To read the texts click on the texts: Ezek 18, 21-28; Mt 5:20-26
The righteousness of the disciples of Jesus must
exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees whose standard
of religious piety and practice was high. These of course did what they did
only to be seen by people and to show off their piety. The disciples are called
not merely to avoid being hypocritical.
In the six
antitheses (5:21-48) that follow, Matthew shows what it means in practice for
the righteousness of the disciples to exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees.
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 realize 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment
You may use the "Anonymous" option to leave a comment if you do not possess a Google Account. But please leave your name and URL as www.errolsj.com