February 19, 2001

Get more information about Bible Study for Texas here.

March 18 Lesson

The kingdom of heaven is free and demanding ___Matthew 5:17-48 ___17"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. ... ___21"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. ... ___27"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ... ___38"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. ... ___43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. ..."

___By Don Searles
___The Sermon on the Mount is best understood in the total context of Matthew's Gospel. Matthew presents a theological interpretation of Jesus, showing more concern for his teachings than any other Gospel.
___Matthew 4:23 indicates that the content of Jesus' teaching and preaching is the kingdom. The Sermon on the Mount sets forth the main points of Jesus' teaching, some of which will be expanded later in the Gospel.
___In summary, the sermon defines the nature of God's kingdom, its inclusiveness, its benefits, its ethics and its demands. The kingdom is offered on the basis of God's mercy and grace. Yet the expectations of the kingdom are real.
___People get sentimental about the Sermon on the Mount. Some go so far as to claim "to live by it." Our text makes it plain that such a claim is an impossible dream. Jesus taught that kingdom living is serious business.
___Matthew said Jesus "sat down" (Matthew 5:1). That implies this event is more lesson than preaching, though the gospels do not make much distinction between the two. The fact that Jesus sat down suggests his immediate "class" was small, perhaps a few followers. Others must have listened, for in Matthew 7:28, "people" (not followers) were amazed.
___This "lesson on the kingdom" begins with committed persons, but ultimately, it is intended for everyone. Kingdom citizenry begins with personal commitment to Jesus. It is demonstrated by how we relate to one another and by how we relate to those who are outside the kingdom. This is ethics and evangelism.
___Fulfilling Scripture
___Matthew 5:17-20 rebukes any idea that Jesus did not consider Scripture important. Jesus makes it plain. He did not come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. Nor did he come to affirm the status quo.
___To fulfill Scripture did not simply mean that predictions of Messiah had come true.
___Fulfillment meant to clarify God's true and original intent. The legalist who carried out the letter of the Law did not satisfy God. Neither did that person who claimed grace as license to do as he pleased. Both fell far short of God's expectations.
___Scribes and Pharisees were authoritative interpreters of the Law. Religion and culture said they were "good" people. Many of their interpretations were right and needed. Some went too far and obscured the original intent and purpose of the Scripture. Matthew identified Jesus as the superior interpreter, who spoke with God's authority as he said, "I tell you."
___Jesus did not trivialize old Scripture with his explanations, but exalted it. God expects our goodness to surpass the old standard!
___The rest of our text records six illustrations in which Jesus clarifies God's intent. Be careful. Jesus is about to tell us more than we want to hear.
___Murder by ...
___Exodus 20:13 is a familiar commandment. It seems clear enough. God's people are not to commit murder. God's people are to revere life.
___There's more to it than that. Do you get angry? Uncontrolled anger is a root cause of murder. Do you deliberately insult other people? Do you put them down? Do you address them in a derogatory manner? These, too, are roots of murder, for they destroy personhood.
___Many commentators point out that a person will not be convicted for feelings, and bad thoughts are certainly not as bad as literal murder. Yet you and I know of people who have been destroyed by words!
___I really do not want to hear that kind of application. I have never caused a physical death, but I must confess to prejudice, gossip, making fun of others, as well as anger. With the Lord's help, I have learned to control, even to overcome, such weaknesses, perhaps most of the time. How easily and subtly they creep back in. God, be merciful to me, a sinner!
___Oh, that Jesus would stop there. He goes on.
___Jesus is not content for kingdom citizens to refrain from destructive thoughts--he expects reconciliation. It's pleasing to realize that genuine repentance makes forgiveness possible. Jesus says reconciliation takes precedence over worship. That's not how we do it. We usually say worship is our most important responsibility. Jesus said God is not ready for our worship until we make things right with those we have wronged.
___Please don't let this word get out. Attendance at worship is already bad enough.
___More than sex ...
___Jesus referred to Exodus 20:14 when he taught about the sanctity of sex. That commandment also is about the sanctity of people.
___Adultery is not simply what a man does to a woman. It is how he regards her. Is she person, or is she object?
___Jesus taught that to harbor lust leads to intentional adultery. It is one thing to see with admiration. It is quite another to let admiration lead to wishful thinking and more (Proverbs 6:27: "Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?"). Jesus dealt with the root cause of a sinful act.
___The threat of lust is so great that it requires radical discipline of oneself. No price is too great to protect oneself from evil.
___Jesus declared a new attitude toward women. Scribes had interpreted this commandment to protect only Jewish women--wives or betrothed. Single women and Gentile women were not included.
___The commandment on coveting (Exodus 20:17) listed the wife as first among a man's possessions. It was the basis for their interpretation. Scribes seemed more concerned with protecting a man's property rights than a woman's purity.
___Jesus proclaimed a new place for women in God's kingdom from what had been common practice. All women are honored. The new fellowship welcomes women as sisters, not seductresses. It involves a new relationship between men and women, and requires a new kind of self-discipline.
___Love in marriage
___Jesus dealt more extensively with divorce in Matthew 19. The man-centered world of scribal interpretation allowed a man to divorce his wife for "something objectionable." The Old Testament reference is Deuteronomy 24:1-4. Some rabbis interpreted this to mean anything that did not please the husband. Others understood it as sexual impropriety or some unusual offense.
___Either way, it was not hard for a man to divorce his wife, boasting that he was protecting her rights with a bill of divorce. Jesus put the burden of guilt upon any man who put away an innocent wife.
___Simple integrity
___The Decalogue prohibited false testimony (Exodus 20:16). Right action should be the spontaneous expression of a committed heart, not some legal ideal.
___Scribes found many ways to get around oaths while professing to keep them. Jesus called for simple integrity. The reputation of God's people should require no more than "yes" or "no."
___Overcoming evil
___Exodus 21:24-25 was an improvement when it was given. The goal was to prevent excessive retaliation for evil. Jesus took us beyond the Law in order to keep us from falling to the level of the offender.
___Frank Staff suggested "Do not resist with evil" as a better translation than "Do not resist an evil person."
___All of the situations cited in Jesus' admonition are not alike.
___To be slapped on the right cheek implies a backhanded blow, intended as personal insult. Turning the other cheek was a non-violent way of refusing to be humiliated, of fighting evil without becoming like the evil.
___In litigation, the Law sets limits and boundaries. Jesus had already said Christians should settle disputes without going to court (Matthew 5:25-26). God's people are expected to go beyond what is required and avoid the temptation to retaliate.
___If verse 41 referred to assisting a soldier or an officer, remember there are times when such assistance is appropriate. Apparently abuse of the obligation was common. The admonition was to go beyond what was binding.
___The real thrust of verses 33-37 is to give unconditionally. It's not a question of rights, retaliation or merit. With the attitude espoused by Jesus, one is no longer a victim. Indeed, the potential for overcoming evil with good is intriguing.
___The greatest good--extravagant love!
___Here is the climax of the six illustrations. God's people are expected to love their enemies! Pray for them. Respect them.
___What is human nature when you see other human beings? Categorize them--male-female, my kind-other kind, deserving-undeserving, good-bad, friend-enemy. Jesus wants us to see all people as God sees them.
___How does one get rid of an enemy? There are two ways. Kill him. Or turn him into a brother. The history of world kingdoms is a record of destruction and subjugation. The promise of God's kingdom is extravagant love where all are family!
___Nice ideal, but is it possible in this life? Does God expect too much?
___Perhaps it's how I listen when Jesus teaches. I tend to ask, "What must I do to be saved?" What's the minimum requirement? I'm prone to say: "These things I have done all my life. Can God possibly expect more?"
___Jesus taught that like children, poor in spirit, we accept what God offers. No matter how good we appear to ourselves and others, our piety is less than God expects.
___Are we to be perfect? God expects our best. Jesus expects nothing more of us than he expected of himself while in the flesh. Yes, I must lean upon God's grace to be made perfect, for it is not a goal to be attained through my own efforts. That does not excuse me from striving toward the goal.
___It is more than what one does; it is why we do and who we are that matters to God. The kingdom of heaven is free and demanding. It expects the best we can imagine. Ultimately, we are made perfect through Jesus Christ.

For thought and discussion
___ Immediately before our text, Jesus told his followers to be salt and light. Kingdom citizens are supposed to influence the world and be openly good. How is that done without opening the door for pride?
___ Outsiders and followers listened to the Sermon on the Mount and were amazed. The kingdom Jesus offered was different than any "kingdom" they knew, Israel or Rome. Some say today's church is more a captive of culture than influence upon culture. What are some positive indications that we influence those outside our walls? Can you list ways we are too much affected by culture?
___ Division. Use the word, and listeners think of politics, religion and home. If Jesus were teaching the lesson on the kingdom in 2001, what examples might he use in making his point?
___ Some have felt the passage being studied is an argument against taking the Scripture literally. We don't have many one-armed, one-eyed men in church! How does Jesus' use of extremes to illustrate the seriousness of sin emphasize our responsibility to study and understand his word?
___ Matthew 5:33-37 is not directed at profanity. Discuss how Jesus would react to the frequent misuse of "God" by Christians today.
___ Jesus said to overcome evil with good. Think of times when you could have been a victim but received power by turning the other cheek or going the second mile. Have there been occasions when this opened the door for you to witness for Christ? Have you missed opportunities by failing to turn the other cheek?

Get printer-friendly version of this story


Send this story to a friend

---

Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!