Old Testament Reading: Psalm 5

“TO THE CHOIRMASTER: FOR THE FLUTES. A PSALM OF DAVID. Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch. For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you. Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me. For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue. Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you. But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.” (Psalm 5, ESV)

New Testament Reading: Luke 20:19-26

“The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. So they asked him, ‘Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?’ But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, ‘Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?’ They said, ‘Caesar’s.’ He said to them, ‘Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.” (Luke 20:19–26, ESV)

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Please excuse any typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church but without the benefit of proofreading.

A Great Power Struggle

What we see here in this portion of Luke’s Gospel is best described as a power struggle between the chief priests, scribes, and elders and Jesus. 

Our text begins, “The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on [Jesus] at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people” (Luke 20:19, ESV). 

When Luke says, “the scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on [Jesus]”, he means they wanted to lay hands on him to do him harm.

Why did they wish to do him harm? For many reasons, no doubt. But Luke says it was especially because “they perceived that he had told this parable against them…” This is a reference to the parable we considered two Lord’s Days ago, found in the previous passage. Do you remember it? 

When Christ was teaching in the temple, he was confronted by the chief priests, scribes, and elders of Israel. They approached him and said, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority” (Luke 20:2, ESV). 

Can you see the power struggle? Jesus was a threat to these men.  They enjoyed power and authority within Israel, and Jesus threatened to take it away as he taught in the temple and as the multitude flocked to him. 

In brief, Christ claimed that, like John the Baptist, his power and authority were from God, not man. And after this, he told a parable. It is a parable about a vineyard owner who went away on a long journey and leased his vineyard to tenants. These tenants were wicked tenants, though. When the owner of the vineyard sent his servants to get some of the produce, they beat them and treated them shamefully. Finally, the owner of the vineyard sent his beloved son, saying, “Perhaps they will respect him” (Luke 20:13, ESV). But these wicked tenants conspired against the son to kill him, saying, “This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours” (Luke 20:14, ESV).

When all is considered, the vineyard represents Old Covenant Israel, the owner represents God, the servants represent the prophets of old, the beloved son represents Jesus the Messiah, and the wicked tenants represent the principle of men of Israel—men like the chief priests, scribes, and elders. The parable concludes with a question: “What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them?” Answer: “He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others” (Luke 20:15–16, ESV).

The parable that Jesus told was a condemnation of the principal men of Israel, and they knew it.  And so our text for today begins with these words: “The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on [Jesus] at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them…”

When Luke adds, “but they feared the people”, he informs us that the chief priests, scribes, and elders could not directly oppose Jesus because of the people. So large and zealous was the multitude that followed Jesus, the principal men of Israel could not lay hands on Jesus in a direct way because they feared the people. They had to proceed against him in a crafty way.   

[Friends, can you see that this was a great power struggle? Many had submitted to Jesus as Lord and Savior, but these principal men of Isarel would not submit, for to submit to Jesus as God’s beloved son, the King of God’s kingdom, and heir of God’s vineyard, would mean the loss of their power and prestige within the world. This was a very great power struggle. Everyone could see it. And it illustrates the power struggle experienced in the mind and heart of all who hear the good news of Jesus Christ. In brief, the gospel of Jesus Christ is the good news that God has provided a Savior, Christ the Lord, and that all who trust in him will have their sins forgiven and life everlasting in the blessed presence of God. But what does truly trusting in Christ involve? It involves turning from sin to Christ, confessing him as Lord. It involves bowing the knee to Jesus and honoring him as King. As Christ has said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:24-26, ESV). All who hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and this call to faith and repentance will certainly experience this power struggle within themselves. Essentially, the question is this: Will I be the Lord of my life, or will Christ? Will I trust in myself, or in Christ? Will I live for my glory, or Christ’s? This is the power struggle that all will face when they hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and are called to faith and repentance. For some, the struggle will be great, as it was for Paul, who kicked against the goads (Acts 26:14). Others, by the grace of God, will quickly bow the knee to Jesus. But I do believe that all who are called by the gospel externally will experience this power struggle. Only those called inwardly by the Spirit will submit to Jesus and confess him is Lord (Romans 10:9; John 6:44; 1 Corinthians 12:3). But even true Christ followers will sometimes struggle to submit themselves to Christ the King, for the flesh still wars against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. I suppose the whole process of sanctification could be described as a power struggle. In fact, we confess that “sanctification is throughout, in the whole man, yet imperfect in this life; there abideth still some remnants of corruption in every part, whence ariseth a continual and irreconcilable war; the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh” (Second London Confession 12.2)]

For most, the power struggle is personal, and no more. Will you submit to Jesus as Lord to have him as Savior? That is the question. But for those in positions of leadership within God’s Covenant community, the power struggle has a broader impact. It should be clear to all that this power struggle between Jesus and the leading men of Israel was not only about their personal relationship to Jesus and their personal salvation at stake, for these men were leaders. They represented the people and the nation. Or to use the language of the previous parable, these were the tenants of Old Covenant Israel. So then, it was not only their personal salvation at stake, but also their tenure. Do not forget what Christ said in the parable. Because these men would reject and kill the son, the vineyard owner would “come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others” (Luke 20:16, ESV).

Hardness Of Heart Put On Display

Notice, secondly, the hardness of heart displayed by these leaders of Israel. 

Look with me at verse 20: “So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor” (Luke 20:20, ESV).

Clearly, these men had no interest in Jesus. They were not open to the possibility that he was the Messiah as he claimed. Their hearts were hard toward him, and their minds were resolute. They were determined to find some way to destroy him.

“So they watched him”, the text says. They watched him carefully, not with an open mind, to see if he was indeed the Lord’s Messiah, but to find a way to bring him down. 

They even sent spies in to mingle amongst the disciples of Jesus. Luke tells us that these “pretended to be sincere”. This means they pretended to be true disciples of Jesus, or at least to be asking him sincere questions, but in reality, they wished to catch him in something so they might deliver him over to the authorities to be killed. 

[Dear brothers and sisters, we must not forget that the Evil One wars against Christ and his church in the same way even to this present day. There will always be false believers in our midst—false teachers and wolves in sheep’s clothing. Jesus warned of this in the days of his earthly ministry, saying, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits (Matthew 7:15–16, ESV). Peter warned of this in his second epistle, saying, “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies… And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep” (2 Peter 2:1–3, ESV). And Paul reports that this was a reality in the churches of Galatia, saying, “Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you” (Galatians 2:4–5, ESV). 

The point I am making is this: the church must always be on guard as it pertains to this tactic of the Evil One. The Evil One is constantly warring against Christ and his church. We must not forget that he is crafty and cunning. He disguises himself as an angel of light. One of the ways that Satan disrupts churches is to infiltrate them with people who pretend to be sincere. “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work” (Titus 1:16, ESV).

How can a church protect itself against infiltrators? Two things are needed. One, the church must be careful when receiving new members. Who is to be received into the membership of the church? Answer: All who make a credible profession of faith are to be received. Two, the church must be faithful in discipline so that those who, over time, destroy the credibility of their profession by holding to false doctrines that undermine the foundation of the faith or by living an unholy and unrepentant life are removed from the church. 

Brothers and sisters, there is a ditch on both sides of this road. On the one hand, we must be careful not to judge too strictly so that those new to the faith or who are weak or immature in faith are barred from the church and the sacraments. Paul says in Romans 16:1, “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions” (Romans 14:1, ESV). It is possible for someone to have weak but true faith, and these must be received into the church so they might grow. On the other hand, we must not be so open, undiscerning, and naive that we receive those who are unbelieving and insincere into church membership and give that which is holy to the dogs (see Matthew 7:6). 

When I say that the church must always be on guard, I mean both the members and the elders must do their part. 

Dear brothers and sisters, church members must not be sleepy and disengaged as it pertains to the government and discipline of the church. Ultimately, it is the members of a church who receive new members and covenant to walk with them in the ways of the Lord. It is also the members of the church who must judge in church discipline cases. Christ says, “If he refuses to listen to them [the two or three witnesses], tell [of the unrepentant sin] to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector” (Matthew 18:17, ESV). The members of the church must take an active role in preserving the purity, peace, and unity of the church. 

No doubt, the elders of the church have a special role to play. They must lead in the government of the church. They must oversee disciplinary cases. And they must authoritatively declare the decisions of the church. It is true, the elders of the church have a special responsibility to guard the doors of the church, spiritually speaking. I was recently reminded of a quote from John Calvin concerning the pastor’s responsibility to protect the flock. “The pastor ought to have two voices: one, for gathering the sheep; and another, for warding off and driving away wolves and thieves. The Scripture supplies him with the means of doing both…” (John Calvin and William Pringle, Commentaries on the Epistles to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010), 296.) It is true, pastors and elders have a special responsibility to protect the flock against false believers and false teachers, but the members of the church must also be on guard against insincere and divisive persons.] 

By inserting this point of application, by no means am I criticizing Christ or his disciples for allowing these “spies, who pretended to be sincere,” to infiltrate the multitude. For one, this was not a settled or fully formed church,  but a rather chaotic scene. Many had flocked to Jesus to hear his words. Not all were sincere. Two, ministers and members cannot help it if insincere persons assemble with the church. Our church assemblies should be open to non-believers and to those who are inquiring concerning the Christian faith. The question is, what will pastors and members do with those who prove to be insincere, full of falsehood, and divisiveness? Will these be tolerated, or expelled? We should remember Paul’s words to Titus: “As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him” (Titus 3:10, ESV). Three, it was the will of God that these spies be permitted to infiltrate the crowd. What they did was exceedingly sinful, but God decreed to use it to lead to the crucifixion of Christ and the accomplishment of our salvation (see Acts 2:22ff.).

Clearly, the hearts of the chief priests, scribes, and elders were very hard. They hated Christ. They were not open to his teachings. They were determined to lay their hands on him to do him harm,  and so they sent in spies who pretended to be sincere to catch Jesus in something he said so they might deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. So you can see their plan. They could not stop Jesus on their own. They would attempt to stop him by setting him at odds with the Roman authorities. 

A Question Designed To Trap

Notice, thirdly, the question they asked Jesus in an attempt to trap him. 

Look at verse 21. “So they asked him, ‘Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God…” (Luke 20:21, ESV). These men attempted to flatter Jesus. This was in fulfillment to Psalm 5, which we read earlier: “For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue. Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you” (Psalm 5:9–10, ESV).

Their question is found in verse 22: “Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?”” (Luke 20:22, ESV). By asking this question, they tried to put Jesus on the horns of a dilemma. They thought, if Jesus answers “yes” the multitudes will abandon him, for many were still hoping for a political Messiah, one who would oppose and overthrow the Romans. And if Jesus answered “no”, Jesus would find himself at odds with the Romans, for the governments of the world will not tolerate their citizens refusing to pay their taxes. If you wish to be viewed by the government as a rebel and seditionist, refuse to pay your taxes. You’ll soon see how they interpret that act! 

Earlier, the chief priests, scribes, and elders attempted to trap Jesus by saying to  him, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority” (Luke 20:2, ESV). They wished to know if Jesus claimed his authority came from God or man. Jesus answered in a very winsome way, and so this trap didn’t work.  Now they try another tactic. This time they try to pit the authority of Jesus against the authority of the civil government. “Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?”” (Luke 20:22, ESV), they asked. 

A Winsome Reply

Again, Jesus replied in a winsome way. 

Look at verse 23: “But he perceived their craftiness…” (Luke 20:23, ESV). The word “craftiness” catches my attention. It shows that these men were not lovers of truth and lovers of God. No, their behavior resembles the behavior of Satan.

This same Greek word appears in other places in the Bible. 

It appears in 2 Corinthians 11:3, where Paul warns Christians, saying,  “But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning [craftiness], your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3, ESV).

In Ephesians 4:14 Paul warns the Christian not to be deceived by crafty schemes. There he teaches that pastors and teachers have been given to the church to do the work of the ministry, “so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes” (Ephesians 4:14, ESV.)

[Beware of crafty and cunning schemes, brothers and sisters. And beware of those who employ them.] 

In 2 Corinthians 4:2, Paul states that he and the other Apostles would have nothing to do with crafty schemes: “But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 4:2, ESV).

[All Christians, and especially ministers of the word, must follow Paul’s example. We must be about the truth, pure and simple. We must renounce “disgraceful, underhanded ways” and “refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word…”

 In 1 Corinthians 3:19, Paul comforts us with the truth that God will judge those who are crafty. “For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their craftiness…’” (1 Corinthians 3:19, ESV). This is a citation from Job 5:13, which says, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are brought to a quick end” (Job 5:13, ESV). Jesus is about to demonstrate this principle in his reply to these crafty ones. 

In verse 24, we hear Jesus say to them, “‘Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?’ They said, ‘Caesar’s.’ He said to them, ‘Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent” (Luke 20:24–26, ESV).

A denarius was a Roman coin worth about a day’s wage. Like with our coins, Roman coins would be struck with images on them. This particular coin had an image of the Roman Emporer on it. And so he said, “Then render [or make payment] to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Luke 20:25, ESV).

This answer from Jesus was very wise and instructive. 

It was wise because by this answer, he freed himself from the horns of a dilemma. By this answer, he showed that there was no real dilemma or conflict between Jesus’ authority and the authority of Rome. These Old Covenant Jews thought there was conflict. The nation of Old Covenant Israel was at this time under Roman occupation, and they wished to be free and independent. They hated paying taxes to Rome, therefore, because it was a sign of their continued subjugation.  But the kingdom Christ came to establish does not function this way. He did not come to establish an earthly kingdom that would be at odds with Rome, but an eternal kingdom without land or borders. “Render [or make payment] to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Luke 20:25, ESV).

This answer is instructive because it shows us that under the New Covenant, God’s people will live as sojourners and exiles simultaneously as citizens of two kingdoms: the kingdom of Christ, and a kingdom of this world—be it Rome or some other. When Christ said, “Render [or make payment] to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Luke 20:25, ESV), he clearly communicated that his disciples would need to be faithful citizens in both kingdoms. Some things would be owed to Caesar, and some things would be owed to God.  

Paul elaborates on the things owed to Caesar in chapter 13 of his epistle to the Romans, saying, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” (Romans 13:1–7, ESV).

And what are the things owed to God? They can be summed up with the words love, worship, and obedience. By this answer, Christ shows that subjection to civil magistrates is not necessarily inconsistent with the reverence and fear we owe to God. 

[Christ followers must strive, therefore, to be good citizens in both the kingdoms of Christ and the nations of this earth in which we live. It helps a great deal to remember that though these kingdoms differ greatly as it pertains to their purpose and adminstration, Christ is Lord of both,  for “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to [him]” (Matthew 28:18, ESV).]

Conclusion

Our text concludes with these words in verse 26: “And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch [Jesus] in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent” (Luke 20:26, ESV). Soon, the authorities would lay their hands on Jesus to do him harm, but it must be remembered that Jesus was innocent. Peter stressed this in his sermon on the day of Pentecost, saying, “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it” (Acts 2:22–24, ESV).

Baptist Catechism 68 – 71

Q. 68. Which is the fifth commandment?

A. The fifth commandment is, “Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” (Exodus 20:12)

Q. 69. What is required in the fifth commandment?

A. The fifth commandment requireth the preserving the honor, and performing the duties, belonging to everyone in their several places and relations, as superiors, inferiors, or equals. (Lev. 19:32; 1 Peter 2:17; Rom. 13:1; Eph. 5:21,22; Eph. 6:1,5,9; Col. 3:19-22; Rom. 12:10)

Q. 70. What is forbidden in the fifth commandment?

A. The fifth commandment forbideth the neglecting of, or, doing anything against the honor and duty which belongeth to everyone in their several places and relations. (Prov. 30:17; Rom. 13:7,8)

Q. 71. What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment?

A. The reason annexed to the fifth commandment is a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it shall serve God’s glory and their own good), to all such as keep this commandment. (Eph. 6:2,3; Prov. 4:3-6; 6:20-22)

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 4

“Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching. When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.” Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many. I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble. Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life. Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on. For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble. For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble. My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.” (Proverbs 4, ESV)

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Please excuse any typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church but without the benefit of proofreading.

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Introduction

I have come to really love and appreciate the instruction that our catechism provides on the Ten Commandments. One thing I appreciate is the breadth of the interpretation. Our catechism does not give us a narrow interpretation of the Ten Commandments, but a broad one. In other words, these commandments are teased out a little so we might see their implications. And it is right for the Ten Commandments to be teased out, for this is what the Scriptures do, and this is what Christ himself did. We confess that the Ten Commandments contain a summary of God’s moral law. And you know what a summary is. A summary provides a brief or concise account of something. It does not tell the whole story. The Ten Commandments contain God’s moral law, in summary form. 

So, the fifth commandment, which is “Honor thy father and thy mother”, does not merely require little children to respect their parents. No, properly understood, it requires us “to  preserve the honor, and perform the duties, belonging to everyone in their [various] places and relations, as superiors, inferiors, or equals.” Stated negatively, it forbids “the neglecting of, or, doing anything against the honor and duty which [belongs] to everyone in their [various]  places and relations.” In other words, the fifth commandment requires us to show respect to all people, taking into consideration their relation to us as either superiors, inferiors, or equals. Notice, or catechism teaches that it is not only superiors, like parents, who are to be respected but equals and inferiors too, each in a fitting way. 

Let me ask you, brothers and sisters, where is this respectful behavior first learned? In the home. It is in the family environment where children are taught to show honor and respect to others. First, they learn to show honor to their parents. Second, if they have siblings, they learn to honor them as equals. And third, they are taught to take this respectful behavior with them out into the world to apply in every realm. “The fifth commandment requireth the preserving the honor, and performing the duties, belonging to everyone in their several places and relations, as superiors, inferiors, or equals.”

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Baptist Catechism 69 & 70

Notice that the fifth commandment is the first commandment of the second table of God’s law. The first table of the law (commandments 1-4) has to do with our relationship to God and the worship of his name. The second table of the law (commandments 5-10) has to do with our relationship to our fellow man. We should not be surprised to see that the fifth commandment, just like the first commandment, is foundational. 

Where do we start if we wish to relate to our fellow man in the right way? We must start by learning to show honor to others. And the very first people we must learn to honor are our parents.       

My time is very limited in this second portion of our liturgy, and so I will not expand upon this much. But think of how devastating the breakdown of the family is to society. Think of how devastating it is for God’s moral law to be abandoned and suppressed within a society. If God’s law is not honored, and if children are not taught to honor God and man within the home, then do not be surprised when that society grows very sinful. 

Notice that our catechism says that we must “preserve the honor” of others. Does this not imply that men and women possess a certain kind of dignity by nature? Yes, and this is because all humans are made in the image of God. And add to this the place that God has given them in the world. Each position or place within society, be it high or low, demands a certain kind of honor or respect. This honor is to be preserved. Does this phrase not also imply that we, because of our sinful condition, do tend to show dishonor to others? Throughout the history of the world, the weak have been exploited by the strong. This cannot be. And men often will slander other men. This is also a great evil. Not only are we to show honor to others who have been made in God’s image, but we must also seek to preserve their honor. So this may involve standing up for the weak and oppressed and rebuking the gossiper or slanderer to preserve the reputation of another.

Next, our catechism speaks of “performing the duties, belonging to everyone”. When I think of the instruction to preserve the honor… belonging to everyone”, I think of defense. We must defend the honor of others. But the words, “performing the duties, belonging to everyone”, communicates that we are to positively and proactively give to others the honor that is due to them. 

Children owe their parents honor in the form of respect and obedience. Children, honor your parents. You must. God commands it. And when you fail to honor your parents, you must repent. That means that you must confess your sin to God, for you sin against him when you dishonor your parents. You must ask him to forgive you in Christ Jesus. And you must also ask your parents to forgive you, for you have done wrong to them. You have failed to give them what they deserve as your parent, that is, respect and obedience. You must also ask the Lord to help you not to stumble again. Children owe their parents honor in the form of respect and obedience. Citizens owe respect to governing authorities; congregants owe respect to their ministers; wives owe respect to their husbands; employees owe respect to their employers. On and on I could go. 

But I do love this little phrase, “ in their several places and relations, as superiors, inferiors, or equals.” It helps us to remember that honor is owed, not only to those who are over us, but also to those who stand beside us and are under us. Husbands, honor your wives, therefore. Am I now contradicting the scriptures which say, “Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” No! I am only drawing your attention to what is said next in that same passage—“Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.” So do you see that there is a special kind of honor that a wife owes to her husband, and there is a special kind of honor that a husband owes to his wife? Yes, the husband has authority in the home, but honor is to be shown to all. As Peter says, “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered” (1 Peter 3:7, ESV). In a similar way, governors owe a certain kind of honor to their citizens. Bosses owe a certain kind of honor to their employees. And parents are even called to honor their children. “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged” (Colossians 3:21, ESV). “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4, ESV).

I hope you are able to see, brothers and sisters, that the fifth commandment is foundational. It sets the standard, not only for the relationship between child and parent, but for all human relationships. Honor is to be shown to all in a way that is fitting. Or to use another term, love is to be shown. And I’m sure you remember how Christ summed up the whole law with the word love. Love God with all you are, and love your neighbor as yourself. In fact, listen to the way he summed up the second table of the law as he spoke to a rich young man who was covetous. “And Jesus said, ‘You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 19:18–19, ESV). The law, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”, is the sum of the entirety of the second table of God’s moral law. 

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Baptist Catechism 71

In the remainder of our time together, I would like to briefly consider Baptist Catechism 71, which asks, “What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment?” “Annexed” is simply an old-fashioned word for added. “What is the reason [added or attached] to the fifth commandment?”

This is a question about the promise attached to the fifth commandment itself, which says, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12, ESV). So there is a blessing attached to the fifth commandment. In Ephesians 6:1, Paul says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’”, and then he adds, “this is the first commandment with a promise” (Ephesians 6:1–2, ESV). 

So what is this promise all about? Our catechism gives this answer: “The reason annexed to the fifth commandment is a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it shall serve God’s glory and their own good), to all such as keep this commandment.”

The little qualification, “as far as it shall serve God’s glory and their own good,” is meant to keep us from assuming that this is a guarantee. In other words, we should not take this to mean that every child who honors his parents will live a very long and prosperous life. No, life doesn’t work that way. The righteous do sometimes suffer and die young. 

Instead, we are to take this as a general rule. In fact, the Proverbs are filled with little principles like this. They are not promises, strictly speaking, but general principles. Those who obey God’s law and pursue wisdom will be blessed in life, generally speaking. And you know this to be true. Wise living usually produces good things. But not always. As I said, sometimes the righteous do suffer. In fact, I think that is one reason we have the book of Job. That book shows us that the righteous do sometimes suffer. But what is the general principle in this promise attached to the fifth commandment?

Well, we should remember that the Ten Commandments were originally given to Israel as a nation. If Israel were to obey this law, it would be blessed in the land. But Paul also applies this same law to New Covenant Christians who do not have a homeland. And to us, he says, “‘Honor your father and mother’ (this is the first commandment with a promise), ‘that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land [or earth]’” (Ephesians 6:2–3, ESV).

Here is the principle. Though it is true that God may have other plans and purposes, in general, it is true that keeping this commandment will be rewarded with good things in this life. Good things will come to you because the blessing of God is on you. And also, good things will come to you because of the so-called natural consequences of your actions. Those who are rebellious will most often suffer difficulty, whereas those who honor God and their fellow man will most often enjoy the blessings that come with that way of life. You have witnessed this, I’m sure. 

And indeed this is true when it comes to all of God’s commandments. There is a blessing in them. There is life in them. No, we do not keep them perfectly, so we need a Savior. But God’s law is good. God’s law is not burdensome. 

Proverbs 4, which was read at the start of this sermon, speaks to this reality. It begins, “Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching.” And then later it says, “Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown. Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many.”

And I would like to show you this same principle in Paul’s instructions to husbands. He says, among other things, “In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself” (Ephesians 5:28, ESV). Oh, how true that is. Brothers, do you want it good? Then love your wives with the love of Christ. And sisters, do you want it good, then honor your husbands in the Lord. Children, do you want it good? Then honor your father and mother—indeed, give everyone the honor that is due to them. 

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Conclusion

Friends, I’ll conclude with this question: Have you kept this law perfectly? No, we have violated this law in thought, word, and deed. Let us turn from our sins to Christ for the forgiveness of our sins. And by God’s grace and with the strength he provides, let us strive to keep his law from this day forward, out of gratitude for all God has done, for his glory and our good,