In the Fulness of Time/Part 7
| By: Dr. Thomas O. Figart; ©2007 |
| In this article Dr. Figart suggests two questions that need to be answered regarding the Sermon on the Mount: What is the context in which the document is found?, and what was Christ’s purpose in presenting this document? |
In all the Christian world, few documents have claimed the notoriety of the so-called “Sermon on the Mount” from Matthew 5-7. Yet, the two major words in this claim, Christian, and Sermon, should immediately bring two major questions to mind: the context in which the document is found, and the purpose of Christ in presenting this document.
Past articles in this series have shown that Christ was proven to be the rightful heir to the throne of David in various ways. In Matthew 1-2, His natural and legal right to the throne is presented. Matthew 3 gives the account of His baptism with statement of the Father, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” proving His personal right to the throne. In Matthew 4, His victory over the temptation by Satan gives His moral right to the throne. Right after this He called a number of His disciples to follow Him as “fishers of men.” When they were introduced to Him in John 1:35-51 they recognized that He was the “Son of God,” “the King of Israel,” “the Messiah,” and “the One of Whom Moses and the prophets did write.” Soon His fame spread, not only in Galilee but from Syria to Judea. Multitudes followed Him and Jesus proved Himself as Messiah/King in three ways: by teaching, preaching and performing miracles of healing, just as the Old Testament had prophesied of Messiah. Now He is ready to demonstrate His judicial right to the throne in Matthew 5-7, not by presenting a sermon as such, but rather by sharing the details of His proposed “Kingdom of Heaven,” which both John the Baptist and Christ proclaimed as being “at hand.” Therefore, this document (Matthew 5-7) is a bona-fide offer of the principles of the Kingdom of heaven to the multitudes, and is not technically a Christian document, though it comes from Christ Himself. Christianity is based upon the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, so that this document could not have established the Christian Church without the Gospel, or good news concerning the redemption for sin by the shedding of the blood of Christ on the cross of Calvary.
While many of the principles outlined here are eternal principles, and have been carried over into the later Church doctrine, this should be no more surprising than the fact that nine of the Ten Commandments are listed in the New Testament Epistles in some form; yet, it is also evident that the Law of Moses was itself fulfilled by Christ, and was never intended as a means of salvation. Paul says in Romans 10:4, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth,” and in Galatians 3:21-22, “Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.”
This is why we have said that the information given in Matthew 5-7 is neither Christian nor a sermon; rather, it is a prophecy of exactly what Christ wanted to establish as rules and regulations for the Kingdom of heaven which He was offering to the people right then and there. The fact that the nation Israel rejected His offer of the kingdom and eventually crucified Him, does not change the substance and purpose of the Kingdom of heaven. There is a great difference between the interpretation and the application of any scripture. The old adage, “All Scripture is written for our admonition, but all Scripture was not written to us” will always be true. Many of the Psalms that David wrote out of hard experiences have blessed God’s people in every age, but they had a primary interpretation in David’s life only. Again, the eternal principles expressed by David have been for our admonition as well; just as we can profit from these principles in Matthew 5-7.
As we go through these prophetic statements of principle, please note how often they come directly from the Old Testament, originally given as promises to the nation Israel for the future restoration of their earthly kingdom. Note also how varied the subject matter is, indicating that the “multitudes” included not only true disciples of Christ, but also many to whom Jesus gave warnings of their need of a right relationship with God. Nor did He miss cautioning against the grievous wolves of His day, the religious scribes and Pharisees whose self-righteousness was less than acceptable to Him, for He knew that these men would seek to keep others from “entering in” even though they themselves had not done so.
He begins with His “disciples,” a group certainly not limited to the Twelve, and discusses the blessings they can expect if they follow Him as Messiah/King; it will not be an easy road, but it will be rewarding (5:1-16). He then assures all those listening that He has not come to destroy the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill them (5:17).
Turning His thoughts to any who may have gathered to hear, Jesus presents a strong admonition that to follow Him requires true righteousness, not the self-righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees (5:18-20). In order to expand this more specifically, Jesus gives His true interpretation of Scripture, and in doing so rejects the pharisaic traditions which were making the Word of God of no effect (5:21-48). He not only rebukes their principles but their practices as well, showing the truth about a number of things, including almsgiving, prayer, fasting and trust in God as Father (6:1-7:11).
The admonitions conclude with additional warnings to all, that they should make sure they are in the right way following the true teaching, and building upon the one sure foundation (7:12-29).
So, as stated above, it is important to note as we examine these prophetic statements and warnings, how many of them are taken directly from the Old Testament, emphasizing over and over again that the promises God made to His ancient people Israel have never been forgotten, and thus, the Apostle Paul could ask and answer his own question: “I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. . . .God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew” (Romans 11:1-2). This is why it is essential to interpret Scripture literally, and to recognize at the very least three main dispensations, or ages which have been established by God and named in the Scriptures: “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17); “For this cause I Paul the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward” (Ephesians 3:1-2); “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ” (Ephesians 1:10). As we shall see in future articles, God will bring all this to pass when Christ returns to earth to sit upon the throne of David “In the fulness of time.”
