Tamar,
daughter-in-law of Judah, married two brothers who died. By law she should have
been able to marry the third brother so she could have a baby and be a full
member of the tribe. When this did not happen, she took matters into her own
hands. She dressed as a prostitute, slept with Judah, and conceived twin
sons. Oh my!
Tamar was
rejected, abused, unloved and abandoned. Yet Judah must acknowledge that Tamar
is more righteous than he is. Her story however does not end with the Genesis
account. Tamar is listed in the genealogy of Jesus. “And Judah begat Phares and
Zara of Tamar.” (Matthew 1:3) Matthew
mentions Judah and Tamar as a reminder that we, like Judah are
salvageable. God is not averse to using
flawed people to carry out His plans. He accomplishes His plans despite human
failures. He comes from a family of sinners to save sinners.
The fall
of Adam and Eve was not simply the consumption of a particular article of food.
It was a deliberate disobedience of God’s command. From that act of
disobedience the entire creation was cursed. From that curse comes scheming and
plotting to do evil, betrayal, revenge, an entire family in turmoil. Such was
the lot of Tamar’s life.
In Lent,
we learn of God’s redemption found in the person of Jesus Christ. He gives us
what we really need. He is not content to make you feel good. Soothing words
are not His to give. Sentimental nonsense never comes from His lips. He is a
real Savior who saves real sinners. He didn't come into this world to be cute
and adored. He came to us to be abandoned. He was born to die; not a noble
death, applauded by the religious, but a death of loneliness surrounded in
scorn and shame. And that miserable death has saved you. For it was your sin
which He took, away.
Almighty
and eternal God, because it was Your will that Your Son should bear the pains
of the cross for us and thus remove from us the power of the adversary, help us
so to remember and give thanks for our Lord’s Passion that we may receive
remission of sins and redemption from everlasting death; through Jesus Christ,
Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and forever.
Collect
for the First Sunday in Lent Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing
House, St. Louis
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