Daily Readings - Fri Jul 20 2018
Isaiah
1In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, "This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover."2Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD,3"Remember, O LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.4Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah:5"Go and tell Hezekiah, 'This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life.6And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city.21Isaiah had said, "Prepare a poultice of figs and apply it to the boil, and he will recover."22Hezekiah had asked, "What will be the sign that I will go up to the temple of the LORD?"7"'This is the LORD's sign to you that the LORD will do what he has promised:8I will make the shadow cast by the sun go back the ten steps it has gone down on the stairway of Ahaz.'" So the sunlight went back the ten steps it had gone down.
Matthew
1At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them.2When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath."3He answered, "Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?4He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread--which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests.5Or haven't you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent?6I tell you that one greater than the temple is here.7If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent.8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments of divine mercy and human trust. The first reading from Isaiah recounts the story of King Hezekiah, who, faced with a terminal illness, turns to God in prayer. His heartfelt plea is met with compassion, as God extends his life by fifteen years and promises to protect him and his city. This passage reminds us of the power of prayer and the boundless mercy of God, who hears the cries of those who trust in Him. The second reading from Matthew presents Jesus defending His disciples for picking grain on the Sabbath, challenging the Pharisees' rigid interpretation of the law. Jesus emphasizes that human need and compassion should take precedence over strict observance of rules, citing David's actions and the work of priests in the temple as examples. He declares Himself the Lord of the Sabbath, affirming that God's laws are meant to serve humanity, not the other way around.
Both readings highlight the theme of trust in God's providence and the importance of prioritizing love and mercy over rigid structures. In Isaiah, Hezekiah's trust in God leads to healing and restoration, while in Matthew, Jesus teaches that true faith is not about following rules blindly but about responding to human needs with compassion. These stories invite us to reflect on how we approach challenges in our own lives. Do we, like Hezekiah, turn to God in times of difficulty, trusting in His plan? Do we, like Jesus, see the deeper purpose of God's laws and seek to serve others with love?
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us remember that faith is not about strict adherence to rules but about relationship and trust. May we, like Hezekiah, cry out to God in our struggles, confident in His mercy. And may we, like Jesus, seek to bring healing and compassion to those around us, remembering that love is the greatest commandment. Let us trust in God's plan and strive to live with hearts open to His grace and mercy.