The Sixth Sunday of Easter (GA)

Matthew 5:21-48

21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

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

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

33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Mt 5:21–48). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

What kind of Evil is there in the world?  How have the people of God been corrupted?  How have you sinned this week, or day?  There are still many Christians who think that they are without sin for one reason or another.  But Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount leaves us in a place where we do not see ourselves as anything but sinners.

You should love your neighbor.  You should not commit sexual immorality.  You should not murder or become angry.  You should not swear falsely.  You should not take vengeance for yourself.  You must obey the commands of God.

Take a look at your own life.  Then ask whether you are a part of the evil in the world.  Does the Land mourn or ask how long because of you?  Do the animals flee from you because they know your evil deeds?  Maybe the animals do not really know all your evil actions.  But they do recognize that you are a sinner.

You have fallen short of the glory of God.  You have not loved your neighbor as or more than yourself.  You have not avoid any thoughts of lust or sexual immorality.  You have not avoided hatred.  You have not kept your words from every falsehood.  Thus, you have not obeyed the Commands of God as you ought.

But here is the truth.  Jesus Christ reminds the people of Israel they are still full of wickedness.  The people are still listening to the world rather than God.  But here is the good news.  The redemption is not paid in the shedding of your blood.  The atonement is made by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.

Stand up and shout "I am not a sinner."  Since Jesus Christ has cleansed you from all unrighteousness, he has made you Holy through his death and resurrection.  The Lord has removed your sins from you as far as the east is from the west.  You are no longer a sinner, but a saint in blood of Christ.