The Spirit behind the Law (Matthew 5:21-48)
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Opening prayer
Opening prayer
Scripture reading
Scripture reading
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
“Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.
“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Introduction
Introduction
Last week we had a look at Matthew 5:17-20.
We learned about the Pharisees and the Scribes, and their role in both teaching and preserving the Word of God in Ancient Israel. We also looked at who Jesus was, how He came to fulfill the Law and the prophets, and finally how came He corrected the Pharisees and Scribes misunderstanding of God’s intentions behind the Law. Who can remind us of the three ways in which Jesus fulfills the Law?
Firstly, we explored how Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament Prophecies about the Messiah.
Secondly, we explored how Jesus fulfilled the Law of God by obeying it perfectly.
Thirdly, we explored how Jesus' death on the cross fulfilled all the ceremonial laws, and how the Old Testament Priesthood and sacrificial system became unnecessary.
This week we will look at God’s heart behind the Law and how to correctly interpret them.
Today we will look at six concepts:
Murder, and how it begins in the heart
Adultery, and how it begins in the heart
Marriage, and how God’s heart was never for divorce.
Oaths
Retaliation and God wants us to respond in ways that glorify Him.
Lastly, loving your enemies.
Murder Begins in the Heart
Murder Begins in the Heart
Matthew 5:21–26 (NKJV)
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.
In verse 21, we see Jesus starts by quoting from the Law, namely:
Exodus 20:13 ““You shall not murder.”
The Jewish people had heard the this and understood that those who committed the sin of murder, would be liable to judgement.
Genesis 9:6 ““Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man.”
However, Jesus then begins to open up the Old Testament Law and shows us God’s true intention behind it.
God is interested in what is happening in the heart, not only outward actions of righteousness.
Jesus shows names two other sins related to murder: Anger and name calling.
When people harbour anger in their hearts, they have a tendency to call people names.
Jesus takes God’s standard for murder to a much higher degree of accountability before God.
He makes it clear that if we get so angry , to the point where you call someone a name - we are in danger of God’s judgement.
Although murder might not be as serious as anger or name calling, they both stem from the same root: a murderous spirit.
Both murder and anger reveal hatred in the heart, and both greatly offend God.
Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
Not only that, but the Bible makes it clear that our relationships with others have a direct impact on our relationship to God.
When we hate others, it shows that God’s love is not in us.
1 John 4:19–20 (NKJV)
1 John 4:19–20 (NKJV)
If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
God expects us to pursue peace with all people as far as it depends on us and its because of this that Jesus commands us to strive towards reconciliation with those we had conflict.
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
Adultery in the Heart
Adultery in the Heart
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
This passage is similiar to the previous one.
Again, Jesus quotes from the Law - reminding His audience of what they were taught in the synagogues:
Exodus 20:14 ““You shall not commit adultery.”
But again, Jesus reveals to us God’s intentions behind the Old Testament Law, by taking it to a much higher standard of righteousness.
Lust of the eyes plants a seed of adultery in our hearts, and when we feed those sinful desires, it ultimately leads to the sin of adultery in action - which in the end produces death.
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Both lust and adultery stem from the same root: sexual immortality.
Both are sins in the sight of God.
Both are punishable by God.
And He expects us to deal with it quickly and effectivey, because it has the power destroy you and your family.
King David understood this.
His legacy is stained by his sinful act of adultery with Bathsheba.
David knew that before committed adultery with her - He lusted for her from the roof top of His palace.
Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold.
David understood both the danger and destruction of lust.
It cost Him both his legacy and death of His own child.
Listen to how he pleaded for mercy in Psalm 51.
He had experienced the deadly consequences of adultery, and He begged God to grant Him clean heart.
Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me.
Against You, You only, have I sinned,
And done this evil in Your sight—
That You may be found just when You speak,
And blameless when You judge.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts,
And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me hear joy and gladness,
That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sins,
And blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Marriage is Sacred and Binding
Marriage is Sacred and Binding
“Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.
Here we that even though the Pharisees had designed very strict rules regarding the ceremonial laws and their traditions, they were not as strict on the area of divorce.
They taught that in order for men to divorce their wife, all that was needed was a certificate of divorce.
Again, Jesus raises God’s standard of righteousness drastically.
He makes it clear that the only the reason divorce would be permissible would be for unfaithfulness in the marriage - meaning they committed adultery.
If a man divorces his wife for a reason outside of marital unfaithfulness - they were not allowed to marry another person.
The same went for the wife.
Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife.
God hates divorce because it destroys lives and families.
Jesus forbids Oaths
Jesus forbids Oaths
“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
Here we see Jesus commenting on a custom that developed during the time of this sermon.
People were expected to make an oath to confirm the truthfulness of their words.
God however expects us to be people of our word, just like He is.
He expects our “yes” to be our “yes”, and our “no” to be our “no”.
As disciples of Jesus, we are expected to be people of honesty and integrity. Therefore, making oaths should be unnecessary because we are people with the character of Jesus.
God never breaks His Word or His covenants with people, and neither should we. We should be more like Jesus and less like the world.
Going the Second Mile
Going the Second Mile
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
Here we see Jesus quoting from the Old Testament about an “eye for an eye, and tooth for a tooth.”
However, this teaching was greatly misunderstood by the Pharisees and the people.
God’s intention was never for us to take revenge on people who has wronged us.
Lets read the Old Testament Law in its context:
If a false witness rises against any man to testify against him of wrongdoing, then both men in the controversy shall stand before the Lord, before the priests and the judges who serve in those days. And the judges shall make careful inquiry, and indeed, if the witness is a false witness, who has testified falsely against his brother, then you shall do to him as he thought to have done to his brother; so you shall put away the evil from among you. And those who remain shall hear and fear, and hereafter they shall not again commit such evil among you. Your eye shall not pity: life shall be for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
Here we see that God gave this principle to the judges of Israel to help them execute justice in society.
The principle was simple: the punishment for the offense must match the crime commited.
The punishment for the crimes were to be dwelt with fairly.
The command was never about revenge, it was about executing justice rightly.
Now trick question: Is Jesus telling us here, that when someone strikes you on the cheek that you are not allowed to defend yourself?
No, the Old Testament makes it very clear that a man has the right to defend both his family and himself.
In the ancient world, this slap on the cheek Jesus was referring to was regarded as an open-handed slap across the cheek.
It was intended both harm the other person, but even more so to insult him.
Both Jewish and Roman Law permitted prosecution for assault.
What Jesus is trying to teach us here, is how to rightly respond to offenses and insults.
We are to overlook these offense, being quick to forgive, quick to reconcile and to go the extra mile with those who don’t neccessarily deserve it.
Listen to what 1 Peter 2:21-23 says about how Jesus responded to insults and offenses.
1 Peter 2:21–23 (NKJV)
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
“Who committed no sin,
Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;
who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
Listen to how the book of proverbs tells us wise people respond to conflict:
A person’s wisdom makes him slow to anger,
and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
Better to be slow to anger than to be a mighty warrior,
and one who controls his temper is better than one who captures a city.
We as Christians are called to be salt and light, and we are expeted to look different from the world around us - especially when we respond to conflict.
Love your Enemies
Love your Enemies
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Did you know that God is good to both righteous people and the wicked?
We as His children are expected to be like Him.
We are expected to love both our friends and our enemies.
If we only greet those who greet us, we would look just like the rest of the world.
We want to be more like Jesus and less like the world.
God promises to reward us.
But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
Conclusion
Conclusion
So in conclusion :
Today we learned that God’s standard of righteousness is much Higher than the Pharisees and ours.
Jesus came to reveal to us God’s heart behind the Law and to correct the Pharisees misunderstanding of it.
We learned that God is not only interested in our actions, He’s interested in the state of our hearts.
He wants us to be transformed at a heart level, and to look completely different from the world around us.
Quick question: Do you think it possible to attain this level of righteousness by ourselves? Are we able to live the perfect life that Jesus did? No.
We need God’s help.
We need to become new creations, and allow Jesus to come live His perfect life through us.
We abide in Him, because without Him we can do nothing.
He is the one who gives us a heart like his and empowers us to walk in His statutues and judgements.
Remember what we learned last week?
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.
Personal Application
Personal Application