Reminiscere Sunday, The
Second Sunday in Lent, 2013
Pastor Gregory L. Jackson
Bethany Lutheran Church, 10
AM Central Time
The Hymn #652 I Lay My Sins on Jesus 1:24
The Confession
of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
The Epistle and Gradual
The
Gospel
Glory be to Thee,
O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn # 454 Prayer Is
the Soul's Sincere Desire 1:41
Feeling the Frown
The Hymn # 281 The Savior Calls 1:29
The Preface p.
24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn # 374 Grace Tis a Charming Sound 1:91
KJV 1 Thessalonians 4:1
Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord
Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so
ye would abound more and more. 2 For ye know what commandments we gave you
by the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, even your
sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of
you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5 Not
in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6 That
no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because
that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you
and testified. 7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto
holiness.
KJV Matthew 15:21 Then Jesus
went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And, behold, a
woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have
mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed
with a devil. 23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and
besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24 But he
answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of
Israel. 25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 26 But he
answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it
to dogs. 27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which
fall from their masters' table. 28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O
woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her
daughter was made whole from that very hour.
Second Sunday In Lent
Lord God, heavenly Father,
grant us, we beseech Thee, by Thy Holy Spirit, that He may strengthen our
hearts and confirm our faith and hope in Thy grace and mercy, so that, although
we have reason to fear because of our conscience, our sin, and our
unworthiness, we may nevertheless, with the woman of Canaan, hold fast to Thy
grace, and in every trial and temptation find Thee a very present help and
refuge, through Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth
with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.
Feeling the Frown
KJV Matthew 15:21 Then
Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.
Lessons like this one make
me wonder if the Lutheran leaders have ever cracked open a Bible. I had a
church member who used to say, “What translation are they using?” He was always
mystified about how the synod officials could turn a passage upside-down to
excuse their horrid behavior and worse doctrine.
This lesson focuses on faith
and the characteristics of faith, and yet it is communicated in such a dark and
bitter setting that many wonder about its meaning and shy away from it.
First, we have to consider –
does the Bible ever wander from its one message of presenting Christ to us? Did
Matthew and the Evangelists stumble upon some dark and forbidding story that
served as an exception?
Not at all. Those who pick
apart the Bible for their own agenda will try to say that, but they give
themselves away in a few words.
The energy center for
justification without faith is Halle University, a school created to promote
Pietism. This movement called Pietism began when Spener used Arndt (an orthodox
Lutheran writer) to promote a new agenda, just as Luther is used today to
advance justification without faith (UOJ).
Spener was
anti-confessional, justly called “the first union theologian,” because he
blended Lutheran doctrine with Calvinism. This anti-confessional amalgamation
created the Historical-Critical Method at Halle University (or fostered HCM).
And what is the genius of HCM? – Picking apart each verse and assigning a
meaning to it that is contrary to the Gospel.
WELS-LCMS-ELCA historical
note: The WELS professor who adored UOJ, Richard Jungkuntz, was also the
chairman of the board of the first gay Lutheran seminary, Seminex. He moved
from WELS to LCMS to ELCA. His rationalistic approach to the Bible kept
tripping him up and giving him away.
So I am getting back to the
main theme. The purpose of the entire Bible, and each part, is to convey Christ
to us and to bring us to faith through the power of the Holy Spirit in the
Gospel Word. Be it ever so weak, that faith grasps Christ and all His benefits.
And that Gospel continues to build and deepen our faith, which is God’s
creation and handiwork.
Since faith in Christ is
always good in the Bible, and Christ is always gracious, why does this lesson
seem so harsh?
Luther says it well – this
is a portrait of a person of faith, to show us the trials that lie before us,
and how we should behave as believers. Christ seems to be distant, cold, and
uncaring, because we often experience that in difficult times. So this lesson
puts us in this woman’s place, so we say, “Yes I have been there” or “Now I can
anticipate this” and we learn from God how to believe and think.
If we hear this lesson as
children and teens, we may not realize the depth of feeling expressed. But it
is good to know the lesson first, to know its real meaning, and apply it later
as events unfold.
22 And, behold, a woman
of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy
on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a
devil.
This woman was an outsider,
which is good. We often experience that. You were not born here. You were not
born in this denomination. You are not related to one of the founders. You are
not a charter member of the congregation.
There is another parable for
the insiders – The Pharisee and the Publican.
The Canaanite woman was not
a Jew, and that is crucial to this miracle, but she was a believer. She gave a
correct confession of her faith, “O Lord, Son of David” and trusted in Him to
heal her daughter, who was possessed.
Mark says, she heard some news about Jesus, Mark
7:25. What kind of news? Without doubt good news, and the good report that
Christ was a pious man and cheerfully helped everybody. Such news about God is
a true Gospel and a word of grace, out of which sprang the faith of this woman;
for had she not believed, she would not have thus run after Christ etc. In like
manner we have often heard how St. Paul in Romans 10:17 says that faith cometh
by hearing, that the Word must go in advance and be the beginning of our
salvation.
23 But he answered her
not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for
she crieth after us.
This shows us what it feels
like to ask God and not seem to get an answer. Faith moves us to prayer based
upon the Promises of God. But there can be long periods of apparent silence.
Not only that – the woman
could feel or even hear the scorn of the disciples. They begged Jesus to send
her away, because she was annoying them with her cries. Let’s say she did not
understand their dialect or hear exactly what the disciples were saying. Their
expressions gave them away, if nothing else.
Lenski:
Yet the disciples had never
seen Jesus deny anyone pleading for help, although at times he had delayed a
little while (John 4:47, etc.; Matt. 8:5, etc.), namely whenever some question
had first to be settled. It is fair, therefore, to conclude that the disciples
think of a dismissal by granting the woman’s prayer. They indicate, however,
that they are not moved entirely by pity for her distress.
Lenski, R. C. H.: The
Interpretation of St. Matthew's Gospel. Minneapolis, MN. : Augsburg
Publishing House, 1961, S. 595.
Luther was inclined to see
this as “Give her what she wants and send her away.” But this cannot be
understood as a positive and affirming response.
And Jesus did not even
answer her, either with a yes or no.
3. But see in this example how Christ like a hunter exercises
and chases faith in his followers in order that it may become strong and firm.
First when the woman follows him upon hearing of his fame and cries with
assured confidence that he would according to his reputation deal mercifully
with her, Christ certainly acts differently, as if to let her faith and good
confidence be in vain and turn his good reputation into a lie, so that she
could have thought: Is this the gracious, friendly man? or: Are these the good
words, that I have heard spoken about him, upon which I have depended? It must
not be true; he is my enemy and will not receive me; nevertheless he might
speak a word and tell me that he will have nothing to do with me. Now he is as
silent as a stone. Behold, this is a very hard rebuff, when God appears so
earnest and angry and conceals his grace so high and deep; as those know so
well, who feel and experience it in their hearts. Therefore she imagines he
will not fulfill what he has spoken, and will let his Word be false; as it
happened to the children of Israel at the Red Sea and to many other saints.
This battle is often lost at
this stage. It is easy to become a believer, but difficult to remain one in the
face of many struggles. If we demand that God act in a certain way and in a
certain amount of time, He is no longer God for us, or at least no longer
gracious and tender-hearted, so we lose faith in the God of the Scriptures and
strike out on our own.
Many have said, “I did not
have my prayers answered, so I stopped believing.” This lesson is an antidote,
to show us a different attitude on our part and the real nature of Christ.
Waiting is another part of
faith in God. Little children trust, but they have trouble with impulse
control. They want it now! I remember our granddaughter, now a young lady,
saying to me, “You have to wait.” I thought at the time – she has heard that
from parents…often. The little finger went in the air in a magisterial way “You
have to wait.”
24 But he answered and
said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
When Jesus finally spoke,
the response seemed to be total rejection.
She was not a Jew. Jesus was
not sent for her but for the lost sheep of Israel. She was outside that circle.
How many have felt this way?
I am not good enough. I am not favored. Things have been so bad for so long,
that only proves that I am rejected for being unworthy.
Many think that prayers are
answered only for the previously perfect, misunderstanding that we are
righteous and forgiven in Christ, perfect in the sight of God, through faith.
If we are already perfect, forgiven, righteous, and saved without faith in
Christ, then we have no need of Him.
As one man said, “I will
join the church when I am good enough.”
This woman’s faith was
created by the Word that Christ came to people, gracious, and kindly, powerful
in answering prayers.
25 Then came she and
worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
Do we worship God because He
gives us what we want, when we want it? That is why people (especially
denominational officials)) worship money, because the Money-God gives them what
they want, when they want it.
The mother’s faith did not
waver. She wanted her daughter healed.
26 But he answered and
said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to
dogs.
Is Jesus calling her a dog?
Lenski’s point is that the language is not derogatory. Here it means little
dogs (pets) in the household rather than dogs as an insult.
In other words – this does
not mean wild dogs in the street (bad) but the pets within the house (secondary
to the children). Who would take the
children’s food and toss it in the street? That would invite all the mongrels
to hang around the home for more.
Although this is not as
harsh as it has been portrayed, the response is not exactly a Kodak moment in
the Bible.
Many times clergy have been
set aside and not given a chance at all. Loehe was stuck in a remote, rural
village. But he was able to start foreign missions around the world and two
seminaries in America (Wartburg and Ft. Wayne). The Loehe missionaries actually
started the Missouri Synod and invited the Missouri people to join.
Likewise, two great pioneers
of the Inner Mission were in bad situations. Necessity drove them develop some
of the most remarkable charities, which influenced Europe and America. The idea
of Lutheran hospitals, nursing homes, orphanages, soldier and sailor missions –
came from those two men. Passavant, in America, took their ideas and did the
work of several denominational headquarters. He was so sought after that he
could have had the best and most secure parish call, but he chose to live for
others and get by on his own. Passavant is the one who did not pay his
assistant all summer long. The student wondered if he would ever get paid and
really suffered like the Canaanite woman until the train was ready to leave.
Passavant gave him his money then – enough for the entire year at school. That
taught him not to worry about money but to trust in God’s providence.
That is how this woman
turned the statement around – in faith.
27 And she said, Truth,
Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.
She used the same word to
express her faith in Him. She was content to apply that Word to herself,
because the crumbs would be enough.
Pet dogs always expect the
best from their owners. A dog will listen to a dozen “No’s” and still be
cheerful, positive, and anxious to show love. I have had dogs check out my work
as I started a grill, watch me through the windows when I open a bag of
chicken, drop by when the meat was cooking, and sit under a glass table and
stare up with big grins (the begging table).
This is an example of
confidence in God’s goodness, which is the main teaching of the Scriptures. God
commands what is good for us in the Ten Commandments. He gives us the Gospel
for our sinful condition, and He pursues us with His teaching so that we remain
in the fold of the Good Shepherd. In every case of providing, He provides many
times more than what we need – especially about our spiritual wealth. In the
meantime He also provides for our material needs.
This is another case of
Jesus never refusing a plea from a believer. The Holy Spirit has preserved this
miracle so we identify with the Canaanite woman and learn from her example.
28 Then Jesus answered
and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as
thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
Jesus commended the faith of
this woman, this outsider. Patience is directly related to faith.
This woman did not have to
prove her faith to Jesus. He already knew her thoughts and intentions. By
waiting and challenging her, Jesus brought out the public example of her inner
faith. Otherwise, it would have remained between the Savior and the woman. The
disciples witnessed this and recorded it, as a great example for them in the
future and for all believers.
The true Gospel has always
been persecuted and the cross will continue until the end of time.
The biggest trial is the
emotional one. The inner turmoil, the battle between faith and doubt, is often
won by Satan wearing down the patience of the believer. These doubts or
questions voiced by Jesus are all part of the believer’s battle.
Silence is one – I am
getting no answer.
Waiting for an answer.
Hearing an apparent
rejection – not for you, because you do not belong somehow.
“It must be because I do not
count. I am one of the little pets, not a child of this household.”
But even the least receive
generously from God. The pruning events make us more fruitful, while a life of
ease makes us go to seed and do nothing for the Kingdom.
Struggles with health,
business, and daily life cause anxiety and stress, yet God builds up great
experiences out of apparent doom. It is not because believing is a virtue or a merit,
but because God chooses to use believers to carry out His will in His way.
A HARD SAYING
"But see in this example how Christ like a hunter exercises and chases faith in His followers in order that it may become strong and firm."
Sermons of Martin Luther, ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983 II, p. 149. Matthew 15:21‑28.
"In like manner Moses must precede and teach people to feel their sins in order that grace may be sweet and welcome to them. Therefore all is in vain, however friendly and lovely Christ may be pictured, if man is not first humbled by a knowledge of himself and he possesses no longing for Christ, as Mary's Song says, 'The hungry he hath filled with good things; and the rich he hath sent
empty away,' Luke 1:53."
Sermons of Martin Luther, II, p. 149.
"All this is spoken and written for the comfort of the distressed, the poor, the needy, the sinful, the despised, so that they may know in all times of need to whom to flee and where to seek comfort and help."
Sermons of Martin Luther, II, p. 149.
"Now what does the poor woman do? She turns her eyes from all this unfriendly treatment of Christ; all this does not lead her astray, neither does she take it to heart, but she continues immediately and firmly to cling in her confidence to the good news she had heard and embraced concerning Him, and never gives up. We must also do the same and learn firmly to cling to the Word, even though God with all His creatures appears different than His Word teaches. But, oh, how painful it is to nature and reason, that this woman should strip herself of self and forsake all that she experienced, and cling along to God's bare Word, until she experienced the contrary. May God help us in time of need and of death to possess courage and faith!"
Sermons of Martin Luther, II, p. 150.
WHAT WE LEARN
"As for example when we feel in our conscience that God rebukes us as sinners and judges us unworthy of the kingdom of heaven, then we experience hell, and we think we are lost forever. Now whoever understands here the actions of this poor woman and catches God in His own judgment, and says, Lord, it is true, I am a sinner and not worthy of Thy grace; but still Thou hast promised sinners forgiveness, and Thou art come not to call the righteous, but, as St. Paul says in 1 Timothy 1:15, 'to save sinners.' Behold, then must God according to His own judgment have mercy upon us."
Sermons of Martin Luther, ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983 II, p. 153. Matthew 15:21‑28; 1 Timothy 1:15
