Filed under: Christ Likeness, Jesus, Kingdom of God, Law, Salvation, Sin, Tanach, The Church
Answer to Question #3
The answer to Question #3 turned out to be my sermon topic a month ago. You can listen. Or you can read the text below.
Today we’re going to focus on a text out of Matthew 7. A section out of the gospel called the “Sermon on the Mount.” But before we turn there, we’re going to need a little bit of background. In order to do that we need to look at the very beginning of chapter 5.
1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying…
This is the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. However, contrary to what is believed about this “sermon.” It really wasn’t a sermon at all. Take a look. “Now he saw the crowds…” Then, what did he do next? He went up the mountainside. Jesus wasn’t preaching to a crowd, he was getting away from a crowd. Then what does he do next? It says, “He sat down!” Now, for anyone who knows acting or speaking, the worst way to address a crowd is to sit down. So, it must have been a small crowd…which indeed it was because then the text says, “His disciples came to him and he began to teach them saying…”
What is very important to catch here is that Jesus wasn’t preaching to a crowd, he was preaching to his disciples. To his followers. It was an intimate small group teaching. The sermon on the mount folks isn’t for everyone. What Jesus goes on to talk about in chapters 5, 6, and then seven is meant for his followers, people walking with Him and know him well.
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
I’ve seen that verse so many times, and it’s always presented as a downer. (more…)
Filed under: Christ Likeness, Grace, Jesus, Judaism, Law, Mitzvot, Sin, Torah
Question 2 – Continuing with the NT Questions. I will not post the questions as they are not my work to publish, but…I hope you enjoy reading my answers.
In Matthew 5, we have a perplexing statement by Jesus, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” This statement, might not have been perplexing to the average Jew in Jesus’ time, as every good Jew was trying to fulfill the law. However, with any knowledge of the Old Testament law, it becomes clear for our 21st century audience that carrying out a good deal of the commands in the law is out of the ordinary and near impossible.
Has the law been abolished by our doing or not doing?
Are we failing to fully live out the law thus sinning everytime we do not do what the law says?
What is the law?
Let’s be clear, the Greek word “Nomos” — law, is referring to the Pentateuch, meaning the entirety of the Old Testament. Yet, the law has traditionally been referred to as the Torah, or the first five books of the Old Testament where the bulk of the law is given by God through Moses to the Hebrews. These laws made it clear how a person is to live and be “right” in the sight of God. There are 613 laws in the Torah. These laws, called the Mitzvot, comprised the 10 commandments and others from circumcision to not eating kernels of grapes. A large portion of these laws explain in detail how and what is to be done with sacrificial animals. Some laws are meant as a means of cleanliness and cultivation and show how people are to live a practical better life. Some laws were cultural, having much to do with the Hebrews and their life in the promise land.
Today, most of the laws are all but forgotten. Pulled out mostly by those wishing to keep others from getting tattoos or earrings. Today, the law is never followed in its entirety even by the most conservative Jew as the practice of animal sacrifice is no longer in practice.
So what does Jesus mean by not coming to abolish the law? Why then do so many Christians ignore these laws?
When Jesus says he has come to fufill the law he means just that, to complete them, to “give them their full meaning” as one translation says. Because a large portion of these laws deals with sacrificial animals then it would makes sense, as Jesus is the substitutionary sacrificial animal, there is no need for these laws. His fufillment is both finished and yet continuing to be fulfilled as atonement covers those sins we have yet to even commit. He lived the life of a perfect Jew. Practicing the Mitzvot in every area of His life. So, as Christians as we seek to live as Christ would. We are taking up the task of fulfilling the Mitzvot in our own lives. Also, the law serves as a reminder of our need for God. We can’t live out the law perfectly as Christ did. However we can trust that the Holy Spirit can help us live as Christ lived. The law serves as a constant reminder of what Christ did and what Christ continues to do.
