Matthew 5 Commentary
The teachings begin with sayings that collectively portray the nature of the kingdom of heaven. We can see this kingdom is very different from the kingdom of the world.
The kingdom of the world functions by a different set of values. Assert yourself and elevate your confidence in yourself. It shouldn’t be you to lose and coil down in tears. To be meek is to be weak and invite attacks. Righteousness won’t put food on the table! What is the point of purity of the heart?
What is the point of righteousness if all it brings is trouble and persecution?
The point is this: subjects of the kingdom of heaven are blessed but the blessing doesn’t exactly fit the world’s definition of success. Actually, the world would define it as a failure. Let the saint decide.
You are the salt of this world, and you are the light of the world. What! Small messiahs! What is Jesus talking about?
Now the people must be confused! This new teaching! And here is an important announcement: “I haven’t come to destroy the Law of Moses and the writings of the prophets”. The Old Testament is a photocopy version of these teachings. This is the real thing! The New Testament is the script for the Old Testament.
Things are happening not because the Old Testament said so; instead, the Old Testament was written because of these events.
Murder has a new definition. Probably the church auditorium is full of murderers! Anger shouldn’t exist at all! And adultery? Looking at a woman lustfully, that is adultery! Look at it again and you know the thought that the Old Testament is a photocopy version of the New Testament isn’t good at all! This is beyond what we can see!
Righteousness has nothing to do with physical activities or the lack of them! It starts with the heart!
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Verses 44 and 45. Like begets like; we cannot be children of the Father in heaven without having His character!
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