The Law & Prophets
It’s could be dangerous to read these four verses without remembering both the verses before them and after them.
We know that Jesus was observant of the law (torah in Hebrew). Beyond his words and teaching, his life followed the law from start to finish. Further than mentioning specific laws within the law, he rebuked religious leaders for misplacing the spirit and intent of the law.
And here in the very next passage after this one, he will help us understand the law beyond our own understanding.
It’s rare when commentating on this passage to note his reference to the prophets. But don’t miss it.
Matthew 5:17-20
“Don’t even begin to think that I have come to do away with the Law and the Prophets. I haven’t come to do away with them but to fulfill them. I say to you very seriously that as long as heaven and earth exist, neither the smallest letter nor even the smallest stroke of a pen will be erased from the Law until everything there becomes a reality. Therefore, whoever ignores one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called the lowest in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever keeps these commands and teaches people to keep them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. I say to you that unless your righteousness is greater than the righteousness of the legal experts and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Prayer
God -
We humans love the things of law. Even if we say we don’t, we really do. Deep down, we know we need boundaries. Not so deep down, we’re pretty sure that everyone else needs them.
Why do we need laws, God? Between religion and the government, there’s no shortage of things by which to abide. It can be paralyzing. We’re certain that you have called us to love, God. Can you legislate love? It seems to be against love’s very definition.
I know I can’t figure this all out today. But as I live, God…as I make choices, as I deal with people, as I deal with myself…help me to lead with the law of love. Where I am unsure or wrong, give me fast boundaries indeed. I do not want to overstep the lines of love, for that is the image in which you have created me. Help me be your image.
By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.