Deuteronomy 17:2-13 (NRSV)
Punishment for sin in community
If there is found among you, in one of your towns that the Lord your God is giving you, a man or woman who does what is evil in the sight of the Lord your God, and transgresses his covenant by going to serve other gods and worshiping them -- whether the sun or the moon or any of the host of heaven, which I have forbidden -- and if it is reported to you or you hear of it, and you make a thorough inquiry, and the charge is proved true that such an abhorrent thing has occurred in Israel, then you shall bring out to your gates that man or that woman who has committed this crime and you shall stone the man or woman to death. On the evidence of two or three witnesses the death sentence shall be executed; a person must not be put to death on the evidence of only one witness. The hands of the witnesses shall be the first raised against the person to execute the death penalty, and afterward the hands of all the people. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.
If a judicial decision is too difficult for you to make between one kind of bloodshed and another, one kind of legal right and another, or one kind of assault and another -- any such matters of dispute in your towns -- then you shall immediately go up to the place that the Lord your God will choose, where you shall consult with the levitical priests and the judge who is in office in those days; they shall announce to you the decision in the case. Carry out exactly the decision that they announce to you from the place that the Lord will choose, diligently observing everything they instruct you. You must carry out fully the law that they interpret for you or the ruling that they announce to you; do not turn aside from the decision that they announce to you, either to the right or to the left. As for anyone who presumes to disobey the priest appointed to minister there to the Lord your God, or the judge, that person shall die. So you shall purge the evil from Israel. All the people will hear and be afraid, and will not act presumptuously again.
Reflection
It all sounds a little familiar. Sounds like some trumped up charges brought against Jesus. It was the duty of all the people who encountered idol worship. Was Jesus an idol? Was this so called Father of his an idol? Jesus wouldn't confess to the Father thing he kept speaking of as being an idol. Jesus and the Father were one. Jesus is Truth. Jesus and the Father is God. But we need two witnesses to bring him to trial. --- that person shall die --- purge the evil...
Let us love one another. Let us love God and one another. Jesus is life and truth and hope and salvation. Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Lord, when I jump in with the crowd, slow me down to look for your truth and your way so that harsh decisions are not made with life. For you are the author of life. Teach me to love and act justly in your will and your way... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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