"But Jesus & The Black Church Say; Series

Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany – “But Jesus & The Black Church Say; #Black Church Matters”

February 12, 2023 Matthew 5:21-37 Color: Green

Matthew 5:21-37

New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised

Concerning Anger

21 ‘You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not murder”; and “whoever murders shall be liable to judgement.” 22 But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister,[a] you will be liable to judgement; and if you insult[b] a brother or sister,[c] you will be liable to the council; and if you say, “You fool”, you will be liable to the hell[d] of fire. 23 So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister[e] has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister,[f] and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court[g] with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

Concerning Adultery

27 ‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery.” 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.[h] 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.[i]

Concerning Divorce

31 ‘It was also said, “Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.” 32 But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Concerning Oaths

33 ‘Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.” 34 But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let your word be “Yes, Yes” or “No, No”; anything more than this comes from the evil one.[j]

But I say to you “But Jesus & The Black Church Says to You”

Have you ever really listened to two friends talk about their football teams? I mean have your really ever seen folks go at it? As clergy, we have an annual meeting at the beach called the Carolina Clergy Retreat. This is a time for the Pastors in South Carolina North Carolina and Western North Carolina to get to know one another while also getting some tips on ministry and serving the people uniquely kissed by God's Sun. During one of the meetings at the meal table, I heard Bishop James Swanson and Bishop L. Johnathan Holston. To my sheer delight have a real knock-out drag-out debate about whose Football team was the best. Bishop Holston being a Green Bay Fan and Bishop Swanson being a Cowboy fan 30 minutes into the discussion I realized that the real fun in the debates had nothing to do with football the Ice bowl or team sports. The conversation behind the conversation was an age-old form of debate practice to see who could raise the best argument as to why they were speaking from heart and passion. In other words, it was not what they were saying but the real meaning behind the words.

I have come to understand that this is the same thing happening in the text in this part of the sermon from Jesus.

Jesus is issuing statements about the major issues of the Day. Anger/ murder; Adultery; Divorce; and Keeping your Word. Jesus’s method of dealing with all these hot-button topics is to present A Radicalized Ethic. The same kind of ethic that made the Black Church so powerful and is keeping it powerful today. A way of saying words with a level of meaning and understanding. What Jesus was doing is what we have had to do as Blacks in these yet-to-be United States of America. He was making the point on the street level of understanding. You will understand these issues of faith and legalism if I can make them personal.