Page 33 - Living Light 87

THIS WEEK’S BIBLE INSIGHTS ARE BY:
Ian Moore and are based on Matthew 5:21-32 (NIV)
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ MORE ON THIS WEEK’S MAJOR THEME:
James 1-3
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...
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...
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 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.” 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.
Sunday January 5 - Raising the bar
“You have heard that it was said... But I tell you...” Matthew 5:21-22
Let’s remember that the Sermon on the Mount is just that, it’s a sermon. Matthew gives us a précis which in itself can be read in less than 15 minutes; it’s highly unlikely that such a great crowd would gather in the open for a mere sermonette! For this reason we must guard against losing the sense of the whole by dissecting it into bite-size pieces. Central to Jesus’ message is his statement, “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” (Matthew 5:17).
Jesus then launches into his six-fold “you have heard, but I tell you” statements. In these he is not questioning the Law itself, but rather the religious scribes’ interpretation of it. Here, Jesus, the co-giver of the Law, explains its fullest meaning. At the heart of each statement is the fact that righteousness cannot be achieved by external obedience. Jesus is not setting aside the Old Testament standards in favour of a new teaching. Throughout his sermon, Jesus teaches that the Law cannot deliver righteousness; there is, however, a need for an internal righteousness that can come only through repentance and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Jesus raises the bar beyond the literal to the actual, placing us all in need of forgiveness. May it be.
Heavenly Father, I cannot do this in my own strength; I am found wanting, needing your abounding grace and strength, but above all, your righteousness. Amen.
31
PRAYER FOR TODAY