Focus
Take time to rest in the comfort of the Lord today.
Read
Matthew 5:21-30 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
“You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first, be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.
Reflect
In verse 20, right before the beginning of this passage Jesus says, our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees…but what does that look like? Jesus explains what it looks like in this passage. It means less about refraining from activities and more like living a life that goes the extra mile.
Eric Mattaxes wrote a biography on Dietrich Bonhoeffer and summed up some of Bonhoeffer’s teachings by writing, “Being a Christian is less about cautiously avoiding sin than about courageously and actively doing God’s will.”
If you look at these examples that Christ gives–think about the negative command which heard by the formulaic phrase “Thou shalt not…” Then Jesus asserts the positive command “But I say to you–do something…
In verse 21 Jesus speaks on murder–you shall not murder–but I say to you that you should be reconciled with others. So instead of refraining from murder or anger, or there is a break in any relationship–go and do everything you can to repair and reconcile. Reconciliation gives life…anger brings death. In verse 27 “You shall not commit adultery” that is living by the flesh–Living by the spirit would be to do everything in your power to ensure that you are pure in mind and body.
A righteousness that exceeds the scribes and the Pharisees means that we do not only refrain from things but that we actively pursue things that are pleasing to God.
Pray
God, grant to us a desire to grow deeper in love with you so that we will be courageous as we live as light in this world. Amen
Go with God!
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