Lent Midweek 2 March 3, 2021
Exodus 20:1-2, 13 - The Fifth Commandment
A New Heart
Exodus 20:1-2, 13 And God spoke all these words, saying, 2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery… 13 “You shall not murder.
LSC You shall not murder. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not hurt or harm our neighbour in his body, but help and support him in every physical need.
Beloved in Christ, life is precious. It is a sacred and holy gift from God. Life is to be honoured and cherished by all...for all...no matter how young...how old...how big...how small. Because, as Horton says in Dr. Seuss’ children’s classic, Horton Hears a Who, “A person’s a person, no matter how small.” Unfortunately, we live in a culture of death. We live in a society that is taking an increasingly lower and lower view of the sanctity and uniqueness of human life. From organizations such as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), which raise the life of animals to be on par, or even of higher value, than human life—to radical environmentalist groups that view humankind as some kind of plague of vermin on the earth that needs to be destroyed so that the earth may be saved from our pollution and degradation.
Furthermore, Canada and the U.S. have long allowed the murder of the most innocent and helpless human beings—the unborn—for decades (Canada has no laws to restrict abortion, whereas the U.S. varies by state to state). There are also groups advocating doctor assisted suicide and euthanasia for those who are sick, or mentally or physically handicapped—this is now wholly acceptable and legal in Canada, but again varies in the U.S. We have a way of viewing the importance and value of a life in purely pragmatic terms. “Are you a productive member of society or not? Can you do me some good or not? If not, then you might as well be dead—because you are a waste of resources and energy—a pox upon the planet.” Chilling, indeed.
And quite contrary to God’s concept of life. Human beings were created in His image and likeness—given intelligence—compassion—a soul. That is why God commands, rather specifically, that no one is allowed to take a human life—except God Himself—or lawful government as His earthly representative to promote justice. For God views each individual person as someone who is unique and special to Him—God values each person so highly that He was willing to send His only-begotten Son to live, suffer, and die for them that they might be set free from the bondage of sin and death. You see, contrary to the world—God sees death as the ultimate enemy—something that needed to be undone—which is precisely what Christ has done in His resurrection.
Now so many people—Christian and non-Christian alike—think that this is perhaps the easiest commandment to keep. Just don’t murder anyone and you’re good, right? Wrong! Jesus says quite clearly in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:21-22), “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgement.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgement; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” Jesus equates harbouring anger or hatred in your heart for another person to murdering them in the heart—thereby earning God’s wrath and displeasure in hell.
What is more, God doesn’t just forbid the act of murder or hatred, but any sort of hurt or harm to our neighbour. In addition, He requires that we should instead support and help our neighbour in every bodily need—be kind and compassionate toward all—this is one reason why our congregations have taken such careful measures to protect each other during this pandemic—out of love for our neighbour we may wear masks, use hand sanitizer, resist the urge to shake hands and hug one another, etc. Furthermore, we are to avoid, as well as assist our neighbour in avoiding, any kind of substance abuse that harms the body or mind.
So...have you ever smoked a joint..been drunk? Lost your temper? Hated someone? Held a grudge or been resentful toward someone? Have you ignored the plight of the helpless? Have you treated your body as a temple to the Holy Spirit, or have you abused it by gluttony, drugs, addiction, etc.? Have you ever taken someone’s life? Have you ever wished that you had...or could have?
Dear friends, you are all murderers—we are all guilty before God and each other. When we honestly examine our hearts—our inmost thoughts and feelings—we see that they are full of sin, vice, hatred, anger, frustration, and lacking in compassion, mercy, and love and pity.
For you have broken this commandment not only if you have done evil, but also if you have failed to do good! It is like seeing someone in distress in the lake as you pass by in your boat and you don’t extend a hand to help them. You are guilty of their death, just the same as if you had pushed them in the lake yourself. Though we may not kill, we curse and wish ill upon others in our hearts—friends and enemies alike—and in God’s eyes—that is murder.
God wants to remove the root and source by which the heart is embittered against our neighbour. There is only one way to do this—a radical surgery must take place—we must receive a heart transplant—from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. For Christ our Lord had a heart of true compassion and mercy for all people, in every need. He healed the sick and the lame. He fed the poor and starving. He forgave the penitent sinner. He raised the dead to life.
Our God is not a God of the dead, but the living! Jesus has come and undone the damage and pain and suffering of death with His own suffering and death on the cross. He has paid the deadly price for your murderous thoughts, words, and deeds. He has borne the wrath of God in His own flesh while on tree of Calvary, thereby earning with His own blood, forgiveness and righteousness for evil people like you and me.
Christ Jesus rose from the dead to procure life and salvation for all people. It was mankind’s fault that death entered into God’s good creation. It was mankind’s fault that sin erupted and murder ensued so quickly, as the story of Cain and Abel illustrates. But God is merciful. God is generous. Did He kill Cain in response? No. He let him live, and even placed a mark upon him so that no one would find and kill him.
Dear friends, the Lord has marked you for life as well. In your Baptism, God has washed away the stain and stink of death. He cleanses your heart and bends it toward His Word and will. From Him and His Word we learn to calm our own wrath and to have a patient, gentle heart, especially toward our enemies and those who do us evil. We are schooled by God’s Word to look to our neighbour’s good and benefit, even when they do us wrong. This is the working of the Holy Spirit in your lives—as you are refreshed, encouraged, and enlivened by the Gospel of Jesus in Word and Sacrament—receiving His body and blood given into death for your life—you are now able, finally, at long last, to actually serve your neighbour in joy and gladness.
When this happens, rejoice and give thanks and praise to God—for it is all His doing in your life! When it doesn’t happen. When you feel the anger burn deeply within—the murderous thoughts well up in your hearts—then flee to Christ Jesus in repentance—let go your sin—and give it to Christ—for He has already borne it for you on the cross—and He will give you healing of heart, mind, and body—and grant you salvation and life everlasting. Indeed, we are wont to pray with King David in Psalm 51:10, (after he had committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband, Uriah, to try and cover up his sin), "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." And by God's grace, He does—He washes you thoroughly of your iniquity and cleanses you from your sin (Psalm 51:2). Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Exodus 20:1-2, 13 - The Fifth Commandment
A New Heart
Exodus 20:1-2, 13 And God spoke all these words, saying, 2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery… 13 “You shall not murder.
LSC You shall not murder. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not hurt or harm our neighbour in his body, but help and support him in every physical need.
Beloved in Christ, life is precious. It is a sacred and holy gift from God. Life is to be honoured and cherished by all...for all...no matter how young...how old...how big...how small. Because, as Horton says in Dr. Seuss’ children’s classic, Horton Hears a Who, “A person’s a person, no matter how small.” Unfortunately, we live in a culture of death. We live in a society that is taking an increasingly lower and lower view of the sanctity and uniqueness of human life. From organizations such as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), which raise the life of animals to be on par, or even of higher value, than human life—to radical environmentalist groups that view humankind as some kind of plague of vermin on the earth that needs to be destroyed so that the earth may be saved from our pollution and degradation.
Furthermore, Canada and the U.S. have long allowed the murder of the most innocent and helpless human beings—the unborn—for decades (Canada has no laws to restrict abortion, whereas the U.S. varies by state to state). There are also groups advocating doctor assisted suicide and euthanasia for those who are sick, or mentally or physically handicapped—this is now wholly acceptable and legal in Canada, but again varies in the U.S. We have a way of viewing the importance and value of a life in purely pragmatic terms. “Are you a productive member of society or not? Can you do me some good or not? If not, then you might as well be dead—because you are a waste of resources and energy—a pox upon the planet.” Chilling, indeed.
And quite contrary to God’s concept of life. Human beings were created in His image and likeness—given intelligence—compassion—a soul. That is why God commands, rather specifically, that no one is allowed to take a human life—except God Himself—or lawful government as His earthly representative to promote justice. For God views each individual person as someone who is unique and special to Him—God values each person so highly that He was willing to send His only-begotten Son to live, suffer, and die for them that they might be set free from the bondage of sin and death. You see, contrary to the world—God sees death as the ultimate enemy—something that needed to be undone—which is precisely what Christ has done in His resurrection.
Now so many people—Christian and non-Christian alike—think that this is perhaps the easiest commandment to keep. Just don’t murder anyone and you’re good, right? Wrong! Jesus says quite clearly in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:21-22), “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgement.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgement; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” Jesus equates harbouring anger or hatred in your heart for another person to murdering them in the heart—thereby earning God’s wrath and displeasure in hell.
What is more, God doesn’t just forbid the act of murder or hatred, but any sort of hurt or harm to our neighbour. In addition, He requires that we should instead support and help our neighbour in every bodily need—be kind and compassionate toward all—this is one reason why our congregations have taken such careful measures to protect each other during this pandemic—out of love for our neighbour we may wear masks, use hand sanitizer, resist the urge to shake hands and hug one another, etc. Furthermore, we are to avoid, as well as assist our neighbour in avoiding, any kind of substance abuse that harms the body or mind.
So...have you ever smoked a joint..been drunk? Lost your temper? Hated someone? Held a grudge or been resentful toward someone? Have you ignored the plight of the helpless? Have you treated your body as a temple to the Holy Spirit, or have you abused it by gluttony, drugs, addiction, etc.? Have you ever taken someone’s life? Have you ever wished that you had...or could have?
Dear friends, you are all murderers—we are all guilty before God and each other. When we honestly examine our hearts—our inmost thoughts and feelings—we see that they are full of sin, vice, hatred, anger, frustration, and lacking in compassion, mercy, and love and pity.
For you have broken this commandment not only if you have done evil, but also if you have failed to do good! It is like seeing someone in distress in the lake as you pass by in your boat and you don’t extend a hand to help them. You are guilty of their death, just the same as if you had pushed them in the lake yourself. Though we may not kill, we curse and wish ill upon others in our hearts—friends and enemies alike—and in God’s eyes—that is murder.
God wants to remove the root and source by which the heart is embittered against our neighbour. There is only one way to do this—a radical surgery must take place—we must receive a heart transplant—from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. For Christ our Lord had a heart of true compassion and mercy for all people, in every need. He healed the sick and the lame. He fed the poor and starving. He forgave the penitent sinner. He raised the dead to life.
Our God is not a God of the dead, but the living! Jesus has come and undone the damage and pain and suffering of death with His own suffering and death on the cross. He has paid the deadly price for your murderous thoughts, words, and deeds. He has borne the wrath of God in His own flesh while on tree of Calvary, thereby earning with His own blood, forgiveness and righteousness for evil people like you and me.
Christ Jesus rose from the dead to procure life and salvation for all people. It was mankind’s fault that death entered into God’s good creation. It was mankind’s fault that sin erupted and murder ensued so quickly, as the story of Cain and Abel illustrates. But God is merciful. God is generous. Did He kill Cain in response? No. He let him live, and even placed a mark upon him so that no one would find and kill him.
Dear friends, the Lord has marked you for life as well. In your Baptism, God has washed away the stain and stink of death. He cleanses your heart and bends it toward His Word and will. From Him and His Word we learn to calm our own wrath and to have a patient, gentle heart, especially toward our enemies and those who do us evil. We are schooled by God’s Word to look to our neighbour’s good and benefit, even when they do us wrong. This is the working of the Holy Spirit in your lives—as you are refreshed, encouraged, and enlivened by the Gospel of Jesus in Word and Sacrament—receiving His body and blood given into death for your life—you are now able, finally, at long last, to actually serve your neighbour in joy and gladness.
When this happens, rejoice and give thanks and praise to God—for it is all His doing in your life! When it doesn’t happen. When you feel the anger burn deeply within—the murderous thoughts well up in your hearts—then flee to Christ Jesus in repentance—let go your sin—and give it to Christ—for He has already borne it for you on the cross—and He will give you healing of heart, mind, and body—and grant you salvation and life everlasting. Indeed, we are wont to pray with King David in Psalm 51:10, (after he had committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband, Uriah, to try and cover up his sin), "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." And by God's grace, He does—He washes you thoroughly of your iniquity and cleanses you from your sin (Psalm 51:2). Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.