Rules –we all have them, we all live by them. As much sometimes as we may not like them or find them inconvenient for us to follow, rules are necessary. Imagine the airspace around an airport without rules. Imagine driving down the highway without rules. I once mentioned that in another context and some guy yelled out “Amen!” Speed limits? Phah! But imagine everyone driving where they want when they want at what speed they want –sounds like some countries I have been in –but imagine driving to Winnipeg on some nice quiet evening –no one in front of you open road you just step on it –no rules! Then suddenly someone is approaching you at their highest speed –but they are on your lane –in your lane! No rules, remember? Rules, we need to know tem and know we need them.
We need rules, we know that. But sometimes following the letter of the law rather than the intent can become burdensome. And it can become quite complicated. I don’t know if many of you have seen the commercials for insurance that have been on the most recent one is where a grizzly bear is tearing up a campsite and the couple are up in a tree looking through a rather thick policy manual. Are we covered, is all they want to know, but the fine print, appendices, and schedules complicate something quite basic –are we covered?
Israel lived by rules. They were known as people of the law. From a very early age they heard and learned of the laws of Moses –the Pentateuch. They would memorize and pass on the laws to their children and their children’s children in order to live. One of the great directives that is often given when parents dedicate their children is the ancient living text from Deut. 6 (read)
When asked one time, what must one do in order to get eternal life, Jesus even answered him, “If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.” (Matthew 19:17) Which ones, he asks? Jesus says, do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.” Part of the 10 commandments (note these are almost all covered in the Sermon on the Mount) “All of these I have done! What do I lack?”
This young man had learned the laws, lived the laws –he knew the rules. But somehow he knew it was not enough –what do I lack –what am I to do?
If you asked most people how they could live to please God, what they must do to "get to heaven" they would probably answer, much like that young man, I have lived the 10 commandments. In the ten commandments that God gave to Moses, we find the basic guidelines of how Israel was to live in relation to God and to each other.
But is simply following the 10 commandments enough? We have a hard time even doing just these! Is living by the rules and regulations set down in the Old Testament enough to get you to heaven? The people of Jesus day thought so. In fact, there were some people that were so sure that following the law to the exact detail guaranteed them a place in heaven. They would walk around in a prideful arrogance that looked down on almost everyone else. In Jesus time, these people became the walking example of what many thought was a truly Godly person. To be called a Pharisee, was to be called a person of righteousness, or rightness before God.
The people of the Jesus day, especially the Pharisees, had become so wrapped up in the function, in the doing of the law and religion, that they had no reality. They had lost the spirit, or the essence, of what God intended.
And so we find a similar attitude today. Many people are outwardly following the law, but inwardly they do not have the spirit. That is one of the major observations about the church today by people. That there is no genuine faith.
Genuine faith and faith that works in your life is what people are searching for. In the past several years we have seen the rise of popular Christianity. This is seen on TV, the news and the internet a number of religious people demonstrated a shiny plastic cover that falls off and we are left seeing the empty shell. Is it any wonder that so many people today are turning away from the church. Yet, in spite of this most people believe in God, believe in Christ and believe in the Bible. BUT THEY DO NOT BELIEVE IN CHURCH.
Just as in Jesus time there was a thirst for genuine faith, so there is a thirst today for genuine faith.
Genuine faith, says Jesus, is not just in following the law. He came to show us how to live beyond the law in a higher calling. Jesus came not to abolish the law (5:17) but to fulfill the law by bringing us to the spirit God intended, ie.
GENUINE FAITH, ACTIVE LIVING FAITH WHICH COMES FROM THE HEART AND DEMONSTRATES GOD'S LOVE.
In the first part of this chapter we read the beatitudes, which give us the path of discipleship. The path brings us from a recognition that we are totally destitute (poor in spirit) and need to place ourselves into God's loving hands. The we see that we are to be salt and light in the world, living such lives that are pure, preserving, tasteful and attractive. In verse 16 we read that we are to live such lives that our good deeds will be seen and bring praise to God –we are to be salt and light!
Now Jesus wants to make it very clear by what he means in saying "good deeds." There is almost an unasked question here. HOW? What are the laws, the rules we need to follow in order to be salt and light –remember they were people of the law this was the core of their being, their faith, their identity. The immediate impression one may get is that we are to live according to the law, like the Pharisees. Everyone knows the good and righteous lives the Pharisees live. They tell us of their righteousness and their good deeds. Then in verse 27 Jesus says, that unless we are even more righteous than the Pharisees we will not enter heaven.
Then what hope do we have? Listen says the master teacher, listen to these things. Jesus calls his followers to get to the heart of what God intends –not just the outward action.
Jesus then give six specific issues which guide his followers into genuine discipleship. Jesus uses these to drive home the idea of genuine faith in action. In fact, the rest of the sermon on the mount continues that theme of guiding His followers along a path of authentic discipleship.
Discipleship, that is being a follower of Christ, is not just actions -it is attitude, it is heart. And so Jesus addresses some specific actions, not to discount them, or to change them (I came not to abolish the Law), but to show the fundamental truth that God expects obedience of the heart.
He begins each with the phrase, "You have heard it said..." We must remember that this culture was largely illiterate and learned mostly through hearing. Jesus is actually talking about scripture. He brings to the peoples mind what they have heard in the synagogue, or church. They may have even heard it argued about by the Pharisees who would sit and discuss these issues in the temple courts or in the city gateway.
You have heard it said –and I agree do not murder. But I tell you anyone who is angry with his brother…
You have heard it said –Do not commit adultery. But I tell you anyone who looks at a woman lustfully…
You have heard it said -Anyone who divorces. But I tell you…
You begin to get the picture? I have not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it –to bring out he core –it is a matter of heart, of genuine commitment. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, blessed are the pure in heart… The heart! Jesus be the centre, be my life, be my strength, be my all!
Jesus does not contradict or put aside any of the laws. He drives home that it is more than outward obedience. It is inward transformation –it is a matter of heart, character, and full submission to Him.
We does that leave us today?
Authentic faith lives not by the letter of the law, but by the spirit. Authentic faith lives to a higher calling than the letter of the law. Authentic discipleship seeks to live as God would have us live so that our good deeds are seen and God is praised.
Authentic discipleship is not living God's life on Sunday and your own on Monday, but living God's life each day, each way in all we do and say.
Let’s reflect for a moment as we come to a close in this service. How are you doing in your heart of discipleship –in your finding blessing through the pureness of your heart? In one of two areas that we find here in Matthew, I would be willing to bet that most of us here today are probably struggling in one or two areas –anger and lust. Oh, we have not killed anyone, but our anger has burned against someone –we have put them down, been resentful, cursed them, though not so nice things, we have not forgiven or been reconciled to them. Jesus says “you are in danger!” be reconciled, settle matters quickly. It is a matter of heart.
Oh you may not have committed adultery, but you have lusted, you have had those long lingering thoughts, you have looked at things that you know you should not, read things that have planted in your brain those incorrect heart issues. I know this speaks largely to men, but women beware you are just as vulnerable to lust and lingering thoughts.
Read carefully the warnings of Jesus in Matthew 5. You have heard it said do not commit murder, do not commit adultery –but I say…
Jesus calls us to get to the heart of the matter. As you make your journey towards God, as you walk this path of discipleship and authentic faith, look to your heart –is it right?
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