Lord’s SupperLord’s Supper

Today’s LessonToday’s Lesson

Raising the Righteousness BarRaising the Righteousness Bar  

Matthew 5:17-5:20 Matthew 5:17-5:20

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

Today, we will be continuing our study of the Sermon on the Today, we will be continuing our study of the Sermon on the Mount found in Mathew 5.Mount found in Mathew 5.

The text that we are about to see in an instant, is one of the The text that we are about to see in an instant, is one of the most difficult to understand. We could spend hours trying to most difficult to understand. We could spend hours trying to grasp all of its implications. grasp all of its implications.

  Let’s read it together….Let’s read it together….

I have to admit that I had a really hard time deciding which approach to take for this passage. I would have liked to concentrate on the practical aspects of the teachings of Jesus, but there is one doctrinal aspect that would be dangerous to neglect. So, I propose that we make a little compromise. To explore the two, but not on a super deep level.

It is evident that in making such a choice, I won’t be able to cover everything. I will rapidly mention certain things and it will be up to you to take notes and really dig into the subject on your own. Of course, you could also come and see me

in private to ask me questions if you feel the need.

So, first of all, let us take a look at the doctrinal aspect and then we will cover the practical lessons.

I. Doctrinal Aspect

After what we have just read, I would like to ask you one question: are we under the law of Moses in Jesus Christ?

Be careful not to answer too quickly! The question isn’t as simple as it might seem. In Galatians 3:23-25, we read: “….”. As well as in Romans 7:6, Paul says: “….” And finally in Heb. 7:11-14, we read: “…..” and in 10:8-9 “…..”

All of the indications that we find in the New Testament show that the law of Moses is no longer in effect. And yet, in Matthew 5:17-18 Jesus says: “……” So, how can this be explained?

Can you understand why I say this passage is complicated? Now you can see how certain people spend months trying to understand these verses.

I think that the Bible does not contradict itself. If there is an apparent contradiction, it is probably that we didn’t clearly understand certain details that might have been easier to understand in that era. Why? Probably because the Jews could refer to their own biblical and historical context. And, unfortunately, this context escapes us.

First, one must understand that in this passage, the Jewish leaders were accusing Jesus of trying to get rid of the law of Moses, like a vulgar revolutionist would have done.

In other words, they thought that Jesus was not showing the respect that the Scriptures were due, that he thought he would abolish the order of things and thathe just wanted to live free of the law’s constraints.

Why did they perceive it this way? I will give you an example, look in Matthew 12:1-12 “…” In fact, Jesus never went against the law of Moses. He wasn’t rebelling against Moses, but rather against the Pharisee’s interpretation of the law.

The Jewish leaders had interpreted things in their own manner and God was not in favor of this interpretation. Having said this, Jesus lived correctly. He did not commit sins.

Therefore, if he did something contrary to the Jewish chief’s thoughts, it is because he was holding to the real interpretation of

the law, according to the heart of God who had authored it.

Do you understand what I am trying to say?

A. So, in Matthew 5, because he is going to say some very important things about how those who want to follow God should live, he wants us to understand well. He was an observer of the law and yet he was there to accomplish all things.

 

Didn’t the law say in Deut 18:18: “…” and in Jeremy 31:31 didn’t he predict the need of the law to give way to another alliance, a new alliance, and an alliance of a different nature?

 

It seems to me that the key to understanding this passage in Matthew 5, resides first in a good comprehension of the word abolish. What did abolish signify here to Jesus?

 

In this context, abolish meant to get rid of without accomplishing and not by throwing it in the garbage without a second thought. In Hebrew, the term is used differently and thus we find a different definition.

B. Yes, but you are telling me: “Wait Daniel, didn’t Jesus say not one iota (i.e. the smallest letter of the Hebrew alphabet) nor the least stroke of a pen (these were the little “tails” under the letters to make them pretty) will by any means disappear until heaven and earth disappear?

 

That is right. In other words, not a bar on the t or a dot of an i should disappear before heaven and earth have ended.

 

But today do we offer animals on the altar? Do we circumcise our children? Do we observe the feast of the tents or the harvest festival?

Do we refuse to work on Saturday, the day of the Sabbath? Do we eat pork? And do we think to do so is a sin?

If not, then we think there are some things in the law that have changed. And, as a matter of fact, the apostles thought so as well (see Colossians 2: 16-17 and Acts 15:1-29).

 

So, it is logical to say that the earth and the heavens have come to pass and we are now on a new earth and under a new heaven.

 

That might seem bizarre to you but for the Jews, this concept wasn’t that strange. Why? Because of an expression that would have said : until a new order of things is established.

In Isaiah 51: 4-6 and 15-16, we find the same expression “…” It is apparent that in these passages God is not making reference to the end of the world but to the deliverance of Israel from Babylon, also in Isaiah 65:17 where there is a reference to the moment when Jesus would re-establish the church. It is evident that after this day where God would create a new heaven and earth, life would continue. But under a new order of things.

C. So, when will the earth and sky pass away to permit the law to change?

 

Let’s go back to Matthew 5, verse 18 “…”

When everything has arrived, or according to the English Bible, when everything is accomplished.

 

In John 19:28-30, we see Jesus himself tell us when all is accomplished.

 

Jesus is on the cross where he has been for some time and now he is ready to give up his spirit. We read: “…”

 

The death of Jesus accomplished all that the law demanded and predicted, now a new order of things came to be. A new earth and a new heaven could be created.

The law of Moses could give way to the law of Christ.

 

Today we are no longer under the old alliance but under a new one.

 

I hope that my words can bring some clarification about the harmony of this passage. If not, don’t hesitate to continue to study and ask me any questions you might have.

 

But, for the time we will let this rest and concentrate on the practical aspect of the text (aside from the fact that we no longer follow the rules of the Old Testament).

II. The Practical Aspect:

Very well, think of the situation. Jesus came to speak to the crowds saying that the kingdom of God is for the meek, for those that are persecuted, for those who are afflicted, and then all of a sudden inverse 20: “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

That had to be a shock to the crowds. After all, who in their society was as zealous as the Pharisees? Who was as pious as the scribes that knew the law perfectly? Those were the elite!

They held the record of good people.

 

And how can I make a practical comparison to that today?

It is the man who does the high jump. You know, the sport where they raise the bar higher and higher and you have to go over it without making it fall. And what is the record?

The world high jump record is 2.45 meters (that’s 8 feet ½ inch). That’s the greatest height anyone has ever cleared with their body. One person has done it once in 1993 – hasn’t done it again. It is the standard by which all great jumps are measured. If a jump doesn’t meet or exceed that height, it falls short of being the best that was ever done.

The Pharisees in Jesus’ day were almost universally respected for their righteous attention to the laws of God. They were, in a sense, “world record holders at law keeping.” Their righteousness was the standard by which everyone else was judged.

And now Jesus comes on the scene and tells them: “The bar is maybe a little high in your eyes but not in God’s. Their record was not sufficient pour God and His kingdom. All that resembles perfection from our angle of vision is repugnant to the Father.. And he will raise the bar.

And so Jesus raises the bar concerning anger, murder, adultery, vengeance, and the list continues….

And because Jesus raises the bar, there is now another example to follow. The record is no longer in the hands of the Pharisees, but in the hands of Jesus.

Jesus is the new champion and it is to him that we are to turn to find our direction and model.

 

In this sermon, we first learn how we should see the law of God. How should we see it? Like Jesus.

1.    And how did Jesus view God’s rules? We find the response in Matthew 5:18-19.Starting from here, I want you to forget the concept of the New and Old Testament. What is important is not so much what law applies as much as the attitude that we need to have towards a law set in place by God.

 

Here are three things that I see in the attitude of Jesus in face of God’s law.

A.     He saw the law of God as being permanent (v.18)

B.     He saw the law of God as something that could not be changed.

He saw the law of God as being relevant for the people of his era. God’s rules should be practiced and taught. (v. 19)

He himself quoted Scripture often. He himself kept the Law flawlessly.

How’s that for a statement of where Jesus stands on the issue of God’s rules. Pretty clear, huh?

Jesus expects total devotion to God’s rules – Because He’s fulfilled them all – every principle is still valid.

We need to examine our hearts today. Are we as totally devoted to the Bible? Do we see it as something permanent, something that cannot be changed, or something relevant?

2. Why did Jesus want us to treat the law in this way?

Because he wanted righteousness of the heart and not just external devotion.

 

Did you know that the Pharisees had enough rules coming from their traditions to fill 70 volumes (this is the size of the Mishna)

 These rules were supposed to keep them from breaking the commandments of God, but they ended up accomplishing exactly the opposite.

 

The Pharisees were the masters of the art of ignoring what was really important. Luke 11: 42-46

And still, Jesus still raised the bar. Their kind of righteousness just wasn’t good enough. So Jesus says to us, “Don’t be like them. Your righteousness has to far exceed this sorry display.”

The Pharisees may sound a little comical to us. Who could be that worried about the rules that they miss what God really wants? It’s funny until we realize we may be doing some of the same things with the rules:

We know God commands worship – so we go to church once a week but avoid making worship a daily lifestyle A Christian single may make a commitment to remain a virgin until marriage – one of God’s rules – but then engage in every kind of sexual activity short of actual intercourse Christian parents may take great pains to keep their children’s minds and hearts pure – but after the kids go to bed… We may want to practice good stewardship, so we’ll tithe to the penny – and not a penny more – to obey that rule while missing the point of generous giving out of a cheerful heart. A Christian may refuse to lie – that’s wrong – but then she’ll be intentionally misleading by not giving direct answers. And say, “But I never lied!”

These are all attitudes of a Pharisee. A person who is more interested in keeping rules than loving God.

Externally it looks pretty good. Technically the rules never get broken. From what we hear Jesus saying here, I would tell you, if you want to live like this, Good luck! Maybe you can keep up the appearance of obeying the rules. But you’ll never clear the bar. Because to be a part of the Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus says you and I need a greater righteousness.

3. How can we develop that kind of righteousness?

Let me give you three ways we can display this greater righteousness:

1. With God’s help:

Romans 3:21-22f – “But now a righteousness from God, apart from the law, has been made known…This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.”

Philippians 3:8 – “…not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ – the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.”

Paul called his own righteousness filthy rags – that’s just a polite way of saying used toilet paper. That’s how much his own righteousness was worth.

When Jesus comes into our lives, God gives us this righteousness. That’s why Jesus died on the cross for you. In His incredible love, he being perfect, died for you and me who are imperfect. The Bible in Romans 8:3-4 tells us that God sent Jesus to die for us so that in him the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us.

This great righteousness of the heart is only possible in those who are born again..

2. Step out of the spotlight

We can’t be looking around for approval or recognition from others.

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 6:1)

When we follow the rules, it’s not for us to be elevated, it’s for God to be exalted.

3. Become a lover of God rather than a keeper of rules The Pharisees were keepers of rules more than they were lovers of God.

When we truly love God, we’re more interested in pleasing him than just externally giving attention to His rules. But we do keep his rules b/c we love Him.

Jesus says God’s rules are important. Important for him and important for us. But an external display of conformance – even if it is world record conformance - lacks the depth of love for God that is characteristic of those in the Kingdom of Heaven. External conformance will never clear the righteousness bar. Only Jesus can clear it – and He wants to give you his righteousness – because He loves you

Conclusion:

 

In conclusion, let’s remember that to make an external display of conformance only, cannot bring us into the kingdom of Heaven. The bar is much too high for that.

 

Can you clear the bar? No, not alone!

Will you let Jesus help you clear the bar?

 

If you give your life to Christ, he will help you to go high enough to enter the kingdom.

 

Today, are you convinced that the bar exists? Do you hope to clear the bar alone or are you ready to hand it over to Christ?

The invitation stands. It is up to you to respond.