by
Stan Feldsine (www.tojesusbeallglory.com)
The
"Sermon on the Mount" describes the behavior that was
expected by Jesus from each of His disciples. The disciples were
Christ followers and would become teachers and "fishers of men"
and as such they should know what Jesus expected from the beginning.
Jesus's expectations of His disciples and all believers were much
higher than the oral traditions being promoted by the scribes and
pharisees.
Luke
appears to record the Sermon on the Mount from a second perspective,
however, it is more likely that Luke is recording a different event
altogether. It would be common for teachers to speak to their
audiences about what they had previously heard, which would account
for the similarities. There is nothing in either text that requires
us to think of these two accounts as the same event.
Differences
between Matthew's and Luke's accounts are, 1) In Matthew, Jesus saw
the crowds, and left them and went up a mountain (Mat 5:1).
In Luke, Jesus went down and stood "on a level place"
(Luk 6:17).
2) In Matthew, Jesus "sat" to talk to His disciples
(Mat 5:1),
in Luke, Jesus "stood" (Luk 6:17).
3) In Matthew, Jesus spoke to His disciples (Mat 5:2),
in Luke, Jesus spoke to a "large number of His disciples
(Luk 6:17).
4) In Matthew, Matthew was not yet a disciple (Mat 9:9),
in Luke, Matthew was already a disciple (Luk 5:27).
5) In Matthew, Jesus came down from the mountain and healed a leper
(Mat 8:12),
in Luke, Jesus goes to Capernaum and healed the Centurion's slave
(Luk 7:1-10).
Matthew
5:1-2 - The Sermon on the Mount
Mat 5:1-2
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat
down. His disciples came to him, (2) and he began to teach them. He
said:
It
is commonly thought that the Sermon on the Mount was presented to a
large crowd. But the text reveals Jesus, seeing the crowds,
retreating up the mountain side, where the disciples came to him. It
was to the disciples that Jesus presented the Sermon on the Mount.
It
is apparent, however, that eventually, the crowds found Him up the
mountain, and were listening in (Mat 7:28).
The
"Sermon" is actually better understood as a discourse.
Jesus was sitting and presenting to a limited group of disciples
(Mat 5:1),
or followers. Normally a sermon given to crowds would be done
standing up, such as recorded in Luke (Luk 6:17)
.
Jesus
"began to teach them", or as the KJV states, "He
opened His mouth" indicates a solemn or revelatory occasion is
about to begin. Jesus is about to begin teaching about and revealing
the character of the coming Kingdom.
The
revelation of the coming Kingdom as given in this discourse would be
a significant change from the requirement to keep the Law of Moses
for the Jewish people.
The
Beatitudes in General
The
term "beatitude" refers to a state in which there is
blessedness or blissfulness. It is a state in which the person
experiences a fullness of happiness, joyfulness and blessedness. The
eight groups of people listed in the beatitudes would experience
blessedness and bliss if they were to follow these guidelines.
These
guidelines are not conditions as must do's, but are taught so that
the listener would be able to find bliss. Many fail to experience the
fullness of joy and happiness because they don't appropriate the
helpful guidelines Jesus speaks of here. The beatitudes show how to
open God's pipeline of blessing.
Matthew
5:3 - The Poor in Spirit
Mat 5:3
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
The
poor in spirit are those that are led by humility and honestly with
regards to our spiritual condition. These are those that recognize
our spiritual condition as one of great need, and temper our approach
to others with a humility instead of arrogance.
Luke
records a slightly different take, addressing those who are poor, as
opposed to those who are poor in spirit. The audience needs to be
recalled, Jesus was speaking to His disciples, and they were
businessmen, fishermen, tent makers and such. He was not speaking
about the "homeless" as we know them today. Perhaps these
businessmen had given up everything in order to follow Jesus, and had
become poor by choice. They would be blessed.
Luk 6:20
Looking at his disciples, he said: "Blessed are you who are
poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
It
is not an excuse for homeless people to live a life of poverty,
believing that they will be blessed because of it. Scripture teaches
that if one does not work, they should not eat.
1Th 2:11-12
For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with
his own children, (12) encouraging, comforting and urging you to live
lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
2Th 3:6-15
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and
sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive
and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. (7)
For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were
not idle when we were with you, (8) nor did we eat anyone's food
without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day,
laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.
(9) We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help,
but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. (10)
For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "The one
who is unwilling to work shall not eat." (11) We hear that some
among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are
busybodies. (12) Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus
Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. (13) And as for
you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. (14)
Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this
letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel
ashamed. (15) Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as
you would a fellow believer.
The
guidance Jesus gives in Matthew's account is different that that of
Luke's account. Matthew's account of Jesus's teaching speaks of
humility and not arrogance, while Luke's account of Jesus's teaching
speaks of setting the coming kingdom as a priority over seeking to
satisfy physical needs and desires. In a later verse we read, "But
seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things
will be given to you as well (Mat 6:33).
Those
that are poor in spirit are blessed because the kingdom is already
theirs. Through their spiritual humility they were already in alignment with the kingdom. They already were or became what John had
called them to, they had repented of the sin of pride and arrogance.
Matthew
5:4 - Those Who Mourn
Mat 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
It
might be bewildering to consider the words, but mourning and
blessedness are compatible with the coming kingdom. It is not
speaking so much about the common mourning that we experience when
someone close to us passes away, but rather the mourning over the
present state of spiritual affairs. It means to be filled with regret
for evil both inside of us and in the world. Lot was vexed.
2Pe 2:7-9
and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the
depraved conduct of the lawless (8) (for that righteous man, living
among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the
lawless deeds he saw and heard)-- (9) if this is so, then the Lord
knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous
for punishment on the day of judgment.
Another
way to look at this is rather than look for rewards for our supposed
righteous acts, we should instead grieve our failures in the
spiritual realm.
Psa 119:136
Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed.
Eze 9:4
and said to him, "Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a
mark on the foreheads of
those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are
done in it."
In
so doing we will find the mercy of God as He comforts us, encouraging
and supporting us.
1Jn 2:1
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But
if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father--Jesus
Christ, the Righteous One.
Joh 14:26
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my
name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I
have said to you.
Matthew
5:5 - The Meek
Mat 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Jesus
was likely pulling this beatitude from Psa 37:11,
where the context was those who were being persecuted and afflicted
by evil doers. Evil doers will fade and disappear, but the meek who
endure will be blessed in the coming kingdom, and will inherit the
earth that the evil have always tried to take by force.
Psa 37:7-13
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when
people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked
schemes. (8) Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret--it
leads only to evil. (9) For those who are evil will be destroyed, but
those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. (10) A little
while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they
will not be found. (11) But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy
peace and prosperity. (12) The wicked plot against the righteous and
gnash their teeth at them; (13) but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he knows their day is coming.
The
"meek" person is one who patiently waits on God to deal
with the evil doers and their coming judgment. A "meek"
person does not try to compete with or apply personal vengeance upon
the evil doers.
Meekness
should not be confused with weakness. Jesus had no problem
confronting the religious leaders and defending those who were being
abused. He did so with great boldness and in your face aggression.
Mat 23:27-28
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!
You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside
but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything
unclean. (28) In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as
righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
Our
future hope is in the earth belonging to the Messianic Kingdom. Our
blessedness comes from the fact that we will inherit by divine decree
what evil doers have always struggled an killed for, but have never
attained.
Matthew
5:6 - Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness
Mat 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they
will be filled.
The
terms "hunger" and "thirst" bring to mind strong
desires. When someone is hungry and / or thirsty, the desire for food
and water becomes acute.
Those
who crave righteousness will be blessed because we are made righteous
in Christ.
2Co 5:21
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might
become the righteousness of God.
Those
who crave righteousness will be blessed because in the coming kingdom
righteousness will be the standard.
2Pe 3:13
But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new
heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
The
promise of righteousness to those who are in Christ and as a standard
for the coming kingdom presents a strong contrast against the
righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. Theirs was an external
show, while that of Christ is of internal character.
Mat 23:25-28
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!
You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full
of greed and self-indulgence. (26) Blind Pharisee! First clean the
inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
(27) "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you
hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on
the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and
everything unclean. (28) In the same way, on the outside you appear
to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy
and wickedness.
To
live a moral life of righteousness is to remove the stress of guilt
and shame.
Matthew
5:7 - The Merciful
Mat 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
The
term "mercy" can be expressed in two ways. The first is
through forgiveness for the guilty, and the second is through
compassion for the suffering and needy.
In
the first expression, we are merciful when we treat someone without
judging them and holding them to the strict letter of the law.
2Co 3:3-6
You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our
ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God,
not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. (4) Such
confidence we have through Christ before God. (5) Not that we are
competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our
competence comes from God. (6) He has made us competent as ministers
of a new covenant--not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the
letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Mercy
in the context of non-judgmentalism and non-legalism is not something
that is applied to circumstances that arise, but rather defines a
person's character. A merciful person is one that lives a life that
mercy flows out of as a characteristic of that person, rather than a
life where mercy is applied as circumstances arise. It is a
characteristic of a person rather than a call for circumstantial
forgiveness.
Mat 6:14-15
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your
heavenly Father will also forgive you. (15) But if you do not forgive
others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Servants
of a merciful God should also be merciful. Those who are blessed are
those who develop mercy as a personal characteristic that guides
interactions with others, including their enemies.
Matthew
5:8 - The Pure in Heart
Mat_5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
This
beatitude, like the others draws a profound distinction between the
character of the coming kingdom and the present state of affairs in
Israel. Israel's religious leaders teach outward appearance, and
Jesus is teaching inward character. This beatitude again focuses on
the inward condition of the heart.
The
beatitude presents a conundrum, for the heart is said to be desperately evil.
Jer_17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can
understand it?
2Co_5:21
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might
become the righteousness of God.
However,
the heart can be cleansed. In this Psalm, David takes the initiative
and goes to God asking for forgiveness for his sin with Bathsheba,
and asks God for a clean heart.
Psa_51:10
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within
me.
Purity
of heart comes through faith. David believed God would give him a
clean heart, and he did. This inward cleanliness is contrasted with
the ceremonial cleansing of the sacrificial system.
Act_15:9
He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their
hearts by faith.
These
who bring their hearts before Christ for cleansing by faith are
blessed because this clears their vision of who Christ is and what
the character of His Kingdom will be. Contrast with Mat_13:14.
Mat_13:10-17
The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the
people in parables?" (11) He replied, "Because the
knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to
you, but not to them. (12) Whoever has will be given more, and they
will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have
will be taken from them. (13) This is why I speak to them in
parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they
do not hear or understand. (14) In them is fulfilled the prophecy of
Isaiah: "'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you
will be ever seeing but never perceiving. (15) For this people's
heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and
they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their
eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn,
and I would heal them.' (16) But blessed are your eyes because they
see, and your ears because they hear. (17) For truly I tell you, many
prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not
see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
There
is also a future blessing that comes into play as well. In the
future, we will see Jesus as He is, the dark glass will be no more.
1Jn_3:2-3
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not
yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall
be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (3) All who have this
hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
Matthew
5:9 - The Peacemakers
Mat 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
A
peacemaker is someone who works out peace instead of aggression. It
is worth discussing how to define a peacemaker.
Jesus
is the best example of a peacemaker in the sense this beatitude is
speaking. Interestingly, Jesus was not considered a peacemaker by
those He opposed, rather He was seen as a troublemaker. Jesus Himself
even claimed He did not come to bring peace.
Luk 12:51
Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but
division.
So
it is clear Jesus did not mean that we should have peace at any cost,
and indeed, not at the expense of God's truth. So what peace is this
beatitude speaking of?
Jesus
was referring to peace between God and Man. He was the ultimate
peacemaker by His death on the cross.
Col 1:19-20
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, (20) and
through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on
earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on
the cross.
Eph 2:14-16
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has
destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, (15) by
setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations.
His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two,
thus making peace, (16) and in one body to reconcile both of them to
God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
Act 10:34-36
Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that
God does not show favoritism (35) but accepts from every nation the
one who fears him and does what is right. (36) You know the message
God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace
through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
Rom 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Our
relationships with others should characterize Jesus's relationship
with us. The highest good is not peace, but peacemaking within God's
truth.
Glasscock
states:
To
accommodate heresy, blasphemy, immorality, or other behavior
attitudes and characteristics that are contrary to God's revelation
in the name of peace is to totally ignore this teaching in its
context. Christ demonstrates how to be a peacemaker.
Examples:
Abortion, Israel as a people distinct from the church, homosexuality,
transgenderism, crude speech from brethren, etc.
The
beatitude is saying that those who bring peace between God and man to
others will be called "children of God" and rewarded.
Rom 8:18-24
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with
the glory that will be revealed in us. (19) For the creation waits in
eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. (20) For
the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but
by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope (21) that the
creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and
brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. (22) We
know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of
childbirth right up to the present time. (23) Not only so, but we
ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as
we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our
bodies. (24) For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is
no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?
What
this means is that at the inauguration of the kingdom, those that are
"children of God" and peacemakers will be recognized and
acknowledged before the congregation, and given a greater reward.
Heb 11:24-26
By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son
of Pharaoh's daughter. (25) He chose to be mistreated along with the
people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.
(26) He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value
than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his
reward.
Rev 22:12
"Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give
to each person according to what they have done.
Matthew
5:10 - Those Who Are Persecuted
Mat 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Peter
gave this same encouragement to his hearers:
1Pe 3:14
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do
not fear their threats; do not be frightened."
1Pe 4:14
If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed,
for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
The
key to this beatitude is "because of righteousness".
2Ti 3:12
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will
be persecuted,
We
will be persecuted because of the name of Jesus.
Joh 15:18-20
"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.
(19) If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As
it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of
the world. That is why the world hates you. (20) Remember what I told
you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted
me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they
will obey yours also.
The
blessing that results from experiencing persecution and remaining
righteous is their part in the inheritance in the coming Kingdom.
That kingdom will come, and we will go into it, and our enemies will
be destroyed.
Matthew
5:11-12 - You Who Are Persecuted
Mat 5:11-12
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and
falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. (12) Rejoice
and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same
way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Jesus
takes a more personal approach from here on. It is not "those
who ..." will be blessed, but now is is "you ..." will
be blessed. Perhaps looking forward to the persecution that is coming
on these disciples.
Joh 15:18-21
"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.
(19) If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As
it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of
the world. That is why the world hates you. (20) Remember what I told
you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted
me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they
will obey yours also. (21) They will treat you this way because of my
name, for they do not know the one who sent me.
Joh 16:1-4
"All this I have told you so that you will not fall away. (2)
They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming
when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to
God. (3) They will do such things because they have not known the
Father or me. (4) I have told you this, so that when their time comes
you will remember that I warned you about them. I did not tell you
this from the beginning because I was with you,
Jesus
was instructing them that unfair treatment was a blessing ("great
is your reward in heaven").
2Co 4:17-18
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal
glory that far outweighs them all. (18) So we fix our eyes not on
what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary,
but what is unseen is eternal.
1Pe 2:20
But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong
and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it,
this is commendable before God.
Matthew
5:13 - The Salt
Mat 5:13
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its
saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for
anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
The
metaphors of Salt and Light illustrate the influence of good in the
world. Salt has two purposes, that of flavoring food and that of
preserving food. As a flavoring, the illustration is that of
countering secularization and a humanistic worldview, but also it
counters the idea of isolating ones self and removing ones self from
society. Salt must be sprinkled on the food to be of use.
Salt
as a preservative must be rubbed into the meat like a flavorful spice
mixture is, so that it gets into it and it's preservative value can
be realized.
So
it is with Christ followers, it is not enough to BE the salt of the
earth, but to be of value we must influence society through active involvement and interaction with it. The salty Christian life is one
that stands out and is attractive to the unsaved.
How
are we to be preservatives to the world. It is not through politics
and social justice programs that are doomed to failure, thus bringing
reproach upon the name of Jesus. These attempts are nothing more than
"weapons of the world".
2Co 10:3-4
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world
does. (4) The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.
On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
Rather
it is who we are as followers of Christ, "in Christ" that
is the flavor and preservative. It is our higher moral and ethics,
higher regard for human life and higher value systems that add flavor
and preserve society. We are to demonstrate and work these values out
in our life in front of others.
The
statement "if the salt has lost it's saltiness ... It is no
longer good for anything" implies that if we are not fulfilling
this purpose we are useless in the work of the kingdom. This is not a
loss of salvation statement, but has to do directly with the rewards
we will receive in heaven at the Bema Judgment.
1Co 3:11-15
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid,
which is Jesus Christ. (12) If anyone builds on this foundation using
gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, (13) their work will
be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It
will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of
each person's work. (14) If what has been built survives, the builder
will receive a reward. (15) If it is burned up, the builder will
suffer loss but yet will be saved--even though only as one escaping
through the flames.
2Co 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that
each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in
the body, whether good or bad.
Matthew
5:14-16 - The Light
Mat 5:14-16
"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot
be hidden. (15) Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a
bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to
everyone in the house. (16) In the same way, let your light shine
before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your
Father in heaven.
In
the Bible lands buildings were made out of white limestone. Those
that were build on the tops of hills reflected the suns rays
brightly, and even at night the reflection of the moon would be
visible for miles.
The
term "a city on a hill" spoke of the ability of such cities
to attract attention to themselves. Christians are to reflect this
same character of light.
Eph 5:8-9
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live
as children of light (9) (for the fruit of the light consists in all
goodness, righteousness and truth)
Php 2:14-16
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, (15) so that you may
become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a
warped and crooked generation." Then you will shine among them
like stars in the sky (16) as you hold firmly to the word of life.
And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not
run or labor in vain.
The
type of light being spoken of here is not that of a flashlight,
illuminating things here and there, but rather that of a lamp, that
illuminates an entire area. We show forth the manifest glory of God
through our character. Our purpose is not to illuminate the successes
or failures of individuals but rather to show what life in Christ is
really about and provides a visible witness to the world.
Testimonies
are an example of a light shining forth. The goal is to show what
life with God is like and to give God the glory.
You
have the light of Christ in you, it should be shown outward. There is
no use to having the light of Christ but hiding it away, not
revealing it to the unsaved world around us. We may as well not turn
the light on.
In
vs. 16 we see that Matthew equated light with good deeds, the purpose
of which is to "glorify your Father in heaven". Our good
works are born out of our character, and show forth what is down
inside of us, which is a transformed nature by the Holy Spirit.
1Pe 2:12
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of
doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day
he visits us.
Matthew
5:17 - Christ Came to Fulfill the Law
Mat 5:17
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the
Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
The
subject matter changes at this point to Jesus's relationship to the
Law of Moses and the Law of Christ. Jesus was getting ready to
address the Oral Law of the scribes and Pharisees in Mat 5:21-48.
Part of the prevailing thought among the people Jesus was addressing
was that He had come to "abolish" the Law. Jesus countered
that He had not come to "abolish", but to "fulfill".
At
this point, it may be helpful to define some of the terms used in
this pericope.
Terms
The
term "oral
Law"
refers to the "Talmud" and the "Mishna". They are
legal commentaries on the Hebrew Scriptures explaining how the
commandments are to be carried out. It perhaps started out as a
useful tool to help explain what the Hebrew Scriptures were saying,
but ended up adding much burden to what were to be light and easy
laws.
The
term "abolish"
means to "throw down, demolish, or destroy". So we read
that Jesus did not come to end the Old Testament destructively, or to
just cut it off.
The
term "Law
or the Prophets"
refers to the entirety of the Old Testament, also commonly known as
the Hebrew Scriptures. There are two parts to the Hebrew Scriptures,
the Law, and the Prophets.
The
"Law"
portion was contained in first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures,
and contained the Law of the Land so to speak for Israel. Since
Israel was a theocracy, meaning a country ruled by God, there were
many religious laws in the "Law".
The
term "Prophets"
refers to the rest of the Hebrew Scriptures, which were written by
various prophets of God.
The
term "fulfill"
means to bring about the purposes and goals of the Hebrew Scriptures,
and thus bring about the completion of the demands upon the Jewish
people and mankind in general. Jesus states that He has come to
"fulfill" the entirety of the Hebrew Scriptures, the Law
and the predictions of the Prophets.
“Law
of Christ”
is the eternal law of love, which Jesus defined as love God and love
neighbor (Mat 22:36-40).
See also Gal 6:2
and 1Co 9:21.
Fulfillment
of the Law
The
"fulfillment"
by
Jesus of the Hebrew scriptures with regards to the "Law"
meant that He perfectly conformed to the requirements of the Law of
Moses, in all it's regulations and commands. In so doing He brought
forth the true meaning of the Law, showed how it was to be kept, from
the heart. This living demonstration by Jesus established the law
rather than abolished it.
The
point that Jesus was showing was that we were to live by the Spirit
above the written law. The written Law of Moses was intended to by a
guide leading Israel to love of God and love of neighbor. It was
never a checklist, but something to point them to reality.
Paul
detailed the contrast between living by the Spirit versus the written
law.
2Co 3:2-6
You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read
by everyone. (3) You show that you are a letter from Christ, the
result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of
the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human
hearts. (4) Such confidence we have through Christ before God. (5)
Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for
ourselves, but our competence comes from God. (6) He has made us
competent as ministers of a new covenant--not of the letter but of
the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Jesus
"fulfilled" all of the requirements of the "Law",
and that "fulfillment" applies to all believers who are in
Christ. In this sense, when we are in Christ, we are freed us from
the penalty of the written "Law", which was death.
Col 2:13-14
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your
flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,
(14) having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which
stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it
to the cross.
Fulfillment
of the Prophets
The
fulfillment by Jesus of the Hebrew Scriptures with regards to "the
Prophets" meant that He would bring about the completion of all
prophecy contained in the Hebrew Scriptures.
Note
that a part of that fulfillment included the bringing in of the
Messianic Kingdom. Jesus came to fulfill that too, however, due to
the Jewish people's rejection of the Kingdom, it was subsequently
postponed. So the completion of all prophecy in the Hebrew Scriptures
awaits the establishment of the Messianic Kingdom.
Nevertheless,
Jesus did fulfill the prophecies regarding His being the Lamb who
would take away the sins of the world. Because of His once and for
all sacrifice, the Jewish people are no longer required to provide
sacrificial animals to cover sin.
Matthew
shows an example of Christ fulfilling prophecy regarding the manner
of His death.
Mat 26:53-56
Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at
my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? (54) But how then
would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this
way?" (55) In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, "Am I
leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to
capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you
did not arrest me. (56) But this has all taken place that the
writings of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the
disciples deserted him and fled.
John
provides the fulfillment of the prophets regarding His purpose for
coming, Jesus says, "It is finished".
Joh 19:28-30
Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that
Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty."
(29) A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it,
put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to
Jesus' lips. (30) When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It
is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his
spirit.
Matthew
5:18 - The Persistence of the Law
Mat 5:18
For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the
smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means
disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
The
Spirit of the Law, or the Law of Christ
The
passage states that the law will not change until "everything is
accomplished". What "Law" is this referring to?
The
best way to read this is to see that the heart of the law, loving God
and loving our neighbor will remain until the heavens and earth
disappear, which is way out in the future following the Messianic
Kingdom. In that sense, the Law will remain until heaven and earth
disappear.
Mat 22:36-40
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
(37) Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your mind.' (38) This is the
first and greatest commandment. (39) And the second is like it: 'Love
your neighbor as yourself.' (40) All the Law and the Prophets hang on
these two commandments."
Jesus
was quoting from the Law.
Lev 19:18
"'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your
people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
Deu 6:5-9
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and
with all your strength. (6) These commandments that I give you today
are to be on your hearts. (7) Impress them on your children. Talk
about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road,
when you lie down and when you get up. (8) Tie them as symbols on
your hands and bind them on your foreheads. (9) Write them on the
doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
The
love and respect for each other will never change. Today, we see the
outworking of this Law of the Spirit as spiritual fruit.
Gal 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness and self-control.
Against such things there is no law.
Isn't
it interesting that Paul is declaring that against such things, there
is no law. This is because as Spirit led individuals, we will meet
all the requirements a written law might regulate us with. In other
words, the Law is not required for us to be obedient to the spirit of
the Law.
Gal 6:2
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law
of Christ.
The
Written Law of Moses
Ex
20 - Laws about altars
Ex
21 - Laws about slaves
Ex
21-22 Laws about restitution
Ex
22:16 - Laws about Social Justice
Ex
23:10 - Laws about Sabbath and Festivals
Lev
1-6 - Offerings
Lev
11 - Clean and unclean animals
Lev
12 - Purification after childbirth
Lev
13-14 - Laws regarding Leprosy
Lev
15 - Bodily discharges
Lev
16 - Laws about the Day of Atonement
Lev
17 - Laws about eating blood
Lev
18 - Unlawful Sexual Relations
Lev
19 - The Lord is Holy, Love your neighbor as yourself, keep the
commands
Lev
20 - Punishments for Child Sacrifice, Sexual Immorality, By Ye Holy
Lev
21-22 - Holiness and the Priests
Lev
23-25 - Observing Feast Days
Lev
26 - Blessings and Punishments for Obedience and Disobedience
Lev
27 - Vows
Deu 31:9-13
- The Reading of the Law
Psa 147:19-20
He has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel.
(20) He has done this for no other nation; they do not know his laws.
Praise the LORD.
Such
was the purpose of the written law for the Israelites. They did not
have the indwelling Holy Spirit, and therefore needed a tutor or
guardian to teach them the principles of the spiritual law.
Gal 3:19
Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of
transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come.
The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator.
Gal 3:24-27
So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be
justified by faith. (25) Now that this faith has come, we are no
longer under a guardian. (26) So in Christ Jesus you are all children
of God through faith, (27) for all of you who were baptized into
Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Heb 7:18-19
The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless
(19) (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is
introduced, by which we draw near to God.
So
the practical implementation of the written Law of Moses to Israel
did indeed change, when all was accomplished. So what is Jesus
talking about that needs to be accomplished?
Rom 8:1-4
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ
Jesus, (2) because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who
gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. (3) For
what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the
flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh
to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, (4) in
order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in
us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the
Spirit.
Matthew
5:19 - Don't Set Aside the Law
Mat 5:19
Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands
and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of
heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be
called great in the kingdom of heaven.
So
in light of the preceding instruction, showing that the purpose of
the Law of Moses was to show the meaning of loving God and loving
neighbor, we can see that the commands we are to keep have to do with
loving each other.
John
points out that Jesus's "greatest commandments", loving God
and loving our neighbors is nothing new. It has always been the same
commands that were to be kept and the Law of Moses pointed Israel to
them.
1Jn 3:11
For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love
one another.
The
commands that we are to keep are to love, and here John repeats it.
1Jn 2:7-8
Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one,
which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the
message you have heard. (8) Yet I am writing you a new command; its
truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and
the true light is already shining.
And
John repeats it again.
1Jn 4:21
And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love
their brother and sister.
This
is what we are to keep and teach. The Law of Moses as a guide for
Israel has been permanently set aside, and by the Spirit we are to
now be transformed into people that demonstrate the spiritual fruit
of love.
Matthew
5:20 - The Righteousness Required
Mat 5:20
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the
Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter
the kingdom of heaven.
The
system of religion whereby we are spirit led is to be greatly
superior to that of being under a tutor of written laws. The
Pharisees were into rote ritual, checking boxes off, and the
requirement is much greater, that of love.
Matthew
5:21-22 - Anger
Mat 5:21-22
"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'You
shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to
judgment.' (22) But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a
brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says
to a brother or sister, 'Raca,' is answerable to the court. And
anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.
Based
on the understanding that the intent of the eternal Law from the
beginning was to love God and love one another, Jesus begins to
deconstruct the oral law. The oral law had reduced God's eternal law
to a ritual checklist and hidden the intent of the eternal law.
The
Pharisees believed that as long as you didn't kill someone, you were
keeping the law. Jesus showed that the Pharisee's oral law was
incomplete, and missed the point. Killing someone was evidence of a
much deeper problem. The intent of the law was to address the inward
attitude and the heart of the matter, but this was hidden, or
ignored.
Jesus
was addressing the seed of murder, which was the thoughts. He was
addressing the evil intent of the heart that was leading to the sin
of killing someone.
Paul
taught this:
Eph 4:31-32
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander,
along with every form of malice. (32) Be kind and compassionate to
one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Col 3:8-9
But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these:
anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. (9)
Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with
its practices
John
also:
1Jn 3:10
This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children
of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God's
child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.
Anger
itself is not a sin.
Eph 4:26-27
"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down
while you are still angry, (27) and do not give the devil a foothold.
The
question is what do you do with the anger.
Matthew
5:23-24 - Anger - Reconciliation
Mat 5:23-24
"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there
remember that your brother or sister has something against you, (24)
leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be
reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
This
passage indicates that anger presents a barrier between God and man
when there is a barrier between man and man. The passage speaks of
correcting the man to man relationship before the God to man
relationship can be made right.
In
programs like Celebrate Recovery this is called making a moral
inventory, and making amends. When it is safe to do so, we will
sometimes even make an amends even when we are not at fault. This is
what is described in vs. 23 as "a brother or sister having
something against us". The priority here is that we bring about
reconciliation, so that our relation with God is pure.
Matthew
5:25-26 - Anger - Peace
Mat 5:25-26
"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to
court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your
adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you
over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. (26) Truly I
tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
The
standard of Jesus's righteousness means going the extra step to mend
differences and bring about reconciliation. This is the requirement
of the heart, the intent of the eternal law. To bring about a change
of heart before sin erupts. We are commanded to live in peace, not
just avoid killing each other.
Psa 34:11-14
Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the
LORD. (12) Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good
days, (13) keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling
lies. (14) Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
1Th 5:13
Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live
in peace with each other.
Heb 12:14
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy;
without holiness no one will see the Lord.
Rom 14:19
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to
mutual edification.
We
will recall the Beatitude of the peacemakers.
Mat 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
However,
we should remember that we should not compromise on on godly issues.
Rom 12:18
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with
everyone.
Glasscock
states:
To
accommodate heresy, blasphemy, immorality, or other behavior
attitudes and characteristics that are contrary to God's revelation
in the name of peace is to totally ignore this teaching in its
context. Christ demonstrates how to be a peacemaker.
Examples:
Abortion, Israel as a people distinct from the church, homosexuality,
transgenderism, crude speech from brethren, etc.
Matthew
5:27-28 - Lust - A Heart Matter
Mat 5:27-28
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit
adultery.' (28) But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman
lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Adultery
was actually prohibited among the nations as well as Israel.
Interestingly though, adultery was illegal only for women.
Pre-Law
of Moses
In
ancient times prior to the Law of Moses, there were no prohibitions
against sexual relations between the man of the family and other
women. There was no penalty for such activity except in the cases of
rape or abuse of power over someone elses slave if they were a
virgin.
Gen 16:1-4
Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. But she had an
Egyptian slave named Hagar; (2) so she said to Abram, "The LORD
has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I
can build a family through her." Abram agreed to what Sarai
said. (3) So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai
his wife took her Egyptian slave Hagar and gave her to her husband to
be his wife. (4) He slept with Hagar, and she conceived. When she
knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress.
Gen 30:1-4
When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she
became jealous of her sister. So she said to Jacob, "Give me
children, or I'll die!" (2) Jacob became angry with her and
said, "Am I in the place of God, who has kept you from having
children?" (3) Then she said, "Here is Bilhah, my servant.
Sleep with her so that she can bear children for me and I too can
build a family through her." (4) So she gave him her servant
Bilhah as a wife. Jacob slept with her,
Gen 38:14-18
she took off her widow's clothes, covered herself with a veil to
disguise herself, and then sat down at the entrance to Enaim, which
is on the road to Timnah. For she saw that, though Shelah had now
grown up, she had not been given to him as his wife. (15) When Judah
saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her
face. (16) Not realizing that she was his daughter-in-law, he went
over to her by the roadside and said, "Come now, let me sleep
with you." "And what will you give me to sleep with you?"
she asked. (17) "I'll send you a young goat from my flock,"
he said. "Will you give me something as a pledge until you send
it?" she asked. (18) He said, "What pledge should I give
you?" "Your seal and its cord, and the staff in your hand,"
she answered. So he gave them to her and slept with her, and she
became pregnant by him.
Nevertheless,
adultery was not a wise thing, as it contained consequences, which
Proverb's relates to the vengeance of a woman's husband.
Pro 6:32-34
But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys
himself. (33) Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will
never be wiped away. (34) For jealousy arouses a husband's fury, and
he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.
Law
of Moses
When
the Law of Moses came along, God gave the Israelites the following
law that contained penalties for sleeping with another man's wife.
That penalty was death.
Deu 22:22
If a man is found sleeping with another man's wife, both the man who
slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from
Israel.
Lev 20:10
"'If a man commits adultery with another man's wife--with the
wife of his neighbor--both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be
put to death.
Deu 22:24
you shall take both of them to the gate of that town and stone them
to death--the young woman because she was in a town and did not
scream for help, and the man because he violated another man's wife.
You must purge the evil from among you.
The
penalty for violating a virgin was less severe.
Deu 22:28-29
If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married
and rapes her and they are discovered, (29) he shall pay her father
fifty shekels of silver. He must marry the young woman, for he has
violated her. He can never divorce her as long as he lives.
Dr.
Ed Glasscock explains:
The
idea is that, buy committing adultery a woman has brought another
man's seed into the family or clan and thus corrupts the lineage of
the husband. A man, however, cannot corrupt his own line by producing
offspring from another woman. At least part of the guilt of adultery
in the ancient world, then, was a matter of not maintaining the
unquestioned purity of the family line.
Jesus,
in the waning days of the Law of Moses, when addressing the issue of
adultery, clearly stated that a man could commit adultery against his
own wife.
Mar 10:11
He answered, "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another
woman commits adultery against her.
The
Law of Christ
Jesus
really came into this subject and turned the ancient ways of dealing
with this upside down. Jesus taught that the issue of adultery had
more to do with the character of a man and less to do with marital
status of the participants.
Paul
in instructing Timothy told him:
1Ti 3:2
Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife,
temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
Dr.
Ed Glasscock points out that "faithful to his wife" is
better translated "a one woman type of man" which speaks to
the nature of the man's character and who he is more so than marital
status.
Jesus
goes even further when He speaks of adultery in terms of our thought
life. He clearly identifies adultery as evil, and that it is a matter
of an evil heart.
Mat 15:19
For out of the heart come evil thoughts--murder, adultery, sexual
immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
Mar 7:21-23
For it is from within, out of a person's heart, that evil thoughts
come--sexual immorality, theft, murder, (22) adultery, greed, malice,
deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. (23) All these
evils come from inside and defile a person."
So
once again we see that the coming kingdom is going to be
characterized by righteousness that emanates from the heart, from who
people are in their innermost being. Purity, goodness and love will
be the rule of those days.
Matthew
5:29-30 - Lust - The Seriousness
Mat 5:29-30
If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it
away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for
your whole body to be thrown into hell. (30) And if your right hand
causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for
you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into
hell.
After
explaining the roles of the eye and the heart in lust, Jesus uses
hyperbole to illustrate the seriousness of what He is saying.
Clearly, Jesus is very serious about this subject.
Rhetoric
is defined as "... the art of persuasion, which along with
grammar and logic is one of the three ancient arts of discourse.
Rhetoric aims to study the techniques writers or speakers utilize to
inform, persuade, or motivate particular audiences in specific
situations (Wikipedia).
Hyperbole
is defined as "a form of rhetorical exaggeration that highlights
and emphasizes a point by exaggeration" (Dr. Glasscock).
Offending
God's standards is to be considered more serious than the actual act
of tearing one's eye out, or hand off. This implies that the temporal
and eternal consequences of not controlling your eyes and hands that
see and do are not to be trifled with.
The
idea is that the heart is influenced by what the eyes feed it. If we
allow the eyes to fantasize and gaze longingly at what it should not,
then the heart will stumble and careen out of control, and that
stumble can lead to adultery.
Mat 15:19
For out of the heart come evil thoughts--murder, adultery, sexual
immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
In
order to avoid having the heart careen out of control, Jesus says to
remove the source of the stumble, the eye. The point is to avoid lust
by looking away and thinking about something else.
James
describes this principle in James 1.
Jas 1:14-15
but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own
evil desire and enticed. (15) Then, after desire has conceived, it
gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to
death.
Job
understood this process. He helps to define how to deal with this
issue this way:
Job 31:1
"I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a
young woman.
Jesus
repeats this thought in Matt 18.
Mat 18:7-9
Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble!
Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!
(8) If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and
throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled
than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire.
(9) And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it
away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have
two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.
Matthew
5:31-32 - Divorce
Mat 5:31-32
"It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a
certificate of divorce.' (32) But I tell you that anyone who divorces
his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of
adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
(See
https://bible.org/seriespage/6-teachings-jesus-divorce-matthew-531-32a
for an extended treatment of this subject.)
Verse
31 is a reference to the Law of Moses regarding divorce in
Deu_24:1-4.
This passage shows that the prevailing teaching of the Pharisees was
that the process for divorce for Israel in those days was to write a
certificate of divorce. This practice was designed to absolve the man
of guilt. Jesus is referring to this practice in this verse.
Deu 24:1
If a man marries a woman who becomes displeasing to him because he
finds something indecent about her, and he writes her a certificate
of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house,
In
the times of Christ, the Jewish rabbi's were debating this law, with
some saying that a certificate of divorce could be given for any
reason, and others saying that the certificate of divorce could only
be given for infidelity. This disagreement could have been what
prompted the Pharisees to ask Jesus what He thought about it.
Mat 19:3
Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, "Is it
lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?"
Jesus
addressed the first part of verse 32 by stating that any man who
divorces his wife for anything except sexual immorality (fornication)
would make the woman a victim of adultery.
Mat 19:4-6
"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning
the Creator 'made them male and female,' (5) and said, 'For this
reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his
wife, and the two will become one flesh'? (6) So they are no longer
two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no
one separate."
While
the Pharisees were teaching that a man could put the woman away for
potentially any reason when a certificate of divorce was provided.
Jesus corrected their thinking by saying that it was the man who was
the adulterer, certificate or otherwise, and it was his actions that
were having the negative effect on the woman.
Mat 19:7-9
"Why then," they asked, "did Moses command that a man
give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?" (8)
Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives
because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the
beginning. (9) I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except
for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery."
William
F. Luck
The
scholar William F. Luck helps us to understand this further.
My
own feeling is that we should first interpret Deu 24:1-4
in its own right as we have done above, then allow the Matthew
passage to inform the Deuteronomic one insofar as Pharasaical
misinterpretation is involved, because that is what Jesus is trying
to do in the Sermon at that point. There was misunderstanding
regarding the Deuteronomic passage, and Jesus is trying to clear the
problem up.
The
Pharisees regarded the husband of Deu 24:1
as righteous and the woman as guilty and defiled. Jesus reversed this
to say that the man who took advantage of the Deuteronomic concession
was guilty of adultery, and the woman was innocent of moral guilt,
though, perhaps, stigmatized.
Jesus
is probably silent regarding the defilement of Deu 24:4
precisely because, having stated that the woman was put away, it was
not necessary to reaffirm the obvious, that is, if she remarries she
may not subsequently return to the former husband. The Pharisees,
after all, did not argue about that; nor did they misunderstand the
rule in that respect.
Though
they emphasize different sides of the coin, the main intent of both
Deu 24:1-4
and Mat 5:31-32
is to protect the woman from a hard-hearted husband who is
treacherously inclined to treat her like chattel property.
Deuteronomy
24 emphasizes the protection of the innocent wife. Matthew 5
emphasizes the culpability of the divorcing husband.
Deuteronomy
is not trying to exonerate the husband of the guilt of a form of
adultery; Matthew is not trying to implicate the wife in adultery.
Deuteronomy
is not trying to offer a legal way out of a broken marriage;
Matthew
is not trying to prohibit the legal ending of a broken marriage.
And
by the same token, it is not the main purpose of Matthew to teach a
legal way out of marriage. The exception clause is only an aside to
the main point: implicating the treacherous male as an adulterer in
the eyes of God over and against a Pharasaical, chauvinistic society.
Mal_2:10-16
Malachi
also sheds some light on this topic in an allegory.
Do
we not all have one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we
profane the covenant of our ancestors by being unfaithful to one
another? (11) Judah has been unfaithful. A detestable thing has been
committed in Israel and in Jerusalem: Judah has desecrated the
sanctuary the LORD loves by marrying women who worship a foreign god.
(12) As for the man who does this, whoever he may be, may the LORD
remove him from the tents of Jacob--even though he brings an offering
to the LORD Almighty. (13) Another thing you do: You flood the LORD's
altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer looks with
favor on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your
hands. (14) You ask, "Why?" It is because the LORD is the
witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been
unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your
marriage covenant. (15) Has not the one God made you? You belong to
him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly
offspring. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife
of your youth. (16) "The man who hates and divorces his wife,"
says the LORD, the God of Israel, "does violence to the one he
should protect," says the LORD Almighty. So be on your guard,
and do not be unfaithful.
Mat 19:3-12
has a lot more to say about this, and this will be explored in more
depth when we get to that passage. For now, we should recognize that
the Pharisees were trying to interpret the Mosaic Law regarding
divorce to give the man the benefit, and Jesus was correcting this by
showing the law was in place to protect the woman.
Matthew
5:33-37 - Oaths
Mat 5:33-37
"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago,
'Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have
made.' (34) But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by
heaven, for it is God's throne; (35) or by the earth, for it is his
footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.
(36) And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair
white or black. (37) All you need to say is simply 'Yes' or 'No';
anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Jesus
again is calling up an area of the Law of Moses that was being
misused by the Pharisees. The value of an oath making had degenerated
into making a false show of sincerity and arrogance.
These
passages speak of being careful of saying things that cannot or will
not be lived up to. The caution was against false oaths.
Lev 19:12
"'Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of
your God. I am the LORD.
Num 30:2
When a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to obligate
himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do
everything he said.
Deu 23:21,
23
If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to pay it,
for the LORD your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be
guilty of sin. (23) Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do,
because you made your vow freely to the LORD your God with your own
mouth.
Jesus
then names 4 things that oaths were made against, and illustrates
that mankind has no authority to be making oaths. Man has no
authority over heaven as God's throne, nor the earth, nor by
Jerusalem, nor their own head. These are things man has no authority
to call into account should the oath be broken. Consider the
definition of an oath:
Dr.
Ed Glasscock - "An
oath was a binding agreement and to swear against a someone or
something called that person or thing into account."
The
account of Jephthah's Vow shows how oaths can be misused, and the
tragedy that can result - Jdg 11:29-40.
These
verses showed that according to the Law of Moses, Israel should not
be making "false oaths", but Jesus made it clear that they
should avoid making oaths at all. He showed that oath taking was a
meaningless endevour.
Oath
taking implies that at other times, our yes is not our yes and our no
is not our no, in order to show sincerity, we need to present an
oath. But our sincerity should not come from an oath, it should be a
part of our character, who we are. If our sincerity is of value then
our yes is yes and our no is no and an oath will not be able to add
to that.
Dr.
Glasscock quotes Josephus, who wrote about the Essenes view of oath
making:
"The
are eminent for fidelity, and are the ministers of peace; whatsoever
they say also is firmer than an oath; but swearing is avoided by
them, and they esteem if worse than perjury; for they say, that he
who cannot be believed without [swearing by] God, is already
condemned."
Note
must be made of the difference in the meanings of vows. An oath as an
authoritative accountability between someone or some thing is not the
same as taking wedding vows for example. In the case of wedding vows,
this is simply a public proclamation that is witnessed, not assigning
accountability to someone outside the wedding, I.E. I swear to God I
will do such and such other wise this or that will happen.
Matthew
5:38-42 - Retribution
Mat 5:38-42
"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for
tooth.' (39) But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone
slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. (40)
And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your
coat as well. (41) If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them
two miles. (42) Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away
from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Jesus
continues His discourse explaining how the oral traditions of the
Pharisee's fall short of God's ideals. The context of the following
passages is guidelines to be exercised in a court of law, however,
the Pharisees had twisted the meaning to be that of personal
interactions contrary to the context.
Exo 21:22-25
"If people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives
birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must
be fined whatever the woman's husband demands and the court allows.
(23) But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life,
(24) eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, (25)
burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.
Lev 24:19-20
Anyone who injures their neighbor is to be injured in the same
manner: (20) fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. The
one who has inflicted the injury must suffer the same injury.
Deu 19:21
Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for
hand, foot for foot.
The
examples that Jesus gives reveal the attitude of what our personal
reactions should be towards each other, contrary to and "eye for
an eye, and a tooth for a tooth". Jesus uses hyperbole in these
examples, using exaggeration to make His points. The idea that He was
conveying is that we should not seek revenge to avenge injured pride.
Jesus
said "do not resist an evil person". Jesus was not
advocating for pacifism and that we should allow evil to go unchecked
through civil society. Realizing that Jesus's standard of
righteousness was higher than that of the Pharisees, His illustration
indicated hyperbolically that we personally should be willing to
suffer personal injury rather than seek revenge. The point of the exaggeration is that avenging our pride is not righteous, but
defending our selves and others is not wrong.
Jesus
was prohibiting personal retaliation, not civil justice. He was
speaking about taking the law into our own hands.
We
see in the example of Christ, when others were being treated
unjustly, He was a lion, but when He was being treated unjustly
personally, He was a Lamb.
Joh 2:13-15
When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to
Jerusalem. (14) In the temple courts he found people selling cattle,
sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. (15)
So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts,
both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers
and overturned their tables.
Mar 14:55-61
The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence
against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not
find any. (56) Many testified falsely against him, but their
statements did not agree. (57) Then some stood up and gave this false
testimony against him: (58) "We heard him say, 'I will destroy
this temple made with human hands and in three days will build
another, not made with hands.'" (59) Yet even then their
testimony did not agree. (60) Then the high priest stood up before
them and asked Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this
testimony that these men are bringing against you?" (61) But
Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked
him, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?"
Jesus
is our example:
1Pe 2:20-23
But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong
and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it,
this is commendable before God. (21) To this you were called, because
Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should
follow in his steps. (22) "He committed no sin, and no deceit
was found in his mouth." (23) When they hurled their insults at
him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.
Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
This
does not mean that we should not go to the law for resolution, rather
that we cannot seek restitution ourselves.
Of
course we should be willing to lay our lives down for Christ, but it
is not wrong to defend ourselves and others against crazed attackers.
So the prohibition here is against the use of physical violence to
protect one's pride.
This
same type of attitude should accompany us in the treatment of possessions. The idea here is that our possessions belong to God, we
are just stewards. There is great promise for those who have an
attitude of joy when property is confiscated. The promise is in the
future, a future we should be 100% confident is ours.
Heb 10:32-35
Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when
you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. (33) Sometimes you
were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you
stood side by side with those who were so treated. (34) You suffered
along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of
your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and
lasting possessions. (35) So do not throw away your confidence; it
will be richly rewarded.
This
also applies to our time.
J.
M. Boice
- To us that means that we are not to be resentful when people call
us on the telephone and take up valuable time—just because they do
not have anything to do. And we are not to be surly when we are given
added work at the office, are saddled with someone else’s work, or
are sent out for coffee when we are in the middle of something we
think important. We are to do it cheerfully and as unto the Lord.
This
same attitude should govern our feeling towards money. We should have
a generous heart. Implied here, and taught throughout scripture is
having wisdom as well. Sometimes giving away money can be to the
detriment of others, and what they are going to use the money for
comes into play.
1Jn 3:17-18
If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in
need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that
person? (18) Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but
with actions and in truth.
Paul
placed special emphasis on caring for ones family.
1Ti 5:8
Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for
their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an
unbeliever.
Additionally,
the Bible provides teaching to guide those who are asking for money
as well.
Eph 4:28
Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work,
doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have
something to share with those in need.
2Th 3:10-12
For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "The one
who is unwilling to work shall not eat." (11) We hear that some
among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are
busybodies. (12) Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus
Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat.
God
loves a cheerful giver. Being generous is a fruit of the Spirit. It
flows from the heart, or who we are as a person.
2Co 9:6-8
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and
whoever sows generously will also reap generously. (7) Each of you
should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not
reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (8)
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all
times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Matthew
5:43-48 - Love Your Enemies
Mat 5:43-48
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate
your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you, (45) that you may be children of your Father in
heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends
rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (46) If you love those who
love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors
doing that? (47) And if you greet only your own people, what are you
doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? (48) Be perfect,
therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
With
regards to "loving your neighbor", Jesus is pointing out a
passage in Leviticus 19.
Lev 19:18
"'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among
your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
A
"neighbor" here is a fellow Israelite, not someone next
door. This is important to our understanding of similar New Testament
passages, as the special relationship between God and His people is a
significant testimony to the world.
Gal 6:10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people,
especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Joh 13:34-35
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved
you, so you must love one another. (35) By this everyone will know
that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
With
regards to hating your enemies, the Rabbi's oral tradition promoted
hatred enemies. Although there is no passage in the law that states
we should hate our enemies, these passages were misused to promote
just that.
Psa 139:21-22
Do I not hate those who hate you, LORD, and abhor those who are in
rebellion against you? (22) I have nothing but hatred for them; I
count them my enemies.
Psa 26:5
I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked.
Psa 31:6
I hate those who cling to worthless idols; as for me, I trust in the
LORD.
Jesus
then gave us His correction of the Pharisees misuse of passages like
these, and reveals what attitude we should have in the new kingdom,
that of loving our enemies and praying for those that persecute us.
Luk 23:33-34
When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him
there, along with the criminals--one on his right, the other on his
left. (34) Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not
know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by
casting lots.
1Pe 2:21
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you
an example, that you should follow in his steps.
Rom 12:20
On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is
thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap
burning coals on his head."
Old
Testament passages also show that Israel was to have this attitude,
contrary to the oral law.
Pro 25:21
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty,
give him water to drink.
2Ki 6:21-23
When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, "Shall I kill
them, my father? Shall I kill them?" (22) "Do not kill
them," he answered. "Would you kill those you have captured
with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that
they may eat and drink and then go back to their master." (23)
So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished
eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their
master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel's territory.
Verse
45 then shows that by loving our enemies and praying for our
persecutors we will be acting like our Father in heaven.
The
CEV conveys this meaning better than the NIV. The idea is that loving
ones enemies demonstrates that we are already God's children, not
that one becomes a child of God by performance.
Mat 5:45
(CEV) Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes
the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the
ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong.
Mat 5:45
(NIV) that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes
his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the
righteous and the unrighteous.
God's
provision of love is demonstrated in His goodness, even to those who
hate Him, the sun rises on the evil, the rains fall on the
unrighteous, etc., as well as the fact that He gave us salvation even
when we were sinners.
Rom 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still
sinners, Christ died for us.
Verses
46-47 fit perfectly into the context of being more righteous than the
Pharisees. Loving ones enemies shows the inner change that has taken
place in our hearts, and transformed who we are as a people. We Are
God's people, and it is a testimony to the world of God's grace and
power when we are able to love our enemies.
Finally,
Jesus finishes this pericope with a call to be perfect. Perfection in
this context again is a call to be in Christ, to allow the Holy
Spirit to bring transformation to who we are to be more like He is.
We are to reflect His character, to be complete, whole, and mature.
