Sermon -- 6th Sunday after Epiphany (February 12, 2023)

MATTHEW 5:21-37

JESUS GETS TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER.

In the name + of Jesus.

     When a rich, young man once came to Jesus, he had asked what he had to do to gain eternal life.  Jesus referred this young man to the Ten Commandments.  The young man responded, “All these I have kept from my youth” (Luke 18:21).  To be fair to the young man, he was probably a decent, honest fellow.  I can imagine his parents were proud of him, that his neighbors spoke highly of him, and that his wife was pleased with his personality and integrity.  The police never had to be called to his house.  He was a model citizen and a faithful church-goer.  When he insisted that he had kept all the Commandments, he was probably sincere in his assessment of himself.

     Most people can boast that they have not broken the Commandments in the strictest sense of them.  You might also be able to follow the Commandments like a check list.  “Honor my father and mother?”  Sure.  I was a pretty good kid.  I obeyed my parents.  I tried to take care of them in their later years.  I also sent cards on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.  So, I’m good there.  “You shall not murder?”  That one has been easy. I’ve never bludgeoned anyone with a club.  There’s no blood on my hands.  “You shall not commit adultery?”  I’ve never cheated on my spouse, so check that box, too.  You get the idea. 

     Jesus, however, gets to the heart of the matter in his Sermon on the Mount.  Our outward behavior might be commendable, but God’s Law cuts deeper than that.  As the Lord once told the prophet Samuel, “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).  So, Jesus offered up his commentary on the Ten Commandments.  Jesus gets to the heart of the matter by showing that sins which are seen begin in secret—in the heart.

     When Jesus preached on the Commandments, he uttered words that must have been shocking to those who first heard them.  Four times in these verses, Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said…” (Matthew 5:21,27,31,33).  Then Jesus quoted the Law of Moses.  That is God’s word.  As such, it has the authority of God behind it.  But then Jesus added these words: “But I say to you…” (Matthew 5:22,28,32,34).  In saying this, Jesus made his words equal to the word of God.  Now, to you that may not sound very shocking.  You know and confess that Jesus IS God.  But for those who were listening to a Jewish rabbi preach this way, this was startling.  Jesus of Nazareth declared himself to have the same authority as God, meaning he claims to be God.

     What’s more, when Jesus added his words to the Law of Moses, he did not relax God’s Law.  God’s Law is good and eternal and unalterable.  Jesus did not change God’s Law or tweak it in any way.  Rather, Jesus intensified it.  He declared that obedience of the Law is not merely an outward show, but a reflection of the heart.  Jesus gets to the heart of the matter

     Jesus preached, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder…’  But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment” (Matthew 5:21,22).  So, you have not committed murder.  Good.  But have you ever wished harm on someone?  Have you prayed for the demise of a co-worker, a politician, a celebrity, or the entire Taliban?  Your anger shows that you do not love your neighbor.  Rarely do we demonstrate a righteous anger—angry that people did not honor God.  Instead, we have a self-righteous anger—angry that people did not honor ME.  And it does not take much to get us angry.  If someone cuts you off in traffic or steals your parking spot, you have some choice words for them, even if you just speak them to your dash board.  If someone fails to notice a new outfit or wish you a happy birthday, you build up resentment and hold a grudge.  What makes us angry about such things?  It is because: I did not get my way.  I was not honored as I should be.  Our hearts are devoted to ourselves, and it steams us when others do not love us as we love ourselves.  Rather than seeking the good of our neighbor, we only care if our neighbor seeks our good.  When he does not, we want to see him suffer.  Sometimes we even act on that.  Repent.

     Jesus gets to the heart of the matter.  He continued, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’  But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28).  If I gaze upon another woman with lustful intent, it is because I want her to gratify my desires.  I don’t really care about her, but only what she could do for me.  It doesn’t matter if you fantasize about someone you know or someone you see on a computer screen, you are not seeking the good of that person.  Lust only wants to use people.  Lust has no intention to love or respect anyone.  Oh, how wicked and cold the sinful heart is!  Jesus gets to the heart of the matter so that we can see the reality of sin in all its ugliness.  Repent.

     Jesus preached on the Ten Commandments show us the depth of our sinfulness and to show us the need for a Savior.  Jesus preached on the Ten Commandments because they are God’s word and they are God’s will.  More importantly, Jesus came to fulfill those Commandments.  In order for man to set foot in the heavenly kingdom, he has to keep the Commandments.  The standard is perfect obedience.  Nothing less gets you in.  You and I have not done it.  But here is a man who now has. 

     Jesus is God who became a man to subject himself to the demands of the Law.  Jesus’ life was one of perfect, willing obedience to God’s Commandments.  With all of his heart, soul, mind, mouth, and life, Jesus has done all that God demands.  Jesus lived in a world with liars, thieves, and cheats.  Jesus dealt with people who were immoral, unethical, and unlovable.  And he loved them all.  This love meant that Jesus sought to do good to all people—not because they earned it, but because Jesus delighted in following God’s Commandments.  While you can look to Jesus as an example of godly obedience and love, Jesus does not save you as your example.  Rather, he saves you as your substitute.  Jesus fulfilled the Commandments in your place and for your good.

     Jesus took his holy, obedient life and gave it up as the perfect sacrifice for you.  St. Peter wrote, “Christ suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18).  This is why the Ten Commandments no longer condemn you.  Jesus took up your sins and bore the curse for you.  The Ten Commandments are still God’s will.  They declare what is good and right, but they do not save you.  Jesus Christ has.  His death is the penalty for all your sins.  So, if you have been overcome by anger, lust, or greed, Jesus paid the price for it.  If your marriage ended in divorce and you severed what God joined together, Jesus spilled out his innocent blood to cover it.  If you swore to your friends only to fail to keep your promises, Jesus speaks a word of mercy and forgiveness which do not fail—for they are backed by Jesus’ sacrificial death and glorious resurrection.  Through Jesus, all sins are forgiven.  Through your baptism into Jesus, all your sins have been washed away and you have been covered in Jesus’ innocence. 

     Jesus gets to the heart of the matter.  Jesus changes your heart so that you are not focused on your honor, but on God’s.  Jesus converts you so that you are not devoted only to what is good for you, but to what is good.  God’s Law tells you what is good.  And with a clean heart and a right spirit, you now recognize that God’s Commandments are not given to handcuff you or to prevent happiness.  God’s Commandments are given because they guide us into a life that is noble and upright.  He shows us actions and attitudes that are beneficial to our fellow man and also to ourselves.  Those who follow God’s word spare themselves many griefs.  Life is hard enough without inflicting harm and guilt upon yourself.

     Jesus gets to the heart of the matter.  It was the loving heart of God which give us his Commandments for the good of all mankind.  Surely you see that the world is a better place if people are not ruled by their anger or driven by revenge.  Society is safer when people do not murder, lie, or cheat.  People are treated with greater honor and respect when they are not objects of lust or targets of human trafficking.  Families enjoy greater blessings when children obey their parents.  Children are better served when husbands and wives remain committed to each other.  Society is stronger when marriages remain intact.  You are held in higher honor if your simple “Yes” and “No” are accepted as truthful without having to swear to God to make people believe you.  If you contribute to the betterment of society because your behavior is moral and upright, this is commendable.  God be praised.

     Living according to God’s Commandments seeks the good of your fellow man.  It is beneficial for society.  And God blesses you for it, too.  But—God be praised!—your  eternal judgment is not based on how well you are keeping God’s Commandments.  We don’t always do as well as we think.  We are like that rich, young man who knew he was a pretty decent fellow.  But Jesus got to the heart of the matter.  Neither he nor we have honored God with lives that are holy.  So, while the Commandments cannot save you, thanks to Jesus, the Commandments do not condemn you, either.  Your judgment is based on Jesus’ merits, not on your own.  Jesus’ sacrificial death is the judgment against your sins.  Jesus’ blameless life is the righteousness you need, and he lived that on behalf of you. 

     Jesus gets to the heart of the matter.  He preached about the Commandments, because they still stand.  They still matter.  They guide you into godly living because you are God’s people.  And you are God’s people because Jesus Christ has fulfilled these Commandments for you.  Jesus lives not to bark out orders or to issue threats, but to proclaim peace and to bestow blessings.  And you get to live according to the Commandments not to escape the fires of hell, but because you are children of the heavenly Father and heirs of his kingdom.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.