Matthew 5:17–22, 27–28, 31–34a, 38–39, 43–44, 48

Bible Studies for Life 
Academic Dean at Beeson Divinity School, Samford University

High Expectations
Matthew 5:17–22, 27–28, 31–34a, 38–39, 43–44, 48

Affirm Scripture’s Authority (17–19)
After reading the first 16 verses of this chapter, someone might begin to wonder if Jesus came to deliver a whole new set of rules or laws by which His disciples are to live. Is He replacing the law? Is he declaring the Old Testament obsolete? No. In fact Jesus anticipates this very concern in these verses where he states unequivocally not only that He is the fulfillment of the law and prophets, but also that He is not setting aside or diminishing the law in any way. What the law sets out, He is accomplishing; that to which the law pointed, He is fulfilling.

Perhaps the two most important words in this portion of the Sermon on the Mount are “fulfill” and “accomplish.” These two words speak to the twofold nature of Christ’s work. On the one hand He is the fulfillment of the entire Old Testament (“the law and the prophets”). Throughout the Old Testament there is a thread of expectation for the Messiah that ties everything together. The Messiah will be the one who restores peace, hope and life and finally eradicates strife and death. On the other hand Jesus is the only one who can accomplish all that God has laid out in His Word, and Jesus does it on our behalf.

The implications of these two parts of Jesus’ life and ministry are far-reaching, and among them is the fact that Jesus did not replace, supersede or go around Scripture. Jesus obeyed God’s Word. What greater affirmation could we have of Scripture’s authority than that the Son of God Himself lived under the Word of God? 

Rise Above Mediocrity (20, 48)
The standard to which Christ’s disciples are called is very high indeed. This is made clear throughout chapter five, but especially in vv. 20 and 48. How can our righteousness exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees? Were they not the most fastidious and ardent keepers of the law? We read elsewhere in the Gospels, for example, that they were careful to weigh out all their wealth to ensure that they tithed 10 percent. And what of Jesus’ command that we be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect? Surely Jesus was exaggerating?

No, Jesus was not exaggerating. Whereas the Pharisees were relying on their own ability, their own righteousness, their own standards of religious adherence, Jesus points us to Himself. After all, as we just saw, Jesus came to fulfill the law, and He did. The statement that our righteousness should surpass that of the Pharisees is meant to throw us back to Christ, expressing our inadequacy. Even a Pharisee would have to pause and ask how he could surpass his own righteousness if that were the only way of salvation. Jesus’ words force us all to face our own inadequacy and utter need of a righteousness alien to ourselves. We need Him who became sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21).

Go Beyond Superficiality (21–22, 27–28, 31–34a, 38–39, 43–44)
All of this leads us to recognize that true righteousness, the righteousness that God demands, is a matter of His work in our lives from the inside out and not a matter of us trying harder. Read through chapter five again, and this time ask yourself what Jesus is requiring of His listeners. What you will find is that Jesus is requiring grace. The emphasis is not on the one who causes offense or trouble, but on the one who is on the receiving end of an offense. Will you respond to wrongdoing in anger or with grace? Will you blame the scantily clad woman for lusting after her or will you respond to temptation with the power of God’s grace? If someone hits you, will you lash out in return or follow in the footsteps of the Lamb of God who was crucified for you without complaint? A mature believer is filled by God’s grace, and that is what moves them beyond mediocrity and superficial faith.