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June 8, 2023

Faithfulness > Obedience

Andrea Roth Murdock   |   Read Matthew 9:9-13

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Lectionary Week
June 5–11, 2023
Scripture Overview

The readings for this week share the theme of our faith and God’s faithfulness. In Genesis, God calls Abram to leave his country and promises to make of him a great nation. Abram has faith in God’s faithfulness and goes. In the Gospel, Matthew follows Jesus immediately, and there are two stories of healings that show great faithfulness. In Romans, Paul explains that God calls Abram and Matthew and us—even though we are all sinners—and reckons our faith as righteousness. The psalmist reminds us that all God’s “work is done in faithfulness.”

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Genesis 12:1-9. Think of a time you chose to follow God’s leading. How were you blessed by the decision?
Read Psalm 33:1-12. Where have you seen God’s faithful
actions in your life? Among the nations?
Read Romans 4:13-25. How is the promise that our faith will
be reckoned to us as righteousness good news for you?
Read Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26. How is Jesus calling you to get up and follow? What would that kind of faith look like?

Respond by posting a prayer .

Matthew 9:9-13

9 As Jesus continued on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at a kiosk for collecting taxes. He said to him, “Follow me,” and he got up and followed him. 10 As Jesus sat down to eat in Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners joined Jesus and his disciples at the table. 11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 When Jesus heard it, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor, but sick people do. 13 Go and learn what this means:I want mercy and not sacrifice.I didn’t come to call righteous people, but sinners.”

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

We’ve been working this week to step away from the mindset that God expects blind, almost mindless obedience, and then we have this verse where Matthew, in fact, jumps up and follows Jesus without question or hesitation. But check out what happens in the very next verse. In verse 10,...

Christ, I commit today to see you in those around me and accept the challenge to show up in my life today and going forward, not in blind obedience but in renewed faithfulness. Amen.


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