Proving Jesus Right

INTRODUCTION:

The world is full of experts who claim to know the path to human flourishing.

Pop Culture: Oprah Winfrey (authenticity) and Tony Robbins (personal growth)

Psychology: Abraham Maslow (self-actualization) and Viktor Rankl (meaning in suffering)

Academics: Jordan Peterson (responsibility) and David Brooks (personal virtue)

This “happiness quest” is nothing new; it has been a conversation from the start.

From the Serpent in the Garden of Eden to your cousin at Thanksgiving, many different voices have contributed.

The entire history of Western Civilization could be seen through this one quest.

It drove Greek & Roman Philosophy from Socrates to Aristotle to Seneca.

It’s motivated religious leaders from Buddha and Confucius to Muhammad and Zarathustra.

It animates our politics and cultural institutions; from education to social welfare.

Each of these people and all of these systems are trying to tackle this problem.

In that way, Christianity, is one more among many options. The historical Jesus of Nazareth addressed this quest as well.

What makes Jesus unique from the others is his death and resurrection.

The resurrection of Jesus and it’s impact on history make his personal claims unavoidable.

Any resurrection is a miracle worth investigating. But the resurrection of Jesus was more than that.

This miracle happened in a “theological context” that verified the claims Jesus made.

Not only did Jesus predict his own death, he stated how it would happen and why it mattered. Not only did Jesus rise from the dead, he predicted when and what it would represent.

The resurrection of Jesus proves he wasn’t wrong.

The Road to Flourishing

Any person who makes those claims and actually pulls them off, is NOT a person to be ignored.

If Jesus wasn’t wrong about his death and resurrection then what else was he right about?

I would argue that Jesus was right on the question of flourishing and how a human person can attain it. Our “happiness quest” has a final destination and Jesus alone can lead the way.

These questions are explored in the Sermon on the Mount, located in Matthew 5-7. Jesus preached this sermon before discussions about his death or resurrection.

The original sermon had incredible influence and the people were amazed by Jesus’ authority. When they read this sermon in light of the resurrection, it only strengthened their confidence in its truth.

The resurrection proved to people that Jesus wasn’t lying. A flourishing life can be yours. The Sermon on the Mount is the original blueprint and our passage today is its core.

The text is located in Matthew 5:17-20. It forms this conclusion of a sermon introduction known today as the “Beatitudes.”

The Beatitudes describe the culture of heaven and the character of those who would possess it.

The “flourishing life” is to the helpless and the humble, to those who mourn over sin and brokenness.

Those “kingdom people” have a hunger for what’s right and show mercy even when they’ve been wronged. Their devotion is given to God alone and they live as his children on the earth.

In the face of opposition, they’re committed to peace-making; even if it costs them their reputation. Their flourishing doesn’t depend on good circumstances because their hope is in heaven.

Read The Text

The ultimate example of a flourishing life is the life of Jesus himself.

His life sets the standard of what God requires and therefore what flourishing is.

But Jesus didn’t stop at being an example. His mission went further than that.

Jesus paved the way so a flourishing life could also be ours through faith.

With that in mind let’s read our passage starting in Matthew 5:17-20

Matthew 5:17–20 CSB

17 “Don’t think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass away from the law until all things are accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever does and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.

These four verses function as the “thesis” to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. They answer an objection that Matthew’s readers might have had about Jesus and what he came to do.

Matthew was written for a Jewish audience shaped by and steeped in Jewish culture. They would’ve grown up reading the “Law and Prophets” and seen them as the inspired “Word of God.”

The ministry of Jesus had disrupted that culture and confronted the Jewish religious leaders. It was reasonable, then, for people to question, “What does Jesus think about the Bible?”

In response, Jesus affirms that Scripture is true and he has no intentions to undermine it.

But he also denounced the religious establishment led by the scribes and pharisees.

These statements would’ve been scandalous in their original context: not only in what they affirmed but what they didn’t. The greatest shock was Jesus rebuking the religious leaders of that day.

The criticism that Jesus came to abolish the Scripture was really just projection from scribes and pharisees.

They were the ones guilty of things like diminishing and twisting God’s Word. As a result, their so called “righteousness” would keep them from inheriting God’s kingdom.

Jesus did NOT COME to do away with the Scripture. His goal was that Scripture be accomplished. His preaching wasn’t meant to change the Word of God but that people would see where it was pointing.

A life of true flourishing is found in God’s Kingdom but that Kingdom must first be received.

Those who inherit the Kingdom of God understand certain truths about Jesus.

I want to show you four of those truths located in our passage today. Each of these truths are historically proven by the resurrection of Jesus.

Jesus is the point of the Old Testament.

Jesus is the person he claimed to be.

Jesus is the pattern of righteousness.

Jesus has the power to give you life.

GREATER RIGHTEOUSNESS

Let’s begin with the statement in verse 17 and Jesus’ claim about the Law and the prophets.

Matthew 5:17 CSB

17 “Don’t think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.

The phrase “law and prophets” is shorthand for the Jewish Bible, otherwise known as the “Tanakh.”

It was traditionally broken into three different sections: the Torah (Law), the Nevi’im (Prophets) and Ketuvim (Writings.)

Sometimes these sections are referred to individually and other times there alluded to indirectly. In this case, Jesus uses two different phrases to convey the idea of all three.

In verse 17 he uses “the Law or the Prophets” and in verse 18 he uses “Law.” In either instance the phrase really means what first century Jews viewed as “Scripture.”

It’d be like Jesus holding up our Bible and saying, “I didn’t come to do away with the Bible. I came so it might be fulfilled!”

Jesus is the Point

The word translated “fulfill” means to satisfy or bring something to completion.

In Matthew Gospel we’ve seen this word before, not once but six different times!

Usually, it describes how Jesus fulfills OT prophecies about “The Christ.” (Mat 1:22; 2:15; 2:17; 2:23; 4:14)

Jesus himself uses this word when requesting John to do his baptism.

Matthew 3:15 CSB

15 Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John allowed him to be baptized.

Jesus’ baptism was given to point to Israel’s Exodus from Egypt. His baptism is followed by 40 days in the wilderness which also connect Jesus with OT Israel.

So fulfillment doesn’t just mean to “satisfy a requirement.” It also has a secondary sense. Fulfillment is “being that towards which something points.” That is how Jesus means to say it.

Maps & Puzzles

Jesus is the point of the Old Testament.

The Jewish Scriptures point to something beyond themselves. Jesus says those Scriptures point to ME.

Think of directions on a map or the pieces of a puzzle: their purpose is to point beyond themselves.

The instructions on a map are helpful on their own but each step is in service of something bigger. Every line of additional information drives you to a future destination.

Jesus is saying, I’m that destination. Everything in the Scripture has been leading up to me.

Or imagine a 100 piece puzzle (my parents have gotten into these). Each puzzle piece stands on it’s own. But each piece serves to paint a larger picture.

Jesus says “I’m the picture on the box.” My life is that to which every piece points from Moses to the very last prophet.

What Is the Old Testament?

To appreciate what Jesus is saying, we must see the true nature of the Old Testament.

Many Christians never read the OT and those that do treat it like a book of rules.

If that’s the way you read the OT you’ll never understand it’s real purpose. You’ll miss the forrest for the trees.

It’s less about rules, philosophy and future predictions and more about a covenant keeping God. The rules are given in light of that relationship as well as every prophecy and event.

The goal of the OT isn’t behavior modification. It isn’t a comprehensive moral philosophy. It’s an unfolding story of God choosing Israel and using them to unfold his master plan.

From the Adam to Noah to Abraham and Jacob God never gives up on his people.

Each person receives a covenant reminder that God’s grace is greater than our sin.

As the story unfolds you see patterns develop.

The covenants show a loving God of grace.

The sacrifices show a holy God of mercy.

The temple shows a present God of glory.

The kingdom shows a sovereign God of power.

The prophets point forward to a God who can be known, the priests to a God who should be served. The kings point forward to a God who reigns on high, but every one points beyond themselves.

Jesus is the center of every promise, every pattern and every prophetic Word.

The Law and Prophets give shadows but Jesus brings the substance. He’s resolves every holy tension.

The promise of God, not yet fulfilled.

The sacrifice offered, not yet sufficient.

The king on the throne, not yet perfected.

Every book moves the story forward in expectation. Jesus is the one who brings it to completion.

He’s the promised seed, the better sacrifice, the true and greater king. He’s the suffering servant, the good shepherd, the final passover Lamb.

When you read the Old Testament with Jesus colored glass you’ll see the scarlet thread. The resurrection of Jesus makes this reading obvious.

You see this happen on the “road to Emmaus.” After his resurrection, his disciples finally see “the things concerning Jesus in all the Scriptures.” (Luke 24:27)

Luke 24:32 CSB

32 They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?”

Proves His Personal Claims

The resurrection proves that Jesus is the point of the Old Testament. But it also proves other important claims.

Jesus is the person he claimed himself to be.

The resurrection verifies those claims in important ways. We won’t look at every claim, just those within this text.

Matthew 5:18 CSB

18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass away from the law until all things are accomplished.

One reason I think the Bible is totally true and trustworthy is because Jesus made that claim and resurrected. But here, Jesus makes an additional point that establish certain claims about his person.

The logic goes something like this:

The Bible is the Word of God and will never pass away.

My life and mission are that to which it points.

As sure as the Bible stands, my mission will be accomplished.

It’s an extension and application of verse 17. My mission isn’t to change the Bible (who could!?) but to accomplish that to which it points.

The people who trusted the Bible was unchanging could also trust God’s plan in Jesus.

God is faithful to his promise and the Bible proves that true. I’m the center of that story so trust God’s plan that is in me.

Just as the Father secures his Holy Word will the Father ensure my holy mission.

If we heard someone talk like that we might think he’s crazy. In fact, Jesus’ own family thought he might’ve lost his mind.

But the resurrection proves he wasn’t crazy at all! But it wasn’t until afterwards that his followers put it together. Especially the truths about certain personal claims.

There’s an interesting example of this between Jesus and temple authorities. Jesus had cleared the temple of money changers. When the leaders challenged him, he made the following claim.

John 2:19–22 CSB

19 Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it up in three days.” 20 Therefore the Jews said, “This temple took forty-six years to build, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 So when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the statement Jesus had made.

God’s Power in Life

The resurrection of Jesus proves his personal claims, especially his claims about the following.

It was God’s power behind the ministry of Jesus.

It was God’s purpose for why he had to die.

Both of these claims are implied in verse 18 at the beginning and end of the verse.

I’m sure many made the statement, “Truly, I say unto you…” but few made the kind of claims that Jesus did. Jesus would say that followed by words that suggested he possessed divine authority.

From Matthew 5:21 to the end of the chapter Jesus address six moral questions. He begins by saying, “You’ve heard it said…” and concludes “but I say to you…”

The original sayings had divine authority but the scribes had softened the ethic. When Jesus responds, “But I say to you…” he’s assuming an authority equal with God.

You also see this at the conclusion of the sermon. “The people were amazed by Jesus’ teaching.” It wasn’t just the wisdom of the words that Jesus spoke but the authority with which those words were spoken! (Matthew 7:28-29)

We could go on with other types of claims that reveal God’s power behind his ministry (forgiving sin/calming storm/etc). The point is that the resurrection of Jesus points those claims in a different light.

God’s Purpose in Death

But it wasn’t just God’s power behind his words it was also God’s purpose behind his death.

Jesus would go on to make repeated claims about God’s purpose for his coming crucifixion.

The resurrection proves the claims Jesus made about God’s purpose for his death.

Jesus alludes to this in verse 18 with the phrase, “until all things are accomplished.”

The “all” in “all things” is debated by scholars and “when” exactly all is accomplished. But one specific event within that category was the crucifixion of Jesus by the Romans.

Jesus has already claimed he’s the point of the Bible but now he drills down on the most significant truth. One of the ways his life fulfills the Scripture is through his atoning death for sinners.

The hallmark of the New Covenant which Jesus came to establish is that Law of God would be written on our hearts and that our sins would be remembered no more.

The Suffering Servant

The way of dealing with sin under the Old Covenant was through animal sacrifices. But they were never sufficient to make atonement.

It’s why holy days like the “Day of Atonement” had to take place every year. They didn’t atone for sin but rather delayed judgment. Something better was needed.

These sacrifices pointed to a true and better atonement, a sinless spotless Lamb of God.

Jesus understood his death was unique because he was that chosen son of God. He was the promised “suffering servant” that Isaiah talks about. Isaiah 53:5

Isaiah 53:5 CSB

5 But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds.

Jesus made these claims in that final passover meal as they broke the bread and drank the cup of wine.

Jesus held up the bread and said, “This is my body, broken for you.” He took the cup and said, “This is my blood for the New Covenant, shed so you can be forgiven of sin.” (Luke 22:19-20)

Jesus could not have been clearer about God’s purpose for his death. Jesus laid down his life to make atonement for sin.

He lived a sinless life of love and offered it to God a life none of us could live. And though he was innocent, he absorbed the wrath of God so that you and I could be forgiven.

God’s purpose for the death ofJesus was a glorious exchange: his perfect life for our sin. And his death for our forgiveness.

Without the shedding of blood there can be no forgiveness. The wages of sin is always death. Not just physical death but eternal separation from a Holy God and his rightful wrath.

The purpose of God was to pour out on Jesus the wrath that you and I deserved. Just as sure as the Scripture was Jesus so confident that God had sent him to die.

The Pattern for Righteousness

Which leads us to the next key truth from this passage.

Jesus is God’s pattern for righteousness.

In death, Jesus shows God’s perfect justice. In life he shows God’s righteousness.

His life reveals the fullness of a flourishing life in God.

People describe the resurrection as God’s “stamp of approval,” historical evidence that the atonement was sufficient. I think that’s true.

But it doesn’t just verify the atonement of Jesus, it’s also verifies true righteousness. Everlasting life that overcomes death is seen in the life of Jesus Christ.

Jesus gives the pattern of what God really wants and what a flourishing life really requires! Jesus points to this in verses 19-20.

Matthew 5:19–20 CSB

19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever does and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.

Verse 20 is the summary and theological core of everything in the Sermon on the Mount.

What God demands is a “surpassing righteousness” than that of the Scribes and Pharisees.

The Scribes and the Pharisees were by no means “unrighteous.” That’s what made Jesus’ claim so scandalous. These were the “super very righteous people” and they took God’s Law very serious.

They weren’t unrighteousness in that they were obviously immoral. They were deficient in a much more subtle way. The kind of righteousness that God demands is above the average AND below the surface.

The hallmark of the New Covenant that Jesus established was that God’s Law would be written on our hearts. Morality wasn’t measured by externals but rather the motivation of the heart.

Deficient Righteousness

I’ve tried to simplify it under three umbrellas seen here and the Sermon on the Mount.

The scope was merely partial.

The focus was mere performance.

The motive was public recognition.

We don’t have time to unpack each element but Jesus does so later in the sermon.

These are the same problems that people have today, even religious people who say that they are Christians.

Their righteousness may not look different on the surface but their hearts are far from what God wants.

On the one hand, this righteousness is totally impossible. It’s a standard only Jesus Christ can meet.

On the other hand, those who united to Christ by faith, receive power to live this kind of life.

You Must Be Perfect

What God wants is perfect righteousness not the partial obedience of the Pharisees.

You can see this dynamic in Matthew 5:19 with the discussion about “light” and heavy commandments.

Matthew 5:19 CSB

19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever does and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

The word translated “break” means to “loosen or abolish” it’s a form of what Jesus was accused of doing. The word translated “least” means insignificant or light when compared to something else.

It was common for Pharisees to distinguish “light and heavy” when discussing obedience to God’s Law. One such tradition was “Corban” or “offerings to God” whereby wealth could be deemed “for God alone.” (Lev 1:2)

Well the Pharisees used Corban as a theological loophole to avoid medical expenses when caring for parents. (Matthew 15:1-9; Mark 7:13) They justified partial obedience by “relaxing” a “less important” command.

Jesus concludes the first section of his sermon with the standard that God really wants. It’s not partial obedience but perfect obedience to EVERYTHING God has revealed. (Matthew 5:48)

The Hidden Heart

Everything between verse 20 to the end of the chapter is Jesus saying “what matters to God is the heart.”

The Pharisees were focused on “external performance” whereas God was focused on the heart.

What God wants isn’t behavior modification although murder and adultery ARE wrong. God’s more so concerned with what fuels those things and that always begins in the heart.

When we focus on performance we may “look righteous” but it won’t be the kind that God wants.

What defiles a person doesn’t come from outside but rather begins in the heart.

The final deficiency is the motivation for righteousness and that is addressed in Matthew 6.

Jesus compares two types of prayer, fasting, tithing, and so on.

One kind is public and motivated by praise, the “reward” is a good reputation.

The other kind is private and motivated by intimacy, the reward is communion with God.

So many people focus their actions on how they’ll be seen by other people. Those same people show little attention of seeking after God in the secret place.

Are you guilty of that kind of righteousness? The kind that focuses ONLY on behavior?

The kind that ignores the hidden poison that spreads and damages the heart? I know I have.

Do you only seek God on Sunday morning with people watching?

Do you only ever pray at your meals? Or is God a person worth pursuing in secret whether people will ever see you or not?

What you see in the life of Jesus is THAT surpassing righteousness and that is where flourishing is found.

The problem with us is our spiritual inability to ever live life in that way.

According to Jesus, even breaking ONE LAW means were really not fit for God’s kingdom.

In that way, the Kingdom must first be received as a gift of God’s grace to the helpless.

That’s why Jesus says at the start of this sermon, “Blessed are the poor in spirit… blessed are those who mourn their brokenness and the impact of sin on this world.”

Through meekness and humility the kingdom can be given and your replaced with something new.

Which means Jesus is not just a pattern for righteousness but has the power to give you new life.

CONCLUSION:

Only Jesus has the power to give you new life.

Have you received that new life in Jesus name?

The purpose of Broadview Church and of Jesus Christ himself was so you might have life in Jesus name.

The enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy but Jesus has come to give you life and life abundant. (John 10:10)

If there’s never been a time where you’ve repented of sin and put your faith in Jesus for salvation, then today is the day to respond.

Jesus extends an invitation for you to inherit life, the flourishing life that we all want.

First, that life is received by grace through faith in what Jesus accomplished. From there, that life is practically recovered and pursued in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Connect Card

Every easter we pass out these unique connect cards so you can express where you think you stand.

A indicates you already have a saving relationship with Jesus.

B indicates you’d like to begin a saving relationship with Jesus.

C indicates you’re open to consider starting a relationship with Jesus.

D indicates you do not desire to start a relationship with Jesus.

The glorious thing about being a Christian is how every person gets saved.

It’s not through striving or personal effort but an undeserved gift of God’s grace. By grace you’re saved and not of works lest any man boast.

All that your Heavenly Father requires of you is to humble yourself before the Lord.

Admit that you’re a sinner in desperate need of grace and unable to attain true righteousness.

Believe that God loved you so much he sent Jesus to make atonement for your sin.

Confess Jesus to be Lord of your life and the risen king of God’s Kingdom.

If you’ve never publically made that confession then you need to do so through baptism.

All of these actions are listed on your connect card so be sure to indicate your decision. And in just a few moments we’ll close out our service and you can respond to the Lord.