06/06/2026
Sunday Reflection
07/06/26
Theme: Called by Grace, Living with Faith
Scripture Readings
Genesis 12:1–9
Romans 4:13–25
Matthew 9:9–13, 18–26
The Christian life begins with God's grace and is sustained through faith. Throughout Scripture, God consistently reaches out to people, not because they deserve His favor, but because of His love, mercy, and sovereign purpose. Those whom God calls are invited to respond in faith, trusting Him even when they cannot fully understand His plans. The passages before us reveal this important truth through the lives of Abraham, Matthew, Jairus, and the woman with the issue of blood. Their experiences demonstrate what it means to be called by grace and to live by faith.
The story begins in Genesis 12 with God's call of Abram. Abram was living among his people when God suddenly spoke to him, commanding him to leave his country, his relatives, and his father's household and go to a land that God would show him. There is no indication that Abram had done anything extraordinary to deserve this call. God's invitation was entirely an act of grace. Grace is God's unmerited favor toward humanity. It is His willingness to bless, save, and use people despite their imperfections and weaknesses.
God's call upon Abram teaches us that divine election is based on God's purpose rather than human merit. God promised to make Abram into a great nation, bless him, make his name great, and make him a blessing to others. Through Abram, all families of the earth would be blessed. This covenant demonstrates that God's grace is not merely for personal benefit but is intended to bring blessing to many others.
A similar pattern appears in the Gospel of Matthew. As Jesus walked along, He saw Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth and simply said, "Follow me." Tax collectors were despised in Jewish society because they worked for the Roman government and were often associated with corruption and greed. Yet Jesus chose Matthew. He did not select him because of his social standing, religious achievements, or moral reputation. Instead, Jesus called him through grace.
This reminds us that God's grace reaches people regardless of their background, failures, or status in society. Many people feel unworthy of God's love because of past mistakes, but the call of Matthew demonstrates that Christ specializes in transforming ordinary and imperfect people into instruments of His kingdom. As Ephesians 2:8–9 teaches, salvation comes by grace through faith and not by human works. Likewise, Jesus declared in John 15:16, "You did not choose me, but I chose you."
While grace initiates God's relationship with humanity, faith is the proper response to that grace. Abram's response to God's call was immediate obedience. Genesis 12:4 simply states, "So Abram went, as the Lord had told him." Abram did not know exactly where he was going. He had no detailed map, timetable, or explanation of how God's promises would be fulfilled. Nevertheless, he obeyed.
Faith often requires moving forward without having all the answers. It is trusting God's character when His plans are not yet visible. Hebrews 11:8 explains that Abraham obeyed and went out, not knowing where he was going. His obedience became a powerful testimony of genuine faith.
Matthew's response was equally remarkable. Upon hearing Jesus' invitation, he left his tax booth and followed Him. He abandoned the security of his profession and embraced a new life as a disciple. Faith is more than intellectual agreement; it involves practical obedience. James teaches that faith without works is dead because true faith expresses itself through action. Whenever God calls His people, faith responds through obedience and trust.
The Apostle Paul develops this theme further in Romans 4, where Abraham is presented as the great example of faith. God had promised Abraham descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, yet Abraham and Sarah were advanced in age and beyond natural childbearing years. Humanly speaking, God's promise seemed impossible. Nevertheless, Abraham believed.
Paul writes that Abraham did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead, nor did he doubt God's promise through unbelief. Instead, he grew strong in faith, giving glory to God and being fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised. Abraham's faith was not based on favorable circumstances but on the faithfulness of God.
This aspect of faith remains relevant today. Believers often encounter situations that seem hopeless, impossible, or beyond human solutions. Yet faith calls us to trust that God remains faithful to His promises. Numbers 23:19 reminds us that God is not a man that He should lie. Hebrews 10:23 encourages believers to hold firmly to their hope because the One who promised is faithful. Living by faith means believing that God's word remains true even when circumstances appear contrary.
The Gospel reading also presents two remarkable examples of faith. The first is the woman who had suffered from a bleeding condition for twelve years. She had endured pain, disappointment, social isolation, and likely financial hardship. Yet despite her condition, she believed that if she could only touch the garment of Jesus, she would be healed.
Her faith moved her to action. She pressed through the crowd and touched Jesus' cloak. Immediately, Jesus acknowledged her faith and declared, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." Her healing illustrates that faith is the hand that reaches out to receive what God's grace freely offers. Christ's power was available, but it was her faith that connected her to that power.
The second example is Jairus, a synagogue leader whose daughter was seriously ill and eventually died. In desperation, Jairus came to Jesus seeking help. Even after receiving news of his daughter's death, he continued to trust Christ. Jesus accompanied him to his house and restored the girl to life.
This miracle demonstrates that faith sees possibilities where others see impossibilities. Human limitations do not restrict God's power. Situations that appear dead, lost, or beyond recovery are never beyond God's reach. Luke 1:37 declares that nothing is impossible with God. Faith enables believers to trust God's ability even when circumstances suggest defeat.
Another important lesson from these passages is that those who are called by grace become channels of blessing. God told Abraham that He would bless him so that he could become a blessing to others. Matthew became one of the twelve apostles and later wrote the Gospel that bears his name. The healed woman became a testimony to God's power and mercy. Jairus and his household witnessed the life-giving authority of Christ.
God never blesses His people solely for their own benefit. Every blessing carries a responsibility to bless others. Christians are called to reflect God's love, extend His mercy, proclaim His Gospel, and demonstrate His grace in their communities. As Jesus taught in Matthew 5:16, believers are to let their light shine before others so that God may be glorified.
The central message of these readings is therefore clear. God calls people by grace, not because of their achievements but because of His mercy and purpose. Those who hear His call are invited to respond with faith and obedience. Faith trusts God when the future is uncertain, believes His promises when circumstances are difficult, reaches out to Christ in times of need, and remains confident in His power even when situations appear impossible.
Abraham trusted God's promises. Matthew responded to Christ's invitation. The woman touched Jesus in faith. Jairus believed despite overwhelming circumstances. Their stories encourage every believer to embrace God's gracious call and to live each day by faith.
Indeed, grace calls us, and faith responds. Grace begins the journey, and faith sustains it. Therefore, as God's people, let us continually trust His promises, obey His voice, and walk confidently in faith, knowing that the God who calls us by grace is faithful to accomplish His purposes in our lives.
Amen!
Rev. Tobias Gbande Nikab
EPCG YENDI
