December 10th – Matthew 5:17-26
Spend some time contemplating how Jesus fulfilled the Law. Then, come back and read the commentary, my verse, and my response to God.
- Request God’s help.
- Read Matthew 5:17-26
- Record a verse that stands out to you.
- Respond to God.
Come back and read the commentary when you’re done…
Do you think it was surprising for His disciples to hear that Jesus came to fulfill the Law? The word translated fulfill is pléroó, which means to make full, to complete. Therefore, Jesus fulfilled the Law by keeping it perfectly and becoming God’s flawless, sacrificial lamb who takes away the world’s sins. Only if we are covered by the righteous blood of Jesus will we enter the kingdom of Heaven because that is the only way our righteousness can surpass that of the Pharisees.
Jesus then explains that the heart of the Law has to do with man’s heart. For example, murder is not just physically taking a life; rather, it is harboring anger and bitterness in your heart, causing you to murder someone’s character and withhold forgiveness. But is it possible for us to have a clean heart apart from Christ? I would argue that it is not. You see, apart from Christ, I can do nothing. When Jesus said He came to fulfill the Law, He took the responsibility for our sin upon Himself. He lived a sinless life to pay the ransom with His own body for my sin-filled soul because it is also impossible for my righteousness to ever exceed that of the Pharisees. I must be in Christ, covered by His blood, justified, and reconciled to God before I can enter the Kingdom of God.
Oh, how John 3:16 rings in my ears as I write these words! “For God so loved the world (you and me) that He gave His only begotten Son the whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”
Have you received Christ’s righteousness by accepting Him as your Savior? If so, are you living in the freedom of forgiveness, compelled by the love of Christ, or trying to earn your salvation by “good works?” (Hint: What motivates us to do good works matters to God.)
My Verse: Matthew 5:24: “…leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift” (NIV).
My Response: This harkens back to “blessed are the peacemakers…” God doesn’t want sacrifice. He wants obedience. Therefore, if I have wronged someone, I must reach out and reconcile the relationship by humbling myself and asking for forgiveness. However, if someone just doesn’t like me or has sinned against me and failed to reach out, that’s between them and God. (Whew!)
Father, search my heart and show me if there is any offensive thing in me. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness and lead me to a lifestyle of peacemaking. In Jesus name, Amen.
1 Comment. Leave new
I chose the same verse as Marlene, this morning, and came to the same conclusion that she did about reconciliation. My verse: “leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. then come and offer your sacrifice to God.”
My response: Oh, the seriousness of broken relationships in Your eyes, Lord! Help me to never harbor bitterness and knowingly let it grow or let anger fester. Show me how to live out Romans 12:18 wisely: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Help me to willingly humble myself when there’s been a conflict and seek to resolve it in ways that please You.