The Sayings Of Jesus Part 4 Series

The Sayings of Jesus Part 4

Matthew 5:17-20

Jesus in His teachings on the mountain challenges all His followers to project the right attitude of believers and in doing so understand that you are going to be persecuted for demonstrating the righteousness of Christ.

See: 1 Peter 3:13-17 But if ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye…better if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

He then proceeds to tell them what they are in this world.

“Ye are the salt of the earth”

• You are to represent the good in this world

• You are to serve as a preservative against the evils of society

• You are to cause people to thirst for Jesus

It is important for us to ask ourselves do we cause people to thirst for Christ or have no desire for Him. Do I represent the good and serve as a preservative against the evils of society.

Christians lately have been involved in some very awful crimes.

“Ye are the light of the world”

• Light provides direction

• Light produces life

The conclusion of what we are is summed up in Vs.16 “That people may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Now here Jesus speaks concerning His coming and His position concerning the law.

See: Vs.17 He makes it clear that He did not come to destroy the law or the prophets, but to fulfill.

Law or the Prophets: This often means the entire Old Testament.

See: Matt. 7:13 & Acts 24:14

Why did Jesus make this statement? He is among those who have live solely in a system of the Law of God given to Moses in which we refer to as the Law of Moses. This also means that the law than is still operable but expounded upon by Jesus.

What do we suppose Jesus meant by this statement?

• Jesus is the only man who kept the entire law

Mention: 2 Cor. 5:21 He who knew no sin…

Also: 1 Peter 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth

• Jesus also satisfied the righteous demands of the law by His holy life and sacrificial death

See: Galatians 4:4-5 He was made under the law to redeem that were under the law…

See: Matt. 5:18 Not one jot or tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled

Jot: Is the smallest of Hebrew letter. It is would like the dot we put above the letter I in our English language.

Tittle: The smallest stroke of a Hebrew character and is compared to the difference between the letter P and R. The small angled line to make a P and R is like a tittle.

Point: Jesus says I did not come to destroy the law or the prophets but to fulfill everything written in it. (Over 300 prophecies were fulfilled in His first coming)

This He supports by what is said in Vs.19 He warns against the breaking of the commandments of God.

Point: This is different than what we are hearing from some popular religious figures in our world who says God approves of someone despite their lifestyle.

Now in making Himself clear He drops what I call a boom shell.

See: Matt. 5:20 Except your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Under the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees one is attempting to get into the kingdom of heaven on their good merits

The problem with this is no one but Jesus could keep the whole law!

See: Romans 3:10 none righteous no not one

Then: Eccl. 7:20

Which meant that under this self righteous system one must pay the penalty for his or her sins.