Jesus teachings

How the God’s Law Makes Us Whole Again

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Hiker walking down rocky mountain trail with cloud-covered valley and sunlit peaks

Matthew 5:17-48

Have you ever wondered how the Old Testament law fits into following Jesus? Some say the law has nothing to do with following Christ today. Others insist it has almost everything to do with it. These debates aren’t new. Even in Jesus’ own day, people wanted to know where he stood. And perhaps nowhere does he speak more clearly than in one humbling sentence: “…be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).

At first hearing, that line can push us into familiar camps, either “the law is nothing” or “the law is everything.” But Jesus is going deeper. He’s not lowering the bar, and he’s not simply repeating what others taught. He’s revealing the law’s true purpose.

Jesus begins a block of teaching on the Old Testament (Matthew 5:17-48) by saying, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the Prophets…” He’s emphatic: God’s commands were never harsh rules the Son came to undo. If you want to know the heart of God, look at his laws. And if you’ve ever fallen in love with the way Jesus lived, you’ve actually fallen in love with a life lived perfectly in relation to God’s law.

But Jesus also warns that law‑keeping alone isn’t enough. The most meticulous rule‑followers of his day still missed the mark because their obedience was self‑exalting rather than God‑glorifying. You can make the law everything, and, in doing so, miss God entirely.

So Jesus takes the law deeper, down to the heart. Consider just one example: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not murder,’ … but I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment” (Matthew 21-26). Many of us can say we’ve never murdered. But who can say they’ve never been angry? Jesus isn’t tightening the screws; he’s showing that the law was always meant to shape not just our actions but our attitudes and reflexes toward one another.

Or take his teaching on enemies: loving those who love us is easy. But Jesus says, “Love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44). You can’t fight fire with fire. Responding to hate with more hate only burns the world down further. Jesus calls us to break the cycle.

Why? Because this is how God treats us. The sun rises and rain falls on the just and unjust alike (Matthew 5:45). Jesus is calling us back to the beautiful life we were created for.

And that brings us again to his final words: “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Not perfect in our own strength, but in surrendering to his.

Here is the honest dialogue of a heart responding to that call: You say: “Jesus, I can’t.” Jesus says to you, “I have.” You say, “That’s great for you, but I still can’t.” Jesus says, “I know. That’s why I died, to covers your sins.” You say, “Thank you, Jesus, for forgiveness, but I still can’t live like you.” Jesus says, “I know. That’s why I give you my righteous life too.” You say, “Lord. I’m glad you see me that way, but I don’t live that way.” Jesus says, “My power is made perfect in weakness.” You say, “Then I’ m too weak. Help me!” Jesus says, “Now you’re beginning to understand. You were made to trust me.” Finally you say, “I give up.”
And Jeus says, “Good. ‘…unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit’ (John 12:24).”

Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect, not by striving harder but by surrendering to him.

Jesus’ Beatitudes Still Speak Today

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A serene landscape featuring Jesus teaching a group of followers while sitting on a rock, with a scenic view of mountains and a lake in the background, and a book open in the foreground showing a passage from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 5:1-16

Following Jesus has always required a certain daring. Imagine being one of his first followers. You’ve just left everything familiar because this teacher spoke with an authority that felt like the very voice of God. You saw him heal what no one else could. You said yes to his call, but now what? What does he expect of you? What will this new life look like?

Matthew 5:1–16, often called the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, answers that question. Jesus draws his disciples out of the crowd and begins describing what life under his reign looks like. Not rules to earn God’s favor, but a picture of the kind of people his grace creates: the people of his kingdom.

Jesus’ descriptions, known as the Beatitudes, run counter to much of what our culture celebrates. Our world often says, “Blessed are the self‑sufficient.” Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” those who know they need God’s salvation. Our world says, “Blessed are the comfortable.” Jesus says, “Blessed are those who mourn,” because they can face grief honestly, knowing loss does not have the final word. Our world says, “Blessed are the winners.” Jesus says, “Blessed are the meek,” those strong enough to trust God rather than grasp for control.

These are only a few examples. I encourage you to read the rest for yourself and consider why these qualities stir something deep within yus. They paint a world we long for, yet they also confront us. We like mercy until someone wrongs us. We like purity of heart until loyalty to Christ costs us something. That tension is why Jesus ends this section with the surprising words, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.”

Richard Wurmbrand, a Romanian pastor imprisoned under communism, once witnessed ordinary Christians living these words under extraordinary pressure, responding to humiliation and torture with forgiveness, mercy, and even joy. He realized the Beatitudes are not for spiritual elites but for everyday people whose hearts have been reshaped by Christ.

Many people, whether committed Christians or even atheist, find themselves drawn to the Beatitudes. They describe a world we ache for: mercy instead of outrage, humility instead of self‑promotion, and much more. If these words stir something in you, consider why. Their power doesn’t come from sentiment but from the authority of the One who speaks them.

I invite you to open a Bible and read Matthew 5:1–16 for yourself. Listen to Jesus’ voice. Ask why his vision of life still reaches across centuries and cultures. You may find that what draws you is not just an idea, but a Person, who is God’s Son.