To read the texts click on the texts: 2 Cor 3:15; 4:1,3-6; Mt 5:20-26
The righteousness of the disciples of Jesus must exceed that of
the Scribes and Pharisees.
In the six antitheses (5:21-48) that follow, Matthew
shows what this means in practice. Each of the six begins with what was said of
old and what Jesus is now saying.
In these verses (5:21-26) Matthew narrates
first of the six, which is about the Torah’s prohibition of murder (Exodus
20:13; Deut 5:18). The supplementary “whoever murders shall be liable to
judgement” is not found verbatim anywhere in the Old Testament, and seems to
have been added by Matthew to introduce the word “judgement” which he uses in
the next verse.
After stating the law and adding a supplementary, the Matthean
Jesus then radicalises the law and calls for an interiorization of it (5:22).
The call seems to be to submit one’s thoughts about other people, as well as
the words they give rise to, to God’s penetrating judgement. It is a call to
realise that God wills not only that human beings not kill each other but also
that there be no hostility between human beings. The next verses (5:23-26) are
an application of what Jesus says. Reconciliation is even more important than
offering worship and sacrifice. The disciples are called to work for
reconciliation in the light of the eschatological judgement toward which they
are journeying.
If
we come to worship God and there are feelings of anger, revenge or hatred in
our hearts, then our worship remains incomplete. It is only an external worship
and not true worship. God does not need our adoration, but if want to adore him
it must also come from within.
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