Meditation

QUINQUAGESIMA

1 Samuel 16:1–13

or Isaiah 35:3–7

1 Corinthians 13:1–13

Luke 18:31–43

Faith Alone

The seeing are blind, while the one who is blind can see (Luke 18:31–43). Jesus tells the twelve that He is going up to Jerusalem to suffer and die and rise again, but they cannot understand or grasp what He is saying. The meaning of His words is hidden from their sight. However, as Jesus makes His way up to Jerusalem, a blind man calls out to Him for mercy. This blind man sees that Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior, for he calls Him “Son of David.” Indeed, Jesus is the Lord’s anointed, the keeper of sheep (1 Sam. 16:1–13) who goes to lay down His life for the sheep. He is the incarnate love of the Father who suffers long and is kind, who is not puffed up, who never fails us (1 Cor. 13:1–13). Jesus opens the eyes of the blind (Is. 35:3–7) to see Him not according to outward appearances of lowliness, but according to His heart of mercy and compassion. Those who behold Him thus by faith follow Him to the cross through death into life. – One Year Lectionary Summaries LCMS

Prayer

Lord God, heavenly Father, who by Your Son, Jesus Christ, mercifully opened the eyes of the blind man and granted Him to see the light: we poor sinners beseech You to enlighten our hearts by Your Holy Word, that through Christ, Your Son, who died on the cross for us and made atonement for our sins, we may rightly learn to know Your gracoius help and mercy and in all troubles and trials look only to that, seeking it by faithful prayer, and so find comfort and deliverance from the devil, sin and death and obtain salvation. Amen. – Lutheran Prayer Companion

Published by Tyler Walworth

Graduate from Concordia University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. Attending Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN. Christ is my motivation and my life. He gives all things meaning. I am studying for the Minsitry and am intensely interested in all God has created, including philosophy, science and anthropology. I have had three years of experience in debate and it has made me an avid supporter of dialogue. Therefore, I believe in open forum and most importantly in the construction of ideas on the foundation of truth.