Mythbusters was a science show where a common idea was offered and the shows hosts would break it apart to see if it was true or not. The show was interesting because often things that we thought were true, weren’t actually. In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus takes to the mountain and offers a sermon. This series of lessons from Matthew 5, 6 and 7 is known as the Sermon on the Mount. In this sermon Jesus takes on common misunderstood areas of God’s law (myths) and busts them! He uses the phrases “you have heard it said…” “but I tell you…” repeatedly going through the law clarifying what was really meant.
Bridget and Alex are a cute couple. They also happen to make a great example for one of these myths. You have heard it said, “You shall not commit adultery.” Sex outside of marriage is wrong. Our God calls this a sin. The trouble is that most people end the conversation right there. Jesus explains, “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery in his heart.” If this is a terrifying thought, I’m right there with you. Who can keep even his thoughts clean all the time!
Jesus continues this line of thought using anger and murder, oaths, and more. We see a simple command and think of the worst possible example of that action. Then we justify ourselves by thinking, well I’m not as bad as… a terrorist. Well, no, but to God even one sin damns. Hell is real and it was created for sinners like us. God didn’t want us to go there. That is why he sent Jesus to be – not the law giver, but the law keeper. Jesus kept God’s law in our place so that he might die in our place.
Want to hear more? Watch this weeks sermon taken from Matthew 5.
Book(s): Matthew
Tag(s): Epiphany, Work Righteousness
Speaker(s): Fred Guldberg