The readings for the third Sunday after Pentecost are taken from Exodus 19:2-8, Romans 5:6-15, and Matthew 9:35—10:20.
Still flowing from Pentecost (outpouring of the Holy Spirit) and Trinity Sunday (celebration of God’s nature), the lessons give us pause to think about how God keeps pursuing and meeting us with His regenerative Word and Spirit.
Exodus reminds us that all conditions are a function of the law and our human nature is fundamentally deceitful. Israel (like our sinful nature) says, “We will obey and keep the Word,” but instead remains rebellious and contemptuous.
Paul reminds the believers in Rome about the condition of our human nature because of Adam: weak, ungodly, sinful, enemies of God. The nature of God is evident by His fidelity to His promises to redeem us from the curse of the Law by the ever obedient and faithful incarnate Son.
Matthew records Jesus doing all that the law requires and all that God had promised. Then, Jesus ordains His twelve apostles to carry God’s redeeming work into the world. Such work will face all the rebellion and contempt that human nature has against God, but they will not stop God’s work—just like they could not stop Jesus from His work of love.