Sermon Illustrations for Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 (2023)
Illustration
Genesis 32:22-31
John Calvin nicely notes the significance of the wrestling match involving Jacob. He wrote:
Wherefore it is right to keep in view this design of the vision, which is to represent all the servants of God in this world as wrestlers; because the Lord exercises them with various kinds of conflict. (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol.I/2, p.195)
He notes that this is a story to remind us of God’s presence among us. And then Calvin adds a thoughtful, warning:
So long as we do not perceive God to be present, we proudly please ourselves; and this is the imaginary life which the flesh foolishly arrogates to itself when it inclines towards the earth. But the faithful, when God reveals himself to them, feel themselves to be more evanescent than any smoke. (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol.I/2, p.202)
Methodist founder John Wesley offered a thoughtful insight about Jacob’s struggle with God. He wrote:
Whatever enemies we have, if we can but make God our friend, we are well enough. They that by faith have power in heaven have thereby as much power on earth as they have occasion for. (Commentary On the Bible, p.53)
When you wrestle with God, be sure he stays your friend.
Mark E.
* * *
Genesis 32:22-31
The concept of “a day of reckoning” is common in many stories. The Twilight Zone episode, “Showdown with Rance McGrew” embodies this theme in a satirical and humorous way. Self-absorbed actor Rance McGrew is famous as the star of a TV series in which his character routinely defeats legendary wild west outlaws. He does so in unbelievably heroic ways. His ego grows so large that he is snatched from real life and has to face the actual “bad guys” in the Twilight Zone. His “day of reckoning” is when he must face Jesse James in a duel. McGrew pleads and whines as Jesse stares him down. McGrew is forced to face up to his lies while his real self is put on display.
Jacob also has a day of reckoning. His brother, Esau, is ahead of him and intends to meet with him. Jacob has not always shown brotherly love to Esau, and he expects the worst. After sending ahead a gift for Esau and sending ahead his wives and children, Jacob is left alone. It is his day of reckoning. A man appears to him, an angel or maybe the Lord himself, and he and Jacob wrestle. In this unusual passage, Jacob is confronted by God and by his past. After this all-night confrontation, Jacob is changed. His name will be “Israel.” Physically, he walks with a limp. Yet, maybe on a deeper level, he is not the same conniving Jacob he was. A day of reckoning can change things. It did for the fictional Lance McGrew. It did for Jacob. It could for you, too.
Bill T.
* * *
Genesis 32:22-31
The image of Jacob wrestling seems especially appropriate for the passage. Jacob has been wrestling with others throughout his story. He was holding on to his brother’s heel at birth attempting to supplant him. He wrestled verbally when his famished brother begged for something to eat. He and his mother wrestled with Isaac in order to deceive him and receive the father’s blessing. He wrestled with God’s vision, received as he fled his brother’s murderous rage, for he began his vow offered up on the altar at Bethel with the word “If….” If the Lord brought him safely through his trials, then the Lord would be his God.
This wrestling continued with his Uncle Laban. Uncle won the first round with the wedding switcheroo, but subsequently Jacob became rich outwrestling his uncle with the size of his herds, wealth, and possessions, and with a little unknown help from his wife Rachel, who sat on the household gods she stole and claimed it was the wrong time of the month to disturb her, Jacob won the match with regards to his parting from the uncle.
So, is it any wonder that God rolled up the divine sleeves, so to speak, and showed Jacob in this passage what real wrestling is all about?
Frank R.
* * *
Romans 9:1-5
The Anti-Defamation League found 2,717 anti-Semitic attacks nationwide were perpetrated in 2021, a 34% increase for the previous year. Likely it was worse in 2022, with little indication of improvements thus far in 2023. Nineteenth-century UK Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, of Jewish background, well captured the meaning of this text. “Judaism is not complete without Christianity and without Judaism, Christianity would not exist.” The love that Paul had for the Jews is a love all his Gentile disciples are called to have — a love which abandons love for oneself and a sense of national or ethnic superiority. About this love, Martin Luther wrote:
For to love is to hate oneself, to condemn oneself and to wish the worst in accord with the statements of Christ [John 12:25]... for what is good for us is hidden, and that so deeply that it is hidden under its opposite, Thus our life is hidden under death, love for ourselves under hate for ourselves... (Luther’s Works, Vol.25, pp.383-384)
John Calvin elaborated further on this love that God engenders:
And unquestionably, gifts of God that are so excellent ought to have such an effect upon us as to stir us up to love them wherever they appear... true love, therefore, will extend humankind universally, because they are our flesh. (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol.XXI/2, p.332)
God’s love leads Christians to love Jews.
Mark E.
* * *
Romans 9:1-5
“I speak the truth in Christ,” Paul writes. How much truth do we speak from our faith and more than that, how do we act in the truth of our faith? Paul was a prolific writer about faith and he lived his faith, moving through imprisonment and persecution and still speaking the truth of his faith. Are we willing to work through the world, acting on and sharing our faith? Do we speak the truth and know that God is leading us through the world in order to have us speak the truth — in love, in hope, in grace? I wonder how the world might be different if all our actions were made in the truth of our faith, in the love, hope and grace that comes from God? That’s one of my goals these days. I spend a lot of time problem-solving, managing crisis situations, and helping resolve conflict. I hope I do so living in the truth of my faith.
Bonnie B.
* * *
Matthew 14:22-33
Track and Field fans may recall the story of Eamon Coughlan. On March 6, 1987, Eamon Coughlan, the Irish world record holder at 1500 meters, was running in a qualifying heat at the World Indoor Track Championships in Indianapolis. With two and a half laps left, his legs got tangled with those of another runner. He fell, but he got up and with great effort, managed to catch the leaders. With only twenty yards left in the race, he was in third place which would be good enough to qualify for the finals. According to the Los Angeles Times, at that point he relaxed. As he did, though, two other runners charged hard and eclipsed him at the tape. Coughlan ended up fifth and out of the final. What happened that the best in the world did not make the final? He lost focus.
Losing focus can bring on a lot of problems. Peter lost focus, too. For a while, Peter was the epitome of faith. Jesus came to the disciples, walking on the water. They were afraid, but Peter boldly proclaimed if it is you, tell me to come. Jesus told him to come, and Peter did. He climbed out of the boat and walked on the water. Incredible! It was an amazing walk until he took his eyes off of Jesus. When he lost his focus, Peter sank.
It’s a good reminder for us. Keep your eyes on Jesus.
Bill T.
* * *
Matthew 14:13-21
There’s the song from the musical, “On a clear day you can see forever.” That’s an illusion, of course, but we can see pretty far, before us and behind us, and that perspective gives us, well, perspective. Matthew 14:19, part of the feeding of the multitudes isn’t happening literally on a mountain, but we are meant to see backwards in time, and both the near and distant future. This scene is meant to call to mind when all of Israel was gathered in the wilderness and God fed the people with quail and manna. And looking beyond the feeding of the multitudes we are meant to see, and especially to hear in the language of thanksgiving (eucharesteo) the Last Supper and in our times, the continuing fulfillment of God’s promises in our communion services, carry-ins, love feasts, and church dinners.
Frank R.
John Calvin nicely notes the significance of the wrestling match involving Jacob. He wrote:
Wherefore it is right to keep in view this design of the vision, which is to represent all the servants of God in this world as wrestlers; because the Lord exercises them with various kinds of conflict. (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol.I/2, p.195)
He notes that this is a story to remind us of God’s presence among us. And then Calvin adds a thoughtful, warning:
So long as we do not perceive God to be present, we proudly please ourselves; and this is the imaginary life which the flesh foolishly arrogates to itself when it inclines towards the earth. But the faithful, when God reveals himself to them, feel themselves to be more evanescent than any smoke. (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol.I/2, p.202)
Methodist founder John Wesley offered a thoughtful insight about Jacob’s struggle with God. He wrote:
Whatever enemies we have, if we can but make God our friend, we are well enough. They that by faith have power in heaven have thereby as much power on earth as they have occasion for. (Commentary On the Bible, p.53)
When you wrestle with God, be sure he stays your friend.
Mark E.
* * *
Genesis 32:22-31
The concept of “a day of reckoning” is common in many stories. The Twilight Zone episode, “Showdown with Rance McGrew” embodies this theme in a satirical and humorous way. Self-absorbed actor Rance McGrew is famous as the star of a TV series in which his character routinely defeats legendary wild west outlaws. He does so in unbelievably heroic ways. His ego grows so large that he is snatched from real life and has to face the actual “bad guys” in the Twilight Zone. His “day of reckoning” is when he must face Jesse James in a duel. McGrew pleads and whines as Jesse stares him down. McGrew is forced to face up to his lies while his real self is put on display.
Jacob also has a day of reckoning. His brother, Esau, is ahead of him and intends to meet with him. Jacob has not always shown brotherly love to Esau, and he expects the worst. After sending ahead a gift for Esau and sending ahead his wives and children, Jacob is left alone. It is his day of reckoning. A man appears to him, an angel or maybe the Lord himself, and he and Jacob wrestle. In this unusual passage, Jacob is confronted by God and by his past. After this all-night confrontation, Jacob is changed. His name will be “Israel.” Physically, he walks with a limp. Yet, maybe on a deeper level, he is not the same conniving Jacob he was. A day of reckoning can change things. It did for the fictional Lance McGrew. It did for Jacob. It could for you, too.
Bill T.
* * *
Genesis 32:22-31
The image of Jacob wrestling seems especially appropriate for the passage. Jacob has been wrestling with others throughout his story. He was holding on to his brother’s heel at birth attempting to supplant him. He wrestled verbally when his famished brother begged for something to eat. He and his mother wrestled with Isaac in order to deceive him and receive the father’s blessing. He wrestled with God’s vision, received as he fled his brother’s murderous rage, for he began his vow offered up on the altar at Bethel with the word “If….” If the Lord brought him safely through his trials, then the Lord would be his God.
This wrestling continued with his Uncle Laban. Uncle won the first round with the wedding switcheroo, but subsequently Jacob became rich outwrestling his uncle with the size of his herds, wealth, and possessions, and with a little unknown help from his wife Rachel, who sat on the household gods she stole and claimed it was the wrong time of the month to disturb her, Jacob won the match with regards to his parting from the uncle.
So, is it any wonder that God rolled up the divine sleeves, so to speak, and showed Jacob in this passage what real wrestling is all about?
Frank R.
* * *
Romans 9:1-5
The Anti-Defamation League found 2,717 anti-Semitic attacks nationwide were perpetrated in 2021, a 34% increase for the previous year. Likely it was worse in 2022, with little indication of improvements thus far in 2023. Nineteenth-century UK Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, of Jewish background, well captured the meaning of this text. “Judaism is not complete without Christianity and without Judaism, Christianity would not exist.” The love that Paul had for the Jews is a love all his Gentile disciples are called to have — a love which abandons love for oneself and a sense of national or ethnic superiority. About this love, Martin Luther wrote:
For to love is to hate oneself, to condemn oneself and to wish the worst in accord with the statements of Christ [John 12:25]... for what is good for us is hidden, and that so deeply that it is hidden under its opposite, Thus our life is hidden under death, love for ourselves under hate for ourselves... (Luther’s Works, Vol.25, pp.383-384)
John Calvin elaborated further on this love that God engenders:
And unquestionably, gifts of God that are so excellent ought to have such an effect upon us as to stir us up to love them wherever they appear... true love, therefore, will extend humankind universally, because they are our flesh. (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol.XXI/2, p.332)
God’s love leads Christians to love Jews.
Mark E.
* * *
Romans 9:1-5
“I speak the truth in Christ,” Paul writes. How much truth do we speak from our faith and more than that, how do we act in the truth of our faith? Paul was a prolific writer about faith and he lived his faith, moving through imprisonment and persecution and still speaking the truth of his faith. Are we willing to work through the world, acting on and sharing our faith? Do we speak the truth and know that God is leading us through the world in order to have us speak the truth — in love, in hope, in grace? I wonder how the world might be different if all our actions were made in the truth of our faith, in the love, hope and grace that comes from God? That’s one of my goals these days. I spend a lot of time problem-solving, managing crisis situations, and helping resolve conflict. I hope I do so living in the truth of my faith.
Bonnie B.
* * *
Matthew 14:22-33
Track and Field fans may recall the story of Eamon Coughlan. On March 6, 1987, Eamon Coughlan, the Irish world record holder at 1500 meters, was running in a qualifying heat at the World Indoor Track Championships in Indianapolis. With two and a half laps left, his legs got tangled with those of another runner. He fell, but he got up and with great effort, managed to catch the leaders. With only twenty yards left in the race, he was in third place which would be good enough to qualify for the finals. According to the Los Angeles Times, at that point he relaxed. As he did, though, two other runners charged hard and eclipsed him at the tape. Coughlan ended up fifth and out of the final. What happened that the best in the world did not make the final? He lost focus.
Losing focus can bring on a lot of problems. Peter lost focus, too. For a while, Peter was the epitome of faith. Jesus came to the disciples, walking on the water. They were afraid, but Peter boldly proclaimed if it is you, tell me to come. Jesus told him to come, and Peter did. He climbed out of the boat and walked on the water. Incredible! It was an amazing walk until he took his eyes off of Jesus. When he lost his focus, Peter sank.
It’s a good reminder for us. Keep your eyes on Jesus.
Bill T.
* * *
Matthew 14:13-21
There’s the song from the musical, “On a clear day you can see forever.” That’s an illusion, of course, but we can see pretty far, before us and behind us, and that perspective gives us, well, perspective. Matthew 14:19, part of the feeding of the multitudes isn’t happening literally on a mountain, but we are meant to see backwards in time, and both the near and distant future. This scene is meant to call to mind when all of Israel was gathered in the wilderness and God fed the people with quail and manna. And looking beyond the feeding of the multitudes we are meant to see, and especially to hear in the language of thanksgiving (eucharesteo) the Last Supper and in our times, the continuing fulfillment of God’s promises in our communion services, carry-ins, love feasts, and church dinners.
Frank R.
