The Life of Christ

• In earlier days its only use was then to fill potholes in the streets.

Mt. 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 “Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Even though Jesus was addressing a crowd, He chooses to use the singular form of the word “you.”

• Each believer is an individual light, whose responsibility is to shine rather than remain hidden.

• Whether it be in one’s position on the job, on the team, or in the family, each believer carries the responsibility to let his or her values, example, and good works be seen and heard.

SECTION 67

Mt. 5:17-18 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. 18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished .”

These verses mark the true continuity of the New Testament with the Old.

• The smallest Hebrew letter is called a jot, or iota, or yod.

• A "stroke" is called a tittle, which is used to distinguish letters in the Hebrew alphabet.

• Every last prophecy and aspect of the Law must come to pass.

• Much of the Old Testament is still to be fulfilled, especially the many prophecies about the final days before Christ’s second coming.

SECTION 68

Mt. 5:21-22 “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother 1 shall be guilty before the court; and whoever shall say to his brother, ‘Raca,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever shall say, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.”

The context is in light of the Old Testament law against murder (verse 21).

• Jesus introduces them to the fact that inappropriate anger can be just a different shade of murder.

The Greek manuscripts responsible for the NKJV insert, “who is angry without a cause.”

• Anger in itself is not sin, provided the cause is legitimate and the anger is in the right proportion.

• What we then do with that anger must still come under the jurisdiction of God’s law.

• Eph. 4:26 tells us to “ be angry, but sin not” (Ps. 4:4).

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