Leviticus 19 and the Sermon on the Mount

Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. (Leviticus 19:1-2, NRSV)

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For every Sunday the lectionary appoints four Bible readings, generally an Old Testament reading that complements the Gospel reading in some way, a Psalm, a selection from a New Testament epistle that runs serially Sunday to Sunday without reference to the other readings, and a Gospel reading. The Christian church being about who Jesus was and what he said and did, the Gospel is prime, the climax of the readings. During the Epiphany season this year we are reading verses from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. This Sunday he will tell us to turn the other cheek and to love our enemies, concluding, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)

How does one become holy as God is holy? How does one be perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect? Well if the Bible is true, by minding God’s ethical laws, a code of chesed, which the King James Version translates lovingkindness. Moses says it in Leviticus, and Jesus says it again in Matthew. When you hear the lessons read in church on Sunday morning, pay attention to the relationship between the first lesson and the gospel. They both are God’s Word of holiness, lovingkindness. And I am particularly struck by these two verses:

"When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You shall not strip your vineyard bare, or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the alien: I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 19:9-10).

Why?! Why am I so struck by this particular verse?

For your Bible assignment today, read the Book of Ruth. It’s a short story and a great story that won’t take you but a few minutes, just stop and read it. Don’t know where it is? Easy! Old Testament: Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Joshua Judges Ruth. There is more and deeper to the Book of Ruth than the song “Wither thou goest I will go.” Literally because of this particular kindness law in Leviticus 19:9-10, King David was born! And not only David, but Jesus himself! In the Old Testament book of Ruth, Naomi allows her daughter-in-law to go out into the fields of her late husband’s kinsman Boaz and gather grain from around the edges of his fields. Naomi may hope that Ruth will catch Boaz’ eye as an attractive woman, and indeed that is what happens. In a subtly risque tale (Ruth chapter 3), Boaz falls head over heels in love with Ruth. They marry and have a son, who is Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of David the king.

But there’s more. Centuries later there’s more.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:1f. KJV)

The Leviticus 19 reading for Sunday is a collection of ethical guidance that ties right into the gospel reading from Matthew 5:38-48, Jesus still preaching his Sermon on the Mount, a collection of ethical teachings about how people should treat each other. But I was so taken with Leviticus 19:9-10 that I was thrown off the Lectionary track by remembering the story of Naomi and Ruth, Ruth picking up the gleanings in Boaz’ grain fields. And all that came of Boaz' lovingkindness to this Gentile great-grandmother of King David.

This Gentile great great great ... grandmother of Jesus the Son of God.

All because of lovingkindness.

Which is all that God requires of us to be holy as He is holy; to be perfect as He is perfect:

Lovingkindness.

TomW+