Two of the most important parts of our bible are the 10 Commandments and the Beatitudes. They represent a pulling together of the Jewish Torah/law and the essence of Jesus' teaching. The sermon is working on the dynamic that exists between law and love and it reflects the importance of both.
When Moses brought laid down the law he presented something that helps people live in the world as the world is. The injunction that we shall not kill, we shall not commit adultery, we shall not steal, we shall not lie, we shall not take the name of God in vain, etc. The "thou shalt nots" are important in maintaining structure and order in life. When Moses came down the mountain with the commandments the people were ashamed because they had not lived up to the law.
When Jesus went up to the mount and he spoke the Beatitudes he raised up the love of God and helped his listeners begin to consider how it is to live in the world that is to come. The beatitudes were designed to help people think about a world where the meek were superior to the mighty; where the humble were more prominent than the haughty. He helped people lift up their eyes to begin to think about life in a whole new way.
The commandments and the beatitudes are essential parts of our faith. We need both. There are times in life when we must realize what it means to live in this world as it is and to live within the confines of natural law and the law of civil life. We also need to think of the way in which the world can be configured in the manner Jesus describes it. He understood the law and he lived it but he also wanted people to think of the world as other than it was where good prevails and people are kind and helpful and inspired by love.
We are Judeo-Christians and we have law and gospel. If we have either without the other our faith is incomplete.
Which do you think is most important? Law? or Gospel?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thought click on the 'comments" box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
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