Primary Text: Matthew 5:27-48
Memory Verse: “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:44-45
Introduction:
Jesus illuminated the “heart” of God’s law, showing its core intent. He wasn’t nullifying the law, nor was He adding new concepts to it. The basic reasons He ran into conflict with the scribes and Pharisees is that they’d never actually read the Ten Commandments properly, and wouldn’t have wanted to apply them to their lives if they had. The law of God reaches much deeper than our outward actions, speaking directly to our lust and corrupt human passions. It drives a sword into the belly of our pride, puts a chokehold on our selfishness, and consumes our bitterness and anger in its purifying flames.
The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 7:13 that the law was given “sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful.” God’s law shows the exceeding sinfulness of sin. There is nothing more vital in this modern age than that man faces the biblical truth concerning sin. No one can really understand the New Testament doctrine of salvation unless we understand sin. God gave His only begotten Son to die for us because it was necessary if any were to be redeemed. There is no true evangelism without preaching the law, confronting the world with the holiness of God, His righteous demands, and the consequences of sin. God’s willingness to deliver us from sin shows His true love for mankind.
Because sin’s grasp is so powerful, because of sin’s deceiving subtlety, and because of sin’s perverting nature and destructive effect, we are helpless and hopeless without God. Jesus’ teaching showed sin’s awful depth, but His intent was to motivate us to hate sin and renounce it. The human soul and its destiny is important to God, so we must hate sin and do all we can to destroy it. We must strive for a pure and clean heart; we must stop feeding our lust; we must restrain the flesh and every hint of evil. Most importantly, we must remember the awful price Jesus paid to deliver us.
Studying the Word
Lesson Study
- What did Jesus teach about hidden iniquity? Matthew 5:27-28
- What poignant illustration did Jesus use to describe mortifying the flesh? Matthew 5:29-30
- Explain how someone could apply Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 5:29-30 literally, and yet remain sinful.
- Why did Jesus give His disciples specific teaching about divorce? Matthew 5:31-32
- What positive behavior was Jesus trying to promote by teaching that the speaking of vows in everyday conversation was forbidden? Matthew 5:33-37
- What was the deeper meaning behind Jesus’ teaching concerning an “eye for an eye?” Matthew 5:38-42
- How did Jesus contradict the Jewish leaders who taught others to love their neighbors (other Jews), and hate all others (all the non-Jews designated as “enemies”)? Matthew 5:43-45; Luke 6:27-30
- To what ultimate standard are the redeemed in Christ to live up to? Matthew 5:46-48; Luke 6:31-36