Matthew 15:21-28 - Lent
Two – Reminiscere - Feb. 21,
2016
The Command and
Promise of Prayer
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God commands us to
pray. This is reason enough to
pray. Certainly this is enough reason to
do anything. When God tells you to do
something, you should do it. Jesus
commands all nations to be baptized. So
what should all nations do? Do what he
says: repent, and be baptized. Jesus
commands his disciples to take and to eat – to take and to drink. So what should his disciples do? They should take what he gives them and do
what he says. Jesus commands sinners to
come to him. What should sinners
do? They should stop following their own
ideas and false teachers who tickle their fancy, and go to him who commands
them to come. Jesus tells us to take up
our cross and follow. God’s commands are
clear. By them we are compelled to
obey. But the command alone, although
clear and earnest enough, is not enough to prompt us to do these things in true
faith. I mean, one can go through the
motions, certainly! But if one is to do
these things while trusting in God for a blessed outcome – if one is to gain
any benefit – more than a command is needed.
That is why he attaches his promise.
