The FaithOfJesus2 Daily Devotional

Focus:

kjv@Revelation:14:12 @ Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

( FaithOfJesus thread begun by rRandyP )

Today's Verse:

kjv@Matthew:5:17-20

kjv@Matthew:5:17 @ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

kjv@Matthew:5:18 @ For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

kjv@Matthew:5:19 @ Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

kjv@Matthew:5:20 @ For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Today's notes: Exceeding the Righteousness

Context:

Before - salt and light
After -

What is man believing/doing?:

thinking that the law ends with Jesus (namely by critics but also nominal believers)

What is making man to believe/do as he is doing?:

It may have been a point that His opposition was planning to use against Him to stir the Jewish audience.
It could have been the intention of some to get out of having to do the law by misquoting Jesus.
With all the talk in this sermon of blessing and inheritance, salt light and city (His work upon a body), something in that might be construed to abolish law and prophet

Notes:

See: law commandment statute tradition Talmud Mishnah

In these passages and the passages of this sermon still to come Jesus stresses taking what is already accepted as Righteousness and in every way exceeding it. Which is an odd notion in as much as having had the law for all this time no one has been able to keep it nor will they be; now He wants us to exceed it. What will be the difference this time? The righteousness is not in the law alone, first and foremost it is in Him that fulfilled that law lavishing His exceeding righteousness on us.

The fulfillment of the law on our behalf will be because of the fulfillment of the law He has accomplished and imputes upon us. The law remains, but focus transitions from being the source of our righteousness to the revealer of our baser nature leading us to a dependence upon the righteousness of Jesus and His continued righteous work upon us.

In the context previous and to follow it is important to consider that as a group/body the framework established by the law regarding anger/ought between spiritual brothers before the alter, lust of individual body members and their abrupt removal because of it, etc.. this day to day framework is to be exceeded by the body not foregone. Our doctrine of liberty and grace for the individual may be amended more strictly by the rightful needs of individuals behaving within the body of believers. If not so, the salt of being a body may be unsalted, the light of being a body may be hid, the city may become factionalized or disbanded.

This "not one jot/tittle" is said by a man that knows that they will use their interpretation of the law to sentence Him.

Key Messages:

What does this say about our present condition?

Isn't it odd that people that don't keep the law themselves are so concerned how the others (Jesus) goes about to keep it and will use it against Him to make their accusations? That those concerned enough about actually keeping the law have seriously tried and know that they cannot?
There are two particular weaknesses of the law (both man's), how it is interpreted and corrupted into saying what it does not say, how it's just civil penalty is not enforced on the back end each time unfeigned and consistently.
Teaching others to do the same can be as simple as unconsciously leading by example or as deviant as consciously misleading with further intent.

Further Resources:

Comment Board:Matthew:5:17-20
index:FAITHOFJESUSDEVOTION - Devotional Index
strkjv@Matthew:5:17-20 rwp@Matthew:5:17-20 mhcc@Matthew:5:17-20
FaithOfJesus2 - Devotion Index

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