Sermon on the Mount

March 10, 2023

Matthew 5: 31-32

31 ‘It was also said, “Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.” 32But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

If you are a lawyer and want to have a secure source of clients, practice “family law” which is the more genteel description of being a divorce lawyer. With around 50% of all marriages ending in divorce, there are plenty of clients to go around. Surprisingly, the same would have been true in Jesus’ day except for the fact that a husband could divorce his wife by simply handing her a certificate that said she was no longer his wife. No lawyer necessary. It was easy. No reason required. That was what Torah law said. The certificate allowed the woman to remarry, because she was no one’s wife. You see, the issue here is not divorce, but adultery. Jesus was saying that wives were not disposable for any reason. There had to be a good reason. Unchastity for instance. There might have been other exceptions, but Jesus does not talk about what they might have been. 

The problem Jesus lays out is this. If a man wants to divorce his wife, he better have a good reason. If he has no good reason, he is still married to her but has cast her adrift into financial destitution. Her only hope is t remarry. So, the unrecognized divorce causes her, and her new husband to commit adultery. Jesus is pointing out the ridiculousness of this practice of divorce. This, according to Jesus, is not what God intended. God intended marriage to be much more. This is a symptom of humanity’s fallibility and our need for a savior.

Sermon on the Mount

March 9, 2023

Matthew 5: 27-30

27 ‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery.” 28But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.

Former President Jimmy Carter has been in the news lately because of his decision at age 98 to enter hospice care. We pray that his last days on earth are peaceful and contented.

Jimmy Carter became newsworthy on a national basis in 1976 when he ran for the presidency. Carter was an evangelical Christian in the Southern Baptist tradition who taught a weekly Bible study at his small church in Plains, Georgia. In what many believed to have been a campaign gaffe, he agreed to an interview with Playboy Magazine. A good bit of the interview questioned Carter’s Christian faith and his views on morality. At one point Carter said this:

I try not to commit a deliberate sin. I recognize that I’m going to do it anyhow, because I’m human and I’m tempted. And Christ set some almost impossible standards for us. Christ said, ‘I tell you that anyone who looks on a woman with lust has in his heart already committed adultery.’

I’ve looked on a lot of women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times. This is something that God recognizes I will do–and I have done it–and God forgives me for it.

Many historians believe that this interview, and that quote in particular, almost cost Carter the election. But, if Carter believed that to look on a woman with lust required the removal of an eye, well, Carter still had both. What most people miss in this interview is that Carter simply says he believes the Bible says what it says but that Jesus sets an “almost” impossible standard. That is where I disagree. What Jesus says in today’s text is completely impossible. Just as impossible as Jesus’ comparison of murder and simple offense.

Sermon on the Mount

March 8, 2023

Matthew 5: 21-26

21 ‘You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not murder”; and “whoever murders shall be liable to judgement.” 22But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgement; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, “You fool”, you will be liable to the hell of fire. 23So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. 25Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

When I read this passage today, I laughed out loud. I immediately thought of our current (and in truth historical) political discourse. Whichever side of the political spectrum you are on, it might be comforting to know that all those folks sending verbal slings and arrows your way are doomed to hell of fire. That is what Jesus says is the fate of those who intentionally insult, offend or simply ridicule another person. Take that talking head!

As a former trial lawyer, the passage speaks to me. It starts out by describing an offense that might result in judgment. The judgement could be severe (the hell of fire at worst, every last penny at best). So, as your lawyer I would tell you to consider a settlement. Resolve the conflict. Then, there will be peace. That is what Jesus is saying here. Don’t intentionally offend. If you do, apologize, and make amends. Otherwise, your offerings of praise and confession to God might not be accepted until you have made peace with the one you offended. Settle! That’s my advice.