Matthew 5: The Sermon on the Mount (11)
Pray Psalm 19.7, 8.
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes…
Sing Psalm 19.7, 8.
(St. Christopher: Beneath the Cross of Jesus)
The Law of God is perfect, His testimony sure;
the simple man God’s wisdom learns, the soul receives its cure.
God’s Word is right, and His command is pure, and truth imparts;
He makes our eyes to understand; with joy He fills our hearts.
Read Matthew 5.1-18; meditate on verses 17, 18.
How did Jesus “fulfill” God’s Law? How do we?
Prepare.
1. Did Jesus think the Law of God was no longer valid?
2. How much of the Law did Jesus consider to be valid?
Meditate.
The apostle Paul insisted that the Law of God is righteous (Rom. 7.12). That lines up perfectly with Jesus’ teaching about the Law in this section, where He is expanding on the idea of righteousness. If we want to know what righteousness looks like, all we have to do is read the Law of God.
Jesus came to fulfill the Law. He did this in two ways. First, He completely obeyed it, without failing in one jot or tittle. Second, He bore the judgments of the Law of God for us, who cannot fulfill the Law of God, although we are expected to obey it. All the Law is fulfilled in Jesus, but not so that we can regard it as having passed away, or that we need no longer obey it. All our salvation is fulfilled in Jesus; but that doesn’t mean everyone will be saved. Only those who fulfill their end of what God requires—repentance and faith in Jesus—will know the salvation of the Lord. And only those who work out their salvation in fear and trembling, day by day, will know more of our great salvation. At the same time, both our salvation and our ability to work it out are all of grace; God works on and in us according to His good pleasure as we walk in obedience to His Word.
All the apostles are agreed that we are still in the process of fulfilling the Law according to our part (cf. Rom. 3.31; Jms. 2.10-12; 1 Jn. 5.1-3; etc.). By obeying the Law, Jesus showed us just how important the Law is, not how irrelevant, as some Christians today seem to think. By neglecting the Law, we encourage lawlessness (which leads to a lack of love, Prov. 28.4; Matt. 24.12), and we hinder the efficacy of our prayers (Prov. 28.9).
The Law and the Prophets teach us how to love God and our neighbors (Matt. 22.34-40). Why would God ever want these to be neglected or ignored? Even the smallest details of the Law (jots and tittles) have power to teach us how to love God and our neighbors. And good works of love are the hallmark of true righteousness.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
It seems that non-Christians have a better understanding of Christianity than Christians do.
Why do I say that?
Because, Why else would anyone reject the love of God? Here and now and there and then.
Well, non-Christians understand fully that accepting the gift of salvation requires a new focus and new behaviors.
But Christians?
Somehow, we have accepted the Gift and then, go hard for the grace when it comes to lifestyle.
When in fact, Jesus says very clearly:
“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” (Matt. 5.17, 18).
In other words, till hell freezes over.
Jot and tittle refers to minute details in Biblical Hebrew writing, underscoring that even seemingly negligible marks bear significance (Bible Hub). Thus, all the nooks and crannies, all the words of the Law, are important.
Therefore when God says:
1. You must worship no other gods. Only worship Me.
2. You must not choose any idols (things, people, etc.) for worship.
3. You must not use My Name irreverently—no swearing; or misappropriation of the name Christian.
4. You must keep the Sabbath Day holy (rest and worship, and let other people do the same).
5. You must honor your mother and father.
6. You must not murder.
7. You must be faithful to your spouse.
8. You must not steal.
9. You must not lie.
10. You must not covet anything that isn’t yours (Ex. 20.1-17).
God is not speaking idly, or just to amuse Himself, or giving us a list of suggestions (Deut. 32.46, 47).
He is telling us how He wants us to live; and what our behaviors should be like.
If you choose to belong to Him, then you choose to live according to the pattern He has set.
And Jesus adds to the mix His thoughts:
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
“You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.”
“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love,
just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love” (Jn. 14.15; 15.14; 15.10).
He fulfilled the Law.
We are, therefore, to fulfill the Law. All of it.
And God has given us the Holy Spirit to enable it:
“I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them” (Ezek. 36.27).
Unbelievers know the truth; but don’t want it.
We know the truth; want it; and in fulfilling the Law are set free to be His children (Jn. 8.32, 36; Gal. 5.1).
Reflect.
1. Why should we, as Jesus’ disciples, not only keep the Law but delight in it?
2. Paul says the Law is good (Rom. 7.12). Good for what?
3. Why should we expect to have joy and satisfaction in keeping the Law of God?
The Son of God, who is the author of the law and the prophets, did not come to abolish the law or the prophets. He gave the people the law that was to be handed down through Moses, and he imbued the prophets with the Holy Spirit for the preaching of the things to come. Therefore he said, “I have come not to abolish the law and the prophets but to fulfill them.” Chromatius (fl. ca. 400), Tractate on Matthew 20.1.1-2
Pray Psalm 19.9-14.
Thank God for His Law—the Ten Commandments and the various precepts, rules, testimonies, and statutes that clarify and explain how the Commandments apply to our lives. Ask Him to help you delight in His Law, and in all His Word.
Sing Psalm 19.9-14.
Psalm 19.9-14 (St. Christopher: Beneath the Cross of Jesus)
The fear of God is cleansing, forever shall it last.
His judgments all are true and just, by righteousness held fast.
O seek them more than gold most fine, than honey find them sweet;
Be warned by every word and line; be blessed with joy complete.
Who, LORD, can know his errors? O keep sin far from me!
Let evil rule not in my soul that I may blameless be.
O let my thoughts, let all my words, before Your glorious sight
Be pleasing to You, gracious LORD, acceptable and right!
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
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Other columns of interest: This week: The Read Moore podcast continues readings from our book, The Kingdom Turn. Our Crosfigell teaching letter presses ahead in a series on the state of the Church in Europe at the time of the Celtic Revival. The ReVision column is studying the Church as Jesus envisions it. Check out our other excellent writers. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
