Monthly Archive for April, 2008

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Matthew 5:20

Published on April 2, 2008 in Matthew. 4 Comments
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For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

 

5:20
For I tell you,
This phrase in the Greek is an emphatic appeal to Jesus’ authority and ties verse 20 with verse 19.
unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees,
The righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees was outward, ritualistic, and not from the heart. It was an external righteousness, a scrupulous legalism. They had profile and image in the eyes of the people but they did not have reality.
you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus’ listeners cannot enter the Millennial kingdom with outward righteousness.
PRINCIPLE: God accepts only imputed righteousness from Christ rather than personal self-righteousness.
APPLICATION: External righteousness is not enough in Jesus’ eyes, for it is selective righteousness and superficial righteousness. Human righteousness can never match God’s righteousness.
God’s righteousness is “imputed” righteousness; that is, God puts this righteousness to our account because of Christ’s death for our sins. God puts the standard of His righteousness to our account.
But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Ro 3:21-26
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Co 5:21
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Matthew 5:19

Published on April 1, 2008 in Matthew. 9 Comments
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Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

 

5:19
Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments
The word “relaxes” means to loose, set free, untie. Here it carries the idea of putting aside or breaking. We cannot personally decide to abrogate any part of the Word of God that we do not prefer.
Jesus ranked commandments into “least” and greatest.
and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven,
Violation of God’s commands by teaching or practice places one at the bottom of the totem pole in God’s kingdom. This is especially true of teachers who abrogate God’s Word by systems of hermeneutics and theology.
but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Practice of the principles of the kingdom elevates one to high status in the kingdom. The issue here is establishing true principles by teaching and the application of principle to experience.
Those who teach principles of the kingdom will hold high status as well. There is a responsibility not only to do but also to faithfully teach principles from God’s Word.
PRINCIPLE: God does not give us the option to choose which commandments we want to teach or do.
APPLICATION: There is a proclivity to relax God’s standards either by teaching or practice. We want to explain them away in order to justify our sin. The “least of the commandments” is vulnerable to this thinking.
This passage does not sponsor legalism. Legalism functions by operation bootstraps, by self-effort. However, living under the principles of the kingdom is a way of life gladly embraced by grace. Christ ended self-effort to gain God’s approbation by personally fulfilling the law.
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believes. Ro 10:4
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Matthew 5:18

Published on April 1, 2008 in Matthew. 17 Comments
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For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

 

5:18
For truly, I say to you,
Jesus contrasts His view of Scripture with that of religious leaders. The words “for truly” literally mean surely, verily, certainly. A statement of utmost importance follows the word “truly.” Using this introductory formula, Jesus affirmed by solemn declaration His commitment to Scripture. The word “truly” comes from the word “amen,” which means “I believe it.” This word always involves personal acceptance of the truth presented. It was a word dealing with solemn truth.
“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: Re 3:14
until heaven and earth pass away,
In Jesus’ view, nothing will abrogate Scripture.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. Mt 24:35
“But the word of the Lord endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you. 1 Pe 1:25
not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law
Jesus’ belief in Scripture extended to the smallest Hebrew letter (the jot or yod) and to the smallest stroke of a part of a Hebrew letter (the tittle corresponds to a stroke of a Hebrew letter). Here is what the yod looks like: ? and here is the difference between the marks of the tittle in two Hebrew letters: ? and ?. No aspect of Scripture will pass away until creation as we know it passes away.
until all is accomplished.
This is the second “until” clause in this verse, and the repetition indicates strong emphasis. Scriptures emphatically will exist until the end of time. The word “until” introduces time into Jesus’ view of Scripture—Scriptures will exist until God accomplishes what He needs to accomplish. When Jesus fulfills His purpose for time in His Millennial kingdom, He will usher His earthly kingdom into eternity.
Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 1 Co 15:24-25
PRINCIPLE: Inspiration of Scripture extends to its words.
APPLICATION: Jesus had a complete and thorough view of the inspiration of Scripture. His high view of Scripture did not accommodate culture.
If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), Jn 10:35
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Matthew 5:17

Published on April 1, 2008 in Matthew. 6 Comments
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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.:

 

5:17
Jesus defended His view of the Old Testament here because religious leaders of Israel attacked His teaching. He rejected the doctrines of the scribes and Pharisees and this angered them. His teaching was so radically different from theirs that they thought He was a heretic.
 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets;
Since Jesus was about to contrast what He said and what the Old Testament said, He did not want to leave the impression that He came to abolish (Literally undo) the Law and Prophets.
The terms “Law” and “Prophets” refer to two of the three major divisions of the Hebrew Bible. The third is the Psalms. However, the meaning may carry the idea of the entire Old Testament.
Jesus fulfilled the moral and spiritual codes with His life and work. There are three codes in the Mosaic Law:
1.    The moral code or commandments—shows God’s standards for fellowship with Him.
2.    The spiritual code or ordinances—shows the coming Messiah by type.
3.    The social code or laws of Israel’s national society
I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
Jesus did not come to abolish Old Testament teachings but to “fulfill them.” He fulfilled them with both His person as the Messiah and His teaching about the kingdom. Jesus fulfilled the ceremonial laws that typified the coming antitype. He did not offer a competitive system to the Old Testament but established it.
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, Ro 8:1-3
PRINCIPLE: Jesus’ death fulfilled all the demands of the Law.
APPLICATION: Jesus took the curse of the Law for us. His death was a fulfillment of the Law. Jesus’ death rent the veil of the temple to open the way into God’s very presence
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh… Heb 10:19-20
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Eph 2:13
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”)… Ga 3:13
Jesus fulfilled the Old Covenant (Mosaic Law) and instituted a New Covenant. He fulfilled types (the illustration) by becoming the antitype (the reality).
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Ro 10:4
Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Ga 3:24-26
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Matthew 5:15f

Published on April 1, 2008 in Matthew. 3 Comments
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Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

 

5:15
Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
God intends light for direction. The “basket” spoken of here was a flour-box holding around 16 pints. A “lamp” was a clay container with a flax wick—often difficult to light and, hence, sometimes lit under a covering like a basket. But this minimized the light. Likewise, a lamp on a stand cast light farther than one on the floor. The purpose of a lamp, Jesus was saying, is to project light as far as possible.
5:16
In the same way,
The “same way” refers to the way light is put on a stand so all can see (v.15).
let your light shine before others,
The direction of Jesus’ light is towards others.
We do not make our light shine, we let it shine. The light is already there; all we need to do is release it.
so that they may see your good works
“So” points back to the previous phrase—let your light shine. The kind of light people see is in good works. There are two Greek words for “good”: (1) good of intrinsic value or good in quality, and (2) good in the sense of winsome, beautiful, attractive. The second word for good is used here in our verse.
and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
The ultimate purpose of creation is God-centeredness, not man-centeredness.
PRINCIPLE: The purpose of being a light to the world is the glory of God.
APPLICATION: Non-Christians reject light from Jesus because they love darkness more than light. The reason is they do not want to give up their sinful lifestyle.
And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. Jn 3:19
Christians once walked in that darkness but now they are reflective lights themselves. We reflect our Father as “children of the light.” When we live up to our linage, we reflect well on our Father—we give Him glory. This is the ultimate purpose of creation.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light Eph 5:8
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Matthew 5:14

Published on April 1, 2008 in Matthew. 3 Comments
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You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

 

5:14
We come to the second similitude—light. Both similitudes of salt and light represent our calling and mission.
“You are the light of the world.
A light sheds illumination and gives direction. It guides those in darkness. This is the mission of Jesus’ followers.
A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
We can see an elevated city from a far distance; we can see an elevated city at night clearly. This city of necessity must be seen.
PRINCIPLE: Christians are not only to be in the world but to be above it so that all can see the glory of God.
APPLICATION: Christians reflect the light that is in Jesus. It is impossible to hide when our light shines. People cannot help but see what we have in Christ. There is no such thing as a secret believer.
Jesus called Himself the light of the world (Jn 8:12; 9:5; 12:35, 36, 46). Jesus is the source of light and we are reflections of that light.
Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Php 2:14-16
Darkness is where the light is needed. Therefore, Christians should not be religious recluses. God’s sovereign plan is to use His people to reach distorted people. An attitude which militates against sharing our faith is that people with twisted thinking will never be open to receive Christ. However, God says these are the very people to whom we are to witness. The only light this world has is the believer—that is why it is so dark. We are the best Christians some people know.
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Matthew 5:13

Published on April 1, 2008 in Matthew. 15 Comments
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You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

 

Jesus now gives two metaphors or similitudes (salt and light) that depict those who represent the kingdom. Jesus now turns to the calling and position of His disciples in the world.
5:13
“You are the salt of the earth,
The word “you” is emphatic. Jesus wanted to make it abundantly clear that every believer is a representative of the kingdom. Jesus emphatically declared that His followers are to be (1) salt and (2) light to the world. Believers have a duty to the world.
“Salt” creates thirst when it comes to eating. Its saline quality seasons and makes food tasty.
The phrase “of the earth” refers to the sphere of ministry of Jesus’ disciples.
but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?
When salt loses its ability to enhance flavor, it loses its effectiveness. It is insipid, flat. “Lost its taste” is literally defiled. Pure salt maintains its flavor but, ironically, some followers of Christ lost their saltiness. The only way for pure salt to lose its flavor is to mix it with other chemicals. It still looks like salt but it has lost its saltiness. We lose our testimony in the world if we mix the truth with other elements. God’s truth is always mutually exclusive.
It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
Salt that loses its effectiveness is worthless. It can neither preserve nor provide taste. It is a worthless agent of change.
PRINCIPLE: Christians have a duty to the world.
APPLICATION: No believer can live in separation from the world. We are not of the world, but we are in it. The purpose of a salty Christian is to make an effect on others. Many individuals and churches have lost their appeal to non-Christians. The church has lost its pungency to the non-Christian world, for God designed them to touch society. Christians cannot live in isolation, cocooned from society. God designed them to reach out and touch.
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Matthew 5:11f

Published on April 1, 2008 in Matthew. 0 Comments
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Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

 

Verses 11 and 12 explain and expand verse 10. Verse 10 identifies the slander aspect of persecution. This is the ninth beatitude.
5:11
“Blessed are you
The word “you” is in the plural (only instance in the beatitudes).
when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely
The word “revile” connotes the idea of to cast in one’s teeth. People will get in the face of witnesses for Christ, who will experience vicious, verbal abuse. Witnesses of Christ should not be surprised at rejection of their ministry. Loyalty to Jesus has its price.
on my account.
Suffering in the previous verse was for “righteousness,” but the purpose of suffering here is for Jesus’ sake. This is why a witness is willing to take courageous steps to proclaim the gospel.
5:12
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven,
Jesus uses two words for joy: (1) “rejoice”—inner animation of the soul, and (2) “glad”—leap with irrepressible demonstration.
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 1 Pe 1:6-8
…but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 1 Pe 4:13
A person properly oriented to God’s will in suffering should carry a positive orientation toward reward.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Pe 1:3-5
for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
If the prophets experienced persecution, it should be no surprise that we should suffer also. Many rejected the message of the prophets in the Old Testament. Witnesses of Christ stand as heirs of the prophets; they stand in great stead. Witnesses witness for the intrinsic value of the gospel and not for extraneous reasons.
They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— Heb 11:37
PRINCIPLE: Keeping eternal values in view mitigates pain in the present life.
APPLICATION: Keeping eternal values in view will mitigate the impact of slander. Persecution in present time is temporary. Eternity is worth it all.
So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. Ac 5:41
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Ro 8:18
By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. Heb 11:24-26
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Matthew 5:10

Published on April 1, 2008 in Matthew. 6 Comments
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Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 

5:10
 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
The persecution to which Jesus refers here is not for personal wrong but for “the kingdom of heaven." The word “for” connotes on account of righteousness. Righteousness is the cause of persecution. There is something about the gospel that brings out the worst in those who oppose the gospel.
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
The average Jew of Jesus’ day looked at the kingdom as a time of prosperity, but Jesus said His kingdom will bear the blessedness of being persecuted for what is right.
PRINCIPLE: Living for the kingdom involves persecution.
APPLICATION: The Christian life is not all sweetness and light. Christians need to expect persecution. If they don’t, persecution will destabilize their Christian lives. Persecution involves a certain preparation and orientation to God’s will.
Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 2 Ti 3:12
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 1 Pe 1:6-8
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 1 Pe 4:12-14
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 1 Pe 5:10
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Matthew 5:9

Published on April 1, 2008 in Matthew. 0 Comments
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Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

 

5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers,
Peacemakers are instruments of peace. This does not relate to those with a peaceable disposition but to those who take active steps to make peace; they are makers of peace.
Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. Jas 3:18
Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. 1 Pe 3:11
for they shall be called sons of God.
Peacemakers carry the image of God as His children. God is the God of peace and those who bear His name turn into peacemakers. God is the One who calls peacemakers “sons of God.” There is something about being a son of God that produces peace between rivals.
Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Heb 13:21
PRINCIPLE: Peacemakers diffuse difficulties among interpersonal relationships.
APPLICATION: A value of Christianity is to help people at odds with one another find harmony with each other. Many love peace but few make peace. Most of us prefer to evade conflict. A peacemaker faces issues head on; he is active, not passive toward issues.
Some are trouble-makers, not peacemakers, and are at the heart of conflict. We see this in society in general and in the local church itself. We need those who can reconcile quarrels in churches. Christians at peace with God (Ro 5:1) make peace because they reflect the God of peace. They have a “blessed” quality about them.
God’s standard is for us to live at peace with one another, but it is not always possible to peaceably with some people. They are simply irreconcilable.
Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another. Mk 9:50
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Ro 12:18
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