W.W.J.D.? (What Would Jesus Do?)

The Gospel of Matthew W.W.J.D.? (What Would Jesus Do?) - Matthew 5:21-42 February 23, 2025 Moments ago with the kids, we re-introduced the phrase popularized in the 1990's and 2000's "What Would Jesus Do?" This is the phrase that came to my mind after reading this passage. Weeks and weeks ago, we talked about discipleship and determined that discipleship - or authentic Christianity - describes the process of learning the teachings of Jesus and following after his example in obedience through the power of the Holy Spirit. No doubt, this is what we've seen already in the well-known Sermon on the Mount, that we began looking at beginning at verse 1 of Matthew 5. I think it's also appropriate to recap where we are, and who the audience is. Matthew 5:1 tells us that Jesus went up to the mountain and addressed the crowds. We know for sure that this crowd included the disciples that He had called. Verse 20 leads me to believe that even some of the Pharisees and scribes were also present. Also, present - likely - are Jews, and maybe even some Gentiles. Why is this important? Because Jesus is addressing a mixed crowd of people - all of whom are in need of a Savior. So, back to the question at hand: What would Jesus do? Jesus will address this in our passage this morning. Honestly, humanly speaking, it is impossible. Before we get to the passage though, I want to remind you of the verse that seems to set up this entire section. Here is what we read in verse 20: 20 FOR I TELL YOU, UNLESS YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS EXCEEDS THAT OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES, YOU WILL NEVER ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. Jesus, in His transitional paragraph from verses 17-20, reminded us that He came to fulfill the Law, addressing the outward righteousness displayed in the scribes and Pharisees, He declares that an external observance of the Law will not grant you eternal life, only a heart changed by Christ. This is what Jesus is addressing today, what this changed heart is, or as previously stated, what the heart of the Law is. Let's read Matthew 5:21-42: 21 "YOU HAVE HEARD THAT IT WAS SAID TO THOSE OF OLD, 'YOU SHALL NOT MURDER; AND WHOEVER MURDERS WILL BE LIABLE TO JUDGMENT.' 22 BUT I SAY TO YOU THAT EVERYONE WHO IS ANGRY WITH HIS BROTHER WILL BE LIABLE TO JUDGMENT; WHOEVER INSULTS HIS BROTHER WILL BE LIABLE TO THE COUNCIL; AND WHOEVER SAYS, 'YOU FOOL!' WILL BE LIABLE TO THE HELL OF FIRE. 23 SO IF YOU ARE OFFERING YOUR GIFT AT THE ALTAR AND THERE REMEMBER THAT YOUR BROTHER HAS SOMETHING AGAINST YOU, 24 LEAVE YOUR GIFT THERE BEFORE THE ALTAR AND GO. FIRST BE RECONCILED TO YOUR BROTHER, AND THEN COME AND OFFER YOUR GIFT. 25 COME TO TERMS QUICKLY WITH YOUR ACCUSER WHILE YOU ARE GOING WITH HIM TO COURT, LEST YOUR ACCUSER HAND YOU OVER TO THE JUDGE, AND THE JUDGE TO THE GUARD, AND YOU BE PUT IN PRISON. 26 TRULY, I SAY TO YOU, YOU WILL NEVER GET OUT UNTIL YOU HAVE PAID THE LAST PENNY. 27 "YOU HAVE HEARD THAT IT WAS SAID, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.' 28 BUT I SAY TO YOU THAT EVERYONE WHO LOOKS AT A WOMAN WITH LUSTFUL INTENT HAS ALREADY COMMITTED ADULTERY WITH HER IN HIS HEART. 29 IF YOUR RIGHT EYE CAUSES YOU TO SIN, TEAR IT OUT AND THROW IT AWAY. FOR IT IS BETTER THAT YOU LOSE ONE OF YOUR MEMBERS THAN THAT YOUR WHOLE BODY BE THROWN INTO HELL. 30 AND IF YOUR RIGHT HAND CAUSES YOU TO SIN, CUT IT OFF AND THROW IT AWAY. FOR IT IS BETTER THAT YOU LOSE ONE OF YOUR MEMBERS THAN THAT YOUR WHOLE BODY GO INTO HELL. 31 "IT WAS ALSO SAID, 'WHOEVER DIVORCES HIS WIFE, LET HIM GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE.' 32 BUT I SAY TO YOU THAT EVERYONE WHO DIVORCES HIS WIFE, EXCEPT ON THE GROUND OF SEXUAL IMMORALITY, MAKES HER COMMIT ADULTERY, AND WHOEVER MARRIES A DIVORCED WOMAN COMMITS ADULTERY. 33 "AGAIN YOU HAVE HEARD THAT IT WAS SAID TO THOSE OF OLD, 'YOU SHALL NOT SWEAR FALSELY, BUT SHALL PERFORM TO THE LORD WHAT YOU HAVE SWORN.' 34 BUT I SAY TO YOU, DO NOT TAKE AN OATH AT ALL, EITHER BY HEAVEN, FOR IT IS THE THRONE OF GOD, 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 TAKE AN OATH BY YOUR HEAD, FOR YOU CANNOT MAKE ONE HAIR WHITE OR BLACK. 37 LET WHAT YOU SAY BE SIMPLY 'YES' OR 'NO'; ANYTHING MORE THAN THIS COMES FROM EVIL. 38 "YOU HAVE HEARD THAT IT WAS SAID, 'AN EYE FOR AN EYE AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.' 39 BUT I SAY TO YOU, DO NOT RESIST THE ONE WHO IS EVIL. BUT IF ANYONE SLAPS YOU ON THE RIGHT CHEEK, TURN TO HIM THE OTHER ALSO. 40 AND IF ANYONE WOULD SUE YOU AND TAKE YOUR TUNIC, LET HIM HAVE YOUR CLOAK AS WELL. 41 AND IF ANYONE FORCES YOU TO GO ONE MILE, GO WITH HIM TWO MILES. 42 GIVE TO THE ONE WHO BEGS FROM YOU, AND DO NOT REFUSE THE ONE WHO WOULD BORROW FROM YOU. You likely noticed the formula used here in Jesus' words. First, He begins with: YOU HAVE HEARD THAT IT WAS SAID Followed by: BUT I SAY TO YOU Then, He provides a real time example of that Law, and its heart interpretation, along with a warning. These two phrases are critical in our understanding of this passage. First, when Jesus says that they have heard, He is likely speaking about the Jews who have heard the Law and the oral traditions that taught by the Jewish Religious leaders. So, the issue, as we will see is not the Law itself, but the distortion of the Law by the Religious leaders. So, let's dive into these five interpretations of the heart of the Law by Jesus, beginning first with our main idea: Doing what Jesus would do is at the heart of the law. So, let's explore ... THE HEART OF THE LAW My goal this morning is to summarize these five heart interpretations with five applications for us this morning. First: * I must not let my anger control my heart (vv. 21-26) o This section is very dense, there is so much here, I'll do my best to work through it. o Notice the first "you have heard it said" statement ... it's a quotation of the sixth commandment o What does Jesus say the heart of this commandment is with His "but I say" statement? * Anger. o He says that anger is at the heart of murder. o The Apostle John agrees in 1 John 3:15, when he states: EVERYONE WHO HATES HIS BROTHER IS A MURDERER, AND YOU KNOW THAT NO MURDERER HAS ETERNAL LIFE ABIDING IN HIM. o He reminds us that we must control our anger o Paul tells us in Ephesians 4 that we can be angry but not sin. Later, as Jesus does here in verse 25, we see that we must not hold onto that anger. o Remember, Jesus was angry. God showed His anger. o But anger, alone, is not sin, rather holding onto that anger, and expressing that anger outwardly and inwardly is sin. o When we read this literally, I am positive that every single one of us is guilty of this sin. I know I am. My family knows that I am. o I won't tell you how many times I'm guilty of this when I'm driving. * Is it just me, or is Tucson driving getting worse? o Depending on your translation, the word "raca" is used, in the ESV it says "fool" o The word used is more complicated than it appears on the surface, or how we would use the word. o When that word was used, it was a personal attack on the person's character and sometimes their faith (think "you godless fool"). o But, it also carried a sense of a physical threat * Almost like telling someone, "I wish you were dead!" o Again, it's the heart of the actions and the words that we use. o We - as Christians - are called to build up, not tear down. * Or, as Wiersbe put it, anger makes us destroyers instead of builders o Paul said it equally as well in Ephesians 4:29: LET NO CORRUPTING TALK COME OUT OF YOUR MOUTHS, BUT ONLY SUCH AS IS GOOD FOR BUILDING UP, AS FITS THE OCCASION, THAT IT MAY GIVE GRACE TO THOSE WHO HEAR. o We cannot be consumed by anger, when we are, that is where our focus is, and not on God or His people. Next, in verses 27-30, Jesus says ... * I must keep my heart pure (vv. 27-30) o Notice how Jesus expands the Law. o Here, He quotes the seventh commandment. o When the term "adultery" is used, it refers to the physical act of having relations with someone that is not your spouse. o Jesus expands this first, to ALL forms of sexual immorality, then expands that to - you guessed it - your heart. o He says that even if you look upon someone with lustful intent, you are guilty of adultery. This is not exactly that first look, but the second, third, or continued leering. o Do you remember the penalty of adultery, according to the Law? Death. A stoning. o James, in James 4:1, tells us that our desires and pleasures begin at the heart o Job, in his plea with the Lord shows us exactly what this looks like. In Job 31:1, he says: I HAVE MADE A COVENANT WITH MY EYES; HOW THEN COULD I GAZE AT A VIRGIN? He follows this in verse 7 with: IF MY STEP HAS TURNED ASIDE FROM THE WAY AND MY HEART HAS GONE AFTER MY EYES, AND IF ANY SPOT HAS STUCK TO MY HANDS, o Job understood the connection between the eyes and the heart, and so should we. o Believe it or not, there is a lot of controversy from verses 29-30. Some have taken this literally. o Jesus was not speaking literally, He was using a literary device called hyperbole, a deliberate exaggeration to make a point. Jesus is saying that people should be vigilant in avoiding sin, making every effort to remain pure o This means that we are to guard our hearts, guard our minds, and understand that whatever we put in will come out. o Next, and I don't think it is any coincidence in the order of His heart interpretations, Jesus says ... * I must honor my marriage with all my heart (vv. 31-32). o He kept this one short, only two verses. o Why? Because it is a simple message. o We are to honor our marriages. o In Jesus' day, the Jewish religious leaders took Deuteronomy 24:1 to say that one could divorce their spouse for any reason. o Jesus says, nope. One reason: sexual immorality. o Paul, later in 1 Corinthians 7, says that if an unbelieving spouse leaves their believing spouse, then they are free to go. o The shorthand that people use to teach the biblical reasons for divorce is "sexual immorality" and "abandonment." o It's no secret that most marriages end in divorce, Jesus is reminding His disciples, that should not be the case. o In fact, He says that divorcing - unbiblically - causes the other to commit adultery. o I've known people to say that they are not fans (more colorful language has been used) of the Sermon on the Mount, as these seem unrealistic and unable to be obedient to. o I think that was part of Jesus' point. o I like how Steve paraphrased this entire section: "you will miss the mark, and we all need a Savior" o I quoted this a couple of weeks ago, but I think it is worth repeating. Guzik said it this way: The law sends us to Jesus to be justified, because it shows us our inability to please God in ourselves. But after we come to Jesus, He sends us back to the law to learn the heart of God for our conduct and sanctification. o With Jesus helping us to understand the heart of the Law, our response should be one of humility and surrender to the One who fulfills the Law. o Next, Jesus says: * My word is a reflection of my heart (vv.33-37) o Disclaimer: I am not endorsing the paraphrase from Eugene Peterson, but occasionally, I do like how he paraphrases things. o Here is how he paraphrased verses 33-37: And don't say anything you don't mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, 'I'll pray for you,' and never doing it, or saying, 'God be with you,' and not meaning it. You don't make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. Just say 'yes' and 'no.' When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong. ' o The religious leaders were so holy, that sometimes they wouldn't swear or make an oath with God's name, but they would replace "God" with "heaven" or "temple" or "Jerusalem" o That meant that if they couldn't hold to their word, they weren't liable because they didn't swear by God's name! o The heart of the issue - pun intended - is twofold: * Your character must not require for you to have to swear by anything, and two ... * Don't swear to something that doesn't even belong to you. * It belongs to God, and whatever happens is really up to Him anyway (see James 4:13-16). o Finally, Jesus says ... * Love begins at the heart (vv.38-42) o Here, Jesus is addressing many of the laws described in Exodus 21-24 o Those laws were given to ensure that people weren't taking advantage of others. Taking more in return for the wrong done to them. o It was a simple principle, also not to be taken literally, but again they found a way to miss the mark in their interpretation of the law. o Recall in the beatitudes that Jesus said that disciples were both, meek and peacemakers. o Here, he reminds His followers of that very thing. o This is about being fair, merciful, and compassionate. o Recall, that when we opened this part of the series, we talked about this "upside down Kingdom," one that is contrary to the kingdom of this world. o Sort of like this story that J. Vernon McGee told: An Irishman [was] hit on the cheek and [was] knocked down. The Irishman got up and turned his other cheek. The fellow knocked him down again. This time the Irishman got up and beat the stuffin' out of that fellow. An observer asked, "Why did you do that?" "Well," replied the Irishman, "the Lord said to turn the other cheek and I did, but He never told me what to do after that." * That's much closer to our nature, isn't it? * Jesus displayed this perfectly when He was arrested, beaten, and tried. Seemingly, Jesus gives us the impossible when He commands these things of His disciples. He is working to help us to understand the heart of the Law, one that begins in the heart of the person, reminding all of us that only a heart changed by Jesus will cause us to be set apart for Him. But when we ask that question that came up at the beginning of the service: What Would Jesus Do? We can simply return here as a start. This is why we stated earlier in our main idea: Doing what Jesus would do is at the heart of the law. My hope this morning from this difficult passage is that we all ... Reflect on our hearts. Repent of our sins. And ... Restore our relationship with God and others. David needed to do this as well. We see a great example of this in Psalm 51 (verses 1-2) Let this be our prayer today as well: 1 HAVE MERCY ON ME, O GOD, ACCORDING TO YOUR STEADFAST LOVE; ACCORDING TO YOUR ABUNDANT MERCY BLOT OUT MY TRANSGRESSIONS. 2 WASH ME THOROUGHLY FROM MY INIQUITY, AND CLEANSE ME FROM MY SIN! John reminds us that when we confess our sin, He is faithful to forgive us. So, I want to give you an opportunity to do that right now as we close. Take a few minutes to reflect on this passage, then I'll close with a word of prayer. 2