 |
| Pharisees |
Jesus addressed the teaching of the Pharisees in
the Sermon on the Mount. They taught
that apart from certain identifiable renegades, all Israelites “have a share in
the world to come”.[1] Therefore, to be born a Jew was sufficient
qualification for entry into the coming kingdom. This is why the Jews of Jesus time would fall
back on the defence, “we are Abraham’s children”.[2] The
doctrine of the Pharisees was not designed to provide entrance into the kingdom of God ,
but rather to provide a righteousness that would gain status in the kingdom of God kingdom
of God
This discourse of the Messiah included examples
of the oral law which the Pharisees obeyed with outward, mechanical obedience, which
were then contrasted with what is really required - a heart obedience to the true Torah. “It was said by them of old time”, or “it hath
been said”, are the formulae used to introduce the oral law.[5]
Matthew 5.21-26 gives the first comparison: “You
have heard that it was said (the oral law) to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever
murders will be in danger of the judgment.’”
The Scribes and Pharisees taught that you were only guilty when the act
was committed, but Jesus said, “I say to you that whoever is angry with his
brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment”. Jesus taught that murder is premeditated and
that the sin is committed when the act is planned. God marks the premeditation, therefore Jesus
taught, “agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him,
lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the
officer, and you be thrown into prison.”
In other words, murder in the heart will count against you at the bar of
God.
The second comparison is in vv.27-32: “You have heard that it was said (the oral law) to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery’”. The Scribes and Pharisees taught that you
were only guilty when the act was committed.
“But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has
already committed adultery with her in his heart”. Jesus taught that adultery is also
premeditated and that the sin was committed when the act was planned. Therefore, deal with lust quickly –
metaphorically pluck out the eye and cut off the hand – lest at the bar of God
it drags you down to hell. This, of
course, is the context of the Messiah’s word on divorce, for He continued
(first quoting the oral law), “It was said, ‘Whoever sends his wife away, let
him give her a certificate of divorce’; but I say to you that everyone who
divorces his wife, except for the reason
of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman
commits adultery.”[6] The desire of the adulterer to put away his
wife is the context of this word of the Messiah designed to protect a very vulnerable
group in Jewish society.
Jesus gave three more examples contrasting the
righteousness of the oral law with true righteousness. The first of the three, it is better to have
heart obedience to God than the outward performing of vows (vv.33-37). The
second, it is better to have a generous heart when dealing with your fellow
man, rather than follow legalism and seek “an eye for an eye”. The third example then challenged His hearers
to rise yet higher still and follow the example of the Father and “love your
enemies”.
More Next Time:
No comments:
Post a Comment