure its foundation (Psalms 118:22).

However, the rejected Messiah became the Source of salvation for God’s people after His resurrection from the dead (Matthew 21:42, Acts 4:10-12). Christ suffered the rejection of humanity, but God glorified His Son by making Him the living “chief cornerstone” of God’s spiritual Temple (Ephesians 2:20-22, 1 Peter 2:4-8). For those who reject this Stone, namely, God’s means of salvation, it will become the agent of judgment (Isaiah 8:14, Matthew 21:44).

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The beautiful picture on the front of our lesson pamphlet brings us our theme hymn for this quarter with its two variations in melody: Hymn 552/546 – The Lord’s My Shepherd.

 Psalm 95:1 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.

 Our Shepherd is explored this week giving us our theme hymn along with 
O Shepherd Divine – Hymn 192, My Shepherd Will Supply My Needs – Hymn 104, 
The King Of Love My Shepherd Is – Hymn 197 and 
Saviour Like A Shepherd – Hymn 545. As we learn more about our Shepherd, we will listen to Him: 
Hymn 361 – Hark! ‘Tis The Shepherd’s Voice I Hear.

It is with sorrow that we read of The Suffering Messiah:  
Hymn 158 – Were Your There? and 
Hymn 154 – When I Survey The Wondrous Cross all because Jesus had to 
Go To Dark Gethsemane – Hymn 157 for our sins.

Marvelous Grace – Hymn 109 is shown to us (Tuesday) with the 
Wondrous Love – Hymn 162 of our Lord, Jesus. 
O Brother, Be Faithful – Hymn 602 to our Lord Jesus, and our Gracious God.

Our Eternal King (Wednesday) – 
Eternal Father Strong To Save – Hymn 85 helps us to look forward and pray to have more faith in 
Son Of God, Eternal Saviour – Hymn 637 and strive to see His coronation – 
Crown Him With Many Crowns – Hymn 223 as we gain victory – 
Faith Is The Victory – Hymn 608.

 We sing of our Eternal Priest in 
Hymn 249 – Praise Him! Praise Him! (verse 2) and H
ow Sweet The Name! – Hymn 238 (verse 4).

To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

 Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org/Search and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.

 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

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Key Thought: The Psalms testify about Christ’s person and ministry. They include His Deity, Sonship, obedience, betrayal, suffering, death, resurrection, ascension, priesthood, and kingship.
March 2, 2024

1. Have a volunteer read Psalm 23; 28:9; 80:1; 78:52,53.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. How is the relationship between the Lord and His people portrayed?
3. Personal Application: Has God ever revealed His protective power in your life before? Do you trust Him? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “.What does Jesus mean when He says He is the Good Shepherd? What aspects does a good shepherd display with their sheep? How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Psalm 22; Psalm 118:22.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. How was the Messiah treated by those He had come to save?
3. Personal Application: How should the fact that Jesus paid the penalty for every sin you have committed impact how you live now? Share your thoughts
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “God wants us to repent and turn from our sins, even to the point of hating sin. But I haven’t reached the point where I hate some sins. They are temptations that draw me – I don’t hate them or they wouldn’t tempt me. How can I go against my own nature to hate sin in my life?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Psalm 2; 110:1-3; 89:4, 13-17..

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What do these texts teach us about Christ as king?
3. Personal Application: If all power is given to Christ, how can we apply these promises to our own experiences? Do we have access to that power? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “Does it give you any comfort now that in the end pain and suffering will be gone and justice will prevail, or is the evil so dark and the future so murky, that it’s hard to believe that everything will work out for good?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Psalm 110:4-7.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. How is Christ’s priesthood unique, and what hope can we find in Christ’s heavenly priesthood?
3. Personal Application: How does Christ’s priesthood strengthen the certainty of salvation for God’s people? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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Daily Lesson for Sunday 25th of February 2024

Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com

The image of the Lord as Shepherd and God’s people as the sheep of His pasture highlights God’s guidance and sustaining care of His people and the people’s dependence on God to meet all their needs. The image conveys the notion of closeness between God and His people because shepherds lived with their flocks and cared for each sheep individually. The pastoral imagery also underlines God’s ownership of His flock, guaranteed by two strong bonds: creation (Psalms 95:6-7; Psalms 100:3) and covenant (Psalms 28:9, Hebrews 13:20).

The image of the divine Shepherd who leads Joseph like a flock (Psalms 80:1) perhaps alludes to Jacob’s benediction of Joseph, which pictures God as the Shepherd of Israel, and so, appeals to this great promise and blessing (Genesis 49:24).

Kings were considered shepherds of their people (2 Samuel 5:2). Yet, only God truly deserves this title because most human kings did not live up to such a calling. Only Jesus did, which is why He is called the Good Shepherd.

The intimate bond between the divine Shepherd and His flock is seen in the flock’s unmistakably knowing the Shepherd’s voice (John 10:4,27). To the current day, Middle Eastern shepherds can divide their flocks that have mingled simply by calling their sheep, who recognize and follow their shepherd’s voice.

At times, God’s flock suffers various afflictions that the people understand as the sign of God’s discontent and abandonment. Yet, the Good Shepherd never forsakes His strayed sheep but searches to save them. This is a powerful image of God’s relationship with His people. He is willing to die for His sheep (John 10:11,15) and paradoxically become a sacrificial lamb on their behalf (John 1:29). Also, Jesus confirmed that He would call His sheep in other folds and unite them into one flock (John 10:16).

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Daily Lesson for Saturday 24th of February 2024

Image © Pacific Press

Read for This Week’s Study

Psalms 23:1-6, John 10:11-15, Psalms 22:1-31, Psalms 89:27-32, Colossians 1:16, Psalms 2:1-12, Hebrews 7:20-28.

Memory Text:

“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes” (Psalms 118:22-23, NKJV).

The Psalms testify about Christ’s person and ministry. Almost all aspects of His work in the plan of salvation are seen in the Psalms. In various ways, Christ’s life and work are prefigured and predicted in them, often with remarkable accuracy.

The topics revealed in the Psalms include Christ’s deity, His Sonship, His obedience, His zeal for God’s temple, His identity as the Good Shepherd, His betrayal, His suffering, His bones not being broken, His death, resurrection, ascension, priesthood, and kingship. It’s all there, as predicted many centuries before Jesus came in the flesh.

No wonder, for example, when talking about His ministry, Jesus pointed back to the Psalms when speaking to the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:44). He wanted them to find in the Psalms evidence for who He was.

Some of the psalms that have a typological fulfillment in Christ include Psalms 24:1-10; Psalms 45:1-17; Psalms 72:1-20,101 (the ideal King and Judge), as well as Psalms 88:1-18,102 (prayers of the suffering servant of God).

In all the Psalms, through the psalmists’ laments, thanksgivings, praises, and cries for justice and deliverance, we can hear the echoes of Christ’s prayer for the salvation of the world.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, March 2.

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