Matthew 5:1-16

At the end of Tim Severin's book Viking:King's Man (p315-316) the central character proclaims "the worship of the White Christ suits men who seek to dominate others. It is not the belief of the humble, but of despots and tyrants" His statement and the arguments which support the statement have too much truth for comfort - and in wishing for a return to Christendom - are we really wishing for a return to a place of power & glory? Such a role does not sit comfortably to the way of Jesus - the one who rejected the temptation of power and glory - look at those blessings in Matthew 5- they are for the meek, the grieving, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers - not those who seek success on the the terms of the rich and powerful. Salt is good in small does what’s the effect of too much salt - too much light? 

Should the church be small but effective? small enough to know one another, care for one another, large enough to support one another? That is where we are but with weighed down by the past - emotionally, resources, structures, - it is time for liberation - for people to once again gather around God’s word and be faithful - not to be afraid -  I’m not sure I should be standing here in lecture mode having picked the theme, the hymns, the scripture, led the prayers - I’ve done it because it’s expected - why do you let me do it? 

There are times when I can’t believe I work for the institutional church - and yet this imperfect, flawed, exasperating church and it’s annoying people seems to be the way God has called us to work, to share, to know fellowship and learn of God, be strengthend to proclaim good news, live out good news, be good news - that shouldn’t stop us wondering, developing, reforming - Ecclesia Reformata, semper Reformata

Be salt, be light, be good news.

Once upon a time I was a Policeman and there was no way that I could enforce every broken law I cam across or be expected to know every law that was supposed to be enforced. Like everyone else I had my favourites,  particular bees in my bonnet and from time to time found that the law was inadequate for the situation particularly when faced with domestic violence. I hope that the way I worked was within the Spirit of the law and played a part in maintaining safety, security, peace.

Interpreting biblical law can create similar problems. Do we Interpret the literal word or the Spirit of the word?  Open Leviticus and we will find a whole series of laws some will cause a lot of head scratching viewed from our context others will seem to make sense - but can we pick & choose? Jesus is not just debating cleanliness - but how do we interpret Scripture? and here is a situation which  may have begun as sensible issues about cleanliness but has become the power to include and exclude - Jesus seeks to break the bonds of that system and include everyone - beginning with those who have been excluded. When we engage with Scripture we need to do so with our brain switched on - what is the context, what is relevance then & now, and how is this reviewed in the light of Christ’s gospel

The constants are grace, mercy, forgiveness -  that God gives life to be enjoyed, to be fulfilling and life-giving - if all the law, all the piety produces hatred, conflict, dis-ease amongst God’s people - surely it is not of God, certainly not what Scripture intends for us - so wash your hands - good hygene sense but it will make no difference to your purity before God, watch what you eat - makes good dietary sense - but it will not defile you before God - however to take in hatred, suspicion, abuse will affect the way you think, the way you behave - so take in the love of God, the goodness of people around you and let God's goodness flow from you into a world that needs the love of God.

Amos saw a wall that was so far from true that it was on the verge of crumbling away - and he spoke out, he showed people, he pointed out all that was wrong and he is told to flee - for Israel can not bear to hear his words. - how plumb is Israel’s wall today? - as we hear of the escalating violence in the Middle East - is the targeting of civilian targets, the killing of innocents a justifiable reaction to the capture of two soldiers - is the wall a legitimate defensive strategy or an act of aggression against an oppressed people? Is the refusal to grant travel passes to a group of children traveling to the UK the action of a people whose plumb line is true?