4. The Greatness that Follows

• Text: Matthew 5:17-48

Introduction, vs. 17-20

ITS JUST A LITTLE THING: World Ware I was started by a wrong turn. On June 28, 1914, the Archduke Franz Ferdinand were visiting Sarajevo to inspect military maneuvers. Waiting for them along the Appel Quay were six assassins of the "Black Hand".

• The first two assassins lost their nerve as the motorcade passed.
• The third threw a bomb that bounced off the Archduke’s folded convertible top and exploded under the next car, wounding about 20 people.
• The Archduke insisted on continuing to City Hall for a scheduled reception.
• After the reception, Franz Ferdinand insisted on visiting the hospital to check on the officers wounded by the bomb. For security, the officials decided to take a different route back, -- The fatal mistake: No one told the drivers.
• When the lead car turned right, the Archduke’s driver followed. General Potiorek, the governor of Bosnia, shouted from the car: "What is this? This is the wrong way!
• The driver slammed on the brakes to reverse. The heavy car stalled right in front of a Deli where one of the failed assassins, was standing right there on the sidewalk. <-- The "Wrong Turn"

A. Christ Brings a Constrast in the Purpose of his Coming

Mt 5:17 ¶ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

• Think not ... I am come to loose, violate, or dissolve, make of none effect the law

• Think this ... I am come to fulfill - "shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled" perfect its connection to us ("this IS the law" Matthew 22:40); fulfill also to "teach"

  • Jot, tittle, yod= smallest letter and tittle = little marks on the alphabet

Colossians 1:25 — Col 1:25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; <-- teach; preach fully the doctrine of God

2 Corinthians 4:18 — [The Word of God is Ever Enduring] While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

B. Christ Makes a General Contrast Between His Teaching and that of the Pharisees (Jesus to fulfill perfectly, fully)

• "these least commandments" ... this is interesting (Pharisees emphasized distinctiion between weightier and lighter matters of the law.) Pharisees: "At least get the big things right" (Well, because that's the best we can do.)

• Jesus proceeds: these least commandments (dont explain it away)

  • Doesn't continue to talk about: Deuteronomy 22:6-7 "If you see a mother bird with her young leave the mother. -- animalcruelty condemned -- "
  • Those are the LEAST who teach any laws of God might be violated with impunity - expemption from punishment

• 5 Times Christ contrasts "What you have heard" with "what I say", 6 Times if we includes this think not - think this

• He addresses murder, adultery, divorce, oaths, retaliation, and love for enemies. **these do not seem minor or unimportant"

• Jesus is not categorizing these as "unimportant" or "less important", but proceeds to outline the greatness to follows them -- the perfect form the shadow takes.

• What is greater is the perfect fulfillment over the shadow and the imperfect keeping ot that.

• Briefly, Why these 5? **Had been Systematically hollowed out by religous leaders." Here be games played. Trivialized by men.

1. "Thou Shalt Not Kill", vs. 21-26 (The Jot of Killing "Intent, Hate")

21 ¶ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. ...

• Don't be angry

2. "Thou Should Not Commit Adultery", vs. 27-32

• Don't Lust

"You never said" --- Dennis Prayer, "In Judaism, Looking with lust is not a sin," and "There's no ban in the 613 laws of the Torah on lusting". He clarifies that the Hebrew word for "covet" refers to an active desire to acquire something, not merely a thought or feeling.

3. "Thou Not Forswear and Not Follow Through" (Keep Your Vows), vs. 33-37

• Keep Your Oaths
• Don't Make Promises you Can't Keep! (Swear by heaven?!?!)

4. "An Eye for an Eye", vs. 38-42

38 ¶ Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

• "An Eye for an Eye"
• Where is mercy?
• "Turn the Other Cheek" and "Always say yes?" (Ask, Why not?)

5. "Love Thy Neighbor, Hate Thine Enemy", vs. 43-48

43 ¶ Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

• Treat people as they treat you, Maintain a balance in this life
• Store up treasure in the world to come!

Conclusion

• There are weighty matters hinged on little things -- seemingly small on their own, but great because of what follows, entails them.
• Don't hollow out God's expections: murder, act of adultery, keep your promises, just retribution, and be good to your people.
• There are "jot's":
  • KILL: intent, hate
  • Adultery: lust
  • Keep Your Word: lieing, presumption, over promising
  • Justice: mercy?
  • Love Neighboar, Hate Enemy: What if through God's grace and mercy, your enemy could become your neighbor?

Lu 10:36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

• Who waas neighbor? HE THAT SHOULD MERCY UNTO HIM