6th Sunday after Epiphany
Scripture: Deuteronomy
30:15-20
This reading is part of Moses’s farewell sermon. They were
on the edge of the Promised Land, and Moses’s time was at its end. He would not
enter it, but Joshua would lead the people into it.[1]
In this part of his message Moses sets the covenant relationship with God in
terms of life and death, urging the people of Israel to choose life in faith
and obedience instead of death in the worship of idols. This reading matches
the theme of the Gospel lesson this week in which it is shown that God expects
people to obey his Law, but that the heart of our relationship with God is his
mercy and salvation, for none can keep the Law perfectly.
Teaching
There is a temptation when we read this passage to think
that the key to a right relationship with God is to do the things he commands.
However, there is more to this relationship than abject obedience. When Moses
speaks of walking in God’s ways by keeping his commandments, statutes, and
rules we should recall that God’s ways begins with salvation. Salvation is the
heart of our relationship with God, and obedience flows from holding fast to
him who is our life. As Christians, our obedience to God’s commands is rooted
in the salvation we have in Christ and joyful gratitude.
Note the broad terms in which Moses speaks of life and
death. God’s desire for us is life. Death is the great enemy of humankind and
the just consequence for our sin. Jesus died on the cross to defeat death for
us. He is our life. In him, we oppose the work of death. While this obviously
includes opposing things like abortion and euthanasia, it also includes seeking
justice for the oppressed, feeding the hungry, working to provide basic human
needs for all people, and comforting those who are harmed by the works of death.
Life
We do not have to look too far to see how death has its way
in the world. It is in our news daily, our entertainment is stooped in
violence, and to some death seems like the answer to their painful problems. We
have been given a message that meets death and overcomes it. Jesus took on
death on our behalf, died for us, and gives us life – a life we live now and
more fully in eternity. This makes us messengers of hope as we speak life in a
death steeped world.
Who needs a word of life and hope in your life? A child?
Your spouse? A friend? Your pastor? You? Consider how you can speak God’s good
into the life of someone you know.
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