In the recounting of Jesus’ life in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus sounds a bit like a legalistic lawyer. That was likely who the writer was speaking to, and the perspective from which he saw things. But there’s a significant difference between the lawyers of the day and the way Matthew portrays Jesus.
Lawyers were, and continue to be good at looking at the letter of the law, and being sure that people are held accountable to those black and white expectations. This section of Matthew starts with, “You have heard it said you shall not murder”. Letter of the law. Do not murder. No one would argue with that. But Jesus goes a step further, and speaks to the intent, or the spirit of the law. Since he was able to sum all of the laws up in to the simple two-part law – Love God. Love your Neighbor – Jesus looks at the underlying reason murder would be a bad thing. Anger or hatred or non-love of your neighbor.
Jesus goes further, or maybe not further, but steps back behind the words and looks at the spirit. Do not murder, of course. But do not be angry. Do not make false accusations. Do not insult. All of these undergird the ultimate act of non-love – murder. Jesus is reminding the disciples that they are ultimately called to Love God. Love your Neighbor. Whatever gets in the way of that, that’s a problem you need to fix.
I am normally pretty good at going by the letter of the law. Over the years, I’ve developed a soft spot for not the letter of the law, but the spirit of the law. After working for the legislature, I know how hard it is to write laws that convey the spirit or intent. Someone smarter than the author can always find logical loophole that deconstructs everything intended. If only people could follow the intent of the law, and stop arguing about the letter. It’s not about murder. It’s about Love.
After nearly two full months in isolation, it’s hard not to overlay nearly everything with pandemic analogies. And here’s another.
We are at a place in Oregon where people are chomping at the bit to reopen, to see how we can return to normal, or kick start our economy, or return to corporate worship. The Governor has issued Executive Orders that are pretty clear about what can open, what has to close, and what needs to happen in order to open more. Except when you go through the Orders with the eye of a Pharisee.
Faith leaders from around the State have been gathering for phone calls with the Governor’s Office about how, when, and under what conditions churches and temples and mosques may expect to reopen, and what they’ll need to do to open safely. They’ve been struggling collectively with the intent of the Governor’s Orders. How do we provide spiritual leadership, guidance and comfort, while also absolutely protecting the safety of our communities? It’s tricky to legislate, for certain, and there have been many conversations that focus on the spirit of the law, while at the same time, people are asking for clarity around the letter of the law.
Meanwhile, one mainline faith leader has unilaterally decided to open, before the collective group had figured out how to do that. That leader is probably following the letter of the law. But not the spirit of the law. That leader, in an effort to gather the flock for all the right reasons, sounds like the people to whom Jesus is speaking in today’s reading. You’ve heard it said, thou shall not murder. But I say, do not be angry. Or in modern times, you’ve heard the Governor say no gatherings of more than 25, but I say, keep your communities safe, keep the rest of us safe, help us, please.
We’re at a time when everyone is getting stir-crazy, and looking for ways to be legally compliant with isolation regulations, while still getting some sunshine, exercise, making discretionary trips, supporting the economy, making money, gathering the flock.
This morning, I’m thinking about the spirit of the law, and how not much has changed in 2000 years. And yes, murder is bad. But the reason it’s bad is because it’s the ultimate of non-love. That’s why anger, insult, accusation, jealousy are also bad. Not that we are expected to never be angry, but we need to remember that all of these actions are counter to what we’re asked to do and be. Love God. Love your neighbor.
Likewise, opening one denomination of churches before the rest of the faith community has had a chance to stand together may be legalistically acceptable. And maybe some think it’s a way to show love for neighbor, but only some neighbors. Today, I want to continue to focus on the spirit of the law. I want to support the intent of our leaders who are trying to keep us safe, regardless of whether I could find a legalistic loophole to let me do what I want.
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