04
From the Word: Under Law?
Posted on January 4th, 2010 in Faith, From the Word by Fred McKinnon
It’s my hope that one of the areas we’ll enjoy on the blog here in 2010 is increased discussion about God’s Word.
I believe that Matthew 5 is perhaps one of the more challenging chapters in the Bible. Jesus’ teaching, “The Beatitudes”, and his explanation of what really constitutes sin ups the ante and is radical.
This morning, I’m especially stirred, challenged, and frankly, somewhat confused by this particular passage:
17
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. 18 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. 19 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. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-20, ESV, emphasis mine, YouVersion.Com)
We are taught that as New Testament Christians, we are no longer bound by the Old Testament Law. (think specifically of the Ten Commandments, though there are thousands of other laws and commandments throughout the OT)
Yet here, Jesus seems to be alluding to that very Law, and actually, goes further in the next verses making it even more substantial. (Example: don’t commit adultery, but now, if you even think lustfully about a woman, you’ve committed adultery with her).
Guilty.
The only way our righteousness would exceed that of the “scribes and Pharisees” is by grace. But Jesus doesn’t mention that at all in this passage. He’s clearly speaking of keeping the rules.
So how does that play out? Paul will teach us throughout the New Testament that we are not under law, but under grace. Yet Jesus’ words here challenge us that “keeping the rules” is vital.
What are your thoughts? Please add to the discussion below by leaving a comment.
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14 Responses to “From the Word: Under Law?”
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I’m going to show some of my true colors here. I think this is where the usefulness of the concept of dispensations comes into play.
Jesus, in this situation, is talking to people before his death and resurrection, which means the New Testament (and Paul’s message of grace through faith alone) hadn’t begun. Jesus’ audience is still under the Old Testament law during this message.
Scott,
Yes, and Robert hits on that in the next comment. I hadn’t really thought about that, and definitely hadn’t noticed the “until it is accomplished” that Robert points out.
Fred, I think that the key words Jesus spoke here was “UNTIL ALL IS ACCOMPLISHED”. I, personally, think that when Jesus said, “IT IS FINISHED” on the cross, that all was accomplished.
Now, I don’t think that this means that we no longer have to “obey” the basic rules that God set up in the ten commandments and Jesus expanded upon. I don’t think that any of the Old Testament basics were thrown out the window except for the need of blood sacrifice.
However, Paul does show us that those rules and regulations were a “tutor” to show/teach us that we would never be able to live up to them in our own strength and ability. And that’s where grace comes into the picture.
The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus provides us the grace and re-connection with the Holy Spirit that gives us “everything (we need) pertaining to life and godliness”. Now we are ABLE to live up to the expectations of a godly life here on earth.
Therefore, in the words of Ken Mullis, we have “no alibis” anymore. Praise God for the grace, mercy and forgiveness made available to us through Jesus and His work on the cross!
I think Robert is right. The law is a mirror to show us how inadequate we are. His point in this passage is that even the Pharisees can’t keep it! That’s why the Sermon on the Mount is so challenging because Jesus says that we should be doing all that…when clearly we can’t! So thank God for grace and the Holy Spirit that empowers us to defeat sin in our lives.
I don’t know the answer. But I know God says if you love me then obey my commandments. But he also knows we are human. So then he says we are saved not by our works…In the end it all comes down to grace I think.
“all is accomplished”
Now, that’s good insight! I think we may be tracking on something!
I hope ya’ll enjoy this Bible discussion, I plan to have a lot more of it this year. I already have a question from today’s Bible reading scheduled for discussion tomorrow!
Well you know how much I enjoy “bible talk”. I greatly anticipate further topics and discussions! One of my goals this year is to spend much more time in the word with my family. How vital it is to instill a hunger for God’s word in our children!
You know, I had not noticed before the phrase “until all is finished.” That really ties up those loose ends of law vs. grace. I think we’d be really lost without Paul to explain the aftermath of Christ’s death and resurrection.
Too true, Matt. There is a fine line between the old and new testaments. I guess I narrow it down to one line:
“The only difference between the ‘law’ of the old and the new, is that ‘living up to its expectations’ doesn’t make us righteous. Grace alone does that.”
Ok, so that was two lines! :>)
New blog post: From the Word: Under Law? http://www.fredmckinnon.com/myblog/2010/01/04/from-the-word-under-law/
I’d say that this passage is telling us that there HAS to be another way than keeping the Law.
Think about the implication of the words “… least in the kingdom of heaven”. SOmeone who breaks the law and teaches others to do likewise, is still ahead of the game compared to the Pharisees! Obviously this person is playing in a different court than the Pharisees with their sincerity and law-keeping…
Junjie,
Great points!
Can you give me further insight into the following: “…unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” I have found where the Pharisees are one of the “four major schools of thought” in the old time of Jesus. Why did Jesus have a problem with them and the scribes?
Good question Howard, and I’ll be bold to step forward first. Hopefully I have an answer that is good and right for you.
The one statement Jesus used to scold the Pharisees and Saducees was found in John 5: 39-40:
You search the Scriptures , for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.
NKJV
The Pharisees found their righteousness in obeying the law. The Saducees didn’t believe in the resurrection from the dead. They knew the bible frontward and backward (at least the old testament), and they used it as a weapon to beat down others who didn’t know it as well as they did.
They felt that since they knew the “word” so good, they were righteous. But Jesus was trying to show the world that HE was the only way to righteousness.
In short, I don’t think it was “Jesus having a problem with them”. I think it was them having a problem with Jesus.
Hope that starts the answer to a wonderful question.