High Expectations
Matthew 5:17-22, 27-28, 31-34a, 38-39, 43-44, 48
Jesus made it clear that He had not come to destroy the law or the prophets, but to fulfill them. The scribes and Pharisees took the law apart, word by word and letter by letter, and came up with hundreds of rules and regulations that they developed out of the law. They had rules to match any situation a person might face in life and they taught those rules as though they were God’s laws.
Jesus condemned the scribes and Pharisees because they taught one thing and did another. Jesus said anyone who disregards the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be least in the kingdom of heaven. On the other hand, the person who keeps and teaches all of God’s commands will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus told His disciples that their righteousness should exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees who placed ritual above relationship. A person is saved by accepting the King, not the law of the kingdom. Believers who are the most obedient to the Lord’s commands are most blessed because they enjoy the deepest fellowship with the Lord. They are the ones most in tune with the Lord’s heart and understand most clearly His desires. The least obedient believers are least blessed because they are the ones most out of touch with the Lord’s thinking. We can outwardly exhibit Christian values and even say all the right things, but God knows our hearts.
Under the law, if a person murdered another, he must die. Jesus warned that they should not become so angry that they commit murder in their heart. The Pharisees had kept the law and they felt righteous, but they later became so angry with Jesus that they planned His murder, even though they did not personally kill Him.
The law said they were not to commit adultery. Jesus expanded that law to say that if anyone looks at a woman with lust in his eye, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Even though desire is not as dangerous as action, if left unchecked it can lead to action.
The law said a man could divorce his wife by giving her divorce papers. Jesus added that divorce was permissible only for unfaithfulness. Marriage should be a permanent commitment, not a temporary arrangement.
Christians should love and pray for everyone, even their enemies. If we love only our family and friends we are no different from an unbeliever. Believers should follow the example and teachings of Jesus and have a quality of love that goes beyond that of the world. He calls His followers to mature in their faith and become more like Him.
Johnston– Lessons in the BSL series for the fall quarter are being written by Virginia Johnston, a member of First Baptist Church, North Charleston, where her husband Dan is pastor.