II. The Sermon on the Mount is not a new law with more rigid commandments than Moses’s law. Therefore, I disagree with the following statement: “Some read the Sermon on the Mount as a new law with more stringent (rigid) commandments than the law taught by Moses.” Jesus said that he didn’t come to bring a new law but to fulfill the old (Mathew 5: 17). There is a historical continuity between the Old Law and the Sermon. The Sermon explains and clarifies the Law that was taught by Moses. These clarifications are evident throughout Jesus’s suggestions and recommendations. For example, Jesus said that people “shall not murder.” This statement reconfirmed the Torah’s Commandment, “You shall not murder.” Jesus expanded this Commandment. In so doing,
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On the contrary, He fulfilled the Old Law by asking people to become generous. When we all become generous, there will be no need for vengeance and, ultimately, evil will disappear. The original Law states the importance of a reciprocal behavior that may lead to equality in “an eye for an eye.” Jesus taught that generosity might bring equality. Therefore, He helped us to clarify this Commandment. Previously, people often wanted to justify their anger with this Law and committed violence against their brothers on this premise (i.e., “eye for an eye”). In addition, Jesus clarified Leviticus’s statement that people “should love neigbours but hate enemy” (19.18). For Jesus, love is unconditional, and people should love all people including their enemies. In so doing, people will become like the Heavenly Father and enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus has therefore fulfilled the Old Law that was taught by Moses and clearly explained its deep meanings. Therefore, the Sermon is not a new law because it is the continuity of the Old Law with better explanations, consistent clarifications and coherent applications in people’s everyday life and in larger
On the contrary, He fulfilled the Old Law by asking people to become generous. When we all become generous, there will be no need for vengeance and, ultimately, evil will disappear. The original Law states the importance of a reciprocal behavior that may lead to equality in “an eye for an eye.” Jesus taught that generosity might bring equality. Therefore, He helped us to clarify this Commandment. Previously, people often wanted to justify their anger with this Law and committed violence against their brothers on this premise (i.e., “eye for an eye”). In addition, Jesus clarified Leviticus’s statement that people “should love neigbours but hate enemy” (19.18). For Jesus, love is unconditional, and people should love all people including their enemies. In so doing, people will become like the Heavenly Father and enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus has therefore fulfilled the Old Law that was taught by Moses and clearly explained its deep meanings. Therefore, the Sermon is not a new law because it is the continuity of the Old Law with better explanations, consistent clarifications and coherent applications in people’s everyday life and in larger