Read Matthew 5:21-26
I read a blog the other day where the author was puzzled about some of the things that Jesus said. I tried to leave a comment but because I don't have a WordPress account any longer, I couldn't. But I wanted to tell her the reason she was puzzled was because of the Bible translation she was using. A whole verse had been left out of her translation which was why she was confused. If things don't make sense or don't add up, that's when I check to see what's missing.
In today's verses I once again found some missing words that are not found in modern translations. And it's an important part too because it explains what Jesus really meant. What is left out in the NIV, NLT and the NASB for example is the following: "You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment (Matthew 5:21-22)." Did you catch that? "Without a cause." In modern translations this crucial verse is left out and says: "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and 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." In modern translations if you are angry at someone you are in danger of judgment. In the more trustworthy versions like the KJV however, you are only in danger of judgment if you are angry without a cause. Which brings me to my next question. What was "the judgment" Jesus was talking about here? The word used for judgment is krisis and has a variety of meanings from condemnation, to someone's opinion concerning justice or injustice in that they are "casting judgment" on them. Yet Jesus compares the feeling of anger or rage that leads to murder, as being the same as the act of murder itself. For murder, the judgment was laid out in the Torah, Leviticus 24:17 - whoever takes a human life will be put to death. In the NIV, by leaving out three words, the implication is that anyone who is angry will be subject to the same judgment as one who commits murder. One allows for me to be angry without the risk of judgment and the other says I can't get angry at all. To be clear then, Jesus DID NOT say that if you are angry you will be subject to the same judgment as one who murders. He DID SAY you WOULD NOT be subject to judgment if you had a good reason for your anger. This is backed up by Jesus Himself, when in his justifiable anger he trashed the temple by driving out the money changers (John 2:13-17). He had a good reason for his anger. His holy temple was being turned into a thieves den. So what did Jesus mean by this verse?: "And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire." First, we need to find out the meaning of the word "Raca". Translated, it was an Aramaic word of utter contempt, signifying "empty," intellectually rather than morally, So basically if you called someone Raca, you were calling them empty-headed. You were attacking their intellect rather than their value as a person. The consequence being that you could be taken before the Sanhedrin (Jewish ruling authority) for slander or libel. However, if you called someone a fool, that was much worse because you were attacking their value as a person, someone God created, so you were effectively telling God that what He created was of no value, hence the reason why you would be in danger of hell fire. FYI - Jesus' concept of hell is vastly different than ours. Check this out from the Quest Study Bible: The word hell is derived from gehenna, which refers to the Hinnom Valley. It was there where human sacrifices were offered to the pagan god Molek. It subsequently became a dumping ground, a place of perpetually burning trash and smouldering garbage, as well as the place where corpses of criminals were discarded. Jesus described hell as a place of torment (Lk 16:23), destruction (Mt 10:28) and eternal fire (Mk 9:43), where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth (Mt 13:50; Lk 13:28). By calling someone a fool in Jesus' day, was to imply they were worthless enough they should be thrown away and discarded like a corpse thrown into the Hinnom Valley. Words in Jesus' day had meaning behind them and they still do today, so be careful how you use them. So what do we learn from all this? How do we apply these principles of dealing with anger to our lives? Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:23-26 - if you know your brother has something against you (angry with you) be reconciled to them. It was so important to be reconciled that Jesus told his followers to not even leave an offering to God until that was taken care of first. In other words, don't let your anger fester. Be reconciled or agree with your adversary before things get out of hand and you end up in prison. Jesus effectively demonstrates to his followers that sin begins in the heart. The desire to harm another with words is just as bad as physically harming them because God looks at the intent of the heart. You may think your words have no impact on another, but they do and ultimately you will be justified or condemned by what you say (Matthew 12:37).
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Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
In Jesus' Sermon on the Mount He touches on many subjects that were centered on the Laws God had given for the Jewish people to follow. Keep in mind that He is speaking to those Jews (and perhaps some curious Gentiles) who had become His disciples. Try to imagine what it was like for them to be drawn to this unassuming man from Galilee. Yes, it was clear He was a Jew, for many called Him Rabbi (or teacher). He taught in the Temple and He performed miracles that were so spectacular they were beginning to think He was the Messiah. It had been over 400 years since they had heard or seen anyone like this man. And He said the most unusual things.
Jesus said He did not come to destroy the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them. He was making it clear to His disciples that they were to continue to obey the Laws God created for them. He was quite emphatic about this, going so far as to say, that till heaven and earth pass away, "not one jot or one tittle" would by no means pass from the law until all was fulfilled. FYI - a jot is the smallest Hebrew letter and a tittle was used to denote the small stroke distinguishing one Hebrew letter from another. So the Law was to be obeyed, yet Jesus said He fulfilled the Law and the Prophets. What did He mean by that? The Rabbis or teachers of the Law in Jesus' day held the Torah (Law) in high regard. They revered it much like Christians revere the Bible today, but they lacked one thing. While professing the most scrupulous reverence to the Law, they violated its spirit. They took everything quite literally and never took the time to see why God gave the laws or why they should be obeyed in the first place. Laws about sexual immorality for example, that were disobeyed, almost always ended up with someone getting stoned. The consequences were severe in order to make a point - God did not want His people involved in such things. They were called to be a HOLY people, an example to the world on how God expects His children to live. Therefore, anyone disobeying the Law knew they were taking a huge risk by violating it. So most people would not cross that line. But, as Jesus showed us when the woman caught in adultery was brought to Him by the scribes and Pharisees (John 8:2-12), everyone sins and is in need of forgiveness. The Pharisees were quick to judge and wanted to see her stoned. Their lust for blood was in fact a sin. They were not seeking to obey the Law because they wanted to show God how obedient they were. They were seeking to show everyone else how righteous (or self-righteous in this case) they were and Jesus knew it, because He knew what was really in their hearts. So the Law shows us how to live lives that honour God and it clearly shows us when we have crossed the line and sinned against Him. By saying He came to fulfill the Laws Jesus did not mean they were no longer to be obeyed. On the contrary, He made it very clear that until heaven and earth passed away the Law would stand firm. However, Jesus said in John 5:39: "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me." In other words, Jesus fulfilled the Law. He fulfilled all the prophecies written about a coming Messiah. He fulfilled the required sacrifices to make atonement for mankind. He alone fulfilled the consequences of the Laws because He took our punishment upon Himself on the cross. He was the only one who was able to keep the Laws and not sin because He was pure of heart. A man without sin (2 Corinthians 5;21). God in the flesh (John 1:1; 14). Jesus told those listening to Him, "That unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." In other words, while the Lord is still adamant that the Law is to be obeyed, it will not save you. That is why He said He was the fulfillment of the Law. It is also why He said, "No one comes to the Father, except through Me" (John 14:6). Jesus said that anyone who teaches something contrary to the Law will be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. The Law is there for a reason - to keep people from sinning against God. They are moral laws. The laws we live by in society - do not murder or steal for example, come from the Torah. The consequences today are prison and in some States - even death. Civil Laws are there to prevent anarchy in society. Rules of the road for example, must be obeyed or someone could die. We all have laws to obey that are in place for our good. God's Laws are there for our moral good, and so that we know what it means to be holy. There are 613 commandments to be obeyed in the Torah. No one in all the world has been able to keep them without sinning and that is the point. Jesus fulfilled them all! So, are the Laws to be obeyed? Yes. Have they been fulfilled in Jesus? Yes. Does that mean they no longer exist? No. They are still there for our benefit, to teach us right from wrong that we may live lives that honour God and glorify Him. We will learn more about them in the weeks ahead as we continue to look at The Sermon on the Mount.
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“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor,
When Jesus began his famous sermon on the mount, who was he talking to? The Bible says that this sermon was spoken to his followers - in other words - his disciples (Matthew 5:1). These words were geared specifically for those who had given up everything to follow him and they still apply to his followers today.
Jesus calls all his followers to be salt and light to the world. So what does this mean for us today? During Jesus' time most of the salt used in Israel came from the Dead Sea, so it was full of impurities and would lose some of its flavour. But salt had many uses other than flavouring. It acted as a preservative, melted ice and was used to heal wounds. So it is a very good description of how the relationship of a believer in Christ should be toward the world. By using salt as an example, Jesus was telling us that while we, like salt, are full of impurities (sin) we also bring a message that makes life better. However, we are in danger of losing our flavour, the longer we align ourselves with the world's values and beliefs. As disciples of Christ we all have the same mission - to go into all the world and preach the gospel (Mark 16:15). Unfortunately, as the world has progressed and degenerated into apostasy and sexual immorality, some believers have "lost their saltiness", by embracing the world's values and beliefs and forgetting the most important message we have been commissioned to share - that Jesus died for our sins, was buried and rose again, in order that all those in the world who accepted Him, would not perish (be eternally separated from God), but would receive everlasting life. This should be our main focus and message in this world. If we stop sharing this message we lose our flavour and will be "good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men." We are also called to be a light to the world. We are not to hide that light (our belief that Jesus is Lord and Saviour), but to share it with EVERYONE. This can be a scary thing in an age where Christians are no longer tolerated. But guess what? Christians have not been tolerated since the church began! They have been persecuted since the beginning and will continue to be persecuted until Jesus comes again. This love and concern that drives the Christian message has been strong since the church began. It is why Antipas, whom Jesus speaks of in Revelation 2:13, was slowly roasted to death inside the statue of a bronze bull, the symbol and companion of Zeus. This happened in Pergamum, which according to Jesus, "was the city where Satan lived." Antipas went to be a light in the darkness and was killed for it. It is why the Apostle John was boiled in oil, survived and was exiled to the island of Patmos. It is why the Apostle Peter was crucified upside down on a cross. This message of salvation in Jesus Christ has driven every Christian since the church began. It is why we risk death - so that no one should perish and be eternally separated from God. The irony of course is that this message of light, love and life we are preaching, is not a message this world wants to hear. Instead, we are called intolerant bigots. Why? Because we are called to be salt (which can sting) and light (which exposes the darkness) in a world that is without morals, filled with darkness and given over to their sin nature. So how do we share the message of Jesus and be salt and light in a world that is intolerant to our message? We feed the homeless, care for the poor, visit the sick in hospital, or do something in our communities that would bring joy to others and show the love of Christ. So that when someone asks you why you do these things you will be able to say without fear, I do it because of Jesus. That is being a light, and it is in accordance with what Jesus commanded us, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
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I have decided to look at the entire Sermon on the Mount for the next little while. The following is updated from a previous post.
In Jesus' famous Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-11) he gives us eight definitions of those who are blessed and the outcomes of those blessings. Who are the recipients of these blessings? The Poor in Spirit
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
The International Standard Version translates “poor in spirit” as “destitute in spirit.” God’s Word Translation says, “Those who are spiritually helpless.” In other words, those who are poor in spirit recognize how unworthy they are to stand before the throne of God. They agree that their sin is ever before them and without God they are utterly and hopelessly lost. People who are poor in spirit, therefore, recognize their spiritual condition and the need to make themselves right before God. The majority of those who come to Christ, do so with a repentant heart, recognizing they are sinners and need Him. Therefore all those who have come to Jesus are poor in Spirit. The promise of course for them is the kingdom of heaven.
Those Who Mourn
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Last year I lost my mother and was greatly comforted by all the friends and family who came alongside me to mourn her loss. But I don't think this is where Jesus was going with this. Why? I believe when Jesus was teaching his disciples he had a more spiritual goal in mind. For example, when building on the first blessing listed above (Blessed are the poor in spirit), if you recognize that you are poor in spirit, do you mourn your separation from God because of your sin? If you do, then God not only promises you the kingdom of heaven, but he promises that you will be comforted as well. To those who believe in Jesus as their Saviour your sinful state was washed clean and God sees you as a new creation, holy and perfect in His sight (2 Corinthians 5:17). What a comfort to the soul that is!
The Meek
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Each blessing seems to build on the next. If you recognize that you are unworthy to stand before God and you mourn that spiritual state, then when you humbly bow before Him confessing that sin and repenting of it, God promises you will inherit the earth. But what does it mean to "inherit the earth?" Psalm 37:11 also talks about the meek inheriting the earth, but goes on to say that they shall also "delight themselves in the abundance of peace." Jesus was probably referring to this verse in his Sermon on the Mount discourse because it would have sent a strong message to the Jews of his day that were being persecuted by the Romans. Read Psalm 37:9-13 and you will see that the wicked will not prosper (God is actually laughing at their plans) and that in the end it is the meek who humble themselves before God, who will inherit His promises. Who are the meek? All those who kneel before the King of the universe and humbly submit to His will and leadership.
Those who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
Who fills us when we seek the Lord with all our hearts? The Holy Spirit. He alone makes us complete in Christ. Jesus said in John 15:4-5: Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If you are not actively pursuing God by getting to know Him through His Word, if you don't hunger and thirst for His Word, you are stifling His Holy Spirit and missing out on His blessings. If you just believe in Him but don't pursue a relationship with Him, you are missing out on the blessing of being filled by Him. Jesus confirmed that apart from Him you can do nothing. So if you are actively pursuing God, you have the promise of being filled with His Holy Spirit.
The Merciful
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
How do you treat others? When they wrong you are you forgiving? How about when it comes to sharing the Gospel? Do you do it often? God’s eyes roam the earth. Will He find you merciful toward others in that you have freely shared not only His love and kindness, but His message of salvation as well? There are many opportunities to extend mercy to another. But the greatest mercy of all is sharing the truth about Jesus with one who does not know Him.
The Pure in Heart
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Because of this, no one can see God face to face and live (Exodus 32:20). But those who are made new in Christ Jesus are justified by His blood and will one day see Him face to face (Revelation 22:3-4). God has wiped their sins away and they are no more. On judgment day they will be considered pure of heart and will see God face to face. If you have accepted Jesus as your Saviour, this verse applies to you!
The Peacemakers
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Are you starting to see a pattern? The Beatitudes don’t single out one type of person. Jesus was describing the blessings that all who follow Him will receive. The early Christians sought to live in peace with each other as much as possible. They were known by their love for each other. They lived their lives for God and because of Him and were known as a peaceful people. While there were many issues they had to deal with from within their own circles, such as eating food sacrificed to idols and whether or not Gentile converts should be circumcised, they were still devoted to each other (Acts 4:32-35). To my knowledge (and please point me to Scripture that I am missing if I'm wrong) the early Christians did not single out unbelievers and attack their lifestyles as Christians do today with homosexuals. Yes, if sin was found within the church it was dealt with, but as far as I can tell they did not openly attack people outside the church. They shared Jesus' message of redemption and free gift of eternal life, but they let the Holy Spirit convict the hearts of those listening to the message. They were known as a peaceful people. For the most part, Christians today behave the same way and they shall be called the "sons of God." Those Christians who openly attack homosexuals (or anyone really) and who spew hate (like Westboro Baptist for example), are directly opposed to God's will and therefore will miss out on the blessings Jesus talks about in these verses.
The Persecuted
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
Christians are currently the most persecuted people in the world. “Out of every ten people, seven cannot live their faith in full freedom. And the most persecuted faith is Christianity, with at least 200 million people suffering from discrimination.”1 Jesus added to this blessing by saying, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:11-12, NASB). Yes, serving God is a risky business, but great are the rewards for those who follow Him.
Finally, did you notice that it is the persecuted and the poor in spirit who will receive the kingdom of heaven? Each blessing as I said, builds on the other. Each blessing gives a description of a person who is living for God. All these blessings are intertwined and are granted to those whose hearts are set on God, ready to serve Him. But what does the phrase, "for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" mean? Revelation 3:21 gives us a hint of what it will be like to receive the kingdom of heaven. Revelation 20:6 goes even further to suggest we will reign with Christ. This is the gift of the kingdom of heaven. To not only serve as priests to God, but to serve with Him in the new heaven and new earth. What an inheritance awaits those who live their lives with God as the centre and focus of their beings! Don't miss out on these blessings. If you have not yet accepted Jesus as your Saviour I implore you to do so today. Set your heart and your mind toward the King of Heaven. Repent and humble yourself before Him and be welcomed into the family of God!
1 Rome Reports TV News Agency, November 30, 2010
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