Sessions 12 & 13 Notes Download

Matthew 19:3-9. We should interpret the shorter in the light of the longer. Remember a lot of Jesus’ teaching was to confront the wrong doctrine propounded by the religious leaders. According to the Jewish historian Josephus, there was controversy about divorce between two rival rabbinic schools (that of Rabbi Shammai with a rigorous line and of Rabbi Hillel with a lax view). They questioned Jesus to see whose side he was on.

Genesis 1:27-28; 2:24   Jesus responded with God’s original plan. Marriage is both exclusive (man and his wife) and permanent.

The Pharisees called Moses’ provision for divorce a command; Jesus referred to it as a concession.

Their quote of Deuteronomy 24:1-4 was inappropriate in regard to their conclusions and questions. They took divorce lightly; Jesus took it so seriously that it allowed only one provision, adultery. He emphatically endorsed the permanence of marriage. With people who are not spouses, we have been instructed to reconcile and have peace. How much more so with a spouse? What follows about loving our enemies should also be considered. We should not hold a rigid legalist view of what Jesus states here. 1 Corinthians offers more information

Matthew 5:33-37   Integrity in speech

Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 19:12; Numbers 30:2; Deuteronomy 23:21

Matthew 23:16-22; James 5:12   When people swear to God, on the Bible or their mothers’ grave, they are really making a pathetic confession of their own dishonesty. Oaths arise because people are so often liars. Always strive to have your words salted. We are the salt of the earth!

Mattew 5:38-39   You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH’. But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

This OT quote refers to the law of retaliation also called commensurate retribution, that the judges were to implement and not personal retaliation or revenge. The Pharisees turned it into unjust personal retaliation. Exodus 21:23-25; Leviticus 24:17-23 – life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand, foot, burn, bruise, fracture

Deuteronomy 13:11; 17:13; 19:20; 21:21   “thus you shall purge the evil from among you.” This limits over retaliation, personal revenge, and evil from spreading.

“Slap you on your right cheek” is more of an insult than a physical attack. Some extremists misinterrupt this as advocating pacifism, believing we should never defend ourselves, even in self-defense. The way God created us with the autonomic nervous system which produces involuntary responses is contrary to this interruption.

Resist not evil because resisting causes you to act the same way. Let it go!

Mattew 5:40-42 If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.

Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.

If at all possible, avoid getting pulled into the evil of this world. These insignificant matters are not worth our time and energy for in the end, justice will prevail.

Romans 12:17-21 Love we can warm our enemies and good can overcome their evil or at least it’s impact on us.

1 Peter 2:13-23 Jesus is our example.

Matthew 5:43-48   “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore, you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

The religious leaders said “hate your enemies” which is not written in Scripture. To love like this requires all the beatitudes in action.

We are different as salt and light who love like this we standout and attract glory to God and desire for Him.

Can we love our enemies based on their behavior toward us? Do we bless them who curse us because of their words? Is the good we give to those who hate us going to be drawn out of us by them? Our motivation is not given by our enemies but rather by our Father, His love for us, and our love for Him.