Teaching God’s love is the role of the whole community. Read Deuteronomy 6:8-9. In the United States, there have been efforts to post the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms, courthouses, and other government locations. As a Christian, I believe deeply that the Ten Commandments should be followed, but we live in a society that guarantees freedom of religion. The public posting of the Ten Commandments is not helpful unless all people are willing to claim them as their own. God gave the Hebrew people the Ten Commandments as the guide to maintaining the covenant, which was “I will be your God, and you will be my people.” When Moses wrote instructions about keeping the commandments, he wrote about where to keep them as reminders, such as on our door frames and gates. The instructions of where to post them went deeper than simply putting up a sign. When he instructed the people to put the Ten Commandments on the doorframes and gates, he was not just referring to two different locations, but to two entirely different concepts. A door frame would be the entrance into an individual dwelling, whether it was a tent or a stone house. The members of the household would enter and exit the dwelling, reminding them of the Ten Commandments. How we treat other family members is important to God. A gate would have referred to a city gate. Members of the entire city would be reminded of the Ten Commandments as they entered and exited the city. Not only the members of the city, but anyone from outside the city walls who would come and visit the city would be introduced and reminded that this city abides by these Ten Commandments. How we treat our neighbor is important to God. As the Hebrew people built their cities in the Promised Land, the elders of the town would sit at the city gates to settle disputes, hear grievances, and give people encouragement. The elders were to make their decisions according to the Ten Commandments. As Christians, we are called to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We can post the Ten Commandments if we think that is important, but it is much more important that we show God’s love to our neighbor in every circumstance. Our hope is that people will see our love and be moved to follow Jesus. 

Holy God, help us to keep the Ten Commandments. Help us to love you and love our neighbor. Give us compassion, courage, and wisdom as we follow your Son, Jesus Christ, and carry out the mission of making disciples. Amen.