Thursday February 14, 2013

Read Matthew 5:19-20

Happy Valentines Day.

We give the Pharisees a bad rap don’t we? We automatically assume they are the bad guys. In some ways they are! But imagine yourself sitting over delightfully strong Turkish coffee with a first Century Rabbi. You would learn very quickly that they have a huge desire to keep all of the law of God. Their passion, their unending desire is to be holy and righteous before God.  The legalism and oral tradition that they developed arose from a deep inner desire to please God by being holy.

 

It makes it all the more harder to grapple with and apply Jesus’ explication of the Law’s true meaning. The kingdom lifestyle that Jesus promoted fulfilled the Law’s requirements by producing a righteousness that “surpasses that of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law” (v. 20).  When as a new Christian I first read this verse, I realized the dilemma immediately! How can I, a struggling sinner, be more righteous than the Pharisees?

 

Each of the following cases that follow demonstrates how the Law is to be “fulfilled” that is, truly and accurately explained and applied. In each case Jesus shifted the focus of attention from the behavior that the Law dealt with to intents and motives. Here the King works in the hearts of men, changing the values and the behaviors from which behavior springs. In Jesus’ kingdom any outward conformity without an inward commitment is unthinkable!

 

Think about it? What about murder? Jesus located the root of murder in anger and hatred (vv. 21–26). Rather than nurse anger, which may lead to murder, the kingdom citizen is to value peacemaking. He is to take the initiative to be reconciled to his brother. Later John would write, “Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer” (1 John 3:15).

 

How about adultery? In its true meaning the Law does not just speak against the act, for God is concerned with lust itself (Matt. 5:27–30). Jesus sarcastically suggested to men quick to excuse themselves by claims that “I saw her, and couldn’t help myself,” that they try to rid themselves of their problem by plucking out the offending eye! Impossible? Surely. And so again the issue is focused on the place where the problem lies: “in the heart.”

 

How about divorce? Moses permitted it, but Jesus called for lifetime commitment (vv. 31–32).

 

Now, what about promises or vows? Do you make your word binding by signing a contract and then feel free to break a promise sealed with a handshake? (vv. 33–37) No, be the kind of person whose yes always means yes, and whose no means no.

 

What about revenge and repaying those who harm you? (vv. 38–48) The Law says you can insist on your rights and on repayment. But in the kingdom, God’s blessing rests on the merciful. In relationships with people, the kingdom citizen is called on to be like the Father in heaven and to love even enemies. Does this deny justice? Not at all! It recognizes the fact that in the kingdom, God is the One who acts. Paul later put it in these words: “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is Mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Rom. 12:19).

 

Abandoning the values and the instincts which lie at the root of man’s society, the kingdom citizen is to build his life on those peculiar values Jesus taught- values that seem all too shabby or fundamentalist to most people. Poverty of spirit? Mourning, meekness, hunger for righteousness? Mercy, purity, peacemaking, willingness to be persecuted on God’s account? Yes. On these values Jesus invites His hearers to build new lives. These will be lives that impact the world and count for eternity.

 

Prayer:

Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.

 

Adoration:

 

 

Confession:

 

 

Thanks:

 

 

Supplication:

¥ Pray for the lives of your fellow believers in your church. Ask God to empower each believer to live a powerful life of witness so that many see Christ and come to Him for salvation.

¥ Pray that you too would live this kind of life.

 

Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. How would you sum up the Sermon on the Mount?

2. What do you think of the standards that Jesus sets in the Sermon on the Mount?