matthew 5.17 48

Jesus and the Law

Matthew 5:17-48

I tell you the truth – he is emphasising the statement

Jesus had an extremely high view of scripture

Down to the smallest letters Until heaven and earth disappear Until everything is accomplished

Jesus Believed the Scriptures – v18-19

Jesus did not came to abolish (dismantle) the scriptures

He fulfilled the scriptures The Law teaches the seriousness of

sin Many of the sacrifices point directly

to Christ Many of the incidents reveal Christ

Jesus Fulfilled the Scriptures – v 17

The weakness of the kings point to the need for a great King

The Prophets spoke of Christ hundreds of years before he was born

The Old Testament looks forward to Jesus

Jesus Fulfilled the Scriptures – v 17

Six antitheses – “You have heard... But I say to you”

Not all they had heard was from scripture – v22, 43

He is talking about the spirit of the Law It is possible to tick all the boxes of

what you have heard and still be far from God

God looks at the heart

Jesus Commanded Obedience to the Scriptures – v21-47

1. Murder o Relationships within the kingdom

(brother)o Anger is the root of murder o To malign o Our relationships with each other

affect our relationship with God


2. Adultery Lust is the problem Hell is so terrible, avoid it at all

costs 3. Divorce God understands the pain of divorce Hillel and Shammai In the kingdom marriage is sacred


4. Oaths Economical with the truth The Greek means, “Let your word be; yes, yes; no, no.” 5. Eye for an eye Jesus is not saying that evil should not be resisted, he turned

over the money changers tables In context, Jesus is saying “do not resist an evil person in court” Jesus did not respond to insults and brutality6. Love for enemies Their understanding of the Law was flawed We were all God’s enemies but he loved us “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” “Pray for those who persecute you”


4. Oaths Economical with the truth The Greek means, “Let your word

be; yes, yes; no, no.”


5. Eye for an eye Jesus is not saying that evil should

not be resisted, he turned over the money changers tables

In context, Jesus is saying “do not resist an evil person in court”

Jesus did not respond to insults and brutality


6. Love for enemies Their understanding of the Law was

flawedWe were all God’s enemies but he

loved us“Father, forgive them for they do not

know what they are doing”“Pray for those who persecute you”


Subjects of the kingdom must surpass the Pharisees – v20

The Standard is God – v48We are not going to make itWhere are we aiming, legalist

righteousness or holiness?We need a transformation We are ‘works in progress, but are we

progressing?One who is perfect died in our place

Jesus Seeks Perfection in Us – v48

matthew 5.17 48

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