The Reign of Christ

Grace, Mercy and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

What does it mean to be a Child of God or under the reign of Christ?

Reference to Pastor Roeglin’s sermon on the first of half of from last week (Jesus goes after the heart, echoing the words of Moses)

However, now Jesus, in the words of Dr. Jim Voelz, goes big game hunting.

The beginning of + topic of clean vs unclean can seem like a throw in by Mark (but a closer look says otherwise)

References to uncleanliness in Mark (Spirits + other references)

2 types of unclean (important and would be doing a disservice to not point out)

Akathartas - uncleanliness in the sense that they are not under the reign of Christ. They

Koinos - uncleanliness in a common way or not in full fellowship with God. My wife referred to this as “being in timeout.” In other, words here is God and the other believers, and here is you.

Persistence in Koinos can lead to Akathartas, but it’s important to know the difference.

Jesus not only in our Gospel lesson, but in this whole discussion in is talking about Koinos.

If you were with us last week, reference to Pastor Roeglin’s sermon on the first of half of from last week (Jesus goes after the heart, echoing the words of Moses)

Recap of discussion between Jesus, disciples and pharisees in .

Baseball analogy (Pitcher (Jesus) vs Batter (Pharisees))

Pharisees come up to the plate confident as can be, saying we got him this time. (calling out Jesus and his disciples (teammates))

However, now Jesus, in the words of Dr. Jim Voelz, goes big game hunting.

Jesus takes the hill and responds with a fastball for strike 1. (Isaiah Prophecy about only honoring God with their lips and not their hearts)

Pharisees are still confident, so Jesus throws another fastball for strike 2 (quotes Moses to show how they take human traditions too far)

Then before the Pharisees even get a chance to recover Jesus throws a big breaking curve ball for strike 3. A pitch so well thrown that everyone even the pharisees jaws drop to the ground. What did Jesus say? For that we turn to our Gospel lesson for today.

Turn to Gospel lesson

Turn to Gospel lesson

At this point Jesus is still talking to the disciples and the pharisees and now maybe even few more people have gathered around.

Now here’s where the big pitch is, Jesus hits them hard and fast with one phrase (verse 15)

Disciples and Pharisees who were all devout Jews and followed the Levitical law, would have been stunned by this phrase.

They would not have understood what Jesus was saying to them, because in this one phrase Jesus is overturning everything learned in the book of Leviticus.

Jesus is saying that no longer does food or other things make you unclean and not in full fellowship with God. Instead it is what is inside you, that comes out through your words and actions that makes you unclean and not in full fellowship with God.

This is a spectacularly shocking statement from Jesus because there were a lot of things under the levitical law, especially food, that could make a person unclean and now all foods are clean.

Which is why the disciples, when they have him alone, ask for clarification

However, Jesus seems to be a little frustrated with the disciples asking for clarification. Kind of like a, “really, after everything you have seen and heard me say you still don’t get it?”

However, Jesus not only clarifies what he meant, but goes even further with it.

Showing how all the wicked and evil things that people do comes from inside their hearts and minds.

He does this with a list of 12 ways that people are evil and become defiled. Which as you probably noticed all come straight out of the 10 commandments. However, a closer look shows that the 1st nine words deal with commandments 4 through 10 and how we relate to others, while the last 3 deal with commandments 1 through 3 and how we relate to God.

But why? Is Jesus re-establishing the 10 commandments for everyone?

Far from it, instead Jesus is shifting the focus from laws, regulations and traditions to what really matters our relationships.

For Jesus what matters is not what the law says, but what stands behind the law.

Jesus is taking the

Love.

Love for others and love for God.

13:10 Love fulfills all the commands and all the laws of God.

For the law was not given to be a burden for us, but instead to be a guide as to how we can show love to God and to others.

We may not have recognized it and the disciples certainly didn’t, but Jesus was bringing about a new reality that changes everything.

A reality that only He can bring for He is the Son of God and the one who through the sacrifice of His body and blood brought about the new covenant and His reign and rule.

The Prophets predicted this new reign and rule in in and .

And the Gospel writers confirmed this. In Jesus all things did come to be. In Him the law is brought to an end and is completed. In Him , all things come to pass.

Which is why, Paul never argues that the 10 commandments have been re-established, but instead that we are made holy and justified by God and are a part of the new reality brought by Jesus Christ. Therefore, we should act that way.

We should strive to love the Lord our God above all things and love our neighbors as ourselves just as Christ commanded us to do.

Therefore the next time you want to criticize someone or look at someone and judge them for how they look or what they are doing. Ask yourself, “Am I doing what Christ commanded me to do? Am I showing love for God and others through my words and actions?”

For we should always remember the words of “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

Always remember that through your baptism you have been made a part of God’s family and the new reign of Christ.

And that is something that you should share with everyone you come into contact with. Amen.

Now may the peace that surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.