Saturday, August 21, 2010

Sunday School Lesson for Feb. 7, 2010: Recognized in Gentile Territory (Matthew 15:21-31)

Wayne's two cents worth....



'And he went up on a mountainside and sat down'



There are times when I catch my wife staring at me and kind of smiling... and I'll say "What?" She'll smile and say "Oh, nothing! It's just sometimes you look just like your dad. Jesus is traveling through Canaan when these two stories are told. The story of the Canaanite woman is very familiar, and gets a lot of attention for the 'crumbs' analogy. The second part of this lesson is remarkable as well. These are Gentiles that Jesus is ministering to. People like you and I. What do they see when they see Jesus? Well, they come away from the encounter praising the God of Israel. In essence, they come: halt, lame, mute, deaf, blind, frail, seeking healing and comfort from the God of Heaven and Earth. There's Jesus, sitting on a mountainside. Looking like his Father. Sitting high and looking low. Enthroned and yet completely Accessible. Majestic and Compassionate alll-in-one. The thing about a mountain is you have to climb it. People thought it worth their time and considerable effort to climb up to kneel down. Worship. That's what worship looks like. Both the Canaanite woman and the crowds here at the mountain were rewarded for their worship. I can personally identify with the people in this story. I became aware of my human frailty many years ago. There really is a reason I need a Savior, a Protector, a Comforter, a Guide. Thank God for his Wisdom. First, after the Fall, He gave us Death. Death represents an end to our sinful condition (Mercy). Second, He gave me Jesus. In Jesus, I have abundant life (Grace).



Blessings,



wb

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