Holiness, Love, & Forgiveness

It’s the final week of our close reading of Matthew 5 – which is the first third of the Sermon on the Mount. Each week, Jesus has increased the counter-intuitive nature of disicpleship – and we end with some very tough words. And we will spend time unpacking what made sense in the Jesus time – but sounds a bit odd for our context today.

So where does the holiness come in?  Glad you asked.  Our lesson from Leviticus comes from a section known as the Holiness Codes and right away, we learn a most important thing:  YOU are holy because God is holy and desired the same for you. And when we talk about holy here, it’s not about being part of a separate community or cult. Holiness in Leviticus (and perfection in Matthew) refer to a completion of community in one another because God is holy and so are we,

This is a lesson that we learn time and again in both the Hebrew and Christian scriptures – because it does change everything.

And that is Good News.

Beloved, know that whoever you are and wherever you are on your faith journey that you are most welcome and invited to Shepherd of the Hills.

In Christ,
Pastor Tina +