Four Points Church

We now come the sixth example that Jesus gives us to show how truly unrighteous the scribes and pharisees were.  It was commonly taught and accepted that the Jewish people should love their neighbors (Leviticus 19:18).  Neighbor was always and only defined as a fellow Israelite.  Non-Israelites were seen as enemies through the cultural lens of the first century.  Here is the funny thing about that definition.  Nowhere in the Old Testament are God’s people told to hate their enemies.

The Old Testament sets a standard of equitable retribution. It is clear from the Old Testament that the need to be fair when judging the sins of those who break our trust need judgement. The rule was for justice rather than revenge.  The law serves as a safeguard for all humanity to flourish and prosper.The point of this diatribe of Christ is to show us how we must die to ourselves.

In our world we are incredibly familiar with being lied to. Companies lie to us about their products. Insurance agencies lie to us about our coverage. Politicians lie to us about their policies and agendas. It’s simply commonplace. What’s funny is that companies, insurance agencies, and politicians never admit they lie. They find clever ways and jargon no one understands to explain how they didn’t lie, but merely skirted the truth or didn’t reveal all the information. Whats new is very old! This is the exact problem that Jesus had with the Scribes and Pharisees. Remember, this text is part of Jesus giving six examples of why the Pharisees are not as righteous as they think they are (vs. 21-48). Jesus exposes their hypocrisy with His words.

As we dig into our text we are going to see that God has a very different view of marriage.  Notice that Jesus goes back to the creation account to explain marriage Genesis 2:24).  God tells us everything we need to know in His Word.  What we find is that God LOVES marriage!

As we dig into our text we are going to see that God has a very different view of marriage.  Notice that Jesus goes back to the creation account to explain marriage Genesis 2:24).  God tells us everything we need to know in His Word.  What we find is that God LOVES marriage!

Jesus points out once again that there is no difference between external obedience and inward desire. The righteousness that God requires is both inward as well as outward. When we lust after a woman, or covet our neighbors wife inwardly it is the same as adultery in the eyes of God. This is another way that Jesus shows us that even the most righteous among mankind are still guilty before God.