Hello Advent Family,

Matthew 5 is the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. It is full of lots of great teachings that we could spend time dissecting. Today I want to talk about what it doesn’t include. Let’s look at that together. 

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

I have often heard people say things to the effect of, “Jesus ended the law we are now under grace.” The truth is that we truly are covered by grace and that certainly is amazing. Yet, Jesus, himself tells us that He is not getting rid of the law. In fact He, if anything, goes on to raise the standards. Why does He do this? I believe that He does it for two reasons. He doesn’t want us to focus on the laws themselves but rather our hearts. That is why He says that not only should we not murder but don not get angry with people or call them names. The other thing this does is to clearly show us our need for a Savior. Chapter 5 of Matthew concludes with be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect. That standard is unattainable so I am left with giving up and not trying or turning to Jesus for help. That is the absolute beauty of the gospel. Jesus calls us all to live loves of love to God and others yet when we inevitably fall short He does for us what we can’t do for ourselves. His love and grace truly are amazing but we need to continue to strive to live the lives that Jesus calls us to. Not because we can earn favor with God that way but simply because our God who loves us asks us to.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave