Today, we hear the 6 antithetical statements on Mosaic Law found in Matthew 5. There are more prescriptive statements that follow (and I invite readers to read Matthew 6), but these today deal with Mosaic law and we hear only four of the six in our Lectionary reading. As we consider them, we acknowledge the gap between the culture of the Bible and our own culture. We also acknowledge that we are not seeking to replicate or canonize Biblical culture, but to listen for God within the cultural setting and invite God into our own. Through these statements, we are reminded of the importance of considering “What would Jesus say or do?” and of understanding all Scripture through the lens of Jesus Christ and his work of liberation and love (that often challenged and sought to change unjust culture).  

Today’s message is based on Matthew 5:21-37.

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Image credit:  Wenping Zheng