Expansion of the Law (pt. 1)

INTRODUCTION

Last week, we finished by asking this question, Are you ready? Jesus, through the Sermon on the Mount, will expose our hearts. Our hearts will lay bare and, when compared to Jesus, we will see our true wickedness. But Jesus doesn’t want to leave us there. Remember, we’re learning from Jesus what it means to live like Jesus.

As we get in to the meat of the Sermon this evening, Jesus reveals to us the true meaning of one of the ten commandments — Jesus “expands” the law.

Let me ask a couple of questions before looking through our passage.

When the New Testament refers to the law, what is it referencing? (10 Commandments)

What is/was the purpose of the law?

Galatians 3:23–25 KJV 1900

23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

When I say Jesus expands the law, what do you think this means? (Jesus merely explains the original intent of the law)

LETTER OF THE LAW (vs. 21) —what does the law say?

Matthew 5:21 KJV 1900

21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

What does the law say? — Thou shalt not kill.

Exodus 20:13 KJV 1900

13 Thou shalt not kill.

Numbers 35:30–31 KJV 1900

30 Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die. 31 Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death.

Murder breaks God’s law.

Jesus recognizes their understanding of the law, of what the law said. It’s hard to misinterpret. It’s that clear. Thou shalt not kill.

Just a brief aside — When we read Scripture, one of the goals is to understand the plain reading of the text. What is the text actually saying. This must be done before we venture to the next point of understanding what it means.

What is murder? Murder is the unlawful, premeditated killing of one human being by another.

Our commandment so far has stated clearly that murder breaks God’s law.

Here’s where it gets interesting… What is the punishment of breaking this law as stated by Matthew 5:21?

“And whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment.”

The Pharisees had so sterilized the law to make the punishment for murder a trip to court. Think about it! Was this the intended meaning of the law when given to Moses on Mt. Sinai? (if you were here when we went through Exodus then you would know)

Think to yourself. If this is the intended meaning of the law, have I broken this commandment? Remember the purpose of the law was to expose us to our need of the Savior. If you haven’t broken the law, then you don’t need a Savior.

But Jesus says there’s more…

SPIRIT OF THE LAW (vs. 22) — what does the law mean?

There’s a problem here. Who holds all authoritative power in interpreting Scripture? Jesus. We’ll see it next week on Sunday morning. Often the Pharisees’ interpretation of Scripture excludes Jesus’ interpretation of Scripture. Who’s right?

Jesus goes on to give three different ways that we break this commandment.

Here’s what Jesus says this law means.

Matthew 5:22 KJV 1900

22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment:

Here’s the plain meaning. Anger towards another person breaks God’s law.

Anger breaks the sixth commandment.

What Jesus states here in these verses is a theme that will be brought up again and again throughout the Sermon and the gospels. — Our heart posture towards others matters.

How we view one another matters to God.

But isn’t this consistent with the message of the Sermon on the Mount so far? Jesus seems to be more concerned with our heart than with our actions. Why? Because if our heart is pure then our actions will be loving, gracious, and full of peace.

In this verse Jesus makes a strong statement: Anger = Murder.

Anger in the heart towards any human being is, according to our Lord, something that is as reprehensible in the sight of God as murder.

— Martin Lloyd-Jones

Application.

Anger can look many different ways. Actually, others may never see your anger because it all takes place in the heart.

Maybe you excuse your anger by calling it something else: frustration, annoyance, resentment, mad.

Anger is a sinister sin that is pervasive. Why do you think that Jesus begins with anger? Because we all struggle with it.

How do you struggle with anger?

We must not hide our anger, but rather admit it. Seek forgiveness from your anger. Seek transformation from God.

The point shouldn’t be to not get angry. The point is to be transformed by Jesus to live with peace and love with all men.

The consequence is severe — Whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. There are eternal consequences for breaking the sixth commandment.

This is consistent with the consequence for breaking God’s law. The penalty for breaking God’s law is death and judgement. We need to be rescued from our sin.

But Jesus goes on to even further expand this commandment.

Insults break the sixth commandment.

Matthew 5:22 KJV 1900

22 and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

So maybe you skipped past the first expansion of the law — anger. Well, Jesus has more for you.

Jesus states two words in Greek that expose how we view one another — Raca (Paka) / Fool (More).

Here’s the basic meaning…

Raca expresses contempt for a man’s head = you stupid!; More expresses contempt for his heart and character = you scoundril!

— John Stott

Contempt — scorn and derision.

Insults = Murder. Pretty brutal huh?

Those sly comments behind someone’s back = murder. Gossip with an intent to demean the other person = murder. Snarky, sarcastic jabs at another = murder. Making fun of another’s appearance = murder. Even thinking in your head about another in this way = murder.

Whoah!

Ever murdered someone before? Seems to me, Jesus is trying to show us something about ourselves. Seems to me Jesus is trying to prove a point.

We are not as good as we think we are. Abstaining from physical murder does not clear one from committing emotional murder / spiritual murder.

Killing does not only mean destroying life physically, it means still more trying to destroy the spirit and the soul, destroying the person in any shape or form.

— Martin Lloyd-Jones

But this isn’t where Jesus leaves us. We can disobey and break this commandment by merely trying not to do certain things, or have certain attitudes.

Jesus shows that a true believer (one who keeps this commandment) will actively pursue peace in relationships with other believers and even their adversaries.

ILLUSTRATION OF THE LAW (vs.23-26) what does obedience to the law look like?

Not only are we not to harbour evil thoughts in our heart against another; but the commandment not to kill really means we should take positive steps to put ourselves right with others.

— Martin Lloyd-Jones

Jesus gives a more radical and specific answer.

Matthew 5:23–24 KJV 1900

23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Pursue reconciliation above correct ritual.

Jesus says, It’s more important for reconciliation to take place between brothers than it is for me to receive worship. Why? Because a heart that truly worships God cannot be a heart full of anger. The two cannot mutually coexist.

What is reconciliation? The pursuit of peace between two individuals. Bringing two people back into relationship with one another. But here, Jesus is especially focusing on brothers in Christ.

What does this mean for us?

We are a family. We are meant to live at peace with one another. But because we are human, there will be hurts and grievances. But we must never allow those to fester.

Maybe you are bitter towards someone in the church — get rid of it. Confess and forgive. Maybe the other person simply bothers you and you have to tell others about it — apologize and seek peace.

When we partake of the Lord’s Supper, it’s meant to be taken in a way where the church is clean of sin. This should be the case every time we gather.

Is there some sin that you are holding against another that is keeping you from true worship? God will not accept your worship.

Pursue reconciliation immediately.

Matthew 5:25–26 KJV 1900

25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

Not only should we pursue reconciliation. We should pursue reconciliation immediately. Why? Because we don’t know when judgement day will come.

If you know there is a rift in a relationship between you and anyone, you should go immediately and endeavor to make it right.

Romans 12:18 KJV 1900

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Do not put off forgiveness.

Peace is this important to God.

See where we’ve come from. Murder = Anger = Insults. It’s a dangerous trajectory. Yet, Christ compels us even further. Live at peace. Seek peace.

Matthew 5:9 KJV 1900

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION

If anger and insults count as murder in God’s eyes, how does that change the way you see your words and thoughts?

Why does Jesus say fixing a broken relationship is more important than showing up for worship?

Why is it so important to make things right with people right away instead of waiting?

PRAYER PROMPTS

Pray for God to search our hearts and reveal hidden anger, bitterness, or contempt that needs to be confessed and surrendered.

Pray for courage and humility to pursue reconciliation quickly, even when it’s uncomfortable or humbling.

Pray that our church family would be known for peace-making, grace, and unity, reflecting the heart of Christ in our relationships.