Knowing the Law

Lent 2: Knowing the Law Exodus 20:1-17 Psalm 19:1-14 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 John 2:13-22 Think you're a law-abiding citizen? It is possible you've broken one of these strange Canadian laws without even realizing it. Did you know that it's illegal to have pet rats in Alberta? In Port Coquitlam, you can keep no more than 4 pet rats at a time. Makes you wonder what rat-catastrophe happened for this law to be in place! It is illegal to eat ice cream on Bank street in Ottawa on Sundays. Any other day is good, just keep it indoors on Sunday. Canada doesn't mess about when it comes to maple syrup; there is an entire act of regulations dedicated to the tasty sauce. There is one that states that it's illegal to claim a product is maple syrup when it's not; 'No person shall market a product in import, export or interprovincial trade in such a manner that it is likely to be mistaken for a maple product for which a grade or standard is established under these Regulations.' So, don't go around telling people that chocolate sauce is maple syrup, or you'll hear the sirens! Under Canada's Currency Act of 1985, there are limits to how many coins can be used in a single transaction. Merchants can refuse your money if you try to buy something with more than $5 in nickels, $25 in loonies or $40 in toonies. It's hard to keep the law if you do not know the law. Sporting games all have rules that need to be followed. Typically, penalties are given to those who violate the rules. Hit someone with a high stick in a hockey game, and you'll sit in the penalty box as punishment. Move before the snap of the ball in football will result in an off-side call, and a 5-yard penalty. Drive 100 kph in a 50 km zone will result in speeding ticket. God gave us laws to follow. They were codified and given to Moses on a set of tablets. They weren't new rules made up and given to Moses. These laws always existed but were finally written down for all to see. Ten "simple" rules: 1. Worship only God: You shall have no other gods before me Exodus 20:3. 2. Don't worship objects: You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. Exodus 20:4-6 3. Don't misuse the name of God: You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. Exodus 20:7 4. Keep the sabbath day holy: Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore, the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. Exodus 20:8-11 5. Honor and respect our elders: Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you Exodus 20:12 6. You shall not murder Exodus 20:13 7. You shall not commit adultery. Exodus 20:14 8. You shall not steal. Exodus 20:15 9. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor Exodus 20:16 10. You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." Exodus 20:17 Seems like a straightforward list doesn't it? No obscure laws in this list of 10 commands. How often do we value material things...wanting the biggest, newest televisions; fancy homes; exotic vacation destinations rather than admiring natures beauty created by God. How often do we think we know better than our parents, our co-workers, our friends? How often do we keep holy days holy? How often do we envy the newer vehicle parked in our neighbor's driveway? Why then do we struggle to uphold these laws? We are not perfect. In fact, God recognizes that. It is the reason he sent his son Jesus to us, to atone for our sinful nature. As children of God, we sometimes struggle to follow these rules. As children of God, we also need to recognize our shortcomings, and reach out to God, reach out to those we've hurt, reach out and ask for forgiveness. And if there are those who have sinned against us, we need to reach out and forgive as well. Ten simple rules. I challenge you this week to memorize...or re-memorize this list. I challenge you to judge yourself. Are you breaking any of these laws? What do you need to fix in your life? Oh God, we have not listened to you, and we have not walked in all your commandments, and we have ignored your laws. The sin in my heart and in my life has caused panic and heart ache-both in me an in those around me. Even after you have shown us grace and mercy, we have walked contrary to your commandments. We have not listened to you, and we have continued to walk contrary to your direction. Humble our hearts before you, O God. You have kept Your covenant even when we have broken it. Remember us with grace. Amen.