Sermon Illustrations For Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 (2023)
Illustration
Genesis 45:1-15
Dale Galloway, in his book You Can Win with Love, tells a story about the forgiving nature of John D. Rockefeller, the founder of Standard Oil Company. Galloway writes that John D. Rockefeller built the great Standard Oil empire. One day one of his executives made a two-million-dollar mistake. Word of the man’s enormous error quickly spread and finally one of the other executives decided to go and talk with his boss about it. As he approached the oil monarch’s desk, Rockefeller looked up from the piece of paper he was writing. “I guess you have heard about the two million dollars mistake our friend made,” he said abruptly. “Well, I have been sitting here listing all of our friend’s good qualities and I’ve discovered that in the past he has earned for us many times the amount he lost today. His good points far outweigh this one human error. So, I think we ought to forgive him, don’t you?”
I don’t know if that episode actually happened, but it does speak to something important. Joseph, with remarkable humility, is able to forgive his brothers and bring his family to Egypt. He notes that even though his brothers may have meant him harm, God sent him to Egypt to preserve life. The ability to forgive, as seen by Joseph, is to focus on what God is doing, not on what others have done.
Mark Twain once wrote, “Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.”
Bill T.
* * *
Genesis 45:1-15
Things happen in a rush in this passage. Earlier the brothers have mentioned their father several times in their meetings with this figure who they have not previously recognized as their brother Joseph. Joseph should therefore know his father is alive. Yet in the midst of this whirlwind of revelation, Joseph still asks if his father is still alive. (He uses the familiar form of the word “father” in Hebrew.) Did he not believe them earlier? Of course, the brothers are confused because this is the first time they realize that they share a father with this important official, and that he is not a stranger, but their never forgotten brother Joseph.
Before he repeats this amazing revelation, he asks the brothers to come closer. Considering the emotional roller coaster they have been riding with threats piled on threats this might seem odd — and even dangerous, but they comply. One of the ancient rabbis made the astounding suggestion that he asked them to come closer so he could reveal he was circumcised. Another rabbi said it was so that all those who heard his weeping would not also hear the tale he was about to tell. Others suggest this just adds to the drama of the moment. A startling revelation, followed by shock, and then the admonition to draw closer before it is repeated.
Joseph then tells his brothers not to be angry with themselves because God has used their actions as a means to provide for the family during the time of famine. This is an interesting assertion. It doesn’t take away from the sinful nature of the brother’s actions — nor does it take anything away from Joseph’s choices to make the best of his circumstances by ingratiating himself with his owner Potiphar, the head jailer, and Pharaoh, by showing great initiative and hard work in all these circumstances. Joseph was careful to give God credit for the interpretation of the dreams, but he himself was always ready to use his free will to do his best.
This suggests that we are not simply pieces on a chess board that move at the instigation of God’s hand. God’s hand is busy throughout the narrative but the brothers, Joseph, Pharaoh, and the other characters are also making choices in accordance or against the will of God. In the end God’s will is done.
Frank R.
* * *
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
Can all Israel really be saved (v.26)? America’s second President clearly expressed a deep appreciation of the Jewish contribution to us all. In an 1808 letter he once claimed:
I will insist the Hebrews have [contributed] more to civilize men than any other nation. If I was an atheist and believed in blind eternal fate, I should still believe that fate had ordained the Jews to be the most essential instrument for civilizing the nations ... They are the most glorious nation that ever inhabited this Earth.
Would not God want to preserve the lives of the people who had preserved faith in God for all of us who are Gentiles? About such a hope, we might find the insights of the famed 20th century theologian Paul Tillich helpful. He saw salvation as an “essentialization” (making real all our potentials) (Systematic Theology, Vol.3, pp. 406-407). Perhaps Jewish people and we are saved insofar as God will make real all the rich gifts he has given both Christian and Jew.
Preachers might prefer to consider this text as another eminent modern theologian Karl Barth did, as a lesson on human shortcomings. His remarks would then provide a helpful illustration. He noted that no matter how much we have messed things up, the church is still the only way to salvation. And so he wrote:
We are most questionably engaged... and we have failed as laymen and as theologians, as parish priests and as professors... for the divine possibility cannot be apprehended save in the catastrophe of that human possibility which is the church. (Epistle to the Romans, p.392)
Mark E.
* * *
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
I believe in God’s mercy, and I believe in free will. Yet, I’m not sure free will was given to us so we would be disobedient and need to seek mercy. I think we human beings mess up, we make mistakes, we follow our own instincts and desires, forgetting that we are beloved children of God. We make choices that are not pleasing to God or each other. We forget to follow in the footsteps of God, in God’s pathways. And I am grateful for God’s mercy. I do make the wrong choices sometimes, but I don’t think God causes those actions. Rather, I make the wrong choices based on what I want, what I think I need, and what I decide is the “right” thing to do. Thankfully, God is merciful and embraces me with that mercy, bringing me back into right relationship. Maybe I will continue to learn to seek God’s choices and not my own.
Bonnie B.
* * *
Matthew 15:10-20, 21-28
I found an interesting history piece about the invention of the Ferris wheel. George Washington Gale Ferris invented the first Ferris wheel for the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. Ferris’s invention was inspired by a waterwheel near his childhood home in Nevada and modeled after the structural principles of a bicycle wheel. The Ferris wheel was supported by an enormous axle and powered by a one-thousand-horsepower steam engine. The exposition opened on May 1, 1893, and on June 21, the Ferris wheel had its first riders, George Ferris, his wife, the entire city council and a whole 40-piece band. While many were nervous about the new, sensational ride, the first riders trusted it would not collapse. They were rewarded with a view 250 feet above the ground. After that, the Ferris wheel ran every day of the exposition.
Trust brings rewards. There is no situation where that is truer than trusting Jesus. The Canaanite woman in this text is willing to ask for the crumbs that fall from the master’s table (v. 27). That would be enough for her. We don’t read about facial expressions in the scripture, but I can’t help but think Jesus had a wry smile on his face as he answered, ““Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” Her trust was rewarded. John H. Stockton wrote the words around 1873. “Only trust him, only trust him. Only trust him now.” Will you?
Bill T.
* * *
Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28
The biblical and cultural concepts of clean and unclean doesn’t really have anything to do with hand sanitizer and germ transmission. Clean and unclean has more to do with what we think is yucky and what’s cool. And sometimes it’s a question of whether we can digest something because of our preconceived prejudices or because of our DNA. The question of whether we eat cheese, for instance, has less to do with pizza and more to do with some strains of humanity proving lactose intolerant. To quote Adam Rutherford, in his book A Brief History of Every Human Who Ever Lived:
For most of human history lactase has been active only in babies. After weaning, the gene’s activity is radically reduced, and as a result, for most adults, for most of human history, milk has been off the menu. …Except if you’re of European descent. Your lactase continues to work throughout your life. …but for the majority of modern humans, milk equals tummy troubles.”
Regardless, what we eat or refuse to eat isn’t what makes us unclean. What really makes us unclean is prejudice, treating people as objects. In this passage, the Canaanite woman calls Jesus to account because he makes a startling statement suggesting that her child is not as important as people who share his DNA. Jesus even goes so far as suggesting her child is on a level with dogs, an animal that was not highly prized in the Judean setting. But the woman challenged him — perhaps that’s what Jesus wanted — and he rose to the occasion. Any of us can be making mistakes without thinking about it, or thinking we have a Bible quote to back us our prejudices, but instead of reacting angrily when challenged, as if we were the ones who are insulted, we might grow in faith if we listened and learned.
Frank R.
* * *
Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28
Concerning this text, St. Augustine once wrote that “This woman of Canaan... shows us an example of humility and the way of godliness...” (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol.6, p.346) Noting Jesus' rebuff of the woman (v.26), John Calvin observed that “The pride of the flesh must fall down, when we learn that by nature we are dogs.” (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol.XVI/2, p.267)
Jesus’ original rebuff reminds us that petitions and prayers are not always granted right away. On that matter, Martin Luther proclaimed a comforting Word in a sermon on this text:
This episode, accordingly, is an especially beautiful example of true faith, that it needs to be practiced, that it will finally prevail and win out; also, of how we, therefore, must not despise the word, but cling firmly to its promise, never doubting that our prayer will be heard, even though for a time God delays. (Complete Sermons, Vol5, pp.337-328)
Mark E.
Dale Galloway, in his book You Can Win with Love, tells a story about the forgiving nature of John D. Rockefeller, the founder of Standard Oil Company. Galloway writes that John D. Rockefeller built the great Standard Oil empire. One day one of his executives made a two-million-dollar mistake. Word of the man’s enormous error quickly spread and finally one of the other executives decided to go and talk with his boss about it. As he approached the oil monarch’s desk, Rockefeller looked up from the piece of paper he was writing. “I guess you have heard about the two million dollars mistake our friend made,” he said abruptly. “Well, I have been sitting here listing all of our friend’s good qualities and I’ve discovered that in the past he has earned for us many times the amount he lost today. His good points far outweigh this one human error. So, I think we ought to forgive him, don’t you?”
I don’t know if that episode actually happened, but it does speak to something important. Joseph, with remarkable humility, is able to forgive his brothers and bring his family to Egypt. He notes that even though his brothers may have meant him harm, God sent him to Egypt to preserve life. The ability to forgive, as seen by Joseph, is to focus on what God is doing, not on what others have done.
Mark Twain once wrote, “Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.”
Bill T.
* * *
Genesis 45:1-15
Things happen in a rush in this passage. Earlier the brothers have mentioned their father several times in their meetings with this figure who they have not previously recognized as their brother Joseph. Joseph should therefore know his father is alive. Yet in the midst of this whirlwind of revelation, Joseph still asks if his father is still alive. (He uses the familiar form of the word “father” in Hebrew.) Did he not believe them earlier? Of course, the brothers are confused because this is the first time they realize that they share a father with this important official, and that he is not a stranger, but their never forgotten brother Joseph.
Before he repeats this amazing revelation, he asks the brothers to come closer. Considering the emotional roller coaster they have been riding with threats piled on threats this might seem odd — and even dangerous, but they comply. One of the ancient rabbis made the astounding suggestion that he asked them to come closer so he could reveal he was circumcised. Another rabbi said it was so that all those who heard his weeping would not also hear the tale he was about to tell. Others suggest this just adds to the drama of the moment. A startling revelation, followed by shock, and then the admonition to draw closer before it is repeated.
Joseph then tells his brothers not to be angry with themselves because God has used their actions as a means to provide for the family during the time of famine. This is an interesting assertion. It doesn’t take away from the sinful nature of the brother’s actions — nor does it take anything away from Joseph’s choices to make the best of his circumstances by ingratiating himself with his owner Potiphar, the head jailer, and Pharaoh, by showing great initiative and hard work in all these circumstances. Joseph was careful to give God credit for the interpretation of the dreams, but he himself was always ready to use his free will to do his best.
This suggests that we are not simply pieces on a chess board that move at the instigation of God’s hand. God’s hand is busy throughout the narrative but the brothers, Joseph, Pharaoh, and the other characters are also making choices in accordance or against the will of God. In the end God’s will is done.
Frank R.
* * *
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
Can all Israel really be saved (v.26)? America’s second President clearly expressed a deep appreciation of the Jewish contribution to us all. In an 1808 letter he once claimed:
I will insist the Hebrews have [contributed] more to civilize men than any other nation. If I was an atheist and believed in blind eternal fate, I should still believe that fate had ordained the Jews to be the most essential instrument for civilizing the nations ... They are the most glorious nation that ever inhabited this Earth.
Would not God want to preserve the lives of the people who had preserved faith in God for all of us who are Gentiles? About such a hope, we might find the insights of the famed 20th century theologian Paul Tillich helpful. He saw salvation as an “essentialization” (making real all our potentials) (Systematic Theology, Vol.3, pp. 406-407). Perhaps Jewish people and we are saved insofar as God will make real all the rich gifts he has given both Christian and Jew.
Preachers might prefer to consider this text as another eminent modern theologian Karl Barth did, as a lesson on human shortcomings. His remarks would then provide a helpful illustration. He noted that no matter how much we have messed things up, the church is still the only way to salvation. And so he wrote:
We are most questionably engaged... and we have failed as laymen and as theologians, as parish priests and as professors... for the divine possibility cannot be apprehended save in the catastrophe of that human possibility which is the church. (Epistle to the Romans, p.392)
Mark E.
* * *
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
I believe in God’s mercy, and I believe in free will. Yet, I’m not sure free will was given to us so we would be disobedient and need to seek mercy. I think we human beings mess up, we make mistakes, we follow our own instincts and desires, forgetting that we are beloved children of God. We make choices that are not pleasing to God or each other. We forget to follow in the footsteps of God, in God’s pathways. And I am grateful for God’s mercy. I do make the wrong choices sometimes, but I don’t think God causes those actions. Rather, I make the wrong choices based on what I want, what I think I need, and what I decide is the “right” thing to do. Thankfully, God is merciful and embraces me with that mercy, bringing me back into right relationship. Maybe I will continue to learn to seek God’s choices and not my own.
Bonnie B.
* * *
Matthew 15:10-20, 21-28
I found an interesting history piece about the invention of the Ferris wheel. George Washington Gale Ferris invented the first Ferris wheel for the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. Ferris’s invention was inspired by a waterwheel near his childhood home in Nevada and modeled after the structural principles of a bicycle wheel. The Ferris wheel was supported by an enormous axle and powered by a one-thousand-horsepower steam engine. The exposition opened on May 1, 1893, and on June 21, the Ferris wheel had its first riders, George Ferris, his wife, the entire city council and a whole 40-piece band. While many were nervous about the new, sensational ride, the first riders trusted it would not collapse. They were rewarded with a view 250 feet above the ground. After that, the Ferris wheel ran every day of the exposition.
Trust brings rewards. There is no situation where that is truer than trusting Jesus. The Canaanite woman in this text is willing to ask for the crumbs that fall from the master’s table (v. 27). That would be enough for her. We don’t read about facial expressions in the scripture, but I can’t help but think Jesus had a wry smile on his face as he answered, ““Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” Her trust was rewarded. John H. Stockton wrote the words around 1873. “Only trust him, only trust him. Only trust him now.” Will you?
Bill T.
* * *
Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28
The biblical and cultural concepts of clean and unclean doesn’t really have anything to do with hand sanitizer and germ transmission. Clean and unclean has more to do with what we think is yucky and what’s cool. And sometimes it’s a question of whether we can digest something because of our preconceived prejudices or because of our DNA. The question of whether we eat cheese, for instance, has less to do with pizza and more to do with some strains of humanity proving lactose intolerant. To quote Adam Rutherford, in his book A Brief History of Every Human Who Ever Lived:
For most of human history lactase has been active only in babies. After weaning, the gene’s activity is radically reduced, and as a result, for most adults, for most of human history, milk has been off the menu. …Except if you’re of European descent. Your lactase continues to work throughout your life. …but for the majority of modern humans, milk equals tummy troubles.”
Regardless, what we eat or refuse to eat isn’t what makes us unclean. What really makes us unclean is prejudice, treating people as objects. In this passage, the Canaanite woman calls Jesus to account because he makes a startling statement suggesting that her child is not as important as people who share his DNA. Jesus even goes so far as suggesting her child is on a level with dogs, an animal that was not highly prized in the Judean setting. But the woman challenged him — perhaps that’s what Jesus wanted — and he rose to the occasion. Any of us can be making mistakes without thinking about it, or thinking we have a Bible quote to back us our prejudices, but instead of reacting angrily when challenged, as if we were the ones who are insulted, we might grow in faith if we listened and learned.
Frank R.
* * *
Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28
Concerning this text, St. Augustine once wrote that “This woman of Canaan... shows us an example of humility and the way of godliness...” (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol.6, p.346) Noting Jesus' rebuff of the woman (v.26), John Calvin observed that “The pride of the flesh must fall down, when we learn that by nature we are dogs.” (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol.XVI/2, p.267)
Jesus’ original rebuff reminds us that petitions and prayers are not always granted right away. On that matter, Martin Luther proclaimed a comforting Word in a sermon on this text:
This episode, accordingly, is an especially beautiful example of true faith, that it needs to be practiced, that it will finally prevail and win out; also, of how we, therefore, must not despise the word, but cling firmly to its promise, never doubting that our prayer will be heard, even though for a time God delays. (Complete Sermons, Vol5, pp.337-328)
Mark E.
