Greetings in the name of Jesus, our Savior who welcomes sinners.
Each of the Scripture lessons for Sunday August 20 say something about God welcoming Gentiles into His kingdom through Jesus. There is lots of conflict in our country regarding race and immigration. The Church should see each person as someone Jesus died for, and someone who needs to hear the good news of forgiveness in His name. You should also thank God that He has included you in His plan of salvation. God has called you to be a sheep in Jesus’ flock.
I encourage you to attend worship Sunday to receive God’s gifts. We will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting 3, beginning on page 184 in the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #909 Christ is Made the Sure Foundation; #653 In Christ There is No East or West; #530 No Temple Now, No Gift of Price; and #649 Blest Be the Tie That Binds.
Scripture readings for Sunday are Psalm 67:1-7; Isaiah 56:1, 6-8; Romans 11:1-2a, 13-15, 28-32; and Matthew 15:21-28.
The introduction to Psalm 67 says it is a song to be accompanied by instruments, probably intended for worship. Verses 1 and 4 include the notation “Selah” which has unclear meaning, but may be instruction to take time to contemplate the words that were just sung, while music continues to play. In Psalm 67, the singers would have us consider some of the blessings God has bestowed upon us, and to consider God’s judgment of our lives. He guides the nations. He makes the ground produce food for us. Ultimately, He is the source of salvation. There is a purpose to God’s ways—that we would fear, love, and trust Him. Because God in His mercy and grace blesses us, we should rejoice! Let us set aside time to join with the singers in proclaiming God’s saving power to all the earth, and pray that He would continue to be gracious to us and make His face to shine upon us.
In Isaiah 56 God speaks through the prophet to announce that there is salvation for those who are not descendants of Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob. The Old Testament reading for Sunday focuses on foreigners, that is, non-Jews or Gentiles, who are joined to the LORD. They keep the Sabbath, resting in the promises of God, holding fast to His covenant. Worship will not be limited to those who meet at Jerusalem’s temple. God even gathers the outcasts. All people are invited to receive God’s mercy and grace. That mercy and grace is revealed in Jesus, God’s Son. He is the access to God and the Sabbath rest for all who believe, no matter what their previous language, nationality or family connection.
In Romans 11 St. Paul continues to make His argument about the true Israel, all who believe God’s promises fulfilled in Jesus. Jesus is the sole way of salvation for all people, whether Jew or Gentile. It is not that God has rejected the ancient nation of Israel. He has preserved a remnant of faithful from among them, just as he did throughout history. Their history and God’s particularity are a lesson for us Gentiles. Imagine the kingdom of God to be a tree. The people of Israel were the first branches. God in His mercy and grace grafted us Gentiles into the tree. But anyone who fails to believe in Jesus will be pruned out. All who resist or turn apathetic toward God are in danger of being put back under His judgment. Let us as believers not look down on unbelievers, but instead be concerned about them, speaking the gospel to them so that they too would be a branch in the tree. Paul foresees a day when many of the Jews will see the error of their ways living under the law, and will repent and turn to Jesus in faith, and be. We are all disobedient to God’s Law. As we recognize our disobedience and dread its punishment, the Holy Spirit leads us to God’s mercy in the gospel. Humbly turning to Jesus, we acknowledge He alone can save us. Our works and our family connections can help us none. Jesus alone is the way to forgiveness and peace with God.
In Matthew 15, the evangelist reports on an encounter between Jesus and a foreign woman. Jesus and His disciples are traveling along the west coast of Israel, occasionally crossing the border into the region of Tyre and Sidon. One day He is confronted by a Gentile woman, a Canaanite, a descendant of a nation the people of ancient Israel had been told to exterminate. She came crying for mercy. We’re not sure what all she knew about Jesus, but she recognizes Him as the Lord, the Son of David, a messianic title. Her daughter is being oppressed by a demon, and she is asking Jesus for relief. The disciples dismiss her as a bothersome pest. Even Jesus seems to treat her rudely, informing her that He was only sent to help Israel. Furthermore, He says, it is not right to give dogs the bread intended for [God’s] children. The woman counters this apparent insult, by pointing out that even dogs receive scraps from the master’s table. Jesus hears this as a statement of trust in Him, and He praises her for it. She believes that even “scraps” of Jesus’ mercy and grace are sufficient to rescue her daughter. In our time of need we too should cry out to Jesus, trusting that He will hear us and do what is best for us. This account also reinforces the observation that Jesus welcomes outsiders and outcasts. He welcomes all who turn to Him.
Collect: Almighty and everlasting Father, You give Your children many blessings, even though we are undeserving. In every trial and temptation grant us steadfast confidence in Your loving-kindness and mercy; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
