Jesus: Creator, Savior, Lord and King #26 Jesus and The Sermon On The Mount #2 – Jesus and The Law Matthew 5:17-48

 

Jesus: Creator, Savior, Lord and King #26
Jesus and The Sermon On The Mount #2 – Jesus and The Law
Matthew 5:17-48

 Introduction:

Well in the sermon today, Jesus is going to do something similar to the people listening to the sermon as He preaches from the mountain around the Sea of Galilee. He is going to correct some mistaken beliefs they had about the entering the Kingdom of Heaven and the Law.

Let’s take a moment or two and review, I know, I know but honestly it will be just a moment or two or two. If it makes you feel better we can count it as the first point rather than the introduction.

Background / Review

Last week we read in Matthew 4 that just before the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus was being followed by huge crowds at roughly the start of His second year of earthly ministry, called the year of popularity.

Matthew 4:23-25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.

In Matthew 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, …

We also talked a little about the difference in Matthew’s account here in chapter 5 and Luke’s in Luke 6:17–18. Matthew says Jesus went up a mountain, Luke says he came down to a plain or level place. There is no contradiction, Jesus went up on the mountain with his disciples and when he saw the multitudes, He came down to a level place on the mountain. There the people could sit and listen while the higher part of the mountain behind Jesus would form a natural echo amplifier for the crowd.

We also told you that in Mark 3:13-14 and in Luke 6:12-13 the scriptures record that Jesus called His apostles and formed the church. The Sermon on the Mount was the birthday of the church, the ekklesia, the assembly of Jesus.

The purpose of the Sermon on the Mount was to explain about the Kingdom of Heaven which John the forerunner and Jesus had been preaching. Their message was “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” Now Jesus is going to explain who is fit for the Kingdom and then giving the principles of those “Kingdom citizens.”

Jesus, the future King of that coming Kingdom, was rejected by Israel when they called out for the crucifixion of the “King of the Jews” and as a nation they miss the opportunity for the physical Kingdom of Heaven to come in their lifetime and beyond.

But those who did accept Jesus as Savior did enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but now, and until Jesus comes back, that Kingdom it is a spiritual kingdom. As Jesus said Luke 17:21 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

So, if you are a believer, if you have put your faith in Jesus as Savior, then you are a citizen of the Kingdom and Matthew 5:1-12, the Beatitudes, describes you.

You understand what it is to be poor in spirit, you have mourned, you are humbled by what Jesus did for you, you hunger and thirst for righteousness, you know mercy, and you are a peacemaker. The Beatitudes describe someone who has been born again by the Spirit of God and changed by grace into someone who is looking forward to the return of your King and the day when that spiritual Kingdom that dwells in you will be a physical Kingdom in which you now dwell.

As a Kingdom citizen, you are also salt and light in this world, called and commissioned to show the glory and truth of Jesus by sharing the Gospel.

If we could give you an outline of the Sermon On The Mount it be something like this: Chapter 5 -True Righteousness, Chapter 6 True Worship and Chapter 7 True Judgment.

The Beatitudes began that description of what true righteousness is and now in the second half of Matthew 5, Jesus is going to describe what it is not. He is going to correct several hundred years of misplaced, misapplied teachings by the Pharisees and Scribes. They were teaching that you must worship and love the Law and had forgotten to worship and love the One who had given the Law.

So lets pickup the sermon in verse 17, where Jesus establishes Himself as the authority on the Kingdom, the law and righteousness.

“For I Say Unto You”  - Matthew 5:17-48

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Jesus Is The Authority

In this section vss. 17-20, Jesus is establishing His authority as Messiah and His authenticity as the Master, the teacher. He makes this clear by declaring, “I say unto you.” He is speaking as the authority on entrance into His Kingdom.

First, notice what Jesus says about the law and the prophecies of scripture. He tells them that He has come for a purpose and that purpose is not to destroy the Law and the prophecies of scripture but to fulfill them all.

Jesus during His earthly ministry fulfilled over 360 prophecies given over 1000s of years previously. We will take time to look at just a couple Psalm 27 and Isaiah 53

Psalms 22 ​1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? 7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn:
they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8 He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. 9 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. 16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I may tell (count) all my bones: they look and stare upon me. 18 They part my garments among them and cast lots upon my vesture.

Isaiah 53:3-9 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely, he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. 9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

There are many, many more, overwhelmingly more. Prophecies of when he would be born, prophecies of where he would be born. Prophecies of his healing, prophecies of his life, prophecies of his death, prophecies of his resurrection and prophecies of his returning as Hero, Savior and King. So many fulfilled in his first coming that the idea that they could have happened by coincidence is utterly ludicrous. And anyone who denies them is either a fool or a hater of God.

Not only did Jesus fulfill the prophecies but he did something even more astounding, Jesus fulfilled the Law. His sinless life and sacrificial death fulfilled the requirements of the Law. He was only one who could because He was the only one who never sinned. He never broke even the most minor of the commandments, what He calls the jots and the tittles, we would call them iotas and dots over the I’s or the apostrophes that mark missing letters in an abbreviation. He kept the law in all points, parts and principles; therefore He fulfilled the law as He had the prophecies.

1 John 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Because He kept all the law, then his righteousness could be applied to us as a propitiation, a covering, a payment to redeem us from the wrath of God. If we put our faith in Him and accept the sacrifice He made as payment in full for my sin, then I am given His righteousness. This is the vicarious, substitutionary death of Christ. He took my place in death, that I might receive His righteousness by grace through faith.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Romans 8:3-4 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

In vs. 19 we see that because Jesus was the only One who fulfilled the Law and Prophets words, then Jesus is the only one who has the authority to determine the rewards of the Kingdom.

Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

The only way it is possible for you not to break even the least commandment and to teach the Law correctly is to accept Jesus’ death as your sacrifice for sin. He was the only one to keep the Law and only through Him can we keep the law.  

Finally in this section we see in Jesus also has the authority to determine who enters the Kingdom.

Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

To Jesus hearers that day, there were no greater keepers, teachers and respecters of the Law than the scribes and Pharisees. Imagine how this sounded to them. How impossible it was to their minds, behavior and way of life.  

It would be like us hearing, Jesus says, the only way you can enter heaven is to beat Jerry West, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain and Pistol Pete Maravich in a one on four pickup Basketball game. (If you don’t know who those guys are, I feel so sorry for you. And yes Jesus wouldn’t pick any of the present basketball players today. Actually, I couldn’t pick them because I quit watching them a long time ago. When tattoos, dreadlocks and giant egos and salaries took over the game.) Now to us beating my dream team from the 60s, 70s and just a touch of the 80s, would be impossible.

To Jesus’ audience that day it was impossible for them to exceed, not just match but exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. No one was better than the Pharisees! Yet, Jesus, speaks with authority and says, You have got to be better, more righteous or you can’t enter into the Kingdom of Heaven!

Now that is shocking. And that is what Jesus intended it to be. It is shocking, but it is not impossible. And the main point Jesus is making with this sermon is the law can’t save anyone, including the Pharisees. They had been mistaught and had forgotten what Isaiah wrote over a thousand years before. Isaiah 64:6 6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Once he shocked them with an impossibility, then later He could tell them that only the grace of God, through the only One who would fulfill the law can make them and us righteous and open the Kingdom of Heaven in welcome.

That is the purpose of the Sermon On the Mount. It’s about correcting this wrong belief in loving the law, and believing that by keeping it, they could enter the Kingdom. That was wrong hundreds of years wrong. Instead they and we must understand that salvation is about loving the One who wrote, gave and then fulfilled the Law. It’s about the gift of grace and that was who Jesus was, is and will always be.  

Jesus himself said it didn’t he.  John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Next Jesus is going to make doubly sure they understand this new truth, this real truth, by giving six shocking illustrations of why the law can’t be kept but be broken by us and thereby show us our brokenness before God.

“Ye Have Heard It Said” – Matthew 5:21-48

Jesus’s authority versus the authority of past, false teachers. 

Now Jesus modifies his form of address from “I say unto you” to “Ye have heard it said, but I now I say.”

He is going to challenge hundreds if not thousands of years of mistaken application of the law.

Six Shocking Illustrations Show The Law is Impossible to Keep -

Murder is equal to Anger - 21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

Adultery is equal to Lust - 27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 31 -- It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

If you ever think preaching is easy, just plan a sermon around plucking out your eyes and cutting off your hands. What do you do with that statement? You have to put yourself in the audience that day. They believed they had to keep the law to be saved. Jesus had to break them of that lie. So he shocks them, it’s like one of those old movies where they strap someone down to a table and put 1000 volts through their brain.

His aim is to make them see that the law can’t be kept by them. Just looking at a woman in lust is equal to adultery. How do you prevent that? Pluck out your eye! What did He just say?

This is why the law can’t save you. This is why you can’t save yourself by being good. How do you deal with past sins? How do you deal with future sins? By removing the part of your body involved with the sin?!? Wait a minute, there must be another answer. Yes, there is!

He goes on, Oaths are Worthless - 33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: 35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. 

Then He tells them that Revenge or Even Resisting Evil Is Wrong   38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 

What about vs. 43 where He declares that Love Only Counts If it is given to an Enemy -  43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

Now don’t misunderstand there are some great, vital principles to live by here.

A kingdom citizen, a child of God should understand the dangers of anger and avoid it.

Be very careful about what our eyes and minds dwell on.

The pain, suffering and yes sin of divorce.

The importance of honesty in everything we say.

Avoiding revenge, loving our enemies as God does. Being open and friendly to all even strangers.

Yes, we need to live by those principles because we are saved, because we represent the Kingdom of God. Live them but do not make the mistakes that the Pharisees made and taught, you can’t keep them in order to earn salvation. That is impossible, no matter what law you try to keep.

Yes, you can be good, but no, you will never be good enough to earn a welcome at heaven’s gates. That is why Jesus was so bold in his illustrations that morning.

Do you think those listening that day were shocked? Are you shocked? You should be because it is shocking when you realize how hopeless it is to get into heaven by keeping the law, by your good works, or by your goodness somehow outweighing your badness. You might as well tear out your eyes and cut off your hands. The final realization for them and us is we are without hope of salvation in ourselves or by ourselves.

We must look outside our inadequate, filthy rags righteousness, for nothing we can do can make those rotten rags righteously white. Trying only makes it worse; our works will never be enough. We must look today, as they looked that morning sitting on that mountain, to Jesus, the One who had declared, “I am come to fulfill the law.”

He did and now if we believe Jesus then we can sing.

Once For All

1. Free from the law, oh, happy condition!
Jesus has bled, and there is remission;
Cursed by the law and bruised by the fall,
Grace has redeemed us once for all.

2. Now we are free, there's no condemnation;
Jesus provides a perfect salvation;
Come unto me, oh, hear his sweet call;
Come, and he saves us, once for all.

Once for all, oh, sinner receive it;
Once for all, oh, brother, believe it;
Cling to the cross, the burden will fall;
Christ has redeemed us, once for all.

 Conclusion

Jesus ends this section of His sermon with these words in vs. 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

You and I know that this word, perfect, means maturity, completeness, nothing missing or lacking. Jesus is talking to them and to us, and now he tells them to be as perfect as God. Isn’t this the most shocking statement of all? How can we be as perfect as God the Father?

God the Father’s holiness is so powerful that anyone who could behold him, face to face, would be destroyed. God told Moses, “for no man can look upon my face.” How can we be as perfect as God?

Here is the answer. Paul gave it in Romans 3:21-26 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.