The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) contains some of Jesus’ most challenging teaching. It begins with the unlikely blessings of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12), which we looked at a few weeks ago. Next, Jesus talks about being salt and light (Matthew 5:5:13-16). Jesus’ disciples must do good works in order to be a powerful influence: as the salt of the earth and light of the world. Two weeks ago, we looked at Matthew 5:17-20 where Jesus states that he came to fulfill the law, not to abolish it. Superficial righteousness, like that of the Pharisees, is not good enough to earn citizenship in the kingdom of heaven.
Next Jesus moves on to specific sins listed in the Law of Moses. Scholars call these verses (Matthew 5:21-48) the antitheses because this section contains Jesus’ instruction on six topics: murder, adultery, divorce, oaths, revenge, and how one should treat their enemies. Each begins with an initial statement “you have heard” that quotes a teaching from or on the law, and then follows with a second statement, “But I tell you”: that appears to be the direct opposite to the first statement. But the statements that Jesus introduces with “But I tell you”, are not contradictory. Rather these six topics offer specific examples of the kind of righteousness that surpasses that of the Pharisees, which Jesus said was the only way one could earn citizenship in His kingdom (5:20).
Six times in this section Jesus uses the phrase “You have heard that it was said”. “You have heard that it was said… ‘You shall not murder” (5:21). “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ (5:27). “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ (5:31). “Again, you have heard that it was said… ‘Do not break your oath” (5:33). You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth (5:38). You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy” (5:43).
But Jesus follows each of those six statements with the phrase “But I tell you”. But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment (5:22). But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart (5:28). But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery (5:32). But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all (5:34). But I tell you, do not resist an evil person (5:39). But I tell you, love your enemies (5:44).
You have heard, you have been taught the letter of the law, But I tell you, I am going to show you the spirit behind these commands. And basically, unless you can be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect (5:48) you cannot attain true righteousness, not in your own power. That is why I came, to fulfill the law, to fulfill everything I’m telling you, because only through me will you be made truly righteous in God’s sight.
We will take a close look at every one of these topics over the next several weeks but we will begin this Sunday by focusing our attention on the first topic: anger (Matthew 5:21-26).