October 2

“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to fulfill them. I assure you, until heaven and earth disappear, even the smallest detail of God’s law will remain until it’s purpose is achieved...... I warn you - - unless you obey God better than the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees do, you can’t enter the Kingdom of Heaven at all!” (Matthew 5:17-20). Early on in his ministry, Jesus explains that he did not come to do away with the law of Moses. And, neither did Jesus come to replace the law of Moses. There was nothing wrong with the law of Moses. The law of Moses explained how God wanted those who followed Him to interact and relate with other people. What Jesus came to do was fully explain the intent of the law of Moses. Jesus even gave some examples of what he meant.
The law of Moses said, “Do not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment” (Matthew 5:21; Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17). But, the emotion which leads to murder is anger and Jesus cautioned that the anger which leads to murder is just as bad as the murder itself. Meanly calling someone a name is a sin against the God who made that person as surely as physically taking their life (Matt.5:22). So, Jesus is not replacing the prohibition of murder with something better. Jesus is simply addressing the wrong and the evil which often takes place before murder ever occurs. Jesus is saying there are other things we do that are also harmful to others that we need to discontinue doing.
The law of Moses said, “Do not commit adultery” (Matth.5:27; Ex.20:14; Deut.5:18). But, the lust which occurs in a person’s heart that precedes adultery is every bit as harmful as the act of adultery itself. Jesus says that if we deal with the problem of a straying heart first, then we won’t have a problem straying from our marriage vows (Matt.5:28).
Then Jesus says, “You have heard that the law of Moses says, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy’” (Matt.5:43; Leviticus 19:18). In truth, the law of Moses said nothing about hating one’s enemy, but the Pharisees had added their interpretation to the law. Jesus defines for them the true intention of the law of Moses. “I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” (Matt.5:44). Don’t just do what everyone else does. Don’t just do what is necessary to follow the letter of the law. Do more than the minimum. Do what others won’t do because you have a relationship with God that compels you to do more than the minimum standards (Matt.5: 45-48). How about us? Are we striving to imitate God in our attitudes and in our relationships? Or, are we only doing what is necessary to get by?