Bible Materials

DO NOT MURDER

by   11/06/2009   Matthew 5:21~26

Message


Beatitudes functions as a sort of “preamble” to the SM, which itself functions as the “constitution” of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus’ declarations about the OT and the righteousness of the kingdom of heaven in 5:17-48 may be seen as the bill of rights” for Jesus’ disciples. Thank God that Jesus came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets and the words of the Bible will never disappear until heaven and earth disappear and until everything in it is accomplished. We ask for his blessing that we may practice and teach the words of God in the Bible in this world so that we can be great in the kingdom of heaven. In today’s passage we see one crucial example of Jesus coming to fulfill the Law, not to abolish. It is regarding the commandment, “Do not murder.” Jesus interprets it in a radical, remarkable way, which no human being could imagine. Yet Jesus’ interpretation is understandable and profound. May we be able to probe into the mind and heart of our Lord Jesus and learn his deep teaching of this command. Look at verse 21. “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’” In 5:21-48, we find the similar statements, “You have heard that it was said…But I tell you” (21, 27, 32, 33, 38, 43). So it is called “the antithesis.” He does not say, “This what the OT says…But I tell you. Rather, he says, “You have heard that it was said…But I tell you…” Jesus is not negating the OT but the people’s understanding and application of it. “Do not murder,” this is the 6th commandment of the Decalogue. Exodus 20:3 says, “You shall not murder.” It is also written in Deuteronomy in 5:17. This command is the first one among the commandments related to the neighbours. So it is the basis of all relationship in society. This command is given so that the order be kept even in the fallen world. Human beings know that murder is not right. Murder is a terrible crime. In many countries the law is established to prevent people from murdering and being murdered. But people should know that it is more than human law. It is God’s law that must be kept. Many spiritual leaders view that as the Ten Commandments were banned from public classrooms in America, violence increased until there were gun-shootings even schools. People think that through reasonable human laws and rules a social order can be maintained. But in fact it is not true. People must recognize God’s law and it must be kept in the fear of God. In verse 21 Jesus quoted, “Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgement.” God said in Numbers 35:31, “Do not accept a ransom for the life of a murderer, who deserves to die. He must surely be put to death.” A murderer is to receive death-penalty with no compromise at all. Although the crime of murdering is serious in our society, in reality the majority of people do not murder. So many may think, “the commandment, ‘Do not murder,’ is not relevant to me; I have no part with this command and the crime of murder. I am not that bad. I am okay. I don’t want to waste time to study this commandment.” But what did Jesus say further? Look at verse 22. “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgement. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” Wow! What an interpretation! Some may think, “Why is Jesus so extreme? Is it not an over-statement?” However, before making a superficial judgment, we should ponder on these words of Jesus. His understanding of God’s law, “Do not murder” is fundamental and profound. No one could say as Jesus did. Here Jesus connects murder and anger. It is true that murdering is out of anger and hatred. Nobody kills others gently and lovingly. When we think of the first murder in history, Cain’s killing his brother Abel, what Jesus said is right. Cain did not seem to be a horribly bad guy. But when he was angry with his brother for some reasons, it developed into murder. The murdering happened in a moment, but there was the time of process in anger. Here Jesus is dealing with the root of sin and our sins before the holy God who sees one’s hidden motives and judges man’s secrets (Ro 2:16). 1 John 3:15, “Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer...” Jesus says further, “Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” “Roca” means “empty-headed” “brainless idiot” or “a silly fool.” To say “Raca” expresses contempt for a man’s head=you stupid! Bible says, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God” (Ps 14:1; 53:1). So to say “You fool” expresses contempt more for one’s heart and character= you scoundrel!” These words come from the heart that has no respect for the brothers. Human beings are to respect for other human beings, not because of their usefulness from pragmatic viewpoint but because of inherent preciousness made in the image of God. That’s why God forbade killing others after flood judgment. It was before the Law was given. (He said in Genesis 9:5,6, “I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man. Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.”) Jesus knew the evilness of mankind. One’s contempt for his brothers, saying, “Raca” or “You fool” can develop into any serious evil act in the matter of time. Now what really makes us shudder is these words of Jesus, “…will be in danger of hell.” Jesus is the first one who spoke of hell in the Bible. Actually no one is qualified to speak about hell, for nobody saw and knew it. The word “hell” is written 14 times in the Bible and mostly used by Jesus (Mt 5:22,29,30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15,33; Mk 9:43,45,47; Lk 12:15; 16:23; Ja 3:6; 2 Pe 2:4). In the Old Testament we cannot find the punishment of hell, but in the New Testament. In OT the best blessing is long life and the heaviest punishment is death. But in NT the best blessing is eternal life and is the worst punishment is being thrown into hell. This is an eternal punishment. Jesus said in Matthew 10:28, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Jesus testifies to it, so we must believe it. Jesus is not just planting fear in people but he is talking about the spiritual reality. Jesus’ Sermon on Mount is not merely about our life on earth but about the spiritual reality of the kingdom of heaven and hell. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus set the highest moral standard. It was because of God’s holiness and righteousness. According to Jesus’ teaching, life is in suspense, whether indeed in the danger of the fire of hell. Who can keep and maintain the standard of Jesus’ teaching completely? In an absolute sense no one among human beings. Jesus’ purpose is not putting men in life-suspense. He wants all men to be conscious of sin before God. Roman 3:19-20 says, “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his light by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.” In the Sermon on the Mount one key word we must know is “Father.” God is not just a dreadful One who condemns sinners and can throw them into hell, but our heavenly Father in Jesus Christ. He is personally my Father and your Father in heaven through his Son Jesus Christ. Out of his great mercy and love he condemned and punished his Son for all our sins so that we might be saved from our sins and eternal punishment of hell. He wants us not live under law but in the grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, as we studied, Jesus did not come to abolish the Law but to full the Law. He did not lower the standard of the law. Rather he taught the true meaning of the law so that it might be fulfilled in us also. Romans 8:4 well explains why God condemned his Son in our place. It is so that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.” Because of God’s immeasurable grace Jesus wants us to strive not to live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit out of deep thanks to God for his grace. We need practical struggle. Paul gives us a good advice in Ephesians 4:26, “‘In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” Prolonged anger is dangerous. It is because the devil that seeks an opportunity to destroy us through our anger. Many criminals say, “I didn’t mean to do it.” We must know that the devil was a murderer from the beginning (Jn 8:44). What we ought to deal with is spirits, the spirit of anger, the spirit of revenge and the murderous spirit. It can be said that our human history is the history of revenge. One’s life can be the life of revenge when the person cannot control the revengeful and murderous spirit. Our Lord Jesus wants us not to allow this kind of spirit sprout in us but cut it off from the very beginning. Nowadays many people tend to enjoy CSI (Crime Science Investigation) TV program. Killing human life is depicted as so easy and technologically developed. Also, people enjoy violent computer games. Murder is taken lightly, as a kind of fun. But it influences their spirit and has harmful effect on their mental, especially on young kids. What they have seen and practiced can be real. We should fight against this kind of atmosphere in our society. And it is easy to say any reckless words out of anger. But in Jesus’ teaching the emotional anger out of the heart and anger in a man’s speech are all dealt with. The commandment, “Do not murder,” must be obeyed in light of our Lord Jesus’ interpretation. The virtues of the Beatitudes provide impetus for the obedience of the antitheses. We are reminded of the words, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” May we reject any sort of the murderous spirit from our hearts and thoughts and let the spirit of mercy grow in us. Anger and murder are the result of a broken relationship. In verses 23-24, Jesus talks about the importance of relationship with our brothers: “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remembers that your brother has something against you, leave you gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” In the broken relationship even our worship and offering cannot be acceptable to God. As far as it depends on me, I must solve it prior to coming to God. Look at verses 25-26. “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.” Verses 23 and 24 are about our brothers. Now Jesus is talking about our relationship with the adversary. We should resolve our matters even with our adversary, losing no time. Jesus says, “Do it while you are still with him on the way…” Romans 13:8 says, “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another…” We should not be foolish to be put into a terrible situation like being thrown into prison because of penny-like trivial things in life. Our life is to be free with any entanglement. We thank God for our Lord Jesus’ profound teaching that came from his deep understanding of the spiritual reality. May we keep the holy commandment, “Do not murder” in our hearts and strive hard to observe it up to his standard so that we can live as the children of our heavenly Father and have godly influence on our society.



Toronto University Bible Fellowship

344 Bloor Street West, #308 Toronto, ON M5S 3A7, Canada
(647) 529-7381 ut12disciples@gmail.com


  Website : UBF HQ | Chicago UBF | Korea UBF | Pray Relay Site |   YouTube : UBF HQ | UBF TV | Daily Bread

Copyright Toronto UBF © 2020