| In Matthew Chapter 5 Jesus sets out the moral | | | | the people had become like automatons in their |
| requirements for the chosen people. He goes beyond | | | | worship. To Jesus, it must have seemed as though the |
| the demands of the ten commandments by stating | | | | sacred covenant which his Father had established with |
| that to avoid adultery is not enough, even lustful | | | | His chosen people was riddled with hypocrisy. This |
| thoughts are a mark of weakness; murder in itself is a | | | | speech is an angry response to that. |
| heinous act, but even being angry at your brother | | | | Secondly, Jesus, born without sin, would have been |
| carries a penalty; divorce for any reason other than | | | | tuned in to the perfection of his divine genealogy. |
| marital infidelity makes the wife an adulteress. These | | | | Morally, he was above reproach, therefore every tiny |
| are serious considerations for the serious Christian. | | | | slip from that high benchmark of righteousness would |
| This is also the section where Jesus says you are | | | | to him have seemed like the shoddiest behaviour. He |
| better cutting off your right arm than letting it lead you | | | | was warning his audience that the Kingdom of Heaven |
| to sin, or gouging out your eye. This, to a modern | | | | was a dimension of existence that demanded nothing |
| readership, seems like unacceptable brutality. How can | | | | less than perfect standards. |
| Jesus, known for tolerance, for compassion, for | | | | So how do we achieve such perfection? The answer |
| acceptance, for forgiveness, be advocating such | | | | is "Jesus is the answer". His sacrifice, still to come at |
| drastic and painful measures? | | | | this point in the gospel, would act as the bridge for |
| There are two important points to make about this. | | | | sinners, the sinless soul sacrificed like the greatest |
| First it is worth bearing in mind that Jesus is talking to | | | | sinner. Satan has no defence against martyrdom, and |
| Jews brought up on Mosaic law. They have been | | | | this was the greatest act of martyrdom the world |
| taught to accept that certain rituals and ways of | | | | would ever witness. A new covenant of grace is |
| behaviour are enough to purify the spirit and make | | | | established. It is easy for us to become ready for |
| things right with the Lord. By the time Jesus came on | | | | Heaven. All we have to do is connect with that mighty |
| the scene much of this ritualistic behaviour had | | | | act of the Son of God, and we get taken along on a |
| become so pat that it was treated with cynicism by | | | | free ride. |
| many. The temples were making money from it, and | | | | |