In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus takes several of God’s laws and elevates them to a new understanding. Some seem to believe that Jesus is making it harder to achieve righteousness, but the truth is he’s pointing out the simple fact that we can never achieve righteousness without the Salvation that he will provide. Jesus is not making a new list of more difficult laws; he’s teaching us that the spirit of the law is more important than the letter of the law.
“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.” Matthew 5:17 (NASB)
In contrast to Jesus, the Pharisees were fixated on the letter of the law. The Pharisees codified the law into 365 prohibitions and 248 commandments. They were trying to achieve righteousness in their own power. Jesus demonstrated that neglecting the spirit of the law rendered all of their effort null and void.
“For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20 (NASB)
The Pharisees believed that taking another man’s life was the main offense in regards to the law that states “do not murder.” Jesus explained that the main offense was the intent of the heart.
“But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court.” Matthew 5:22 (NASB)
The taking of another man’s life is secondary to the breaking of God’s command to love one another. By focusing on the letter of the law rather than the spirit of the law – to love one another – the Pharisaic interpretation of the law of murder does not fulfill the righteousness of God.
Jesus also pointed out the spirit of the law of adultery.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:27-28 (NASB)
And again, he pointed out the spirit of the law of divorce.
“But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” Matthew 5:32 (NASB)
Jesus was teaching that righteousness goes well beyond the letter of the law. The letter of the law is merely the result of the true offense which is a heart that has turned its back on God. Jesus wants us to understand that true righteousness is beyond the power of ordinary human beings.
“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48 (NASB)
In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is not making it more difficult to achieve righteousness by adding new laws; he is pointing out that that the only way to be acceptable to God is by placing your faith in Jesus Christ. Only salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ will provide the righteousness that provides admission into the kingdom of heaven. The message Jesus is delivering is that we need to turn from our sin and follow him.
“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19 (NASB)
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