Did Jesus Really Say That? Matthew 5–7

“You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48 ESV)

Matthew 4:12-17 — Jesus moves from Nazareth to Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee

Galilee shoreline from above Capernaum Sea of Galilee Tabgha- Traditional site of feeding of the 5000, but probably not

Galilee shoreline from above Golan Heights Mt. of Beatitudes Chorazin Capernaum Bethsaida Sea of Galilee Tabgha- Traditional site of feeding of the 5000, but probably not

Mt. of Beatitudes

Capernaum area aerial from southeast Characteristics of the City Capernaum spread out along the lake and did not extend very far inland. Possibly 1,500 residents could have lived there at one point, some dwelling together in large family units. It was without a doubt a fishing town. Hooks and other fishing equipment have been found at the location. Capernaum was a customs station on the border between the territory of Herod Antipas and Philip the Tetrarch. It was in this busy environment that Matthew was called out of his tax office by Jesus (Mark 2:13-14). The city was situated along the International Highway. Most of the traffic going north or south would most likely go through this crucial junction. This made Capernaum an ideal place for the center of Jesus’ ministry, as word of his teaching and miracles would be carried by travelers passing through Capernaum. Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great who inherited this portion of the country, kept a military garrison of Roman soldiers at Capernaum (Matt 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10). Since the town was home to a number of parties, such as the Zealots and the Pharisees, Antipas cautiously kept a ready contingent of soldiers on hand to keep the peace in case of insurrections. Capernaum area aerial from southeast with the Mt of Beatitudes in the trees of the top left.

Cove of Sower and Mt of Beatitudes from boat

Try Being Perfect Like God? (Matthew 5:17-48) “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48 ESV) The Value of an Impossible Standard!

Try Being Perfect Like God? (Matthew 5:17-48) “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48 ESV) The Value of an Impossible Standard! Do you appreciate the life Christ lived?

Try Being Perfect Like God? (Matthew 5:17-48) “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48 ESV) The Value of an Impossible Standard! Do you appreciate the life Christ lived? Are your interpretations of Scripture and therefore your moral/ethic standards high enough?

Try Being Perfect Like God? (Matthew 5:17-48) Outline of this Passage: I. Christ makes a definitive statement concerning the Old Testament law and His relationship to this law (5:17) II. Christ indicates the value of and the eternal nature of the Word of God (5:18) III. Christ makes a clear statement too about His followers attitude toward every Old Testament law (5:19)

Try Being Perfect Like God? (Matthew 5:17-48) Outline of this Passage (cont): IV. Christ indicates that the Pharisaic standard is not even high enough for entrance into the kingdom (5:20) V. Next Christ demonstrates from Six (6) OT laws the true interpretation and application of them (5:21-48) VI. Finally, Christ calls his disciples to imitate their Heavenly Father (5:48)

I. Christ makes a definitive statement concerning the Old Testament law and His relationship to this law (5:17)

I. Christ makes a definitive statement concerning the Old Testament law and His relationship to this law (5:17) Fulfill = He will complete/accomplish/meet the requirements of the Old Testament (Law and Prophets)

I. Christ makes a definitive statement concerning the Old Testament law and His relationship to this law (5:17) Fulfill = He will complete/accomplish/meet the requirements of the Old Testament (Law and Prophets), including all the prophecies that point to Him and His Work

II. Christ indicates the value of and the eternal nature of the Word of God (5:18) I tell you the truth, 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 (Matthew 5:18)

I tell you the truth, 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 (Matthew 5:18) “not the smallest letter” hwhy “not the least stroke of a pen” r d

III. Christ makes a clear statement too about His disciples’ attitude toward every Old Testament law (5:19) Anyone who breaks [relaxes] one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same 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. (Matthew 5:19)

IV. Christ indicates that the Pharisaic standard is not even high enough for entrance into the kingdom (5:20) 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 (Matthew 5:20)

-His standard is very high! 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 (Matthew 5:20) -the standard for practicing the Old Testament Law and Prophets is not man’s interpretation or his measure but God’s intent as the Author of the Scriptures -His standard is very high!

V. Christ demonstrates from Six (6) OT laws the true interpretation and application of them (5:21-48) Murder (5:21-26) [Exodus 20:13] Adultery (5:27-30) [Exodus 20:14] Divorce (5:31-32) [Deuteronomy 24:1] Oaths (5:33-37) [Leviticus 19:12; Deuteronomy 23:21] Retaliation (5:38-42) [Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21] Love for Enemies (5:43-48) [Leviticus 19:18)

"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin [highest court]. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.”

"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, 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. And if your right hand causes you to sin, 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.” (Matthew 5:27-30)

"It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.” (Matthew 5:31-32)

"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’ But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:33-37)

"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” (Matthew 5:38-42)

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” (Matthew 5:43-47)

“You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” VI. Finally, Christ calls his disciples to imitate their Heavenly Father (5:48) “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect”

“You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48) Application: Are you valuing and striving toward the standard of being like your heavenly Father and your Savior Jesus Christ? Are your interpretations of Scripture true to God’s intent and therefore are your moral standards honoring to your Lord? Are you, today, appreciating the sinless life Christ lived that can enable you to live with Him forever?