First Sunday after Christmas
Notes
Transcript
A New Law
A New Law
There’s a lot of politics involved in Christmas gifts.
For Christmas I have recieved three different mugs across 2 years. I love them all. I want to honor the givers equally.
Metal Mug from O’Loughlins
Ember mug from a longtime friend
Best boss mug from Jodie
REI from roommate
These were each given out of generosity and kindness, with no obligation whatsoever.
The greater challenge is that I feel obligated.
Did you hear that? I feel that way. (Not actually obligated)
There are two types of law at play in our world:
Nomos- The law of Moses, the Good right and salutary things (Don’t murder, pay your taxes, don’t covet)
Ethos- way of doing things, Customs, Traditions, Polite Society- cultural
And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law,
Both forms of law are mentioned here.
Mary has to fulfill the levitcal law: the encouragement to meet with God and one another
It is her culture to be obedient to the Mosaic Laws
Christian nation - US for a long time had a Judeo Christian Culture, not so with laws.
And if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement for her, and she shall be clean.”
Mary and Joseph were POOR!
I know Pastors that refuse to baptize babies if the parents are not members of the church. (Customs)
We do this when we guilt people into coming to church or giving. We use their poverty of time, or knowledge to compel them into some sort of physical obedience.
Christian culture is the worst at this (Have to use Christian.. lawyer, dr, accountant, teacher, dentist, tire manufacturer) - JUST USE A GOOD ONE!
Driven out of some odd sense of guilt.
Many of us respond more to Cultural pressure than we do Love for the Lord.
Next week we’ll read about Jesus entering the temple as a child again:
Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.
You didn’t have to celebrate the Passover feast in Jerusalem. In fact, where was the first passover celebrated? In EGYPT!!
Jesus, Mary and Joseph experienced the same familial pressures you and I do!
Even if your parents never guilt you- we can still put pressure on ourselves to be obedient, to be pleasing to them. If not your family then your friends or employer.
Who are you trying to win the approval of? Yourself?
This is what makes Galatians 4:4 so profound.
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,
The way Paul understands the life of Jesus is that He came to fulfill all of the law, to identify with Humanity in every way. He lived under the pressure of man and God.
Do you remember this little passage from John’s crucifixion account?
But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.
Jesus died a death brought about by condemnation from Roman Law, communal condemnation, and Spiritual Sin.
Luther’s Works, Volume 26 5. To Redeem Those Who Were under the Law.
The Law did everything to Him that it did to us.
Then Jesus rose Demonstrating that He is Lord over all customs, laws and all created things.
As we said earlier in Psalm 111 “He has send redemption to His people, He has commanded His covenant forever”
We no longer relate to our God or each other as slaves, trying to earn our way into a good and proper relationship.
Instead we act like sons and daughters - specifically heirs.
We are no longer connected to one another out of the law, but out of grace!
What does that look like? FREEDOM. I still use each of these mugs but I use whatever works best for the situation I am in.
See, we may end up doing exactly the same things we would have if we were trying to live up to the law but there is no pressure, guilt or shame.
If we try to gain approval either through fulfilling customs or laws we will never fulfill the quota it takes to be accepted.
The only answer is to connect through a different medium, as one freely adopted.
Think about how we do this in communion, we come up, we receive the gifts and then we sing the Nunc Dimmitus.
“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;
You still go out into the world either way, either under grace or under law.
But the words of the Nunc are true and for you: Lord now let your servant depart in...
If we depart in conflict it is because we are still serving the law and not the Lord. Jesus has already given you peace.
The odd thing about our faith is that we are bound to the law, set free from it, and then decide to voluntarily take it up again in love for our neighbor because it is what is best.
This is the mantle of Christ. He came under the law, He died to the law, He lives again and now He graciously rules and orders all things for our benefit.
Examine your own life and one person that you relate (maybe yourself) with and ask, am I doing this out of obligation or grace?
May you know the unending, unmerited favor of God in the Lord Jesus Christ this Christmas and always. Amen.