Living in Harmony with Others

November 6, 2011


Background Scripture: Matthew 5:17 – 37
Lesson Passage: Matthew 5:17 – 26

Our lessons throughout the month of November will look at different passages taken from Matthew’s account of the Sermon on the Mount. Today’s lesson addresses the need to live in harmony with others in this world. The more years that pass by since the question was asked by Rodney King the more relevant his words appear to become. Can we all get along? He seemed to be no more than a typical alcohol or drug abuser who had been beaten by members of the Los Angeles Police Department. But the video of that beating was televised and it angered the community who lashed out with a riotous response and even attacked other innocent persons who were just driving through the neighborhood. But Rodney King’s response to the riot and public beating of other innocent persons was not one of acceptance or vindication. Rodney King simply asked the question: Can we all get along? Living in harmony with others—especially those who have noticeable differences—is not easy to do. Let me repeat that to be sure you don’t miss it: Living in harmony with others is not easy to do. In fact, without the power of God living in us, it seems all but impossible some times. This excerpt from the Sermon on the Mount starts out with an affirmation by Jesus that he had not come to destroy (or take away) the Law and the Prophets. Why would he say that? It is probable that Jesus stated his position because many Jews were tired of living under what they viewed as the burdensome requirements of the Holy Scriptures which occurred primarily because of their interpretation of those writings. People were looking for some relief. They wanted the standards relaxed if not altogether repealed. Since Jesus was teaching out among them during much of his ministry rather than primarily in the synagogue or the temple, perhaps this signaled that a new day had arrived and the burdens of the Law would be lifted? This would not be the case. The Law and the Prophets would remain, however—perhaps even better than they expected—Jesus would bear the burden of the Law and the Prophets for them if they were willing to place their trust in him and his work of redemption. The burden would not be destroyed or relaxed but Jesus offered himself as the burden bearer to all who would place their trust in him. After his statement of purpose, Jesus then properly described the real burden that was not being borne. The problem was not the actions of man but the condition of his heart. While men were burdened with avoiding certain actions and trying to do others, Jesus pointed out that the real problem was on the inside and not on the outside. Jesus then made a startling announcement: Murder, divorce, and, adultery are all side effects of a common problem. That problem is sin which lives in the heart of unregenerate and disobedient man. Jesus’ mission was not to teach people how to avoid certain actions and to always do others. Jesus came to remove the problem which caused wrong actions to be manifest. In accomplishing this, Jesus would become the fulfillment demanded by God’s justice as stated in the Law and the Prophets. Jesus would die to satisfy the righteous requirements of God as the just punishment for sin. Only then could man have his sin removed and receive the Spirit of God on the inside. It is the indwelling Spirit of God who empowers us to live in harmony with others.

Robert C. Hudson
October 25, 2011