Word Live: Inner Holiness
‘Who can discern their own errors?’ the psalmist asks (Psalm 19:12). As you prepare, ask God to forgive your hidden faults. ‘May … this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight’ (Psalm 19:14). Amen.
Bible passage
Matthew 5:17–26
The fulfilment 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 fulfil 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 practises 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.
Murder
21 ‘You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, “You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.” 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, “Raca,” 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.
Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Explore
Jesus’ authoritative teaching was so radically different from that of other rabbis (eg Mark 1:27) that some people viewed it as revolutionary or even contrary to Old Testament Law. Jesus refuted this strongly (vs 17–19). While the Pharisees kept rigorously to the letter of the Law, Jesus challenged his disciples to go deeper. He wanted them to understand the full implication of the Law (v 20), which was intended to form inner holiness so that God’s people would reflect God’s character.
Holiness begins with our thoughts. Take murder, for instance. Acts of violence begin with angry thoughts and aggressive attitudes (v 22). Unlike earthly justice systems, the heavenly court has no hierarchy of wrongdoing, nor a sliding scale of punishments (vs 21,22) – an insult carries the same weight as murder! That’s why Jesus urges his listeners to resolve arguments and conflicts quickly (vs 23–25). Don’t allow angry thoughts time to fester and poison relationships.
Faced with such holy standards, we all stand condemned. That is why Jesus’ claim in verse 17 is so astounding and comforting. He fulfilled the Law when we could not (v 20).
Author
Penny Boshoff
Respond
Hebrews 10:16 reminds us of God’s promise: ‘I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.’ Is there a relationship you need to restore? Don’t put it off.
Deeper Bible study
Pray for willingness to be challenged deeply by Jesus’ understanding of the Law of God.
This passage may seem really difficult to understand and a glance at commentaries will confirm that there are indeed challenges of interpretation. However, as we saw in the introduction, this Gospel appeared at a time when, after the destruction of the city of Jerusalem, Jewish opposition to the Jesus movement was increasing. Consequently, for Matthew, what Christ actually said concerning the Law of Moses was extremely important and enabled the evangelist’s contemporaries to challenge the claims made by some rabbis that the new movement was anti-Jewish, rejecting both the Law and the Prophets.
Jesus emphatically rejects the idea that it was his intention to abolish the Law. He could not be clearer in his defence of the revelation given to Israel and in the assertion of its continuing authority and value. For Christians in the twenty-first century, this compels us to question our own attitude toward what we have come to call the Old Testament. Does that very terminology mean that we downplay the significance of the Hebrew Bible? How frequently do we hear teaching on the Law and the Prophets? What part do the Psalms of Israel play in our worship and private devotions?
The key words in this passage are fulfil (v 17) and righteousness (v 20). Jesus claims that, in his life, what the Law intended is demonstrated for all to see. This contrasts with the legalism of the Pharisees because it involves a deepening of the meaning of the Law and its application in a way that is consistent with the mercy and love of God. The discussion of the crime of murder in verses 21–26 illustrates this and brings home to us the hidden reality of the evil residing in our own hearts, so exposing our failure to meet the true demands of God’s Law.
The Sermon begins to demand of us serious self-examination. Pray for the Spirit to help you live in a manner that attracts rather than repels people.
Author
David Smith
