Sermon - November 18, 2012

Exodus 19:3-14 NRSV

3Then Moses went up to God; the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the Israelites: 4You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, 6but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites.” 7So Moses came, summoned the elders of the people, and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. 8The people all answered as one: “Everything that the Lord has spoken we will do.” Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord.

9Then the Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, in order that the people may hear when I speak with you and so trust you ever after.” When Moses had told the words of the people to the Lord, 10the Lord said to Moses: “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes 11and prepare for the third day, because on the third day the Lord will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12You shall set limits for the people all around, saying, ‘Be careful not to go up the mountain or to touch the edge of it. Any who touch the mountain shall be put to death. 13No hand shall touch them, but they shall be stoned or shot with arrows; whether animal or human being, they shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they may go up on the mountain.”14So Moses went down from the mountain to the people. He consecrated the people, and they washed their clothes.

Today we are reminded of that very command that we should never forget.  God says “I carried you and brought you to myself.  If you obey me fully and keep my covenant then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.  Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”  p. 59 or Exodus 5?  God does the work, not when we want it to happen but when God wants it to happen.  This direction is so very important so that we can not screw it up.  God comes to us.  We do not choose God.  We do not decide if we shall be an instrument of God, but God uses us, often without us even being aware.  We may not help the person or people through their whole circumstances, but will only be a part of it.  Yet it is through this display of power that we are reminded that we need God.  We can not do it ourselves because we have fallen, just like the devil. We would turn what is good and use it for evil.  But God takes what is evil and makes it good.

This understanding is a key point for the Jewish people and us. 

When a person comes into the presence of the Lord, you had better be prepared.  How does a person prepare?  A person should wash themselves and their clothes.  Along with that, you should know what you can and can not do.  “Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it.  Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death.  They are to be stoned or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on them.  No person or animal shall be permitted to live.  Only when the ram's horn sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain.” p. 60.  For here on the mountain Moses ascends to receive the Ten Commandments, the very Law for the people of God. 

Only Moses went because he was the chosen one of God.  Any other person would have been defiling the mountain.  Not only that, anyone who touched them or was touched by them would have been defiled.  Now this served a great purpose, the fear of God would keep the people from sinning. However, the Law was not given to the people for punishment.  The Law was given out of LOVE for the people.  The Law was given so that order could be had within the community, so that good relationships could be between God and every person, and so that good relationships could be among the people. A Law gives structure to the community and lastly it kills you. It kills your very desire to be in control and to realize that God is in control. Oh and how much better things are when God is in control and you are not. 

Yet that is precisely the reason why this Law, the Ten Commandments, was given.  God the one who created you and sustains you gave you the gift of the Ten Commandments, out of love.  The same way a parent raises a child in the faith; helps them to understand what is important; and not important within their life. God clearly defines for each and every one of us that God and those who are around us are important. 

Today we were fortunate enough to bear witness to the very calling, cleansing and sealing of two new members into the Family of God.  Despite them still being infants, God will work within their life and when God is ready, God will work within their life to do God's wonders within the world.  They will be part of the chosen nation that is sent out within the world to help the world, be blessed, and remember that God blesses them now and always.

Now within the time of Christ and within the time of Luther, people would have these Ten Commandments memorized because they were to be written on their hearts and minds so that every action would be thought through.   These commandments were given to ensure that good and healthy relationships would remain.  Yet within the book of the Story did anyone notice a difference?  Did anyone notice something that was WRONG?  Look at p. 61. 

The way the Ten Commandments are numbered.  The authors state that the first four commandments are about God and the last six about others.  We as Lutherans have the first three commandments about God and the last seven about others. 

 Now why is that so important?   Why is it that I nitpick at the very number and which number each of these commandments are numbered in?   It is very important so that we know what each person is talking about. It is important to know what one person is talking about so that understanding and communication can happen.  (It is important to know for memory as well. It is much easier to be reminded that there is a Holy Trinity and thus three commandments about God.  It is easier for people to understand that seven is a perfect number and that’s how many days of the week there are.)  Remember, the point of the Law is not to completely remove the relationship, but to remind the person of what a right relationship should look like.  It guides us in our thinking and understanding of not only our own thoughts and actions, but does the same for the other person.  The Law was given to God’s People so that they would be able to care for one another in a better way than those nations around them. 

Yet we should also be cautious, for there are those within the world that would use the Law, the Ten Commandments, as a means to actually inflict pain and suffering upon one another. They claim they are working in the name of love and God’s Will.  When you start claiming these things, you begin to break the first commandment.  You become god and yet the person does not realize it until they come to confession, or until they realize that they are harming those around them through their actions and words.  For they are only judging based upon what they can see with their eyes, and not considering what is happening within the person’s life, or what God is truly doing within their life. 

This covenant of the Law was given to the people and placed upon them through the binding of blood.  A lamb was slaughtered and the blood was sprayed upon all the people so that they would be united and reminded through this blood of the Law.  Yet we as Christians, as Lutherans, gather together to be reminded of the blood that unites us.  Many Christians would say, “But we are set free.  The blood of Christ sets us free from the Law so that we can go and live our lives.”  No. The Law is very much part of your life.  Your earthy life that God has given to you means that you are in relation with God and others around you.  The Law is still present to provide structure, good order, and good relationships.  However with Christ coming to bring you the Gospel message, you do not need to fear the death that the Law also brings.  You do not need to fear death because Christ overcomes death so that you are free to care for those around you who are crying out and suffering.  The Law should still help guide you.  This is the reason that we are to Fear and Love God for all that God has given to us.  Thanks be to God, this is true. Amen.