Twenty-fourth Sunday after Trinity (11 Nov. 2018)

Take Heart

Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in days of old, the generations of long ago. Was it not You who cut Rahab in pieces, who pierced the dragon?  Was it not You who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over?  And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.  "I, I am He who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass, and have forgotten the LORD, your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, and you fear continually all the day because of the wrath of the oppressor, when he sets himself to destroy? And where is the wrath of the oppressor?  He who is bowed down shall speedily be released; he shall not die and go down to the pit, neither shall his bread be lacking.  I am the LORD your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar– the LORD of hosts is His name.  And I have put my words in your mouth and covered you in the shadow of my hand, establishing the heavens and laying the foundations of the earth, and saying to Zion, 'You are my people.'"  Isaiah 51:9-16

A Song of Ascents. When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.  Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."  The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.  Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negeb!  Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!  He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.  Psalm 126

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.  He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.  Colossians 1:9-14

While He was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before Him, saying, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live."  And Jesus rose and followed him, with His disciples.  And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His garment, for she said to herself, "If I only touch his garment, I will be made well."  Jesus turned, and seeing her He said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And instantly the woman was made well.  And when Jesus came to the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, He said, "Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at Him.  But when the crowd had been put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose.  And the report of this went through all that district.  Matthew 9:18-26

Unlike any other so-called "god," the one true God is merciful.  Throughout history this is true.

We hear this proclaimed by prophet, psalmist, and pastor.  But we see this in action with Christ.  One of the most direct times is in the Gospel lesson.  While teaching, the Lord is approached with a seemingly impossible request.  The man's daughter has died, and he's asking Christ to bring her back to life.

It is quite the declaration of faith.  It is one thing for someone to ask for food or healing, but quite another to ask for death to be reversed.  This father is casting his last, and only, hope at Christ's feet, knowing all he can do in faith is beg for mercy, but has no right to do so.

Neither does the woman who touched His cloak.  She knew she did not have the right to look Christ in the eye and beg for even a shred of mercy.  But she trusted that God is merciful, and so in faith reached out.

Christ looked upon both the father and the woman with mercy.  He did not tell them to first be rid of their sin, or to uphold the law.  He did not give them orders to change their lives.  He simply met them where they were, in the state they were in at that time, and was merciful.

God is merciful to us, poor sinful humans.  This is not by any merit we have earned, nor because we have agreed to adhere to some covenant.  God's mercy is not contingent on our obedience or our piety.  This mercy is God's alone, and He freely gives it.  That is why He says "take heart."

It is a command to look up, and see that God has turned His face to you, seen your plight, and has chosen, out of His infinite love, to love you.