So Much More! Mosaic Covenant and New Covenant (Part 2)

I posed a question to myself to study: Did Jesus command us to follow the 613 Mosaic Laws (posted last week) in His teaching? 

Answer so far: Actually, He taught us to do so much more! I am looking at Jesus’ own words and teaching in my red letter version, starting in Matthew, to see what Jesus said about many Mosaic Laws in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

The Old Covenant was conditional and measured by restrictive limits—do this, don’t do this. The New Covenant transcended the law and goes into the hearts of men. Transcend means to go beyond limits and triumph over the restrictive aspect. Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Think of it this way...When you hang anything on a wall, the point at which you hang it is important but there is so much more to look at. There is now no limits to what we can do because love has no limits—the law does. There are so many actions in the Bible that are detestable and taught against, but the Fruit of the Spirit; love,joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 

The Beatitudes is the first part of the Sermon on the Mount. It starts with a declaration of blessing in 5:3-12. Ethical admonitions are found in 5:13-20 and 6:1-7:23. Jesus describes a contrast between his teaching and the Jewish legalistic tradition (that he quotes from the Law) in 5:21-48. For this post I’ll focus on 21-48 and it’s contrasts. Jesus adding a whole new dimension to them—the heart and motives. Jesus also moved the measuring line in which we gauge our heart.

1. Matthew 5:21: Jesus quotes Exodus 20:13 and is #278 and#279 from last weeks list of Old Covenant Commands. “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder’…But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgement.” Jesus explains that the root of murder begins in the heart with hatred that manifest itself into anger. Jesus says, don't even nurture a root of anger or hatred that leads to murder. Put yourself in check way before murder even occurs. Have love in your heart for everyone, even those who wrong you. So, Jesus wants all to follow Ex 20:13, and He wants so much more than our obedience because it was given by Moses. He moves the measuring line to the root of murder that takes root in the heart. 
2. Matthew 5:27:  Jesus quotes Exodus 20:14 and is #102 found in the list of Old Covenant Commands. “You have heard it said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Jesus explained, again, that the root of adultery begins in the heart with lust, desire and covetousness. Put yourself in check before adultery occurs. So, Jesus wants us to follow Ex 20:14, and He wants so much more. Jesus wants our obedience from the heart, not because it is written on stone. He moves the measuring line to the root of adultery that springs up in the heart.
3. Matthew 5:31: Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 24:1-4 and is #77 and #78 found in the list of Old Covenant Commands. “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 sexual immorality, makes her a victim of adultery.” Jesus explains there are ‘red flags’ that need to be dealt with before divorce is even an issue. What is growing in the heart that leads to divorce? Bitterness, isolation, untrustworthy, no respect, etc. I would think these attitudes in character could be detected before marriage. Hopefully they can be squelched quickly if they show their ugly heads after marriage so divorce is not an option. So, Jesus wants us to follow Deut 24:1-4, not because it was a law, but because if we don’t, it shows our hearts are hard and Jesus does not want that. He wants us to deal with hardening, wounded hearts before it solidifies. Jesus moves the measuring line to the root of divorce.
4. Matthew 5:33: Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 23:21 and Numbers 30:2 and is #203,#205,#206,#207 and #209 found in the list of Old Covenant Commands. “You have heard it said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all.” Jesus is teaching us to be so honest and full of integrity that your 'yes' is 'yes' and our 'no' is 'no' and a handshake is your bond. So, Jesus wants us to follow Deut 23:21 not because it is a command, but because it is character we exude from our heart. Our measuring line is not the law, it is so much more. Jesus wants us to work on our heart issues.
5. Matthew 5:38: Jesus quotes Exodus 21:24 and is #299 found in the list of Old Covenant Commands. “You have heard it said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. [Exodus also says: hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise]’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you, turn the other cheek also. If anyone wants to sue you…hand over [more] as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go two.” The story in Exodus describes a scenario where IF a pregnant woman gets accidentally hit when others are fighting and her unborn child dies, there is to be a life for a life. So, if we follow the old covenant, that person who caused the death could be stoned, hung, burned, or stabbed with a sword according to the Law (#285,#286,#287,#288). Jesus explains that giving them grace is far better than taking revenge. (I’m not suggesting there should not be consequences! Have you heard the story about a woman who forgave the boy who killed her son. She visited him in prison. She treats him like her own son now. That love is so much more powerful than seeing her behind a glass waiting and anticipating his death by lethal injection, don't ya think?) So, Jesus teaches a far better way. He teaches love, forgiveness and grace under ALL circumstances from your heart. Our measuring line is moved from revenge to love.
6. Matthew 5:43: Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 23:6. “You have heard, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” He goes on to say, “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?…If you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others?” Hate your enemies is not exactly found in the Old Testament but it was part of Jewish ethics at the time. Deut 23:6 says not to make a treaty with those people and that is what Jesus refers to. Praying for enemies is a practical way Jesus is teaching to express love. God shows his love to people without distinction and we should do as He does. We should aim for higher standard…as high as God’s. Our measuring line has moved to God’s measurements. He loves each of his creations and every child is his. Sad we don’t all act like it or want Him. So, Jesus teaches a better way of prayer, forgiveness and grace for people who oppose you. 

Each point has an element of transcending from the restrictive Law that God established first to fulfill His unrestrictive law in our heart from the Holy Sprit through Christ Jesus. Does this ‘transcendification’ (I think I made up a word!), mean we don’t follow the Law? No! It means we do more than just follow the Law. How are you doing so much more? 

Praying, Giving and Fasting next week.