Did you have an absolute law in your house when you were growing up?
You may never open the Liquor cabinet? Or Before you go to bed, the rubbish bin in the kitchen must be emptied to the outside bin.
Or… do you remember the old TV’s? The first DVD players had a little sign bouncing around when you paused for too long, or the old computer screens, you had to put on a screensaver because the picture would “burn in” if you didn’t switch up the lighter areas on the screen… why?
Because we needed to protect the screen!
Fast forward a few decades and we still protect the screen (although, now with a piece of plastic on or mobile phones.
Do we need a screensaver? Nope…
Do we still protect the screen…? Yup
What we do, changed.
Why we do it remains.
The liquor cabinet was bad for you as a kid, Today, it might be ok, but still bad for you if you are not careful.
The rubbish bin really doesn’t matter if you take it out tonight or tomorrow, but tomorrow your kitchen might stink, and you may have a few maggots crawling on your floor…
That was the Old Testament Laws. Moral Laws and Ceremonial Laws Governed the lives of the Israelites and later the Jewish Nation in the time of Jesus.
It was one of the major issues the Religious Leaders had with Jesus. They accused Him that He was not following the “Law” as they expected them to. So as part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus took considerable time to explain the Law and the Prophets to the crowd.
That’s what I want to look at today.
The words of Jesus:
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.”
(Matthew 5:17-19 NIV)
If you read this, it’s CLEAR that Jesus wants us to stick it out and fulfil the laws? Right? He actually sounds quite adamant…
Tattoos? Anathema!
Work on Sundays? Forget about it!
Pork? Ok… maybe He didn’t mean pork…
Verse 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.”
(Matthew 5:20 NIV)
Wait… what?
This doesn’t seem right…
… Remember how Jesus teaches in Levels?
Remember the Salt and the Light?
Jesus is saying the Law is extremely Important, otherwise God would not have given it. In fact, it is critical that we observe the laws to the utmost of our abilities!
“whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
(Matthew 5:19b NIV)
But observe the WHY, not the WHAT…
The Pharisees were supposed to be the keepers of the law, not the enforcers of the law.
Jesus then goes forth to explain what that means.
The 10 Commandments: Thou Shall Not, Thou Shall Not, Thou Shall Not…
Jesus says no… Salt and Light: Thou Shall Do!
He took the negative inaction and turns it into positive action.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
(Matthew 7:12)
The Jewish Golden Rule was this:
“Do unto others, as they have done to you”
(Deal with them as they have dealt with you… In other words, if they have done you in, then it’s only fair that you cheat them back a little.)
The Silver Rule was a bit better (and more based on the 10 commandments)
“Don’t do to others what you don’t want them to do to you”
(In other words, refrain from causing harm, refrain from action, stay safe and hope they leave you be)
Jesus says no… Be Salt and Light: “Do unto others, as you want them to do to you”
The action and change starts with you. Treat them well, regardless. Treat them honestly, regardless. Bless them if they Curse you. Pray for them (Remember? Matthew 5:44)
Take action, don’t hide away. Don’t segregate yourself from the world to try and stay pure.
So Jesus gives explains:
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,’”
(Matthew 5:21-26 NIV)
(Read the whole Passage)
It is not about the murder… It is about the seed of murder… Hate & Anger has the same seed as murder. Jesus says to get rid of the seed! Because if you leave the seed, it will grow, and you will become familiar with the sensations and become comfortable with them as they poison your life and your relationships.
The prison is not “prison” – you will be captured by the hate in your heart!
Active response… It is not about refraining from murdering. It is about actively pursuing peace, love, contentment!
Jesus explains:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
(Matthew 5:27-28 NIV)
It is not about the adultery, it is about the seed of lust (and jealousy, and greed) – The law required that you refrain from committing adultery, but Jesus says the “LAW” is actually not about refraining. Adhering to the Law perfectly is actively pursuing purity and getting rid of the seeds of Lust.
“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. 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.”
(Matthew 5:29-30 NIV)
Again… it’s not that the world must be full of left handed, half blind people, it’s a metaphor. Jesus is making sure we understand. Do Not Play with the seeds of LUST. Take quick, decisive and Drastic Action. Because once the seed settles, you will have a heck of a time getting those weeds out of your garden!
And Jesus goes on…
But the point is that Jesus wants us to understand that the laws have a purpose. And that purpose is good in its intention, but needs to be adhered to according to the intention. “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27) or “An Eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” (Matt 5:38) It doesn’t mean you get to kick the crap out of someone that did you wrong, it means: let the punishment fit the crime… don’t go overboard in your zeal! In fact, If you get slapped, turn the other cheek, don’t slap back.
Do you see the pattern?
Our God is a practical God. He isn’t whimsical and wants chocolate eclairs on a Tuesday otherwise the world ends… His laws are meant for Good, if we keep to the intention of the law, the reason for the law, instead of the action prescribed and ingrained by tradition that has no more meaning or influence than turning around twice and throwing salt over your shoulder to keep evil away.
We protect the screen, we keep the smell out of the kitchen, and we keep the temptation out of reach. The Why remains, the What changes
Jesus says Love God, Love your Neighbour, Love Yourself – that is the full intent of the law that Jesus came to fulfil!
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
(John 15:13 NIV)
The Israelites used to offer as sacrifice the animals without spot and blemish, that was replaced by Jesus… the ultimate fulfilment of the requirement of the Law at the root of it’s intent.
