Daily Bible Challenge: Post #5

Matthew 5:21-22

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca, is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”

This my fourth entry of the Daily Bible challenge.

Entry one is here (1 Cor 15:58): http://stevenuessle.blogspot.com/2015/03/daily-bible-challenge-post-1.html

Entry two is here (1 Tim 4:12): http://stevenuessle.blogspot.com/2015/03/daily-bible-challenge-post-2.html

Entry three is here (2 Kings 2:23-24) http://stevenuessle.blogspot.com/2015/03/daily-bible-challenge-post-3.html

Entry four is here (John 1:1) http://stevenuessle.blogspot.com/2015/03/daily-bible-challenge-post-4.html

I do not want break down this passage specifically, but more use it as an example of the way that Jesus teaches and what the implications that means for us as we try to understand Him and to become more Christ-like ourselves.

The key to this teaching, and others like them, is that Jesus takes an accepted teaching and one that we probably take for granted now (to not murder), but states that the standard is not nearly high enough, and that there is a higher expectation. Not only are we not to murder, but we can’t even be angry with someone else. “Raca” was a term of contempt that would result in punishment, but to call someone a fool seems pretty light – and this potentially punishable by hell!

So what is going on here? A couple things:

First, Jesus is setting a high standard. So high, in fact that it is impossible. Not only in this teaching, but in other teachings throughout the Gospels. It is an impossible standard, but one that seems almost achievable. In my mind, this is not an accident. Jesus desires for us to stretch as far as possible without actually fulfilling His teachings and thus becoming complacent in our faith and our walk.

This was the main critique of the Pharisees, that they would achieve perfection in the law and lord it over others, all the while having a problem in their core.

This is the second thing going on, Jesus is not interested in our actions in and of themselves, but is interested in a transformed heart. It is certainly possible to follow rules, but that is not what is most important. What Christ cares about is a transformation of the heart through the work of the Spirit. Not following rules!

The third thing going on is that we are also being made aware of the seriousness of our sin. Something as small as calling someone a fool can result in our spending eternity in hell. In this case, with this standard on his teachings, all of us our ultimately condemned. But that is not the case – Christ offers us life, but this only comes through Him, it is not possible through our own action.

One last point is the idea of sanctification. That is the idea that once we accept Christ and the Spirit into our lives we will see a change in ourselves away from our selfish, sinful ways towards a Spirit filled heart and life. Christ sets an example that is not possible through human action, but is much more possible if we allow the Spirit to work in your life, towards a heart that is more Christ centered.

I touched on many important concepts very quickly and probably did not do them full justice, but wanted to provide a quick overview.