GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH SEMINARY
MODULE 63
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT:
MURDER: BOTH CORPOREAL
AND SPIRITUAL
AND SPIRITUAL
JESUS FURTHER REFINED THE COMMANDMENT "DO NOT MURDER". He declared that the one subject to angry thoughts and outbursts against another will be judged regarding emotional violence. Jesus further warns that those who verbally abuse others - calling them fool and lacking basic respect - will be in danger of hellfire. The arrogant and contemptuous person does not do right in God's Eyes. For from the seeds of contempt, dislike, hatred and lovelessness grow those most ugly of deeds: violence, rape and murder.
Matthew 5:17 - 20
"17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law and the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven".
The true meaning of the Law lies within the heart. The Law offers moral standards which guide behaviour. If we grasp the genuine meaning of mercy, love, inner purity and forgiveness, our resultant actions will reflect godly manner. If our values are far from the Law, we will manifest unrighteous behaviour far from the Heart of God.
Peacemakers
Jesus counsels us that if we recall an unresolved quarrel with another while at worship before God's altar, we need to leave our gift at the altar and reconcile. Reconciliation with our fellows is the greatest gift we can offer God. Only then will we be able to offer authentic worship.
Jesus is clear regarding the fact that we cannot be right with God unless we are right with others. We cannot hope for our sin to be forgiven unless we have confessed to God, and done our best to remove practical consequences of our wrongdoing from the path of the offended one.
The Saviour wants us to settle matters amicably in an altercation. Otherwise the argument may escalate and bear bitter fruit, such as feuds involving others. This kind of behaviour is unacceptable to God. Jesus thus advises us to get trouble sorted out in time, before it piles up still worse trouble for the future.
Bitterness breeds bitterness. If we are at variance with another, we must get the situation put right immediately. We may need to apologize if we were in the wrong. If we were in the right, we may have to humble ourselves in order to take the first step to heal the breach.
Insults and contempt
Jesus recalled the sixth commandment, "You shall not murder," [Exodus 20:13]. In characteristic fashion, Jesus took the old law one step further by explaining the true significance of the law - a deeper, spiritual meaning they had never seen. [2] First, Jesus warns that the very act of murder finds its roots in an angry, murderous spirit: "But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgement," [Matthew 5:22]. God, Who examines the very thoughts and intents of the heart, will issue judgement upon unrighteous anger.
Next, Jesus warns against name-calling, using "raca" as an example. Whosoever shall say to another "Raca" shall be in danger of the council [Matthew 5:22]. Raca comes from the Aramaic term reqa. It was a derogatory expression, indicating another's inferiority or stupidity. Jesus warned that the use of such a word to describe someone was tantamount to murder and deservant of the severest punishment of the law.
Then He issues a third warning against anyone who contemptuously calls another fool. The first-century Jews recognized that anyone who murders will be subject to judgement, but Jesus warns that even calling another insulting names such as 'raca' is sinful. Murder begins in the heart, and epithets such as 'raca' are signs that there is hatred lurking within. The hatred that causes one to hurl insults is the same hatred that causes another to commit murder. The attitude of the heart is the same, and it is this attitude that makes a person morally guilty before God. [2] Abusive words reveal the true intents of one's heart and mind for which we will be held in judgement.
'Raca' is a scornful word, and comes from pride. 'You fool' is a spiteful word, and comes from hatred: looking upon the insulted not only as mean and not to be honoured, but also as vile and not to be loved. [3]
Conclusion
Jesus traced sin back to disposition, attitude or intention. To insult someone is to murder their soul. Anyone who has been the target of a smear campaign knows the heartbreak and emotional devastation this causes. Insults are from the evil one, not from the God of Love Who does not extinguish the flickering flame of a wavering soul. "A bruised reed He will not break and a smouldering wick He will not extinguish", [Isaiah 42:3]. The sin of contempt is deeply ungodly. Contempt can arise from pride regarding societal or academic status and the possession of earthly wealth. Snobbery and pride in respect of material possessions are ugly traits. Feeling mistakenly superior to others is not ideal: all are on the same plane. We are all sinners. "We should never look with contempt on any man for whom Christ died". [1]
To name-call someone is to cast aspersions on their moral character, take away their good name and reputation. Jesus insists the gravest indignity is to destroy someone's reputation and take their good name from them. No punishment is too severe for those who bear malicious tales, for those who gossip over teacups and murder people's reputations. So bad is this that it is a sin deservant of hell.
Next, Jesus warns against name-calling, using "raca" as an example. Whosoever shall say to another "Raca" shall be in danger of the council [Matthew 5:22]. Raca comes from the Aramaic term reqa. It was a derogatory expression, indicating another's inferiority or stupidity. Jesus warned that the use of such a word to describe someone was tantamount to murder and deservant of the severest punishment of the law.
Then He issues a third warning against anyone who contemptuously calls another fool. The first-century Jews recognized that anyone who murders will be subject to judgement, but Jesus warns that even calling another insulting names such as 'raca' is sinful. Murder begins in the heart, and epithets such as 'raca' are signs that there is hatred lurking within. The hatred that causes one to hurl insults is the same hatred that causes another to commit murder. The attitude of the heart is the same, and it is this attitude that makes a person morally guilty before God. [2] Abusive words reveal the true intents of one's heart and mind for which we will be held in judgement.
'Raca' is a scornful word, and comes from pride. 'You fool' is a spiteful word, and comes from hatred: looking upon the insulted not only as mean and not to be honoured, but also as vile and not to be loved. [3]
Conclusion
Jesus traced sin back to disposition, attitude or intention. To insult someone is to murder their soul. Anyone who has been the target of a smear campaign knows the heartbreak and emotional devastation this causes. Insults are from the evil one, not from the God of Love Who does not extinguish the flickering flame of a wavering soul. "A bruised reed He will not break and a smouldering wick He will not extinguish", [Isaiah 42:3]. The sin of contempt is deeply ungodly. Contempt can arise from pride regarding societal or academic status and the possession of earthly wealth. Snobbery and pride in respect of material possessions are ugly traits. Feeling mistakenly superior to others is not ideal: all are on the same plane. We are all sinners. "We should never look with contempt on any man for whom Christ died". [1]
To name-call someone is to cast aspersions on their moral character, take away their good name and reputation. Jesus insists the gravest indignity is to destroy someone's reputation and take their good name from them. No punishment is too severe for those who bear malicious tales, for those who gossip over teacups and murder people's reputations. So bad is this that it is a sin deservant of hell.
[1] Barclay, William. Daily Study Bible: Gospel of Matthew, p.140
[2] Got questions ministries. 2019. Why did Jesus warn against saying the word raca in Matthew 5:22? Accessed 28/12/2019
https://www.gotquestions.org/raca.html
[3] Link, Norbert. Would you please explain Matthew 5:21-22? Church of the Eternal God. Accessed 28/12/2019
https://www.eternalgod.org/q-a-3211/
[2] Got questions ministries. 2019. Why did Jesus warn against saying the word raca in Matthew 5:22? Accessed 28/12/2019
https://www.gotquestions.org/raca.html
[3] Link, Norbert. Would you please explain Matthew 5:21-22? Church of the Eternal God. Accessed 28/12/2019
https://www.eternalgod.org/q-a-3211/
With thanks to gotquestions.org and eternalgod.org
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