Survey of the Sermon on the Mount (Part 2)
How does the law relate to the kingdom of heaven?
In each of these six teachings (“You have heard that it was said…”), Jesus elevates the law (“But I say to you…”) He heightens it toward how it should be understood, in the direction of the holiness of God. We cannot keep the “thou shalt not’s” of the law to the degree of righteousness that God requires. We cannot be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect, no matter how hard we try.
- The law shows us that we cannot attain to the kingdom of heaven on our own. It is a standard of holiness and perfection that we cannot meet. The law was given to be our tutor, our instructor, to lead us to Christ. Galatians 3:24
- The law reveals what righteousness looks like for those who are kingdom citizens. Since we cannot attain that level of righteousness, we must have the righteousness of Christ, a righteousness that God gives on the basis of faith. Romans 3:21-26; Philippians 3:8-9; Galatians 2:21
As bad as the law can look at first, it’s ultimately good news! Jesus came to fulfill the law. He is the fulfillment of everything that the Old Testament points to. He perfectly keeps the law of Moses, to the standard that it really demands. He is perfect, as His heavenly Father is perfect. Only through Christ do we gain entrance to the kingdom of heaven.