I need your feedback. I want the Good Mornings to have relevance in your life and not to become too “preachy”. And I know I cannot please everyone all the time – but if I am getting too deep into teaching and you are not finding the morning devotions helpful – don’t quit reading – tell me!!! Sometimes what I find interesting may not fit your eye. Just let me know what you think.
As I said Monday, I had never thought of the Sermon on the Mount as being Jesus laying out the blueprint for His church in a manner similar to what God did through Moses at Mount Sinai. It is an interesting concept …that has been in my thoughts. In our focus today, Jesus talks about the Law of Moses … and provides more insight to God’s thinking on these Laws. He begins by assuring us that the Law is still appropriate:
Matthew 5:17-20 (New International Version)
The Fulfillment of the Law
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
As believers in Christ, we are free from the curse of the Law – but we are not free from Law. Does that make sense? The curse of the Law is death (separation from God) because the Law proves that we are all sinners. But the Law is still effective in determining how we can live with one another. Jesus wants us to honor ALL of God’s Word – not just the part that fits easily in our lifestyle. God gave us the Law for our benefit. Many of us see the Law as a burden. In the next few verses, Jesus takes portions of the Law and explains them to His disciples:
Matthew 5:21-43
Murder
21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister[b][c] will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’[d] is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
Adultery
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’[e] 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
Divorce
31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’[f] 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Oaths
33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 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 swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.[g]
Eye for Eye
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[h] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’
Footnotes:
a. Matthew 5:21 Exodus 20:13
b. Matthew 5:22 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a fellow disciple, whether man or woman; also in verse 23.
c. Matthew 5:22 Some manuscripts brother or sister without cause
d. Matthew 5:22 An Aramaic term of contempt
e. Matthew 5:27 Exodus 20:14
f. Matthew 5:31 Deut. 24:1
g. Matthew 5:37 Or from evil
h. Matthew 5:38 Exodus 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21
i. Matthew 5:43 Lev. 19:18
I ask myself what the overriding theme is of Jesus’ teaching here. For me, Jesus is telling me to think beyond the basic law to the meaning behind the law. For example, I may not “murder” anyone – but if I hate them, I might as well have murdered them because I have done so in my heart. Or I may not actually engage in adultery – but if I look on a woman and have only lustful desire in my mind, I have sinned against her, my spouse, myself and my God. And so on throughout the teaching. In essence, Jesus wants me to become a thinker as well as a doer. He wants me to evaluate the impact of my actions and thoughts in light of God’s Word.
Well, I look forward to getting some feedback from you. Don’t be shy – tell me what you think. You are special people to me. Thank you for your patience.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
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