The Way of the CrossSample

Jesus’ Call to True Righteousness

Matthew 5:17-48

The Fulfillment of the Law

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 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. 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 practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 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

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and that anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 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.

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

“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. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Adultery

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 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. 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.

Divorce

“It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ 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.

Oaths

“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Eye for Eye

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Love for Enemies

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell

you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Reflection on the passage:
Have you ever been called a “goody, goody” or “kill-joy”? Or maybe you’ve called someone else that. These might be accurate descriptions when rule-following becomes self-serving, prideful, people-pleasing, rigid, burdensome, or lacking in joy, as it apparently had for the Pharisees that Jesus was challenging. Yet equally problematic is when we opt for a cheap version of freedom, believing that bucking the rules and doing what we want is the way to a fun and free life. In this passage from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, we see that walking with Jesus in the way of the cross means neither of these. Instead, we follow and abide in the One who has not abolished the Law but fulfilled it.

Jesus calls those who would live in the way of the Kingdom to a righteousness that “surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law”. This would have seemed impossible to his listeners because the Pharisees were known for following the Law in every detail and had created a multitude of rules for applying the Law in every situation. But the problem was that many of these religious leaders had lost the true meaning and the spirit behind the Law. They were carefully following rules but missing the heart of it.

Jesus calls us to obey the Law not only completely but deeply! He gives several examples in this passage. “You shall not murder” is not just about avoiding killing the ones you’re angry with, but about living in true reconciliation with one another. “You shall not commit adultery” is not only about avoiding the full act, but also about the lust that leads you on that path. This law is there to protect the wonderful sacredness of the lifelong marriage covenant. In another example, Jesus calls us beyond simple oath keeping to being people whose word is so trusted that others don’t need us to put it in writing. Perhaps even more challenging, Jesus calls his followers beyond simple fairness to “turning the other cheek” and to loving not only our friends, but our enemies as well.

This path to true righteousness can be a difficult and painful one. It will mean little deaths to self along the way, as Jesus convicts and invites us into deeper layers of transformation. But this is the way of true life and joy! It is a way that we can walk only as we abide in the One who fulfilled the Law through His perfect life, death and resurrection. May we say yes to living in His righteousness and into the perfect wholeness that He has for us because He loves us.

Suggested spiritual practices:
Examen Prayer with Matthew 5:17-48 or Exodus 20:1-21
1. Offer this time of prayer to God, asking for the Holy Spirit to highlight what He wants you to see.
2. Think back over the past week – events, activities, people you encountered, your attitudes and feelings, etc. What stands out to you?
3. Read over the Matthew 5 or Exodus 20 passage with an open mind and heart to God. Where do you see evidence this week of an area where God has been transforming you? Let that sink in and give thanks to Jesus.
4. Where do you feel a tug of conviction as you read the passage? Sit with that. Allow the Spirit to show you what you may need to repent of. Receive the forgiveness you have in Christ and welcome His continuing work within you.
5. Close the time in worship and thanksgiving.