Matthew 5 -- Some Thoughts About Preconceived Notions

Matthew 5 -- Some Thoughts About Preconceived Notions

Matthew 5:21; 27; 33; 38; 43 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time.....

One of the most prominent characteristics of Jesus’ public ministry was a challenge of the status quo and traditions of His time. This is most apparent in His opening discourse in Matthew chapter 5, which is commonly referred to as The Sermon on the Mount. Without mixing words, Jesus effectively dismantles the legalistic dogma and its focus on the externals that had oppressed many of the Jews of His day. For approximately 150 years the Pharisees and had perverted and distorted God’s commandments to the point that it no longer reflected divine fiat. In what was likely a gradual process, God’s law was changed into a legalistic set of man-made rules that effectively oppressed all except the elite few Pharisees, scribes, and rabbis who occupied seats of authority in Judaism. 

As Jesus challenged each of these rules that the Jewish elite espoused, He carefully set the record straight on each issue.  

Matthew 6:22 But I say unto you......

In each instance Jesus took the Pharisee's corrupted commandments that placed an emphasis on the external appearance and expanded/established the true meaning of the passages. In verse 21 He addressed the sixth commandment. Certainly, God did not want people murdering one another. But the external act was merely a manifestation of an inward problem. Jesus went much deeper in his explanation. Inappropriate anger was just as much a sin issue as the physical act of murder in the eyes of God!

The seventh commandment was discussed in verses 27-30. Again, the rabbis merely focused on the external act, but Jesus taught that the lusting after any woman (married or single) is an affront to God. Thinking such immoral thoughts and fantasizing about any woman other than your wife is just as sinful in the eyes of God as the physical act of adultery. 

The subject of oaths was addressed in verses 33-37. The rabbis of Jesus’ time had established a complicated system of binding and non-binding oaths. If they swore by the name of God, then their promise was binding, but swearing by other things was not. Jesus stated that any oath or vow that an individual makes is connected to God and that we should all be honest in our speech and dealings towards others. 

We will not take the time in this writing to look at the other preconceived notions that Jesus dispels in this discourse. The lesson for us is to exercise great care when discerning truth. There are positions that many people embrace in the name of Christianity that simply does not square with scripture. Is your belief system and worldview in accordance with God’s word or is it merely tradition passed down from your parents and grandparents (that which was said by them of old time)? Have you compared the beliefs of your church and its teachers with Scripture? No matter how well intentioned they might be, all of their doctrines and practice must be measured according to God’s standard. Notice the following admonitions from scripture:

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Acts 17:10-11 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

We have the commandment to diligently study God’s word and RIGHTLY divide God’s word. When we put tradition, opinions, preconceived notions, etc. before the word of truth, then we open ourselves to error and stumbling-blocks in life. This is exactly what happened to the Jewish teachers of Jesus’ time. They had distorted the word of God to the point where they did not even recognize the Messiah when he made His earthly appearance! Lord save us from such! It is our blessed privilege to challenge the ‘Ye have heard that it was said by them of old times’ with what the Lord tell us in His word. 

John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Blessings,

Michael D. Green, Jr.

Fort Wayne PBC