Be perfect!

St Giles Sunday 13 February Holy Communion

First Reading Deuteronomy 30.15-20

Moses said: “See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.

“But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.

“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”

Gospel Matthew 5.21-37

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to N.
All Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus said: “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

“It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.

“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’ But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’, and your ‘No’, ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

Demonstrations in Cairo – stopped for prayers. More to Islam than ritual observance – also more to OT religion than following the Law.

Jewish law – foundation of Jesus’ teaching. Like Islam - contained ritual – sacrifices – set prayers each day – feast days observed.

Deut. – book of Law – love the LORD, walk in his ways – choose life. Turn away – be disobedient, bow down to other gods, you will not live long in Promised Land.

Words of Moses – end of Deut. – his disobedience denied him Promised Land and he died. Irony.

Epiphany – recent readings warning of danger of reducing God to ritual formulas – trying to use communal practices to avoid giving ourselves, hearts and minds to God. Ritual observance not enough – Jesus calls us to a whole new life in God.

Matthew 5 – begins Sermon on Mount. Jesus has left crowd – teaches disciples. They are aware of Law of Moses. His teaching has strong ties. Takes them beyond Law. His ethics more radical. Demands of Christ-like Christ-filled life go way beyond.

Choose life says Moses. Under Law – a person is justified – mainly by what he has and has not done. Attendance at Temple. Sacrifices made. Laws followed.

We tend to think same way. You might say – I have not murdered, committed adultery, stolen from the poor. Isn’t that sufficient? I am justified. Ten Commandments. Isn’t that what we tend to believe?

Jesus says no. Not nearly enough. Says has not come to abolish Law but fulfil it. How? Intensifies. Extends into every facet of life. Not just deeds but our very thoughts. Nothing taken away – much added.

He gives examples. You might not have murdered – but have you been so angry you almost did so in heart? Not just behaviour – attitudes, emotions, thoughts. Adultery – was intent there, given half a chance – or adultery of the heart – lust? Who can say not guilty?

Is this not what the Law intended? That we should be above the Law? Higher standards than mere compliance. Internal behaviours, not just external. Means we must avoid anger, derision, slander, arrogance, temptation, desire, envy, loose speech, wrongful thoughts.

Joining the dots. Picture emerges from random pattern. Jesus joins dots. Dots are outward acts – pattern emerges internal orientation. Lesser murder=anger. Lesser adultery=lust. Lesser theft=envy, desire, covetousness. Joins dots – internal orientation revealed. That’s what judges us. Who can say not guilty?

Beatitudes – blessed are – poor in spirit, pure in heart, those who are humble, those who mourn. They are righteous because of internal orientation of hearts. Not because kept the Law. Went far beyond.

We all know of people who get away with it. Walk thin line of keeping rules whilst behaving badly. Have not killed anyone – ruined reputation by spreading slander and lies – hinted at unsuitability through resentment and jealousy – said one thing to face, another behind back.

We can all think of parallels. Dark side of life. Discrimination. Bullying. Ostracism. Rumour mongering.

Good news of Christ – light coming into dark world – illumines nooks and crannies of our lives – dark corners when are hidden things we are ashamed of. Joins dots – makes recognisable picture not of big sins but the way we are inside.

Not the Jesus we signed up for? One who – released from law – set us free from rules and regs.. – made life easier? Now we are told we can’t even dislike people. Can’t look on member of opposite sex without risking mental adultery. Famous Jimmy Carter interview Playboy 1976. Can’t call another driver a fool (Raca) without risking fire of hell! Standards have moved up several notches into the impossible region. Can’t be done.

Good news is also we do not have to live lives through our own power alone. Yes Jesus asks more of us – much more than is within our power unaided – much more than can escape temptation and failure – but he offers and promises much more too. God incarnate brings into the world abundant life. Has made perfection a reality.

Look at rest of chapter, esp. v48.   

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour^[i] and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Law of Moses still applies – his words. “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you ... may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.”