This
is a continuance of the study, “The Red Words,” from last month. Focusing on
what Jesus actually said to His disciples. The inspiration stems from Matthew
28:16-20 and John 8:31-32.
Murder Begins In The Heart
First,
I want to talk about the Scribes and Pharisees.
·
The
scribes were the people that had the duty of multiplying copies of the law and
of teaching it to others (Ezra 7:6 Ezra 7:10-12 ; Nehemiah 8:1 Nehemiah 8:4
Nehemiah 8:9 Nehemiah 8:13).It is evident that in New Testament times the
scribes belonged to the sect of the Pharisees, who supplemented the ancient
written law by their traditions (Matthew 23), thereby obscuring it and
rendering it of none effect.
·
The
Pharisees were the religious leaders in Jesus day. The Pharisees said that they
believed the whole Old Testament. They tried to obey all God's laws. They
were proficient at the law and obeyed it many times to the tee, but often they
pretended to be holier than they really were. They obeyed many unimportant
rules. But often they failed to obey God's most important rules. And they
refused to listen to Jesus. They cared more about their religion and their
traditions than about God (not all Pharisees behaved in this way). Their
leaders opposed Jesus, but some of the Pharisees believed Jesus. They realized
that God sent Jesus. So they trusted Jesus.
Now,
I want to read the scripture I want to talk about, this is Jesus speaking and teaching
His Disciples after leaving the crowds... remember: we are His disciples also, so He is
speaking to us as well (Disciple - a pupil, student, and learner).
Matthew 5:20
(NKJV)
20 For I say to you, that unless your
righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will
by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
When
Jesus said this, can you imagine what the disciples were thinking? This must
have shaken the disciples, and really got their attention. This task was nearly
impossible. The Pharisees were regarded
as being far above those of the average person, like you and me. The disciples
were mere men…they couldn’t compare to the Pharisees.
Jesus
wanted them to understand that the only righteousness that satisfies God is
faith in Him. He died for our sins because no matter how hard we try, we have
all sinned, our righteousness is like filthy rags to God (Romans 3:21-22,
Isaiah 64:6).
Now
to continue with the scripture,
Matthew 5:21-26
(NKJV)
21 “You have heard that it
was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder,[a] and whoever murders will be
in danger of the judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his
brother without a cause[b] shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says
to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says,
‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. 23
Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your
brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar,
and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer
your gift. 25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with
him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to
the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26 Assuredly, I say to you, you
will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.
Jesus
is taking us a little deeper than the actual physical act of murdering someone.
What
do you think this is saying?
Jesus
is talking about being angry! He is comparing murder and anger…this is a hard
saying. Jesus is questioning the interpretation of the Jewish scholars, not the
old testament itself.
He
is saying that murder begins in the heart.
How
many of you remember the story of Cain and Abel? Cain rose up and killed his
very own brother. Do you remember why?
Let’s
read it,
Genesis 4: 5-8
(NKJV)
3 And in the
process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of
the ground to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and
of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not
respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance
fell.
6 So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you
angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be
accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is
for you, but you should rule over it.”
8 Now Cain
talked with Abel his brother;[a] and it came to pass, when they were in the
field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.
Something
in Cain’s attitude was reflected in his offering. Instead of repenting of his
wrong doing (with his offering) Cain became angry. He became filled with
jealousy and ended up killing his brother….OVER ANGER. Abel was innocent of any
wrong doing, he did nothing wrong (Matthew 23:35).
God
told Cain that sin lies at the door and he must rule over it!
The
idea of Anger or hatred being the same as murder is reiterated in this
scripture,
1 John 3:15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer,
and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
To
wrap it up this month, I wanted to be sure to end it with the way Jesus ended
it when He was speaking to his disciples…
Matthew 7:24-27 (NKJV)
24
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him
to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the
floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall,
for it was founded on the rock.
26
“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be
like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended,
the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And
great was its fall.”
He
said to do what He says and then you will be a wise man. So what did He say to
do, if you are angry at a someone?
Matthew
5:23-26 (NKJV)
23
Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your
brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar,
and go your way. First be reconciled
to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Agree with your
adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary
deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be
thrown into prison. 26 Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of
there till you have paid the last penny.
God
told Cain to rule over his anger in Genesis.
Jesus told us to go make peace with our adversary and make every effort
to settle any conflicts we may have with them (Luke 12:58-59).
What
would this look like for you?
Behave
Like a Christian
Romans 12:9-21
(NKJV) 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is
good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor
giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in
spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation,
continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints,
given to hospitality.
14 Bless those
who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice,
and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not
set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in
your own opinion. 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in
the sight of all men. 18 If it is
possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19
Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is
written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”[a] says the Lord. 20 Therefore “If
your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so
doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”[b]
21 Do not be
overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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