2nd Sunday after Pentecost
Hosea 5:15–6:6; Psalm 50:7-15; Romans 4:13-25; Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26
Have you ever heard that our God is a Jealous God (Exodus 20:5-6), punishing those who reject him to the 3rd or 4th generation but showing steadfast love to the 1000th generation of those who love me and keep my commandments? Some will say, see, God punishes sinners and loves those who follow his commandments to the tee! There has always been a danger in reading these verses of Exodus this way and thinking that fear of punishment for doing something wrong is more important than the effort and the courage to love God above all things and the neighbor as ourselves. The numbers speak here. The love God is willing to show is a thousand times higher than any punishment God is willing to carry. First, God addressed this point through the words of the prophets (Hosea 6:6), and later, God spoke through his Son (Matthew 9:13).
What God wants the most is to be in a relationship with us, loving and forgiving as much as necessary to make that happen. The cross proves this point. Therefore, Jesus is not interested in ritualistic correctness, that is, proper offerings and sacrifices in exchange for God’s favor. God in the flesh wants to sit down with God’s people, as broken as they are, and have a meal with them. God desires love, forgiveness, and mercy. These lead to reconciliation and joy. God wants all God’s children to live, love, and laugh.
If the fear of falling out of favor with God becomes hard to overcome, Paul once again reminds us in his letter to the church in Rome that the gift of sincere faith in Jesus Christ is sufficient to inherit the righteousness that comes only from God.
“Offer God a sacrifice of thanksgiving!
Fulfill the promises you made to the Most High!”
Cry out to me whenever you are in trouble;
I will deliver you, then you will honor me.”
(Psalm 50:14,15; CEB)
Bridging Faith 