Theology Made Simple

The Concerns of Jesus, Part 14

I want to pause every once in a while, to remind us of the importance of the study we are doing in the Concerns of Jesus. The theological speculation and political infighting in the churches, over the centuries, and the current state of the organized church, with its rules and rituals, often cause us to forget who we are, and what we are all about. If we are to call ourselves Christians, it seems to me that we should be seriously trying to follow Christ, for that is what "Christian" means. Therefore, the concerns of Jesus should be top priority in all of our teaching and preaching. Unfortunately, if one listens to the current message of televangelists, and even local preachers in modern churches, the themes most prominent in the prayers and teaching of Jesus are seldom found.

A significant part of the Sermon on the Mount, after the reciting of the Beatitudes, is Jesus' interpretation of the " law". Many modern churches go to one extreme or another, where the law of God is concerned. They either preach the "Social Gospel", which ignores sin and moral restrictions, or they become legalistic, and make obedience to every legal point they can interpret in the Bible, the ultimate measure of rightness in the church. Both of these positions ignore the real teaching of Jesus, where the law is concerned.

In thirty verses of the fifth chapter of Matthew, Jesus says "but" ten times. "The Law says...BUT I say unto you", is repeated often by Jesus in these verses. He preceded this with the statement, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law....I have not come to abolish it, but to fulfill (it)". This is an extremely significant statement, and should not be passed over lightly. Far from abolishing the Law, Jesus changed it from cold ritual obedience, to a heartfelt relationship with Him who is the definer of all that is righteous.

Remember that the Law was given to Moses by God. God wrote it. Therefore, it reflects the character of God Himself. He did not derive it from some other source, nor was He instructed by anyone. The Law came from His nature. Therefore, it is not just a set of rules. It is the way God expects His creatures to behave. The priests and teachers of the Law added interpretive things to it, in an attempt to apply it to life. That was necessary at that time, but when Jesus came, He gave a more meaningful explanation of what the Father intended by the Law. This passage does that. It is therefore extremely important, for Jesus is explaining what the Law, which came from the very nature of God, was really intended to say to mankind. He does not change it. He simply interprets it differently, and with much more intensity than cold words on a tablet of stone.

It says, significantly, that we are not in a legal system, but because the Law was a reflection of God's nature, we should be like this, in order to have a relationship with Him. It is not intended to give us rules to obey, but principles to live by.

The Law says, "Do not murder", but Jesus says, "Get your heart right, so you do not get angry, or hate." He is saying God wants us to get along with one another in peace, settle our differences, be reconciled to one another. If your heart is not of this mind-set, your worship is not acceptable, for that is the nature God wants you to have if you are to be called His child.

The Law says, "Do not commit adultery", but Jesus says, "Keep your heart pure, and discipline yourself, so that you are not tempted to do evil." The Law talks about divorce, and oath taking. Jesus says you should be the kind of person that doesn't have these kinds of problems. If you work to make your marriage right, and you have a reputation for honesty, you will need no instructions about divorce or swearing.

The Law says keep all things equal, "...an eye for an eye, etc.", but Jesus says don't get into conflict situations. Don't be confrontational. The spirit of competition, which is so prevalent in our age, does not work the peace and harmony God wants of His people. Demanding "my rights" must be replaced by a spirit of helpfulness, and consideration for other people.

Then Jesus talks about loving your enemies. In our next paper we will discuss this tricky question in some detail. What were the real concerns of Jesus, in this regard?

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