Sermon: February 12, 2023

Readings: Deuteronomy 30:15-20 / Matthew 5:21-37

Jesus encourages us to choose life by choosing godlike behaviors and actions as we abide in God’s love. In today’s gospel reading, Jesus teaches about the laws concerning murder, adultery, divorce, and swearing an oath by taking the bare minimum that’s expected and expanding upon it. Through his explanation of the commandments, Jesus insists that maintaining a loving relationship by respecting one another as a child of God is of utmost importance.

By expanding upon these commandments, Jesus isn’t laying a heavier burden on us or infringing upon some freedom we may feel we have. Jesus is actually offering us a freedom beyond our imagination by calling us to be a new community, a beloved community, a community that walks with God on the path he has set for us. A community that chooses life based on the loving relationship between God and God’s people and God’s people with each other. A relationship of respect, mercy, and grace. Imagine what that community looks like in our world. Imagine what it would be like if the children of God treated one another as Jesus described in his sermon. What a world that would be. Rather than rebelling and pushing back against God’s rule in our lives, may we embrace the beloved community Jesus is calling us to be by showing respect, love, and mercy to all of God’s children.