THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
The Holy Scripture reveals how the grace of the Spirit enlightened him regarding the truths he sought, while also freeing the righteous from the concern he felt for Lot. It states: "When God was destroying the cities of this neighborhood, God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the destruction" (Gen. 19:29). The phrase "God remembered Abraham" signifies the intercession he made with the plea, “Wilt thou destroy the just with the wicked?” (Gen. 18:23). Some may wonder how Lot, the righteous man, was saved through the intercession of his forefather rather than due to his own merit. Indeed, it is through the intercession of the patriarch that salvation was granted.
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When we are deserving, the intercession of the righteous significantly aids us, yet if we are negligent and rely solely on their intercessions, we may face dire consequences—not due to the impotence of the righteous, but because our own negligence has led to our ruin.
To illustrate that when neglect prevails, even the intercessions of the best among us cannot benefit us, listen to how the Lord instructed the prophet Jeremiah, sanctified from birth: "Thou shalt not pray for this people, for I will not hear thee" (Jeremiah 7:16). Here, the Lord wanted Jeremiah to understand that his unanswered prayers were not a reflection of his personal shortcomings, but rather the reflection of the people's utter wickedness. This revelation serves to inform both the prophet and the people that unless they take responsibility for their own actions, their plight remains unchanged.
Beloved, while we should certainly seek the intercession of the saints and ask for their prayers, we must not depend solely on their advocacy. We must also diligently fulfill our own obligations and pursue our spiritual rectification, ensuring that the saints' intercessions retain their potency. In another instance, the Lord addressed the prophet: "Do you not see what they are doing," offering sacrifices and preparing cakes for false deities (Jer. 7:17-18). It appears the Lord questions how one could petition for such individuals, who persist in their wickedness and display a lack of awareness of their own dire condition. He calls out to them, urging them to abandon their evil ways and repent, indicating that His intention is to rescue those led astray by error.
The Lord does not desire their destruction but rather their return. Did I not say, "You shall cry out, and He will say, 'Here am I'" (Isaiah 58:9)? Is it not my desire that all men come to repentance and acquire "the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. 2:4)? Thus, invest your energies in healing their spiritual ailment, and I will fulfill all that I am able to do. I do not delay when I see a willing soul; I only ask for the confession of sins, and I do not condemn them thereafter.
If my demand is not burdensome, it is because I understand that neglect of confession only perpetuates their sinful state. The human heart is prone to folly, and I desire that they confess their transgressions, lest they fall back into their old ways. In light of this, beloved, let us be vigilant, prioritizing our own purification from sin before appealing to the saints for intercession. Yet, if we are watchful in our own prayers, those petitions will hold great weight with our Lord. His attentiveness leans more toward our pleas rather than those of others.
Consider the Canaanite woman, a foreigner burdened with her child’s affliction. She approached the Savior with fervent zeal, undeterred by her identity, crying out: "Have mercy on me, O Lord, my daughter is violently demon-possessed" (Matthew 15:22). Despite her earnest pleas, the Lord remains silent initially, choosing to draw forth her hidden virtue for the benefit of generations to come. The silence was meant to showcase both her faith and the kind nature of God, who values the persistence and strength of belief.
The disciples, wishing to alleviate their discomfort, encouraged the Lord to send her away, yet He responded, "I am sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 15:24). This apparent dismissal served a greater purpose, revealing the woman’s remarkable faith, as she continued to plead, "Lord, help me" (Matthew 15:25). Even when confronted with a harsh response, she displayed extraordinary resilience by accepting her place and humbly stating: "Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the masters' table" (Matthew 15:27).
Her unwavering faith led to the declaration from Christ: "O woman, great is thy faith; let it be done unto thee according to thy desire" (Matthew 15:28). This shows the depth of His mercy and kindness. Though it appeared that He had no compassion at first, the eventual outcome revealed the vast goodness of God. His hesitance served to highlight both her spiritual strength and the nature of divine compassion.
By recounting this narrative, we recognize that we have the ability to attain our desires not primarily through the intercession of others but through our earnest actions. The Canaanite woman, despite having the Lord’s disciples as intercessors, only found success through her own unwavering perseverance. Additionally, consider the parable of the friend who sought help in the night; persistence led to flourishing outcomes (Luke 11:8).
In light of our Lord's boundless mercifulness, let us approach Him with sincerity, presenting each transgression with a plea for forgiveness. By being diligent in our good works, we may find favor in His sight. Let us now return to our previous course of reading.