Saturday, August 7, 2021

The Ten Commandments

John Stromgren

The Fifth Commandment

There are probably not that many people who could name all ten commandments, but here’s one that most everyone knows. Martin Luther provides a life-giving explanation of this commandment in hisSmall Catechism:

“You shall not kill.”

What does this mean for us? We are to fear and love God so that we do not hurt our neighbor in any way, but help him in all his physical needs.

Not only should we not hurt others – we should help them. You might think that Luther is taking liberties here by going beyond the text, but isn’t that what Jesus does when he talks about this commandment in the Sermon on the Mount? “You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder,’ but I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment. . . . If you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.” Anger leads to violence. We know that. Counteract it. Seek peace. Incidentally, this act of reconciliation that Jesus talks about has been ritualized in our worship service as the Sharing of the Peace. It comes right before the offering. You might have thought of it as a half-time break, but it’s actually a reminder: Before you bring our offering, make peace with your neighbor.