We live in a world of instant information. In fact, scholars call it, “The Age of Information.” What you used to have to go to the library for, or look up in a book to find, you can now look up instantly in the palm of your hand with a smartphone or tablet. (As an aside, I’ve seen literal card catalogs, but never used one. I have had the luxury of being able to look things up electronically!) You can now find anything on the internet arguing for the truthfulness or validity of any side of a debate, subject, or topic. Type it in, you’ll find it. You can find two experts talk on a subject of specialty and then see them end up with two different conclusions. Haven’t we seen that over the last three years? We see that in the sphere of health, politics, finances, fitness, education, and relationships. Perhaps it shouldn’t be surprising that a recent poll showed that trust is at an all-time low in the places we get information and news from. It revealed that only 60% of people put “some trust” in their local or national news.
We live in the “Age of Information,” but which information do we trust, or listen to? Who do we get it from? And so, the question becomes, “Who can I trust? Who is an expert? Who can I listen to?” Those are the questions of our text as we hear about murder and anger, lust and adultery, oaths and lying.
What does the world say about these things? What does it say about anger? It claims that venting your anger helps, and is a healthy/good thing. It says that anger isn’t your fault; other people make you angry. Just sit in rush-hour traffic, or try to merge onto any highway in Minnesota. It’s others, not you. The world says anger can’t be controlled. As Bruce Banner says, “You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.”
What does it say about lust? We live in a hypersexualized world, where we are constantly exposed to sexual images through ads, books, newspapers, TV, movies, and social media. And this influence has had its effects. Case in point: a recent study revealed that 96% of young adults, those under the age of 25, had a neutral, or positive view of pornography. It reported that 45% of adults over 25 believed it was fine. It also said that 1 in 5 internet searches are for porn, and that it makes up to 30% of the internet’s content.
What does it say about adultery, which is sexual acts outside of marriage? Doesn’t it say things like, “Sex is allowed if it is with two consenting adults,” or, “If they are in love, or a relationship.” Doesn’t it say things like, “This isn’t the 1950s anymore. Things have changed. Everyone does it. Embrace freedom and change.” The “free love movement” birthed these ideas.
What about oaths and lying? Culturally, isn’t lying okay, depending on the circumstances? What do we do when someone says with a smile, “How does this outfit look?” or, “How did I do? What did you think?” Is the answer done to protect someone, build them up, or help them? It if is, it isn’t seen as a bad thing. And we even can have a name for these kind of lies. We call them “white lies,” right?
And in our world, truth can be a matter of perspective. There is a famous line in Star Wars where Luke catches his master in a lie, and calls him out on that. His master replies, “What I told you is true, from a certain point of view.” Don’t we encounter that? Is the world right about these things, though? What does Jesus say?
Four times in our text, Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said, but I say to you….” Jesus shows and announces His authority, which is a theme throughout Matthew’s Gospel. By the time Jesus announces that all authority in heaven and earth has been given to Him at the end, He is simply making explicit what was implicit all along, that He is Master and Lord. That His reign extends over all things, and that there are no exceptions. That He is the authority on these issues and topics, and not another. And what does He say?
I remember the thoughts I had when I first studied the 10 Commandments in confirmation class. I’m reminded of them every time I teach them. I remember thinking, “I’m not that bad. I’m a Christian, so I don’t have other gods. I could use God’s name better, but so can everyone else. I’m not a Jew, so the Sabbath Day doesn’t apply to me. I’m a good son to my parents (better than my brother). I haven’t murdered, and I’m not married, so I’m good there. I haven’t technically stolen anything, or at least, nothing big. I try to be honest, and I like what I have. I’m actually not that bad!” How misguided and naïve I really was!
However, I was in good company. The Pharisees, scribes, and teachers of the Law would have agreed with me. They had a similar assessment. They, too, simply looked at the outer keeping of those things. They missed the heart of the matter, the inner keeping of the commandments. Jesus pulls the rug out from under them, as He did for me in the following weeks of confirmation class.
Jesus says, “You have that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment…and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” While we might not kill someone with our hands, Jesus says we can kill them in our hearts, or with our words. In God’s sight, unchecked anger is the same as thrusting the dagger, or pulling the trigger. It is not good to let the anger loose! In His sight, hating our neighbor is the same thing as eliminating them. In His eyes, bitter insults partake of the same poisonous root as murder itself. Its an uncomfortable and hard thought, but Jesus says we have blood on our hands, and our hearts.
He continues: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” No wonder our world has such a backlash against Christian sexual ethics and teachings! In the sight of God, inner adultery is the same as outward adultery. Jesus reveals God’s intention that His people lead a life of purity that begins in the heart, and extends to relationships with others. Isn’t that how we want our sons, grandsons, brothers, nephews, and fathers to act? (Like real men, ones who show respect and self-control?) Isn’t that how we want our daughters, granddaughters, sisters, nieces, and mothers to be treated, with purity, innocence, and dignity? Don’t we want people to be sincerely loved and treated with the utmost respect? To be treasured, valued, and cherished for who they are, and to not be seen as a means to an end? What a calling we have!
Jesus finishes, “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, ‘Do not take an oath at all….Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.” Jesus addresses lying, here. In His day, people believed that swearing by an object other than God, like heaven, the earth, Jerusalem, or yourself would lessen your responsibility for keeping the oath or vow. It would be like crossing your fingers to a promise when you are a kid, or winking after you say one. In either case, you don’t plan on doing it, or following through. Any lie is sinful, whether it is a white lie said to help someone, or a lie said with the best intentions, or has a kernel of truth (i.e. “from a certain point of view”). Our words are to be seasoned with truth, and spoken in them, too.
Let’s take a breather for a second. How are you doing with this? How are you measuring up? How are you feeling? Jesus’ next verse isn’t going to help: “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” He is right, isn’t He? Left on our own, we are going to be on the outside looking in. Our own outer righteousness isn’t enough, let alone our inner one. Jesus knows that. Remember, He is the authority on the matter, and you know what, that is good thing.
He knows your righteousness won’t cut it, and that is why He came. Remember His first words in Matthew? “For thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” It is what Jesus came to do, and what He is all about. Jesus and Matthew’s Gospel is all about how He gets you into the Kingdom of Heaven. He gives His righteousness to you! God gave His Son for us.
To save those who have murdered with tongue, heart, or hand, He had His Son killed for us on the cross. To save those who have acted in wrath or anger, Jesus took on the wrath of God for us. To win those who have sinned with lust, He gave up His body as the sacrifice for sin. Isaiah says “His grave [is] with the wicked…although He had done no violence and there was no deceit in His mouth.” On account of Christ’s death for us, we are no longer guilty and condemned before God, but are forgiven and declared “not guilty” because of Him. God is no longer mad at us. He doesn’t remember our sin, or bring it up. We are given a righteousness in Christ that is greater than that of the Scribes and Pharisees: it gives us entrance into the kingdom of heaven!
We live in a world and age of information. We live in a world of experts and liars. We live in a world where it is hard to trust what is spoken and heard. We are blessed to have the authority on the matter, on every matter, Jesus. And what does He say? “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Fortunately, in Him, it does!