Matthew 5:21-37 the Gospel reading for 2/13 NIV
Matthew 5.21-26 Murder - today's conversation 21 “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.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. 23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
a thank you to www.biblegateway.com for this printing of the scripture
I am dividing this week's conversation into two parts because each part has a significant statement to make. This way we can give our attention to this part before we get into adultery and divorce!
"You have heard it said.......but I tell you" This phrase reinforces the teaching authority intended in the Sermon on the Mount. Using a familiar and long standing technique of the teaching rabbis, Jesus begins to explain his perspective on the Law. As any rabbi taught, he would build on the foundation of the teachings of other rabbis. (Like our legal system where lawyers cite previous decisions by the court when they make an argument.)
Jesus says, "You have heard it said.....but I tell you"and then goes on to give a new interpretation or meaning to ancient teachings. If you look back several verses (to last week's text) you'll find Jesus asserting that he has not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. Now he begins to give specific examples of what that looks like.
Take murder for instance. It is easy to see that Jesus has expanded the understanding of the command 'You shall not murder.' Murder, where you actually take the life of another human, is the beginning of understanding what God desires according to Jesus' teaching. In addition, if you are angry with a brother (sister)* or insult (such as 'you fool') your brother (sister) you have broken the intent and desire of God expressed in this commandment. We might express this as murdering the spirit of another with our words and anger.
Jesus takes it further! If you are on your way to offer a gift / sacrifice to God and remember that you and a brother are having an argument, go fix the argument before you present yourself to God. Get yourself straight with your brother before you offer anything to God.
To paraphrase The Working Preacher (http://www.theworkingpreacher.com/) resentment, alienation or estrangement from others prevents me from even giving gifts to God. There is no private relationship with God. Therefore, we cannot build 'easy truces' - what Bonhoeffer might have called 'cheap grace' where we are unwilling to do the necessary work of repentance yet very willing to accept forgiveness. In fact, in these situations, we are simply forgiving ourselves, not turning in righteousness to God.
Jesus calls us to cultivate a particular orientation - to have our inside and outside mesh - to be totally oriented toward love - to be filled with kingdom righteousness. Or one could say, you have to do more than just talk the talk, you have to walk the walk.
Our connection to the rest of the world is a critical element in our relationship with God. As members of the kingdom of God we are charged with contributing to that kingdom of light and life. Note this passage in 1 John 4.20
25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
a thank you to www.biblegateway.com for this printing of the scripture
I am dividing this week's conversation into two parts because each part has a significant statement to make. This way we can give our attention to this part before we get into adultery and divorce!
"You have heard it said.......but I tell you" This phrase reinforces the teaching authority intended in the Sermon on the Mount. Using a familiar and long standing technique of the teaching rabbis, Jesus begins to explain his perspective on the Law. As any rabbi taught, he would build on the foundation of the teachings of other rabbis. (Like our legal system where lawyers cite previous decisions by the court when they make an argument.)
Jesus says, "You have heard it said.....but I tell you"and then goes on to give a new interpretation or meaning to ancient teachings. If you look back several verses (to last week's text) you'll find Jesus asserting that he has not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. Now he begins to give specific examples of what that looks like.
Take murder for instance. It is easy to see that Jesus has expanded the understanding of the command 'You shall not murder.' Murder, where you actually take the life of another human, is the beginning of understanding what God desires according to Jesus' teaching. In addition, if you are angry with a brother (sister)* or insult (such as 'you fool') your brother (sister) you have broken the intent and desire of God expressed in this commandment. We might express this as murdering the spirit of another with our words and anger.
Jesus takes it further! If you are on your way to offer a gift / sacrifice to God and remember that you and a brother are having an argument, go fix the argument before you present yourself to God. Get yourself straight with your brother before you offer anything to God.
To paraphrase The Working Preacher (http://www.theworkingpreacher.com/) resentment, alienation or estrangement from others prevents me from even giving gifts to God. There is no private relationship with God. Therefore, we cannot build 'easy truces' - what Bonhoeffer might have called 'cheap grace' where we are unwilling to do the necessary work of repentance yet very willing to accept forgiveness. In fact, in these situations, we are simply forgiving ourselves, not turning in righteousness to God.
Jesus calls us to cultivate a particular orientation - to have our inside and outside mesh - to be totally oriented toward love - to be filled with kingdom righteousness. Or one could say, you have to do more than just talk the talk, you have to walk the walk.
Our connection to the rest of the world is a critical element in our relationship with God. As members of the kingdom of God we are charged with contributing to that kingdom of light and life. Note this passage in 1 John 4.20
20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother
and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.
Our life in Christ is of a whole cloth with our life in this world.
Of course, this leads to the accurate reflection: then how can we fulfill the commandments? How can we possibly be righteous before God? or 'Come on, man, you've got to be kidding me!' What is your response?
What are the roles of confession, penance and charity in this understanding of our relationship with God?
How does this help your understanding of a 'life lived in Christ?'
Do you better understand how it is that Jesus 'fulfills' the Law?
** a technical footnote. The NRSV translation of the scriptures is intentionally 'inclusive.' That is, where in Greek the word for brothers appears and it is clear that the crowd receiving the word is mixed with men and women, the NRSV will translate it as 'brothers and sisters.' There is no reason to expect that Jesus is speaking of only biological family when these terms are used, although one might argue that with this particular perspective on the scriptures, Jesus looks at all people as family.
and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.
Our life in Christ is of a whole cloth with our life in this world.
Of course, this leads to the accurate reflection: then how can we fulfill the commandments? How can we possibly be righteous before God? or 'Come on, man, you've got to be kidding me!' What is your response?
What are the roles of confession, penance and charity in this understanding of our relationship with God?
How does this help your understanding of a 'life lived in Christ?'
Do you better understand how it is that Jesus 'fulfills' the Law?
** a technical footnote. The NRSV translation of the scriptures is intentionally 'inclusive.' That is, where in Greek the word for brothers appears and it is clear that the crowd receiving the word is mixed with men and women, the NRSV will translate it as 'brothers and sisters.' There is no reason to expect that Jesus is speaking of only biological family when these terms are used, although one might argue that with this particular perspective on the scriptures, Jesus looks at all people as family.
I have thought a LOT about this post over the last week... I read it quite a few times and just reflected on the enormity of it's implications...
ReplyDelete"You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment"
Always sounded so black and white to me. Now i see that it is anything BUT black and white.
I think I see how Jesus is 'fulfilling' the law by taking the original law and expanding it. This expansion on the law not only applies to physical action but also to our thoughts, and ultimately what is in our hearts. The role of confession in this understanding of our relationship with God now have to include things that we have NOT physically done, but thought about doing. Jesus is calling us to recognize not only the actions but the thoughts and words we have that can damage another person. it happens all to often that someone is hurt by something the other person doesn't even realize they did or said.
Coming to the Lord and asking for forgiveness without first settling things with that other person you may have hurt or who may have hurt you isn't what the Lord wants. We should recitfy the situation at hand with whomever was involved and THEN come to the Lord to ask for forgivness as to not live our lives on "cheap Grace".
I talked to Aiden about this scipture and talked to him about kids at school and how they treat each other... I was saddened to learn just how cruel children can be (not necessarily to Aiden, although he has had his run ins with a bully or two) but with children in general. Kids spirits are being killed everyday, over and over... but it doesn't end with childhood, or adolescence or even adulthood. Kindness isn't necessarily a "religious" thing is it? Isn't kindness a basic human practice?