Matthew 5, the first of the three chapters of the Sermon on the Mount, wraps up with what seems to be a few odds and ends. But they are critically important topics that address how we interact with God and with others… which has been a theme throughout most of Matthew 5.

Many people have found various themes that run through these three chapters of Matthew’s account of the Sermon on the Mount. Many of them seem to be obvious, others not so much. But throughout Matthew 5, it is hard to miss the recurring theme of relational topics. Jesus seems to focus on our relationships with other people in this section, and will move on to our relationship with the Father in Matthew 6.

Just as in previous passages, each of these last three topics begins with the familiar phrase, “You have heard that it was said…” Jesus is drawing from the vast quantity of instruction to be found in the Old Testament, of which his hearers would have been intimately aware.

Making Oaths – Matthew 5:33-37

While many of Jesus’ statements are rooted in a specific Old Testament passage, this one isn’t. However, it hits on a principle found in many different places in the Old Covenant, and Matthew’s readers would make the connections easily. The Law required one to faithfully fulfill his oaths, and enforced strict penalties for those who did not. If you gave your word, you should stick to it and follow through.

The need for an oath was a reminder of our fallen nature. Before sin, trustworthiness was the default setting for mankind. But after sin entered the world, dishonesty and falsehood became common, and oaths became a means of adding security to a declaration or promise. As time progressed, the nation of Israel developed an elaborate system of oaths and vows.

In Matthew 5, Jesus condemns this system. He rejects the hierarchy of vows that were fully binding and others that were less binding. Jesus states that we should simply use a “yes” or a “no.” Such simple statements should reflect our integrity and character, making oaths obsolete and unnecessary. If your character is Kingdom oriented, you shouldn’t need anything more.

Getting Even – Verses 38-42

Next, Jesus moves to the topic of retaliation. This is again an integrity issue. How do you respond when you’ve been injured? Kingdom character dictates that you make responses in keeping with Jesus’ desires for our spiritual maturity.

In the Old Covenant, it was “an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.” The Law allowed recompense in an equal measure for how you may have been wronged. This law is still widely in use in various parts of the world today, but it’s not ideal. It suggests a reality where violence and injustice are common and accepted, providing for an equal measure of retribution in keeping with the crime.

Jesus, again, completely rejects this idea, and gives an alternative that seems to be totally opposite of retribution. He suggests that you “turn the other cheek,” and “go the extra mile.” This was unheard of in New Testament times. When someone slapped you, it was insulting, and you immediately felt the need to retaliate. When a Roman soldier forced you to carry his equipment for a mile — as Roman law permitted — you would immediately feel resentment and outrage.

What Jesus suggests is counter-cultural from the world’s perspective, but is fully Kingdom minded. Who cares what might happen to you? In a Kingdom mindset, personal revenge isn’t in our hands; it’s in Jesus’ hands. So we can trust that he will deal with the wrongs done to others in his timing. This is not to suggest that we remain defenseless and weak, but it does require that we consider our responses in light of Christ’s teachings rather than our own anger.

Getting Over It – Matthew 5:43-48

Jesus wraps up Matthew 5 with a statement that is partially in the Old Testament and partially found in the traditions of the elders, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’” The first part is found in the Old Testament Law, but the second part is not. A study through the Old Testament reveals that the Israelites were called to love their enemies (see Leviticus 19:18; Proverbs 25:22; Romans 12:20).

Jesus calls us again to a Kingdom standard, above that which the Law “allowed.” He calls us to love our enemies. He commands us to pray for those who hate us and persecute us. That’s not easy to do, but it is the avenue of integrity and Kingdom thinking.

And who is your neighbor? Jesus answered that as well, in the Parable of the Good Samaritan found in Luke 10:29-37. Take a moment and go read that passage.

What Jesus states, and Matthew records, isn’t easy to do. It’s much easier to make a vow by something other than our own integrity. It’s much easier to retaliate, or at least hold a grudge. It’s much easier to seek retribution and to get even. But what Jesus calls us to is better. He says that we need to let it go, and let him take care of it. Justice is his to distribute, and he will at the proper time.

Our job is to follow him, keeping him centrally focused in how we interact with other people. Matthew 5 gives us many places to start as we seek to live in a Kingdom minded way.

Question: How are you doing in these relational areas? You can leave a comment by clicking here.