Sermon Text for Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost


Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost

Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18
1 Thessalonians 2:1-13
Matthew 22:34-46


If I ever have the opportunity to provide a summary heading for Matthew 22, I will rename it: Welcome friends to the chapter of questions. There are five distinct sections in Matthew 22. Four of the five involve a question – “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” Then, there is the Sadducees lead up to their question by presenting a disastrous scenario of a woman who is bereft of seven husbands. The question – “In the resurrection, therefore, of the seven men, whose wife will she be.” 

Then there are the questions in the Gospel for today: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Then, there are the conversation stopper three questions that Jesus asks, “What do you think about the Christ?” “Whose son is he?” “If, then, David calls him Lord, how is he his son?”

As an educator of spiritual writings, history, and religious practices, I know that questions are an essential part of the educational experience – questions and answers go back and forth. This is how we learn and grow in knowledge. 

The questions of Matthew 22 have an educational component, but the questioners are, by and large, seeking a confession. By confession, I mean a statement of faith. In other words, what do you really believe about the faithful’s relationship with the Roman occupying force? Do you believe in a physical resurrection of the dead? And, how does that play out considering some of the difficulties that life presents?

There are 613 commandments that God gave to the people through Moses on Mount Sinai. How do you prioritize them? What do you really believe are the essentials that ought to shape your life? Then, there is that perplexing question about Psalm 110. Who exactly is the son of David who is also King David’s Lord? This is a reference to the coming Messiah. Who is this? 

In the gospel reading today, we hear Jesus take seriously the question of prioritizing the 613 commands. In response he quotes from two different places in the Pentateuch. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” is from Deuteronomy 6:5. “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” is from Leviticus 19:18. 

These two commands are at the heart of God’s revelation in the Old Testament. Jesus’ response underscores what parts of the 613 commands ought to shape our life. Love God. Love neighbor. Jesus fulfilled the ceremonial laws. Jesus alerts us that the ceremonial laws no longer apply to us. What applies to us is the moral and holiness laws.  These are what we ought to do. Love God. Love neighbor. All the commands that support those two commands are what would strive to do. 

Any attempt to keep these laws perfectly, leads to frustration on our part. We become keenly aware that we fail. Our sinful condition prevents us from keeping the law perfectly. The law ends up accusing us of our failures. Martin Luther wrote, “But you may say: Oh, it is utterly impossible for a person to keep these two commandments. Yes, it is impossible for you to keep or perform them. You cannot do it; God must do it in you, for Him it is possible.” (AE 51:104)

God works in you. Through God all things are possible. God works within you because you have faith that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. On account of His grace, you confess your failures, you seek His forgiveness, his forgiveness strengthens you. Christ leads you into right thought and action. The law is a guide to living according to God’s will. 

The Pharisees could not or would not, answer Jesus’ question: If, then, David calls him Lord, how is He his son?” The Pharisees did not answer, but we can. Moved by the Holy Spirit, King David is compelled to prophecy about the coming Christ. Jesus is God and man. He is the eternal Lord who is a son of David. Jesus is the one of whom king David speaks. 

Jesus puts our enemies under His feet. Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross defeats the enemies of sin, death, and the devil. The unholy trinity continue to afflict and distract us, but they no longer rule our lives. For sin, the cross of Christ brings forgiveness to the penitent. For death, the cross of Christ transforms death from a dark abyss to the doorway to eternal life with God. The fullness of peace, joy, and life awaits the believer on the other side. The devil may tempt and nip at your heels, but in the name of Jesus you cast him away. In his death and resurrection, Christ Jesus has victory over the devil. The questions and answers that Jesus gives by his teaching, miracles, actions, and his sacrificial death teach us that He, the Father, and the Holy Spirit, are worthy of our love and devotion. His grace propels us to love our neighbors, those who are in need. 

The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. 


 


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