Matthew 5:13-16:
Jesus compared all true believers to salt, which was used as not only a flavoring but as a preservative against spoilage. Our lives and words are to be used by the LORD to preserve morality and godliness in an increasingly decaying society. Like salt, our lives can be catalysts used by the Holy Spirit to produce spiritual thirstiness in others. Salt cannot lose its flavor, but it can be contaminated by other elements so as to render it useless. While salt can preserve and flavor almost any food, it is useless to add good to bad salt. Salt that has been corrupted needs to be thrown away. In the same way, disciples are useless to the kingdom of God who violate in any way their moral character and spiritual commitment to the king. We are also compared to light, shining like a beacon on a hill, unable to be covered by anything. Our lives are to be seen in both public and private in a manner that gives all glory and honor to the LORD.
vv. 17-20:
As God Incarnate, the Lord Jesus kept the Law of Moses perfectly. He had come to fulfill all the words of the Law and the Prophets. The law of God would never be set aside or destroyed. It is to be used as a lesson by a schoolmaster to show fallen humanity how we truly measure up against the Sovereign holiness of God Almighty. The Law is a means of teaching what God expects of all people and to show them that without His mercy, grace, and salvation, we are all guilty of sin and deserve punishment for our rebellion (Romans 3:23, 6:23). Anyone who teaches that the Law of God is irrelevant will be considered "least in the Kingdom". That is, false teachers will be in serious trouble with God. The teacher who presents both law and grace will be honored by the LORD. One's righteousness has to exceed the religiosity of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Jesus exposed their rank hypocrisy and formality and told the people to be righteous before the LORD, expressing His compassion and love as characteristic of being His true followers.
vv.21-26:
The sixth commandment instructs us not to murder. We are never to be the source of any deliberate or willful destruction of any human life for either gain, profit, or revenge (Exodus 20:13; Proverbs 6:16-19). It is a crime punishable by death. Jesus carries this commandment to another level that goes beyond the external action. He points out that the mind and soul are the real source of the crime, originating in our fallen nature, bringing forth the lies, slander, and other factors that can, in essence, murder somebody's character, reputation, or business. Therefore, if you hold a grudge against someone that could fester into something far worse, especially if you are on your way to worship the LORD, first go and settle the differences with the other person who has been the source of your anger. Get this taken care of before you take care of your business with God, or else any kind of "worship" you might present will be nothing but an exercise in futility.
vv.27-32:
The seventh commandment forbids any act of adultery. Jesus said that anyone looking at a woman with lust had already committed adultery with her in his heart (the same thing holds true for the ladies concerning the men). he does not forbid the natural, normal attraction which makes up our humanity. What he forbade was any deep-seated lust that consumes the inner person. What do we do against sexual temptation? Jesus warned that we need to take extraordinary precautions against letting it or any sin consume us to the point where we end up losing our testimony and influence for the LORD. He did not teach that we have to maim ourselves physically, but that we must remove any type of obstacle that could lead us to sexual sin, or else end up in hell. With these words, Jesus contrasted divorce in the kingdom to divorce within the Law of Moses. In the Old Testament, it was fairly easy to obtain a divorce. Deuteronomy 24:1 teaches that if a woman is no longer in favor with her husband, he can issue her a "bill of divorce" and sent away. If she married another man, she was not to return to her former husband. the divorce was seen as final. In the kingdom, Jesus taught that the only real ground for a divorce was if there was adultery or unfaithfulness in the marriage. There was no room for any other interpretation. God is not vague in HIs teachings.
vv.33-48:
The Lord Jesus taught that oath -swearing amounted to nothing more than empty words if you do not intend to carry it out. We are not to make any oath nor swear by anything that is related to the things of God or by God Himself. Just say "yes" or "no" and leave it at that when you are asked to do something for someone. He also taught about retaliation and its consequences. Exodus 21:24 taught that there was to be no use of excessive or brutal force against someone whose actions caused another person to lose an eye, limb, or life. The injury was to be extracted equally. However, there were also feelings of revenge left in the offender and offended if still alive. How was this issue to be settled? Jesus exhorted His people not to resist evil, but to turn the other cheek. He gave three specific examples of "kingdom behavior": (1) Not resisting one's adversary in a court of law; (2) volunteering to "go the second mile", and (3) Giving to those who borrow rather than turning them away. We are not to be "doormats" for people to take advantage of us, but we are to show compassion that is designed to confound our foes and make them see that the faith we confess is real and life changing. How many people have been changed because a former enemy showed them compassion and the Gospel of Jesus Christ? The worst character can be transformed by the power of Jesus Christ. All we have to do is look at the life and work of the apostle Paul (Acts 9:1-6).
Our attitude and behavior should be motivated by unselfish, authentic love. The Law of Moses taught the people to love their friends while hating their foes. Jesus called the citizens of HIs kingdom to instead show love to their enemies in word and deed. He would present the parable of the Good Samaritan to make this point (Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:25-37). We are to pray for and bless those who have animosity against us. In doing so, we are to imitators of our Heavenly Father who allows the rain to fall on both the just and unjust in acts of common grace (Romans 1:18-20). This chapter concludes with the exhortation to be perfect as God the Father in heaven is perfect. This refers to the sincerity and authenticity of our character with the goals of obtaining godly maturity and conformity to the character of God. Sinless perfectionism in this present world is impossible, but we can strive towards the goal of Christlikeness in our hearts, minds, and lives and live for Him in a world that cries out for mercy, grace, and meaning.
donaldwhitchard@outlook.com
www.realitycityreverend.com
