Jesus’ Attitude towards the Old Testament
Read: Matthew 5:17-48
In this section of the Sermon on the Mount we see the connections that Jesus makes between
Kingdom Life and the Old Testament Law. Jesus explains how He fulfills the Law of Moses and
then goes on to give correct interpretations of the Old Testament Laws. The Pharisees struggled
with merely obeying the letter of the law and ignoring the application to their hearts. Jesus provides
for us the proper interpretations and applications of the Old Testament. He is not correcting the Old
Testament, but the misunderstandings of the Old Testament that were prevalent at the time.
1. Anger – It’s not just our actions that matter to God, our attitudes matter too! We will be held
accountable for angry outbursts toward people as well as any hatred that is in our hearts. God
wants unity among His children!
2. Lust –Jesus looks past the actions of a person and into our hearts. Purity is important to God
and should be something His children strive for.
3. Divorce – In Jesus day, men could divorce their wives with no just cause. Here Jesus teaches
of the importance of the marriage vow.
4. Oaths – Jesus is Truth and therefore He wants His children to tell the truth at all times. There
is no need to make an oath if you live with integrity and always tell the truth.
5. Retaliation – Jesus words were quite different than what was acceptable at the time. He
taught of not demanding justice or taking revenge but showing love.
6. Love – God is love therefore everyone who is His child should show love to all people. Christ
sets up a high ideal of perfect love by His own sacrifice on the cross and by forgiving those
who caused him to suffer.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Spend some time thanking Jesus for the connections and interpretations that He made in
regards to the Old Testament Law. Thank Him for His Word, that we have as a guidebook to
help us grow in discipleship.
2. Read through the six topics listed above. Ask the Lord to show you a few areas where He
is pleased with you. Then ask Him to show you a few areas that He wants you to work on.
Specifically ask Him to show you something that you can do today to please Him in that area.
3. Pray that you would grow in each of the six areas and that God would refine your character
and draw you into a deeper holiness! Thank Him for helping you with this and that He hasn’t
left you alone.
