Proper 15
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VI, Cycle A
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Genesis 45:1-15 (C)
What a joyous reunion, at least for Joseph. Many years have passed. Joseph has had many adventures, passed many tests of character. Now, as one of Egypt's most prestigious and influential leaders, he finds that his own family has come to him for help. We can imagine the embarrassment of the brothers when they learn who this important man is. Earlier, they have experienced remorse and confessed to their father what they had done. Still, Joseph might very well have punished them. We would have understood. But instead, Joseph holds no grudge. He explains that he has decided that all that has happened to him has been God's plan, even his current ability to save his brothers and his father. He urges them to look beyond their own dismay, to accept his forgiveness, and to see how wonderful God is in the way he works. What a pleasure for us to see that at last this clan, whose members have all been deceitful, self-centered con artists, have at last produced a man of genuine character.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 56:1, 6-7 (RC); Isaiah 56:1 (2-5) 6-7 (E)
God will one day accept all who are willing to worship him as the prophet prescribes.
Lesson 2: Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 (C); Romans 11:13-15 (RC, E)
This reasoning of Paul seems a bit convoluted, but it reveals Paul's continuing frustration with the Jews, of which, he reminds them, he is one. Still, God is merciful and will forgive them. Having once called the people of Israel, God will never henceforth reject them. His promise is irrevocable, and mercy will be theirs.
Gospel: Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 (C); Matthew 15:21-28 (RC, E)
This could be misunderstood by casual Bible readers. Jesus and his friends have temporarily left their normal territory, apparently for a brief period of rest and to allow Jesus to prepare himself for the immediate future. It is Gentile territory, and the hope was that Jesus wouldn't be recognized. This woman, however, a member of a race which had always been traditional enemies of the Jews, has recognized him and in her desperation about her daughter's illness has asked Jesus for help. It's here that misunderstanding sometimes enters. Jesus seems to refuse. He even seems to deprecate the woman and her kind. "It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs," he says. That doesn't sound like Jesus. However, William Barclay helps us out on this one by reminding us that what we say to another person is received in various ways, depending on how we say it. Tone of voice, facial expression, physical gestures. So one might call an old friend "you no-good rascal," doing so with a smile and a gentle slap on the shoulder. We all have friends we can kid in that way, and almost surely Jesus was kidding the woman in a friendly way. She took no offense, was probably encouraged by Jesus' lighthearted response, and persisted in her request. "Woman, great is your faith," Jesus said. "Let it be done for you as you wish."
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Title: "Prescription For Good Character"
Text: Genesis 45:1-15
Theme: Joseph seems to be the first completely admirable member of this illustrious family of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the rest. He also seems to be a happy man with a positive outlook on life. Given his history of misfortune, we must assume the two factors are related.
1. Joseph developed character. Remember Paul's observation that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character. It doesn't always work that way, of course. I have known people who became bitter and unforgiving in the face of injustice. Joseph, on the other hand, turned his troubles over to God and the result was a man of high character.
2. Joseph forgave. This is important in understanding any happy person. We all encounter mistreatment of one kind or another (and, let's be honest, most of us have handed out a bit of mistreatment as well). Because he held no grudge, Joseph was able to be the positive spirit which undoubtedly contributed to his vocational success, and it also made his family reunion one of joy and happiness, rather than one of recriminations and guilt.
3. Joseph used his good fortune for the good of others. Here is another key to happiness. People who go through life looking out for number one, looking sideways at the other guy to see how well he or she is doing, are never happy people, no matter how much money or success they achieve. Success in most endeavors depends to a great extent on how people feel about us. If the people around us want us to be successful, the chances are far greater. Good personal relationships are important, and Joseph was a master at that. But his purpose was a good cause, and that's the ultimate way to a successful life.
Title: "The Unfailing God"
Text: Romans 11:1-2a,13-15, 29-32
Theme: Paul assures his fellow Jews that although they are responsible for rejecting Jesus, God will still remain faithful. Their original calling into a covenant with God is irrevocable. However, their rejection of Jesus was, as Paul saw things, a cause of Jesus' turning to the Gentiles as well as the Jews with the saving word.
1. God never turns away from us. Our acceptance of Christ, once made, whether in one identifiable moment of conversion or over a period of spiritual growth, is forever. God will never turn from us.
2. God can use frustrating life situations, e.g. that of Joseph in our Old Testament story, for the good of all of us.
3. God will assure a best outcome of a difficult situation, provided we are faithful in the way we live our lives.
Title: "Prescription For A Successful Life"
Text: Matthew 15:21-28
Theme: The Canaanite woman who asked for help from Jesus received his assistance, following a bit of social interchange which probably involved a bit of first century humor. I like William Barclay's suggestion for an outline and, with appreciation for that Scottish gentleman's brilliant commentary, I'll suggest it here.
1. The woman succeeded because of her love. She cared for her daughter and was willing to do whatever was necessary to get help.Recently in Indianapolis, Ross Allen Tabor, aged fourteen, jumped in Little Eagle Creek to get some relief from the ninety degree weather. Caught in an undertow, he began struggling to stay above water. His mom, 29-year-old Tabitha Doty Tabor, was talking to a friend and saw her son slip beneath the surface. She immediately leaped into the river, nine feet deep, and was also drawn beneath the surface. Mrs. Tabor could not swim. Both drowned. A mother's love ...
2. The woman succeeded because of her faith. The Canaanite woman knew of Jesus. Some deep instinct told her that Jesus had the power to save. Jesus then helped her and told her it was because of her faith.
3. The woman succeeded because of her cheerfulness. That is, despite her personal problems, she didn't make life miserable for those around her. We all know people who gripe, and complain, and talk about how unfair life is, all because they have to face problems pretty much like those we all face sooner or later. This woman had a seriously ill child. Still, she was able to be pleasant to those around her and that's probably why the apostles didn't usher her away.
4. The woman succeeded because of her persistence. We can't, of course, know whether Jesus would have helped her anyway, but the fact that she persevered in her request must have played a part here. You clergy can sympathize with Jesus. Sometimes you're up to here with requests of one sort or another and you are at your limits. With all good intentions, you have to draw the line somewhere. There are times when you say "No!" to the most legitimate request. How much more this must have been true for Jesus. But this woman was determined, and Jesus respected that.
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS
One problem we faced at our church was the constant stream of needy people who came to us for assistance. We are located near a main highway, easily seen and very accessible. On those occasions when we investigated sad stories, we always found them to be untrue. People would come in on Saturday and say they were to be thrown out of their apartment with all their children if their rent was not paid by Sunday, but the office at the apartment would not be open until Monday. Or they were on their way to Michigan for a wonderful new job, provided they arrived the next day. But their car had broken down, and so forth, and so forth. Along with the occasional legitimate request, we knew that there are many people who make a living going from church to church for a handout. Once in a while we would offer them a job for the day at a fairly good rate of pay, but we were always turned down. So, we always gave some help, we always were cynical about their stories, and we always had mixed feelings about our contribution to a lifestyle which we abhorred. Often, people we helped would vow to send the money back just as soon as they reached their destination. Never once did we hear from anyone.
One late Saturday afternoon, a couple came to the church with one of these stories. The office staff was gone, I was the only minister around, and I was working on Sunday's sermon. To provide the assistance we made available required that I interview the couple, fill out some forms, issue them vouchers for a nearby grocery and a filling station -- all of which would have required twenty or thirty minutes of my time. But instead, I turned them away (I think I grudgingly gave them some cash), and went about my business. But as they were leaving, a layman of the church who had witnessed all of this took them to a nearby motel, arranged to pay their night's lodging, and saw that they got a good, wholesome meal. Talk about feeling guilty. I knew I was wrong. But I did understand how Jesus felt when he turned people away. I'd had one of those weeks. Still, I learned from my own failure and never quite failed so badly again.
____________
"This is the age
Of the half-read page.
And the quick hash,
And the mad dash.
The bright night
With the nerves tight.
The plane hop
With the brief stop.
The lamp tan
In a short span.
The big shot
In a good spot.
And the brain strain
And the heart pain.
The cat naps
Till the spring snaps --
And the fun's done!"
(Sorry! I wrote this down and failed to record the author.)
____________
Nashville, Tennessee (AP). An article began by stating that "Christmas is special this year for Jimmy Clanton, a rock 'n' roll star of (a number of) years ago." It goes on to tell how Clanton "has finally found meaning to life as a ... Christian."
"I hit the pits," he said.
"I got down on my knees and said, 'God, I need you.' Just when it seemed I was going over the edge, I got pulled out of the games. It was like a freight train went through my soul.
"I became filled with the Holy Spirit and I began reading the Bible for the first time in several years. I had never known what my niche in life was. I had such a void. If I had continued on the life I was on ...
"All my show business life," Clanton said, "I've dealt with people who did not worship my God. Their gods were money, power, position material gains.
"I've found my purpose. I screwed up royally for forty-some years but now I see the other side of the coin. I've been so joyous the past few months. It's a miracle."
____________
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 133 (C) -- "How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together ..."
Psalm 67 (RC, E) -- "May God be gracious to us and bless us."
Prayer Of The Day
Save us, O God, from the deceits and betrayals which lie within our souls. We would be the very best that's possible to us, yet temptations and yearnings of a lesser sort beset us at every turn. Forgive us the sins we have done, we pray, as well as those failures to do what we might have done for others. Grant us renewed spirit to carry out the will of Jesus Christ in our lives, as much as in us lies. In his faithful name we pray. Amen.
Lesson 1: Genesis 45:1-15 (C)
What a joyous reunion, at least for Joseph. Many years have passed. Joseph has had many adventures, passed many tests of character. Now, as one of Egypt's most prestigious and influential leaders, he finds that his own family has come to him for help. We can imagine the embarrassment of the brothers when they learn who this important man is. Earlier, they have experienced remorse and confessed to their father what they had done. Still, Joseph might very well have punished them. We would have understood. But instead, Joseph holds no grudge. He explains that he has decided that all that has happened to him has been God's plan, even his current ability to save his brothers and his father. He urges them to look beyond their own dismay, to accept his forgiveness, and to see how wonderful God is in the way he works. What a pleasure for us to see that at last this clan, whose members have all been deceitful, self-centered con artists, have at last produced a man of genuine character.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 56:1, 6-7 (RC); Isaiah 56:1 (2-5) 6-7 (E)
God will one day accept all who are willing to worship him as the prophet prescribes.
Lesson 2: Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 (C); Romans 11:13-15 (RC, E)
This reasoning of Paul seems a bit convoluted, but it reveals Paul's continuing frustration with the Jews, of which, he reminds them, he is one. Still, God is merciful and will forgive them. Having once called the people of Israel, God will never henceforth reject them. His promise is irrevocable, and mercy will be theirs.
Gospel: Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 (C); Matthew 15:21-28 (RC, E)
This could be misunderstood by casual Bible readers. Jesus and his friends have temporarily left their normal territory, apparently for a brief period of rest and to allow Jesus to prepare himself for the immediate future. It is Gentile territory, and the hope was that Jesus wouldn't be recognized. This woman, however, a member of a race which had always been traditional enemies of the Jews, has recognized him and in her desperation about her daughter's illness has asked Jesus for help. It's here that misunderstanding sometimes enters. Jesus seems to refuse. He even seems to deprecate the woman and her kind. "It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs," he says. That doesn't sound like Jesus. However, William Barclay helps us out on this one by reminding us that what we say to another person is received in various ways, depending on how we say it. Tone of voice, facial expression, physical gestures. So one might call an old friend "you no-good rascal," doing so with a smile and a gentle slap on the shoulder. We all have friends we can kid in that way, and almost surely Jesus was kidding the woman in a friendly way. She took no offense, was probably encouraged by Jesus' lighthearted response, and persisted in her request. "Woman, great is your faith," Jesus said. "Let it be done for you as you wish."
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Title: "Prescription For Good Character"
Text: Genesis 45:1-15
Theme: Joseph seems to be the first completely admirable member of this illustrious family of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the rest. He also seems to be a happy man with a positive outlook on life. Given his history of misfortune, we must assume the two factors are related.
1. Joseph developed character. Remember Paul's observation that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character. It doesn't always work that way, of course. I have known people who became bitter and unforgiving in the face of injustice. Joseph, on the other hand, turned his troubles over to God and the result was a man of high character.
2. Joseph forgave. This is important in understanding any happy person. We all encounter mistreatment of one kind or another (and, let's be honest, most of us have handed out a bit of mistreatment as well). Because he held no grudge, Joseph was able to be the positive spirit which undoubtedly contributed to his vocational success, and it also made his family reunion one of joy and happiness, rather than one of recriminations and guilt.
3. Joseph used his good fortune for the good of others. Here is another key to happiness. People who go through life looking out for number one, looking sideways at the other guy to see how well he or she is doing, are never happy people, no matter how much money or success they achieve. Success in most endeavors depends to a great extent on how people feel about us. If the people around us want us to be successful, the chances are far greater. Good personal relationships are important, and Joseph was a master at that. But his purpose was a good cause, and that's the ultimate way to a successful life.
Title: "The Unfailing God"
Text: Romans 11:1-2a,13-15, 29-32
Theme: Paul assures his fellow Jews that although they are responsible for rejecting Jesus, God will still remain faithful. Their original calling into a covenant with God is irrevocable. However, their rejection of Jesus was, as Paul saw things, a cause of Jesus' turning to the Gentiles as well as the Jews with the saving word.
1. God never turns away from us. Our acceptance of Christ, once made, whether in one identifiable moment of conversion or over a period of spiritual growth, is forever. God will never turn from us.
2. God can use frustrating life situations, e.g. that of Joseph in our Old Testament story, for the good of all of us.
3. God will assure a best outcome of a difficult situation, provided we are faithful in the way we live our lives.
Title: "Prescription For A Successful Life"
Text: Matthew 15:21-28
Theme: The Canaanite woman who asked for help from Jesus received his assistance, following a bit of social interchange which probably involved a bit of first century humor. I like William Barclay's suggestion for an outline and, with appreciation for that Scottish gentleman's brilliant commentary, I'll suggest it here.
1. The woman succeeded because of her love. She cared for her daughter and was willing to do whatever was necessary to get help.Recently in Indianapolis, Ross Allen Tabor, aged fourteen, jumped in Little Eagle Creek to get some relief from the ninety degree weather. Caught in an undertow, he began struggling to stay above water. His mom, 29-year-old Tabitha Doty Tabor, was talking to a friend and saw her son slip beneath the surface. She immediately leaped into the river, nine feet deep, and was also drawn beneath the surface. Mrs. Tabor could not swim. Both drowned. A mother's love ...
2. The woman succeeded because of her faith. The Canaanite woman knew of Jesus. Some deep instinct told her that Jesus had the power to save. Jesus then helped her and told her it was because of her faith.
3. The woman succeeded because of her cheerfulness. That is, despite her personal problems, she didn't make life miserable for those around her. We all know people who gripe, and complain, and talk about how unfair life is, all because they have to face problems pretty much like those we all face sooner or later. This woman had a seriously ill child. Still, she was able to be pleasant to those around her and that's probably why the apostles didn't usher her away.
4. The woman succeeded because of her persistence. We can't, of course, know whether Jesus would have helped her anyway, but the fact that she persevered in her request must have played a part here. You clergy can sympathize with Jesus. Sometimes you're up to here with requests of one sort or another and you are at your limits. With all good intentions, you have to draw the line somewhere. There are times when you say "No!" to the most legitimate request. How much more this must have been true for Jesus. But this woman was determined, and Jesus respected that.
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS
One problem we faced at our church was the constant stream of needy people who came to us for assistance. We are located near a main highway, easily seen and very accessible. On those occasions when we investigated sad stories, we always found them to be untrue. People would come in on Saturday and say they were to be thrown out of their apartment with all their children if their rent was not paid by Sunday, but the office at the apartment would not be open until Monday. Or they were on their way to Michigan for a wonderful new job, provided they arrived the next day. But their car had broken down, and so forth, and so forth. Along with the occasional legitimate request, we knew that there are many people who make a living going from church to church for a handout. Once in a while we would offer them a job for the day at a fairly good rate of pay, but we were always turned down. So, we always gave some help, we always were cynical about their stories, and we always had mixed feelings about our contribution to a lifestyle which we abhorred. Often, people we helped would vow to send the money back just as soon as they reached their destination. Never once did we hear from anyone.
One late Saturday afternoon, a couple came to the church with one of these stories. The office staff was gone, I was the only minister around, and I was working on Sunday's sermon. To provide the assistance we made available required that I interview the couple, fill out some forms, issue them vouchers for a nearby grocery and a filling station -- all of which would have required twenty or thirty minutes of my time. But instead, I turned them away (I think I grudgingly gave them some cash), and went about my business. But as they were leaving, a layman of the church who had witnessed all of this took them to a nearby motel, arranged to pay their night's lodging, and saw that they got a good, wholesome meal. Talk about feeling guilty. I knew I was wrong. But I did understand how Jesus felt when he turned people away. I'd had one of those weeks. Still, I learned from my own failure and never quite failed so badly again.
____________
"This is the age
Of the half-read page.
And the quick hash,
And the mad dash.
The bright night
With the nerves tight.
The plane hop
With the brief stop.
The lamp tan
In a short span.
The big shot
In a good spot.
And the brain strain
And the heart pain.
The cat naps
Till the spring snaps --
And the fun's done!"
(Sorry! I wrote this down and failed to record the author.)
____________
Nashville, Tennessee (AP). An article began by stating that "Christmas is special this year for Jimmy Clanton, a rock 'n' roll star of (a number of) years ago." It goes on to tell how Clanton "has finally found meaning to life as a ... Christian."
"I hit the pits," he said.
"I got down on my knees and said, 'God, I need you.' Just when it seemed I was going over the edge, I got pulled out of the games. It was like a freight train went through my soul.
"I became filled with the Holy Spirit and I began reading the Bible for the first time in several years. I had never known what my niche in life was. I had such a void. If I had continued on the life I was on ...
"All my show business life," Clanton said, "I've dealt with people who did not worship my God. Their gods were money, power, position material gains.
"I've found my purpose. I screwed up royally for forty-some years but now I see the other side of the coin. I've been so joyous the past few months. It's a miracle."
____________
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 133 (C) -- "How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together ..."
Psalm 67 (RC, E) -- "May God be gracious to us and bless us."
Prayer Of The Day
Save us, O God, from the deceits and betrayals which lie within our souls. We would be the very best that's possible to us, yet temptations and yearnings of a lesser sort beset us at every turn. Forgive us the sins we have done, we pray, as well as those failures to do what we might have done for others. Grant us renewed spirit to carry out the will of Jesus Christ in our lives, as much as in us lies. In his faithful name we pray. Amen.
