Lectionary for Sunday 10

Lectionary for Sunday 10

Jesus says: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice; I have come to call not the virtuous but sinners.’ Matthew 9:13

Collect. O God, the strength of those who hope in you: be present and hear our prayers; and because of the weakness of our mortal nature we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, so that, in keeping your commandments, we may please you in will and deed; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Reading. Romans 4:13-25. Paul understood that faith which relied primarily on law and ritual was not a sustaining faith. He had tried that kind of religion and found it wanting. (Philippians 3:7) Here in this portion of Romans he is strongly advocating for a reliance on faith. In order to anchor his argument he looks back to the promise that God gave to Abraham the father of the Hebrew nation. Paul uses Abraham as an example because his target audience would have recognised immediately that the promise to Abraham was given and received long before any kind of religious law was established. Moses was the law giver and he lived long after Abraham.

Abraham at the age of 75 was called out from a comfortable city life to wander with his flocks living in tents. All this because God had promised him a land of his own. Abraham waited for 25 years before even a son was born to he and Sarah. Abraham continued to trust in the promise God had given to him that his family would prosper in security and he would become the father of many nations. The name Abraham which means “father of a multitude”, was given to him as God gave him the promise which sustained him for all his life. (Genesis 17:5) He pleased God as he continued to trust in God’s promise and because of that trust God declared him to be righteous. It was not law or ritual that brought him to that condition but purely faith in God.

Paul refers to the written record of Abraham’s trust in God’s promise to encourage the believers to similarly trust in what God has promised for all those who believe that Jesus had been raised from death into a new life. Indeed Paul maintains that it was just for this purpose that it had been written down for posterity, so that those who came after could see what God requires of all believers. However it was not in the Abrahamic promise that Paul is advocating but the promise that comes through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

As Paul was writing this letter the church was struggling to survive for Christians were being persecuted while at the same time the Jews were really secure for their religion was tolerated by the Romans. The temptation was to return to the safety of the Jewish Law. Paul is advocating that true security lies only in trusting in the promise of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ. Only Jesus can bring the peace and security that a believer needs and this is secured by trusting in what Jesus has accomplished on the cross.

Prayer. Holy Lord, through Jesus Christ you give us life and joy: you know our names and provide for all our needs: Teach us to trust in you alone and listen for your voice. Guide us through your word and by the examples of your apostles who devoted themselves to the breaking bread and prayers. May we like them be so immersed in your godly nature that we will be in harmony with our sisters and brothers and in all things bring praise and honour to your name. This we pray for Jesus sake. Amen. (Adapted from Season of Ash and Fire)

Reading. Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26. This reading in two parts begins with the call of Matthew. It is very significant that Jesus called Matthew to be one of the twelve disciples. Matthew was a tax collector as worked on behalf of either the Roman’s or King Herod. No matter whom he worked for as a tax collector he was universally hated by the people. Tax collectors had a bad reputation for by charging an extra tax which provided their income they quickly became rich. Understandably people considered their wealth came at everyone else’s expense. Jesus’ choice of a taxman was unusual for he would have been seen as someone outside of respectable religious life. However when Jesus called him, Matthew immediately left his work and followed Jesus.

Matthew’s calling gives rise to the Pharisees criticism of Jesus, that he ate with tax collectors and sinners. The response from Jesus brings a key statement in the gospel for Jesus replies,” ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners”

Our reading then goes on to record the healing of a woman with a hemorrhage and the leader of the synagogue’s daughter being restored to health. In these healings both the leader of the synagogue and the woman demonstrated great faith in Jesus. These healings are quite spectacular for the woman was unable to be healed by normal doctors and to believe that Jesus could return a dead child to life is extraordinary. Both people showed great faith in Jesus. The healings recorded by Matthew provide great encouragement for they emphasise the power of God to heal and to save.

As we consider this passage let us think of the people whose lives Jesus touched. Jesus called Matthew to be an intimate companion. Here was a wealthy man whose life activities put him outside the Jewish faith. As a tax collector he was unacceptable but Jesus invited him to be a leader in his name. The synagogue leader was on the other hand a religious man but his position did not shield him from the storms that life can bring. In his direst need he turned to Jesus for comfort and support and Jesus responded to him.

The woman was also in dire straits, an outcast from the law because as a person with a hemorrhage she should not have been mingling with a crowd. Anyone such a person touched would have become ritually unclean. Her condition did not only isolate her from social contact but also prevented her from worshipping in the company of others. It is little wonder that she tried to hide when Jesus called her out. Matthews’ story reminds us of the diverse range of people Jesus welcomed, healed and supported.

Prayer. You Lord are the God of grace, the great healer, the one whose ministry brings wholeness and gladness. In your mercy lead and guide us as we lift our hands and our hearts in prayer and praise to you. As we remember your great love for us we bring to you in prayer those whose lives today hang in the balance; those who find no end to their suffering; for families torn apart by death and the constant ravages of war. We pray for those caught up in the power struggles of political leaders who are so intent on power that they forget the humanity under their care. We pray for those who are too blind to see their need of you. And we pray for ourselves, that we may be empowered to be effective witnesses to your love and care. To you Lord God, be all honour and glory, now and forever. We ask in the name of Jesus. Amen

Collect. God, lover of all, near and far; the sinful and needy hear you, and are glad. May we stretch out our hands, and receive the healing we need from Jesus the Great Physician, for we pray in his name. Amen.