The Wrestler // Rev. Matt Kennedy // Nov 2 2025

Last week we met a character in Genesis with an unflattering name. The name Jacob means, "supplanter" and it rhymes with words like "heel-grabber" and "trickster". His name resembles his conduct. Jacob is a scoundrel who extorts and deceives (Genesis 25 & 27). Following this he spends 20 years living as an exile in a strange place, and becomes the victim of another's trickery! (Genesis 29-31)These years are humbling Jacob the trickster, and he is compelled to return to his home in hope of reconciliation. But this won't happen before a dramatic moment of conversion and transformation-- one of the most spellbinding stories in the Bible, a night of wrestling a mysterious stranger that ends with a new name and a lifelong disability (Genesis 32:22-31). Almost everyone desires some kind of change within themselves, but true transformation rarely happens without outside forces working upon us to confront our sin, draw out strength we don't know we have, and ultimately show us undeserved kindness and mercy. The story of Jacob is the story of the gospel, his wrestling with God is a confrontation with sin and the receiving of grace. When we believe and are baptized we too receive a new name from our sparring partner: we are no longer called slaves, but our Lord calls us brothers and sisters (Hebrews 2:11).