6 July 2010
Psalm 5, 6; Num. 35:1-3,9-15,30-34; Rom. 8:31-39; Matt. 23:13-26

Provision is to be made for the Levites in the land. They have no inheritance as a tribe, but they are to be within the land of each tribe as a tithe of the people to the Lord. As they are dispersed among the tribes, they will require land to be set aside in order that they might enjoy the fruit of the land as well. The other provision is for a murder who did not intend to commit murder. There are to be six cities of refuge for such people, places they can go and be safe from the avenger who has the right to slay them to avenge the death of a kinsman. The one who has killed another is able to seek refuge in these cities until trial. Murder is a capital offense and the one who commits murder is to be put to death himself. We are created in the image of God and one who has no respect for the image of God cannot be allowed to live. The penalty is an absolute one, no ransom is possible. Human life is sacrosanct to the Lord. We see just how precious we are in the incarnation and the death of Jesus on the cross so that our humanity might be saved for eternity.

Jesus is clear about the scribes and Pharisees lack of true understanding. They don’t understand the principle of the temple itself. In its construction according to God’s design it was easy to see what was most precious as the materials for the sections indicate. The closer you get to the presence of God in the holy of holies the more precious and pure the materials themselves must be. They have made the scrupulous tithing of everything in the possession of the people the important thing when mercy, justice and faith are actually the important matters. How could anyone miss that? If we took the time to sort out what we talk about and complain about within the church we would see that we focus on the wrong things as well. Finally, they are lectured about washing, a subject near and dear to their hearts, and Jesus uses it as a metaphor for their lives. It is cleaning the inside that matters and if that is right then our behavior will be right.

We are murderers. We are those who shout, “Crucify Him.” Our sins made His death necessary. We have seen true righteousness and have determined that we are against it and in fact hate it. The one who has the right to avenge that murder is the one who has redeemed us in love. Paul understood that reality. The one who could condemn us, the one without sin who can cast the first stone has died for us in love and is for us, not against us. None other has the right to speak against us because we are all guilty and yet the one who can instead speaks on our behalf for acquittal. Therefore, nothing can separate us from the love of God unless we allow it.

I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,
will enter your house,
I will bow down towards your holy temple
in awe of you.
Let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
so that those who love your name may exult in you.