Jeremy Hoover

We have a few ways of trying to understand Jesus' sermon in Matthew 5-7. Some say it is merely intended to point out the ideal of Christian life. Others say Jesus intended us to realize how sinful we really are (because we can't keep the teaching he gives) so we turn to God in repentance.

My opinion is: Jesus intends us to obey his teaching in the sermon, and it's actually quite simple to do so.

Nowhere does Jesus himself tell us that we need to perfectly obey everything. And even when he does command us to be perfect, just as God is perfect (Mt. 5:48), the context clearly points to perfection being found in love for others (even enemies) and in impartial treatment of others.

In fact, the point of Jesus' teaching in this sermon seems to be focused on getting his hearers to realize their true calling. He states clearly that he has come not to abolish the law but to fulfill it.  He indicates the law is not to be set aside but is to continue to be followed. But there is a higher righteousness, not the one attained by the Pharisees and religious elites, who hold onto the law as a badge of honor from God.

You obtain this true righteousness when you use the law/teaching to be what God has called you to be--the blessing to the nations that he promised to Abraham all the way back in Genesis. This is why Jesus emphasizes the "beatitudes" and teaches that we are "salt" and "light" in the world (5:1-16). He emphasizes the way of life, in line with the law, that responds to the grace of God in his deliverance.

God's promise to Abraham is fulfilled in part by you when you live as salt and light in the world and others glorify God because of your good deeds.

This is why Jesus teaches what he does in 5:21-7:12. He shows them (and us) that the law is not a badge of honor to hold on to, or even a static blessing of God. Rather, the law is a dynamic, moving force designed to take us deeper into what it means to be salt and light in the world.  Instead of focusing on what we should avoid, Jesus teaches us to be proactive by saying, "But I tell you...."

This is why he ends his sermon with instructions to take the small gate and the narrow road that lead to life. It's not because it's hard and complex, but we make it so when we go beyond his simple teaching.

He tells us what his simple teaching is by saying, "Hear these words of mine and put them into practice" (7:24). He calls us to respond to God by faith, instead of waiting for God to respond to us because he owes us something.

We make his teaching complex when we add to it, excuse it, or explain it away. Obedience, while never perfect, is always a response of faith to God's deliverance. Simple. Anything else complexifies it, and is idolatrous.

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