DAY #68: Matthew 5:17-26

Background:

In Matt. 5:11-16, Jesus states clearly that in this fallen world, we, His followers, will be persecuted because of Him; He also encourages us not to lose heart but to preserve our “saltiness” and shine like the light of the lamp for all to see so that our Father in heaven will be glorified.

Having delivering the sobering but encouraging message with regard to persecution, Jesus proceeds to talk about The Messianic Kingdom in relation to the Law. (5:17–48)

Fulfill or Abolish the Law? Matt. 5:17 begins with Jesus’ position concerning the Law of God written in the Old Testament (OT). Because Jesus’ teaching is so different from that of the Pharisees and Sadducees, some people believe Jesus’ intention is to subvert the authority of God's Word and substitute His own in its place. The truth is, while Jesus is introducing a new covenant, His intention is NOT to replace the teachings of the OT.

"Not at all!” declares Jesus:

“Do not think I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (5:17)

Far from being antagonistic to the Old Testament Scriptures, Jesus says He has come to fulfill "the Law and the Prophets" and to confirm their authority. In other words, Jesus says He has come to complete the Law and make it perfect by showing the spiritual intent and application of God’s Law. Jesus also wants to demonstrate that many of the things the Pharisees and Sadducees taught are faulty. His intention is to fulfill the Law in His life and ministry, together with His clarification of God's intent and meaning in the entire OT. He emphasizes that He has not come to destroy, rescind or nullify the Law. On the contrary, He adds, “Do not even think such a thing!”

“For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” (5:18)

Jesus is saying that God's spiritual laws are immutable, inviolable and indestructible. They can only be fulfilled, never abolished. Until the ultimate completion of God's plan has comes to pass, and for as long as there are still fleshly humans on earth, God's law in Scripture is necessary. Furthermore, Jesus makes it very clear that those who follow Him and aspire to His Kingdom must obey and uphold God's law.

Anger and Murder

Jesus proceeds to give examples of the teachings of the Pharisees that completely missed the spiritual intent of God's Laws.

The first example He gives is related to the Sixth Commandment:

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment …” (5:21-20)

To the Pharisees, the Sixth Commandment simply states that premeditated murder is prohibited. But Jesus teaches that the intent of the Sixth Commandment is not just to prohibit the literal act of murder, but every evil attitude of heart and mind that leads to murder—including unjust anger and contemptuous words. Anger typically entails the desire to harm or destroy another person. Someone who wants to kill, or wishes that someone else were dead, is a murderer in the heart, even if they are unable or unwilling to carry out the deed. Even so, we will be judged on our anger.

Relationships and Reconciliation

Jesus uses two examples (5:23-26) to point out that interpersonal relationships should always have priority over sacrifices and offering of gift in worship. If someone has something against us (whether justified or not), that person should have taken the first step to reconcile; but if that person does not, we should not wait but to take the initiative to do so. Whenever possible, always try to seek peace even with the person who is about to take us to court because it is the attitude of true righteousness.

SO WHAT? (What will I do with what I have read today?)

Jesus makes it clear that He has not come to abolish the Scriptures, but to fulfill it. He instructs His disciples that God's Law must be obeyed. This involves obedience, of course, but Jesus wants us to do more than just follow rules. He calls us to a different kind of obedience and a different quality of righteousness that works from the inside out of a changed heart and motivations. In other words, Jesus calls us to obey God's Word in the spirit and intent of the heart.

Do you remember Beatitude # 6?

"Bless are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (5:8)

What is the condition of your heart? Pray this: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24)

Pauline Lo Alker