If You Don't Want an Answer, Don't Ask Jesus!

Matthew 5:21-30, Deut. 30:15-20

 

        It is always nice when the lectionary texts work together in perfect harmony. We love it when the law of the Old Testament is made somewhat digestible by the words of Jesus. But that does not always happen. This morning we have a train wreck caused mostly by our curious desire to discover loopholes in Godly decrees. It is human nature to see how far we can push the boundaries of ethical behavior. For example, imagine traveling to Charlottesville. It is a beautiful day, traffic is light and the speed limit is 70 mph. For some of us this is an opportunity to test the limits of the law. It has been assumed by many that our courageous state police will excuse exceeding the speed limit by no more than 5 mph. So if we are traveling 73 in a 70 mph zone are we actually breaking the law? To take the argument further, if we are traveling 79 in a 70 mph zone and are not pulled over, are we innocent? Is guilt only applicable if we are caught? Does obeying the law depend solely on our interpretation of a particular law? You see we could push this argument to the point where we might actually believe the job of the police is only to enforce our particular understanding of the law.

        So what about God’s laws? How far do we expect God to bend? What kind of 5 mph cushion do we believe God gives us? What if we get away with breaking a Godly law? Do we reinterpret God’s laws to fit our particular situations? Those are the questions before us this morning.

        The Book of Deuteronomy dramatically recreates the last sermon of Moses. After 40 years in the wilderness, the children of slaves have finally committed themselves to entering the Promised Land. Deuteronomy lays out the difficulties of creating a new community and the laws that will assist Israel in making this new community function. Foremost of these laws are the Ten Commandments. I am sure you remember them. You shall worship only one God. You shall not worship idols. You shall not use God’s name to promote your own schemes. Keep the Sabbath. Honor your elders. Don’t murder, commit adultery, steal, lie, or crave your neighbor’s good fortune. Obviously keeping a healthy relationship with God and fellow humans is very important.

        You might think the Ten Commandments are pretty self-explanatory but there is always a voice which desires to raise a question, push the limits, and perhaps justify a particular way of understanding even God’s commandments. I imagine the initial conversation went like this.

        Moses, could you elaborate on how old one must be to be considered elderly?

        Moses, could you explain the difference between kill and murder particularly when it comes to folks I don’t like?

        Moses, how are we to understand this one God thing?  Moses, have you read the Jimmy Carter’s explanation of adultery? Is that really what you meant?

        Imagine what Moses must have been thinking. Of all the adults who left Egypt, only Moses, Joshua and Caleb are still living. Now the children are getting ready to receive the dream of a lifetime. Moses knows he will not make the trip. He is dying. He has no energy left. He has fulfilled his promise to God and his job is done. He just wants to lie down and let nature take its course. So he says to them.

        Look, you all know right from wrong. If you follow God’s instructions things will work themselves out. Get along with your family members. Share lemonade with your neighbor. Make sure gossip ends with you. Be satisfied with your life. Set aside time to give thanks to God. It is really not all that hard. Just think beyond yourself and everything will be OK.

        Moses went off to die and for the next 1,000 or so years people continued to debate what the commandments really meant. Then one day someone asked Jesus.

        The problem with asking Jesus is Jesus does not always say what we want to hear. When we question a point of law we want the interpretation to represent our point of view. We already know the answer we want. We just want it verified by a person of authority. When Jesus speaks, he often speaks on behalf of the person without voice. This takes the conversation to a place we never intended it to go. For instance, if we were to ask Jesus about the speed limit on I-64 I suspect Jesus would say, “It’s 70, unless conditions are bad enough that going slower would protect those folks in the cars next to you.”  You see, don’t ask Jesus a question if you really don’t want an answer.

        Imagine that sunny day on a Galilean hillside when Jesus caused a few really dark clouds to roll in. Someone wanted illumination on commandment number 6.

Jesus, can you clarify between killing and murder?

        Jesus responded, “Are you angry with your brother or sister? If you are, then in your heart and in the eyes of God you have already committed an act of murder.”

        Can you imagine the buzz that must have gone through the crowd? Some folks aren’t all that happy unless they are angry with someone. Anger gets our juices going. It is the center piece of many of our conversations. If it wasn’t for anger, radio and TV would go out of business. How dare Jesus challenge our most basic constitutional right!

        But Jesus didn’t stop there. He talked about adultery, he talked about divorce, and he talked about swearing. And he didn’t say what folks wanted to hear. Listen to his words.

        If you look at a woman lustfully you have committed adultery.

Do not swear using the name of God to justify your words. Why make God a partner in your lies.

Why could Jesus say such things? Maybe his words made sense 2,000 years ago but I hardly think they are appropriate today.  I can’t imagine anyone treating a woman like a sexual object. And when have you ever heard someone say, “I swear to God, I am telling the truth.” 

(stop)

DARE I SUGGEST THE PROBLEM IS NOT WHAT JESUS SAID BUT RATHER WHAT WE CONTINUE TO CONDONE AS APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR.

During my Doctoral Studies I took a course in Biblical Ethics taught by Marcia Riggs.  Dr. Riggs had a favorite phrase. “Jesus locates himself within the tradition, but does not allow the tradition to be the last word.”

In the time of Jesus, violence ruled the day. Those with the sword used it. Those without the sword resorted to an anger fueled by hate. Jesus did not speak against a violence he could not control. He spoke against an anger that challenged a person’s humanity. Once the soul succumbs to rage, the voice and reason of God is reduced to a whisper.

In the time of Jesus, women had no voice. Single women were objects of lust. Wives were little more than property. Jesus radically spoke on their behalf, elevating women to the status human beings.

Perhaps you see where this is going. Jesus asked his followers, “What is your unique gift from God?” Before they could answer he said, “It’s your humanity. When has killing, adultery, stealing, lying, or coveting ever been humane? When has reducing another’s humanity ever been part of God’s vision?” Then Jesus got real personal and added, “You need to focus on God’s truth. You need to understand God’s truth is not just about you. It is about all of God’s children.”

What is truth? We search high and low looking for answers that mirror what we already believe. We move quickly through preachers from Louie Andrews to Franklin Graham hoping to find one that is palatable. You don’t think preachers have their own agenda? Of course we do!

So why not go back to the beginning? Instead of looking for loopholes why not look for life holes and then jump right through them. Why not treat God and your neighbor the same way you expect to be treated. I suspect that is the quickest way to any Promised Land.     Amen.