1 May 2010
Psalm 55; Exod. 40:18-38; 1 Thess. 4:1-12; Matt. 5:38-48

It would be difficult to imagine the solemnity with which Moses performed all the tasks we see him doing in this reading. He was the man who handled everything and set the tabernacle worship up all alone. To carry the ark, the lampstand, the altar, the table and all the accoutrements of worship that were prescribed by the Lord and then, when the work was complete, to see the glory of the Lord fill the tent so richly that Moses could no longer enter, would have been to know the pleasure of God in your work. It certainly would give a new meaning to the work of the altar guild to experience such wonder.

The old law of an eye for an eye is completely turned on its head. It is not retribution that is commanded but peace and non-violence. One distinction here to draw is that these instructions are for how to deal with evildoers. Too often in the church we encourage people to act this way towards other believers when in fact those instructions are quite different. The excuse, “That’s just how he/she is” is too often used when we should be demanding that Christians act in accord with their claims. Jesus is teaching in this sermon a completely counter-cultural way of life that would have shocked most of his hearers, loving enemies and praying for those who persecute us. He says, however, that this is to be the way of life for His followers and true children of God. As we saw during Holy Week, He lived out most of this for us so that we can see that He practiced what He preached. By the Holy Spirit this way of life is possible for us as well.

Again, Paul calls for holiness and he also defines what he means by this word. He says that fornication, sex outside the bonds of marriage, is part of the definition as it exhibits control over our bodies and passions. The definition also includes exploiting or wronging a brother or sister. We are not to use others for our own gratification or our own purposes, people are the image of God, not variables in an economic or sexual equation. We need to recall that all that we do, as Moses, is service to God. The way we treat one another shows our recognition of Him and of Him in the other who is made in His image.

Give ear to my prayer, O God,
and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy!
Attend to me, and answer me.
You redeem my soul in safety
from the battle that I wage,