GeRue Blog

Second Sunday in Lent

Background
Jacob wrestled with God; he would not let Him go until he received a blessing from Him. (Gen 32:22-32) So it was with the Canaanite woman. Though Jesus seemed to ignore and reject her, yet she continued to call upon His name and look to Him for help. (Mt 15:21-28) Even when the Lord called her a little dog, she held on to Him in faith and would not let Him wriggle out of His words: "Yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." This Gentile woman shows herself to be a true Israelite, who struggles with God and man in Christ and prevails. "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire." This is the sanctifying will of God, (1 Thess 4:1-7) to test your faith in order that it may be refined and strengthened. For tribulation produces perseverance; perseverance, character; character, hope. And hope in Christ does not disappoint. (Rom 5:1-5)

Scripture
* Psalm 121 (ESV)
* Genesis 32:22-32 (ESV)
* 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7 (ESV)
* St. Matthew 15:21-28 (ESV)

Hymn of the Day
* LSB 615 "When in the Hour of Deepest Need"

Other Hymns
* LSB 571 "God Loved the World So That He Gave"
* LSB 562 "All Mankind Fell in Adam's Fall"
* LSB 718 "Jesus, Lead Thou On"


A Book of Concord Reading for Reminiscere
On Giving
Our Lord teaches in the faith of the Canaanite woman that we are to give generously and without fear, for God has promised that he will care for one and all. From the Large Catechism on the Seventh Commandment:
250] Let this suffice as an explanation of what stealing is, that it be not taken too narrowly, but made to extend as far as we have to do with our neighbors. And briefly, in a summary, as in the former commandments, it is herewith forbidden, in the first place, to do our neighbor any injury or wrong (in whatever manner supposable, by curtailing, forestalling, and withholding his possessions and property), or even to consent or allow such a thing, but to interpose and prevent it. 251] And, on the other hand, it is commanded that we advance and improve his possessions, and in case he suffers want, that we help, communicate, and lend both to friends and foes.
252] Whoever now seeks and desires good works will find here more than enough such as are heartily acceptable and pleasing to God, and in addition are favored and crowned with excellent blessings, that we are to be richly compensated for all that we do for our neighbor's good and from friendship; as King Solomon also teaches Prov. 19, 17: He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will He pay him again. Here, then, you have 253] a rich Lord, who is certainly sufficient for you, and who will not suffer you to come short in anything or to want; thus you can with a joyful conscience enjoy a hundred times more than you could scrape together with unfaithfulness and wrong. Now, whoever does not desire the blessing will find wrath and misfortune enough.

All Book of Concord quotations are taken from the Triglotta, copyright 1921 by CPH. It is in public domain.