I grew up on a block where all the neighbors got along splendidly. Lots of kids and we were always outside playing – except on Mrs. “X’s” lawn (name hidden to protect her reputation – and my life). Now she posted no signs that “advised”, “Keep off the grass” or “No Trespassing”; but none were needed. She made it patently clear! So none of us dared to step onto her lawn. We feared to step onto her lawn – most of the time. But the condition of the human heart loves to play the rebel.
Consequently, we sometimes interpret prohibitions as challenges. “Keep off” can sometimes mean, “I dare you.” Soooo, when a few of my childhood comrades and I presumed that Mrs. X wasn’t looking, we’d tiptoe onto a corner of her forbidden sod and then run like our lives depended on it – because we weren’t quite sure they didn’t. I can’t tell you how many of those times, she’d throw open the front door and come running out screaming. What did she do all day? Stand behind a crack in the curtain to play watchdog??
But the more important question was, “Why? Why was Mrs. X so strict about her lawn?” Was there some toxic chemical in her grass that could prove lethal to kids? Hardly. It was all about her and her wanting to preserve an immaculate lawn.
God has posted more than a handful of “No Trespassing” signs in His Word – but for a wholly different reason. They’re all about us and His Fatherly concern that we don’t hurt ourselves by stepping onto dangerous some turf. Why not visit us this Sunday as we look at God’s 7th Great Old Testament Commandment that warns us concerning the presumed “greener grass”: “You must not commit adultery.”
