We are sitting on the Mount of Beatitudes to learn from Jesus.
He has revealed that He didn’t come to abolish the Law and the prophets, but to fulfill them.
Because of this, Paul would later explain how the Law was always intended, like a tutor and guardian, to lead people to Jesus. Jesus now is our Tutor and Guardian.
24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Galatians 3:24
25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 1 Peter 2:25
The Greatest Commandment, showing the desire of God for all humanity, was, is and will be exactly the same, yesterday, today and forever.
God’s deepest desire for those in the Old Testament covenant is found in Deuteronomy 6:4-5.
4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
God’s deepest desire for those in the New Testament covenant is found in Matthew 22:37-38.
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
Why is it that we, like the scribes and Pharisees, so quickly…
- Love the Law and forget the Law-giver?
- Love the Christian religion and forget the Christ?
- Love the creation (ourselves) and forget the Creator?
It might be good for us to ask, “Is there a recovering scribe and Pharisee in me today?”
Rather than asking, “Who must I be to align with the Law-giver?” the religious and cultural leaders of Jesus’ day simply asked, “What must I do to align with the Law?”
In God’s revelation of Himself we learn:
- Who always precedes what.
- Be always precedes do.
Jesus (Matthew 5:21-48) talks the disciples through six “what and do” emphasis of the scribes and Pharisees contrasted with God’s “who and be” priority.
You shall not murder
What and do?
- Know the “do not murder” commandment.
- Do not murder anyone.
Who and be?
- As a person who “Loves the Lord with all my heart, soul and might,” I am a person filled with love for everyone created in His image.
- As a person who “Loves the Lord with all my heart, soul and might,” I am a person filled with love for all my brothers and sisters and I do not hold anger toward them in my heart.
- As a person who “Loves the Lord with all my heart, soul and might,” I am a person filled with love for all my brothers and sisters and I do not insult them or the image of God in which they are created.
- As a person who “Loves the Lord with all my heart, soul and might,” I am a person filled with love for all of my brothers and sisters. When I approach the altar of the God I so love and remember that my brother or sister who also “loves the Lord with all their heart, soul and might,” has been hurt by me, I am broken hearted that God’s love has been violated and I immediately go to my sister and brother in reconciliation. Then I approach the Lord I love with all my heart.
- As a person who “Loves the Lord with all my heart, soul and might,” I am a person filled with love, not just for my sisters and brothers, but also for my adversaries. I settle matters quickly.
You shall not commit adultery
What and do?
- Know the “do not commit adultery” commandment.
- Do not commit adultery with anyone.
Who and be?
- As a person who “Loves the Lord with all my heart, soul and might,” I am a person filled with love for all my brothers and sisters and I do not have lust in my heart for them.
- Lust is a violation of God’s love for me and for the other person and it is a violation of my love of God and my love for the other person.
Divorce at will
What and do?
- You have been taught that divorce only requires a very simple certificate.
- Divorce at will, as long as you have the certificate.
Who and be?
- As a person who “Loves the Lord with all my heart, soul and might,” I am a person filled with love for my spouse.
- As a person who “Loves the Lord with all my heart, soul and might,” I love my spouse created in the image of God.
- As a person who “Loves the Lord with all my heart, soul and might,” I honor and respect my spouse who also “loves the Lord with all their heart, soul, and might.”
- As a person who “Loves the Lord with all my heart, soul and might,” I keep the vows I have with Him and with my spouse.
Make an oath
What and do?
- You have been taught that your word isn’t reliable so become trusted by making oaths based upon larger and larger things.
- Make huge oaths at will.
Who and be?
- As a person who “Loves the Lord with all my heart, soul and might,” I am a person filled with love for those with whom I am making an agreement.
- As a person who “Loves the Lord with all my heart, soul and might,” I am a person who makes only honest commitments and agreements.
- As a person who “Loves the Lord with all my heart, soul and might,” I am a person whose “Yes” is a 100% guaranteed yes.
Retaliate
What and do?
- You have been taught to retaliate, “eye for eye and tooth for tooth.”
- Feel free to retaliate.
Who and be?
- As a person who “Loves the Lord with all my heart, soul and might,” I highly value the image of God in which the person who wronged me is created.
- As a person who “Loves the Lord with all my heart, soul and might,” I trust the Lord I love to protect and defend me.
- As a person who “Loves the Lord with all my heart, soul and might,” I trust the Lord I love to care for me and properly deal with the one who wronged me.
- As a person who “Loves the Lord with all my heart, soul and might,” I relax in knowing He loved me first and will ultimately redeem and restore my entire life.
Love your neighbor and hate your enemies
What and do?
- You have been taught to “love your neighbor and hate your enemies.”
- Let your heart be filled with hate.
Who and be?
- As a person who “Loves the Lord with all my heart, soul and might,” I respect and honor the image of God in which my enemies have been created.
- As a person who “Loves the Lord with all my heart, soul and might,” my heart is filled with love and love alone. Who my enemy is or what my enemy does will not change God’s love that has filled me completely.
- As a person who “Loves the Lord with all my heart, soul and might,” I know Jesus lovingly prays for me and I extend that gift of prayer to my enemies too.
In all of God’s commandments you will find the Great Commandment.
To be a disciple of Jesus is to experience God’s love and reflect that same love back to God and to all people.
“We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
Our grandest experience is with God’s love. Our grandest expression is reflecting God’s love.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15
Without careful “love maintenance” we run the risk of repeating the Ephesian church failure.
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. Revelation 2:4, 5
May you and I join the Psalmist in loving God and His word.
Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.
I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly.