I don't know about you, but when I think of the Sermon on the Mount, I don't immediately think of the legal ramifications of what Jesus was saying. Typically, I think about the nature of Jesus' instructions to us in the writing: "blessed are the... for they will..." and "you have heard it said... but I say to you." It wasn't until today, as I was pouring through some of the research that has been done surrounding this text, that I stumbled upon an interesting perspective.
At the beginning of the sermon, which is likely a conglomeration of either multiple sermons or a literary device called epitome, Matthew recalls several statements that Jesus made about the law. they are easy to gloss over, but they are, in my estimation, critical to the understanding of the sermon. I believe that one of the critical goals in Matthew's mind and heart at the time he was writing this book, was helping the Jewish listeners understand Jesus' interpretation of the law. This teaching in large part was juxtaposed against the erring interpretation of the Pharisaical tradition.
As the sermon progresses, Matthew recalls words of Jesus that specifically and directly address the change in mind that Jesus was trying to accomplish.
And at the end of the sermon, in the warnings looking to the future end of time, Jesus also authoritatively expounds on the future of those who keep the law and those who do not.
So, where this leaves me is a place of tremendous gratitude. Jesus could have simply said, "don't worry about the law, because even though failing in keeping the law means that you are going to fall on the day of judgment, it's all good. I am going to die and rise again and advocate for you. So it really doesn't matter." No, instead, Jesus still pointed to the ethical target that is unattainable in its ideal for anyone but those free from sin. And thus, he is both the advocate for the righteousness of God for us in day to day activity, as well as the provider of righteousness that we could never attain.
If someone asks, "What does Jesus demand from you?" What will your answer be? I truly believe that my answer should be, "A life that fulfills the law, and that life lived through faith in Jesus, not self-sufficiency in my attempts to submit to the law." That means that I believe I must try to attain to righteousness of God in my activity while I put my faith in Jesus for that same righteousness. Assurance of victory in a an effort should never remove us from the effort. It should instead fuel us to be more fervent in the effort.
Get righteousness. Get the perfect legal standing. That means living legally with all our heart, with the faith in Jesus that his interpretation of the law and the work he does on our behalf assures us of the victory.
