February 11, 2024 - Quinquagesima Sermon

Old Testament: 1 Samuel 16:1–13
Old Testament: Isaiah 35:3–7
Psalm: Psalm 89:18–29; antiphon: v. 20
Psalm: Psalm 146; antiphon: v. 2
Epistle: 1 Corinthians 13:1–13
Gospel: Luke 18:31–43
Introit: Psalm 31:1, 5, 9, 16; antiphon: vv. 2b–3
Gradual: Psalm 77:14–15
Tract: Psalm 100:1–3

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.