Matthew 5:19a
“Therefore,
whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do
so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.”
The commandments are clear. And they are summarized into two main
points: Love God and love your neighbor
as you love yourself. However,
sometimes, people would interpret these commandments differently. Some men would have other woman aside from
his wife because it says, “love your neighbor”.
And so when Jesus added more into the context of these
commandments, He was charged as trying to change the laws of the prophets and
Moses. But, in fact, he was just
reinforcing the law.
He would not just say “do not kill”. Just being angry with another person and mere
thinking of or saying bad things against this person would already mean
breaking the commandments. For it was
not just physical death but also emotional, relational and spiritual death for
both.
He would not just say “do not commit adultery”. For everyone who looks at a woman with lust
has already committed adultery with her in his heart. This is a powerful statement. This further advances the thought that our
mind should always be pure and free from sins.
For once we harbor ill and dirty thoughts, this can drive us to commit
further sin against God and against men.
And so, through all of these, He would say, “love your
enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.”
For most of us, this would be difficult to do. For after all the bad things done to us, how
can you forgive that person. Yet, that
is basically the advocacy that Jesus wants.
He is not abolishing the laws, but reinforcing it so it may come into
fulfillment within us.
And to end His discourse, with all of these things
said and done, “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Let us pray +
Almighty
Father, I may not be perfect,
but I will be in your love. Amen
+
Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
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