7th Sunday after the Epiphany, 02/19/2017

Sermon on Matthew 5:38-48, by Brad Everett

Matthew 5:38-48; Psalm 119:33-40

The Psalm for today is another portion of Psalm 119—that poetic hymn of praise and thankfulness to God for His law, in which the psalmist ,and those of us who read it prayerfully, ask God to continue to teach us His law that we might keep it, observe it, live it—so it will direct all we say and all we do.

At first glance this seems like a good thing. After all, God being the one who created heaven and earth and all that is in it it makes sense He would know best how it functions. Further, as the creator and sustainer of all things, He would know best for us how we should live, both for His glory and for our benefit.

So for example, we ask God, “give me understanding that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart” (Ps. 119.34). Help us to learn the law and to keep it, not as a matter of obligation, but one of opportunity and delight i.e. it’s not the case we have to follow God’s law but that we get to.

We ask God to “turn my eyes from looking at vanities; give me life in your ways” (Ps. 119:37). Keep our attention from becoming fixed on things that are empty and passing, and instead keep us in the path of life Christ has given.

But then we reach the Gospel—where Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount, continues to spell out what exactly the Law looks like it practice. It is one thing to talk about wanting to follow the ways of the Lord—but it takes on a whole new significance to see it in action.

We must remember, and ever be reminded, that God’s Law, God’s ways for his people are not a set of esoteric, abstract ideas. They are real, concrete directions for living this life we have been given in Him. And when we consider this Law we quickly, and uncomfortably realize just how much distance there is between God’s ways and ours.

So for example when Jesus addresses the law of reciprocity “An eye for and eye, and a tooth for a tooth” (Ex. 21.24; Lev. 24.20; Deut. 19.21), he sets out for his hearers what this will look like in His kingdom.

But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; [40] and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; [41] and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. [42] Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.

[43] "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' [44] But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Yet, upon hearing these verses, all of us, or at least the majority of us who heard this and our first response was to think “o.k. but…”, shows how far we have to go to be transformed into the likeness of Christ.

Because there is no room for “yeah but…” or “what about…” in these verses. Jesus is unnervingly direct—do not resist; turn your cheek; give your cloak; go the second mile; give to everyone; love your enemies.

These are simple, straightforward commands. No loopholes, or room for excuses, rationalizations or justifications. No “turn the cheek, unless” or “love your enemies except if they…”

And I know that there are some, if not all of you listening who are mentally coming up with a variety of scenarios, real or hypothetical to try and get around these commandments from our Lord.

But what if we shift gears here? Instead of hearing these commandments and pondering what possible exceptions there might be—what if we heard them and considered ways that we might best fulfill them?

Because for all the talk we have in Lutheran circles about ‘justification by faith’ we must remember that being justified by faith is not an end in itself, but simply the beginning of our life in Christ. We are justified by faith, and we are consequently called to live in faith and the promises of Christ, including those set before us today.

Jesus’ commands call us to live by faith in Him. As we follow Him we are given the strength to do what he asks and the grace to embrace what he desires as we release our own plans and schemes.

So rather than resist the evildoer, we trust God will take care of the matter, and instead focus our attention and energies on what He has called us to do. Rather than demand our rights, we turn the cheek and give away our cloak trusting in God’s providence for us. We willingly give of our selves to go the second mile and share freely of our resources giving to all who beg, acting in faith that we will continue to be provided with all we need. We don’t hate our enemies, but instead share with them the love, grace and forgiveness we ourselves have received from Christ, praying not for their destruction but for their wellbeing and salvation.

The next step for us is to seriously consider what this would look like in each of our lives. And again, rather than stalling out by concentrating on ethical conundrums and quandaries (real or imagined)—what about considering where we might begin exercising this faith we have been given and called to live in.

So for example who is it that you haven’t been praying for because you are secretly (or maybe openly) waiting for God to visit His wrath upon them or because you just can’t be bothered to care? Who is it that has hurt, offended, or maligned you—do you love them and are you praying for them? What is it that you could “do” in love for their sake?

These are all hard questions, but this is precisely what we asked of God in the Psalm this morning.

Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes,

and I will observe it to the end.

[34] Give me understanding, that I may keep your law

and observe it with my whole heart.

[35] Lead me in the path of your commandments,

for I delight in it.

[36] Turn my heart to your decrees,*

and not to selfish gain.

[37] Turn my eyes from looking at vanities;

give me life in your ways.

[38] Confirm to your ser vant your promise,

which is for those who fear you.

[39] Turn away the disgrace that I dread,

for your ordinances are good.

[40] See, I have longed for your precepts;

in your righteousness give me life.

Which is in accord with Jesus’ concluding words in the gospel—be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. There is very little mystery as to what our life in Christ is to look like—God has given us His law. And in our Baptism we have been given and have received the Holy Spirit who strengthens us in our faith to live this life— because it was never God’s intention that we try to do this by our own will or in our own strength.

So let us strive in the power of God to live in ways that reflect this perfection of God. Let us turn from our sinful and selfish desires to “be right” and to have “our way” because we when our hearts and minds hold onto things like anger, resentment, and regret we leave no room for God’s grace and peace. Instead let us rest in the grace and peace of Christ, walking in his ways, trusting the sufficiency of his grace, for it is his righteousness that gives us life.

Pastor Brad Everett
Calgary, AB, Canada
E-Mail: everettsts@gmail.com

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