You Think You're So Smart

Matthew 5:21-22 (NRSV)

“You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire.

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If you think I'll sit around as the world goes by
You're thinking like a fool, cause it's a case of do or die
Out there is a fortune waiting to be had
If you think I'll let it go, you're mad
You've got another thing coming
You've got another thing coming

"Another Thing Comin'" by Judas Priest from "Screaming For Vengeance" (1982).

Matthew 5:17-48 is Jesus' commentary on The Law. Jesus makes sure the people know that he does not replace the law. He will say that every "jot and tittle" is still part of the law. Jesus fulfills the Law. He is the Law Incarnate, the Law in Body & Spirit. Since He is the law, he is in a special position to interpret the Law.

What Jesus tells us is that we think we might understand the law, we may have a grip on every "jot and tittle," but we do not know the law. To know Jesus is to know the Law. Now that the Law walks the earth, there is a time to help fix some of those nasty misunderstandings that had reared their ugly heads over the past several centuries.

Starting with murder, we know what murder is--it's killing somebody with malice and forethought. In its own way, using the word "murder" instead of "kill" opens the door to the difference between murder and taking a life in self-defense or in war or by manslaughter. But if that's where the difference between murder and killing ends, you've got another thing coming.

Jesus tells us that slaughtering the reputation of a brother and sister is a form of murder. Even calling someone a fool will bring upon us judgment. This radical reinterpretation of the Law continues and challenges the priests of the day. And it must continue to challenge us today. If we think we understand all the law says to us still today, look out, you've got another thing coming.

Jesus could have very easily said the words sung by Judas Priest: "If you think I'll sit around as the world goes by, you're thinking like a fool, cause it's a case of do or die." Jesus does not sit around. He teaches. And when the time is fulfilled as the Law is fulfilled, He teaches us the ultimate lesson. He doesn't sit around; he climbs to the place of the skulls and dies. Then he does even more. He lives.