Continuing on in Matthew 5:
In verses 25-26, there are important lessons taught. The footnote on the first word in verse 25, agree, states that the Greek means “quickly have kind thoughts for, or be well disposed toward.” It does not mean to outright agree with thy adversary regardless of whether it is right or wrong, but that we should be kind, be well disposed toward them, and pray for them. Let thine adversary know that you are well disposed toward him, while you are in the way with him. By so doing you may not be immediately delivered up for judgment. Another issue that is implied is that you are guilty of something, since you will have to pay the “uttermost farthing.” We also need to sincerely repent and restore to thine adversary what is right, so that the Lord will be able to atone for our guilt.
In verses 27-28, the Savior takes the definition of sin to a much higher level and strikes at the core of why we sin—our thoughts. I am reading President Kimball's book, The Miracle of Forgiveness, and I quote from his book, page 115. This was a favorite quote of President McKay.
Sow a thought, reap an act;
Sow an act, reap a habit;
Sow a habit, reap a character;
Sow a character, reap an eternal destiny.
Our thoughts really determine what we do. To stop unrighteous acts, we need to stop unrighteous thoughts. This is the message that the Savior has for us. Also, from the D&C, “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly.” This is the challenge everyday to avoid vain imaginings and fantasies, to be mentally true to our spouses (Elder Scott), and to be focused on living our covenants and principles of the Gospel.
Verses 29-30 have always bothered me, because I have not really understood them. The Joseph Smith Translation adds some insight. In verse 30, the following was added: “And now this I speak, a parable concerning your sins; wherefore, cast them from you, that ye may not be hewn down and cast into the fire.” I read recently in the Miracle of Forgiveness of the importance of forsaking our sins. President Kimball clearly states that there is no forgiveness without forsaking our sins. We must change our behavior. The Savior is emphasizing this same point.
Verses 31-32 address an issue that was very prevalent during the time of the Savior in that people divorced for trivial reasons. Quoting from Jesus the Christ by James E Talmage: “Touching the matter of divorcement, in which great laxity prevailed in that day, Jesus declared that except for the most serious offense of infidelity to marriage vows, no man could divorce his wife without becoming himself an offender, in that she, marrying again while still a wife not righteously divorced, would be guilty of sin, and so would be the man to whom she was so married.” I also remember another person, who I do not remember who it was, say that we are not now being held to the standards that the Savior stated here. This is the higher law.
In verses 33-37 the Savior is emphasizing that “moderation in speech, decision and simplicity were enjoined, to the exlusion of expletives, profanity, and oaths.” The giving of oaths was very commonplace at the time of the Savior.
Verses 38-42 introduce Christ's or the Gospel's law of love. It is not an eye for an eye, but it is a Gospel of love and patience, going the extra mile, giving up the coat and the cloak, and giving to those in need what they ask for. This was a totally foreign concept for the Jews of the Savior's time. Everything was by the letter of the law. The spirit of the law is introduced here.
Verses 43-44 are the start of some amazing doctrine, especially for the Savior's time. The Law of Moses was clear, an eye for an eye, but the Savior's way is different. It is based on love and not hate, anger, or any negative feeling. We need to love our neighbors, bless them that curse us, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who despitefully use us and persecute us. This was startling new doctrine. It went against everything that the Sanhedrin, the Sadducees, and the Pharisees taught. He preached with authority. Most understood what he was trying to say, because it is true doctrine. The Holy Ghost witnessed the truth of it.
Verse 45 is based on the doctrines and principles of love and forgiveness. We have to adopt and live these principles and doctrines to become the children of our Heavenly Father. It is that plain and simple. The second part of this verse focuses on why we are sent here on earth. We are here to be tested to see if we will do everything that our Heavenly Father requires of us. The sun, good things and times, and the rain, difficult challenges and situations, come upon all. The test is how do we handle them? Going back to the previous verses, when the sun or the rain comes are the principles and doctrines of love still at work in our lives?
In verses 46-47, the Lord again emphasizes the need to go way beyond the Law of Moses. We need to not only love those who love us, but we need to love all. We need to salute and value all, not just those who we know and love. Then the Lord really sets the mark very high in verse 48. We are to be perfect, even as our father in Heaven is perfect. Since his mission was not complete, he did not include himself in this scripture, as he does in 3 Nephi 12:48. The Greek word used here for perfect means complete, finished, and fully developed. This gives a more precise meaning. Also, the Savior would never ask us to do something that we cannot accomplish, so through the atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we can become complete, finished, fully developed and cleansed from all sin and iniquity.
