In my youth I loved to read a comic called Calvin and Hobbes.  Some of you may remember it.  It was about the adventures of a boy and his imaginary tiger named Hobbes.  They often played a sport called Calvinball which is hard to explain because the rules were always changing.  Somehow the rules would always change to help out Calvin.  During the sermon on the mount some may have thought that Jesus was changing the rules.  The reality is that he was simply exposing our hearts and further illustrating our need for God.  Let’s look at His words together today.  

17 “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.  21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell…  27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Jesus was getting to the heart of the matter.  Maybe we haven’t been guilty of murder but we have been guilty of hatred or anger.  we might be innocent of adultery but guilty of lust.  Jesus cares about our hearts.  He wants us to have hearts that are fully devoted to Him.  He is not changing the rules He simply wants us to see there whole picture.  In our confession we say we have sinned against you in thought word and deed but what we have done and by what we have left undone.  When we think of sin in that wholistic way instead of simply acts of sin we get to the heart of the matter.  The reality is we need Jesus’ grace in our lives.  We need it to rescue us from sin and death and also we need it daily to live.  Fill yourself today from Jesus’ tank.  Allow His great love to flow in and through your life.  The go out and share that love with the world.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave