Nipate
Forum => Kenya Discussion => Topic started by: GeeMail on September 03, 2014, 11:52:49 AM
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[I'm aware that there is a religious sub-forum on Nipate.org. However, in keeping with the English preacher's modus operandi, we go where the congregation is, rather than wait for the congregation to come. However, if the owner of the house says you go, you take off and shake the dust of your feet. I hope to stay to preach the Word.]
The English have an expression about cutting of your nose to spite your face. It is as ridiculous as they comes. Can you imagine how self-defeating such an action would be? Today, we will share from the book of Matthew 5 and learn something about how Jesus related with His law, which is an unchanging reflection of His character (the Bible describes God as holy, good, just and righteous, just as it describes His law).
Jesus and the Seventh Commandment
How did Jesus expand the meaning of the law, as seen in
Matthew 5:27-28 ? What did He say in Matthew 5:29-30 ?
How are we to take these words?
In this passage Christ referred to two commandments: the
seventh and the tenth. Until then, the Israelites considered
adultery to be only the overt physical sexual act with
another person’s spouse. Jesus points out that in reality,
because of the tenth commandment, adultery would include
lustful thoughts and desires, as well.
In Matthew 5:29-30 , Christ was using a figure of speech.
Of course, one could argue that it would be better to go
through life mutilated than to forfeit eternity with Christ.
However, rather than pointing to mutilation, which would be
contrary to other biblical teachings (see Lev. 19:27-28 ;
Lev. 21:17-20 ) , Jesus was referring to the control of one’s
thoughts and impulses. In His references to plucking out an
eye or cutting off a hand, Christ was figuratively speaking of
the importance of taking resolute decisions and actions
toward guarding oneself against temptation and sin.
What did the Pharisees ask Jesus in Matthew 19:3 , and
why was it a trick question? (See vs. 7 .) What was Jesus’
answer? See Matt. 19:4-9 ; compare with Matt. 5:31-32 .
Both texts ( Matt. 5:31 and 19:7 ) are citing Deuteronomy
24:1 . In Jesus’ days there were two rabbinic schools that
interpreted this text in two different ways: Hillel understood
it to allow divorce for almost any reason, while Shammai
interpreted it to mean only explicit adultery. The Pharisees
were trying to trick Jesus into taking sides with one school
or the other. However, they had overlooked the fact that it
was not God’s original plan for anyone to divorce, ever,
which is why Jesus said: "What God has joined together, let
not man separate" ( Matt. 19:6, NKJV ) . Later, because of the
"hardness" of their hearts, they asked why God had allowed
a man to give his wife a "certificate of divorce" if he found
some "uncleanness in her" (Deut. 24:1, NKJV ). Christ
corrected the misuse of this passage by uplifting the
sanctity and permanence of marriage: the only cause for
divorce, before God, is "sexual immorality" or
"fornication" (in Greek porneia , literally "unchastity" ).
How seriously do we take Jesus’ warning about
plucking out our eyes or cutting off a hand? How
much stronger a warning could He have given us
about what sin can do to our eternal destiny? If this
warning scares you, good. It should!
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