Audio recording Sermon manuscript: You’ve probably heard it said that there are two tables or tablets of the Law. The Ten Commandments can be divided into two groups. There are commandments that have to do with God—that’s the first table of the Law. Then there are commandments that have to do with other people—that’s the second table of the Law. The first three commandments, “You shall have no other Gods,” “You shall not misuse the Name of the Lord your God,” and “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy,” have to do with God. The last seven commandments have to do with your neighbor. “Honor your father and your mother.” “You shall not murder.” “You shall not commit adultery.” “You shall not steal.” “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.” And, “You shall not covet.” When it comes to how well people understand the commandments, there is a big difference between the first table of the Law and the second table of the Law. People well understand that a person should not murder or steal. Our government has strict laws on the books about these things. Anybody who is found guilty of murdering or stealing is severely punished. This earthly punishment does quite a bit in instructing us about what is right or wrong. Most people also know that committing adultery is wrong, but this isn’t nearly so clear as the wrongness of murdering or stealing. Our government’s laws against adultery, divorce, and other sexual perversions have been so relaxed that people might think that there’s nothing wrong with any of these things. However, the damage that these sins can do to the victim whom we can see and know will still make most people understand that there is something wrong with it. That seems to be a key part to whether we understand how something is wrong or not. If we can see the damage that it causes it is easier for us to understand. Coveting, for example, doesn’t seem to be too big of a deal to most people. It doesn’t seem to harm others that I am envious of them—so long as I don’t act on that envy. When someone is murdered, on the other hand, the hands are red, there is a mess to clean up, and people mourn the destruction of life. So perhaps you can see why people are much less sensitive to the seriousness of the first three commandments versus those commandments that have to do with our neighbor. Our government is practically built on the principle that no laws should be made about faith in God, worship, or religious instruction. This gives a very strong impression to people that a person’s relationship with God is totally optional and a mere matter of personal preference. This may not have been our forefather’s intent, but it has certainly been the result. The government gets involved in the important matters of life. Since the government does not get involved in our relationship with God, it is inevitable that people will think that religion is unimportant. Whether a person believes, prays, or hears God’s Word is seen as though it is hardly more than a hobby. Some people like to pray. Other people like to play tennis. Who cares? It is also the case that people have a hard time seeing the harm their breaking of the commandments against God might have. Where’s the blood? Where’s the destruction of property? Where are the tears of the victim? There aren’t any. It’s a victimless crime, seemingly. It doesn’t appear to make any difference whether a person believes in God or not, whether God is prayed to or not, whether a person gladly hears and learns his Word or not. So if we, like Jesus in our Gospel reading, were asked, “Which is the greatest commandment of the Law?” we would almost certainly respond, “Murder. Definitely murder.” After all, that is what we have been taught. Who receives the longest prison sentences? The harm that murder causes to our society is such that punishment should be severe. Since there are no punishments for the commandments about God, they must be unimportant. Of course, as you know