“God knows that there will be (and already are) people who come up with their own doctrines of truth and then find Scriptures to support that personal agenda.”

 

YES there are, Dan, and Paul was one of them (with the doctrines of “original sin” and “redemption by atonement” being two of his personal, post-Jesus creations) … And do you know what, my Friend? Jesus was another!  … Jesus lived in a culture that was steeped in strict obedience to the highly outdated and highly judgmental laws of the Old Testament, and he simply chose to listen to the all-Loving will of his Father instead – by finding Scripture passages that supported his higher Calling (many of them from Isaiah 40-55), and then radically preaching and purely living that New Covenant – constraining, expanding &/or even dismissing those highly outdated & highly judgmental laws as he went along (or “fulfilling” them –  the Greek word  plerosai as found in Matthew 5:17-18; Strong’s #4137)!

 

The Bible itself “foretold” this, of course (see Jeremiah 31:33-34; which was later re-affirmed in Hebrews 8:8-13), and yet we can see for ourselves that this is so when we simply examine the Scriptures with the “eyes to See” and the “ears to Hear”.  Consider once again the following massive proof (that needs use only the Gospel of Matthew) showing that Jesus was actually a radical reformer of the Old Testament laws (especially the more barbarically judgmental ones like your beloved Leviticus 18:22 & Levitcus 20:13), and not merely a blind follower thereof:

 

Firstly, note that Jesus aggressively “pruned” (& in effect discarded) non-functioning Old Testament laws & regulations (by either negating them verbally or violating them actively) …

Consider the following examples thereof:

 

*In Matthew 5:40 Jesus alludes to violating the Old Testament law against keeping another’s cloak overnight (see Exodus 22:26-27 & Deuteronomy 24:12-13), as well as the literal reading of the Old Testament  law against denuding one of close kin (see Leviticus 18:6).

 

*In Matthew 6:16-18 (suffering silently) Jesus seemingly negates the Old Testament law commanding a Jew to cry out to God when in need (see Numbers 10:9).

 

*In Matthew 6:25-26 (& Matthew 26:31-33) Jesus seems to make irrelevant the Old Testament regulations regarding food (see Leviticus chapter 11 & Deuteronomy chapter 14).

 

*In Matthew 6:25+28-33 Jesus allows the violation of Old Testament laws regarding clothing (see Deuteronomy 6:8 & Deuteronomy 22:5-11 – Note as well the effect of Matthew 23:5 on Deuteronomy 6:4-9 & Numbers 15:38-40).

 

*In Matthew 7:28-29 (teaching with priestly authority) Jesus’ words “fly in the face” of the regulations found in Leviticus chapter 21.

 

*In Matthew 8:3 Jesus violates the Old Testament laws related to associating with lepers (see Leviticus 13:44-45 & Numbers 5:1-4).

 

*In Matthew 9:12-13 & Matthew 12:7 Jesus negates Old Testament regulations regarding Temple sacrifices (see Numbers 28:3, Exodus 30:7-9, Exodus 12:6-10 & Exodus 13:2).

 

*In Matthew 9:25 Jesus violates the Old Testament law against touching the dead (see Deuteronomy 18:11 – see also Jesus raising Lazarus on his 4^th day in the tomb in John 11:17-44).

 

*In Matthew 11:19 Jesus alludes to violating Old Testament law against gluttony (see Leviticus 19:26), as well as the Law prohibiting associating with sinners (see Deuteronomy 10:20).

*In Matthew 11:20-24 Jesus violates the edicts of Leviticus 19:16-18.

 

*In Matthew 12:1 Jesus essentially discards the Old Testament law regarding the Sabbath (see Exodus 16:29).

 

*In Matthew 12:48-49 Jesus seems to violate the Old Testament law prohibiting one from being a “rebellious son” (see Deuteronomy 21:18).

 

*In Matthew 17:24-27 Jesus diminishes the Old Testament regulations related to taxation (see Exodus 30:13).

 

*In Matthew 18:22 Jesus actually reverses the symbolic meaning of the highly unusual “seventy times seven”, a number found elsewhere in the Bible only in Genesis 4:24.

 

*In Matthew 19:10 Jesus neutralizes the Old Testament laws regarding marriage (see Genesis 1:28, Deuteronomy 7:3 & Deuteronomy 22:13).

 

*In Matthew 21:9 Jesus challenges the Old Testament laws against idol-worship (see Deuteronomy 7, Deuteronomy 12:2, Deuteronomy 13:12-14, Exodus 20:4-5, Exodus 23:13+23 et al).

 

*In Matthew 21:12-13 Jesus portrays a violation of  Deuteronomy 12:4 (do not destroy objects associated with God) and Leviticus 19:30 (revere the Temple).

 

*In Matthew 21:18-19 Jesus reflects a violation of the Old Testament regulation prohibiting the killing of fruit trees (see Deuteronomy 20:19).

 

*In Matthew 26:28 Jesus clearly offends the intent behind the Old Testament law prohibiting the eating of blood (see Leviticus 3:17).

 

Secondly, realize that Jesus frequently constrained non-functioning Old Testament regulations (essentially making them far more lenient than they were when originally written) …

Consider the following examples thereof:

 

*In Matthew 5:38-41 Jesus clearly amends the adjudicatory Old Testament law of “an eye for an eye” (see Exodus 21:23-24, Leviticus 24:19-20 & Deuteronomy 19:21).

 

*In Matthew 6:9-13 (The Lord’s Prayer) Jesus seems to make obsolete the need for any priestly “divine mediation” (see Leviticus 16:3-4).

 

*In Matthew 6:14-15 Jesus supplants the need to give sin offerings (Leviticus 4:27), eliminates the need to publicly confess (Numbers 5:7), and makes needless the regulation requiring the reproving of a sinner (Leviticus 19:17).

 

*In Matthew 8:20 Jesus seems to make the placing of a Mezuzah irrelevant (see Deuteronomy 6:9); and likewise dampens the regulation demanding a Jew to reside in a ceremonial hut during the seven days of Sukkot (see Leviticus 23:42).

 

*In Matthew 8:22 Jesus severely limits the importance of traditional Jewish burial regulations (see Deuteronomy 21:23).

 

*In Matthew 9:14-15 Jesus generally downplays the need for Jews to adhere to conventions related to fasting (see Leviticus 16:29-31).

 

*In Matthew 9:20-22 Jesus diminishes the potency of Old Testament regulations regarding a woman’s uncleanliness during menstruation (see Leviticus 15:25-30).

*In Matthew 10:1 Jesus gives non-priests priestly authorities.

 

*In Matthew 10:26 (alluding to Isaiah 45:3) Jesus refers to revealing Truths that had been purposefully hidden by Jewish elders.

 

*In Matthew 11:25 Jesus seems to dishonor teachers of the Torah (seemingly prohibited by Leviticus 19:32).

 

*In Matthew 12:1-5 (referring to 1 Samuel 21:1-6) Jesus limits the absoluteness of Numbers 28:9-10.

 

*In Matthew 12:9-12 Jesus clearly mitigates the Old Testament laws related to observing the Sabbath (see Exodus 23:12 & Exodus 23:32).

 

*In Matthew 12:31 Jesus directly diminishes the potency of the Old Testament laws related to blasphemy (see Deuteronomy 18:20, Deuteronomy 21:22, Leviticus 22:32, Exodus 20:6 & Exodus 22:27).

 

*In Matthew 13:33 Jesus diminishes the general taint placed on yeast by the Old Testament (see Leviticus 2:11).

 

*In Matthew 15:1-6 Jesus seems to diminish the importance of Exodus 30:19.

 

*In Matthew 15:11 Jesus limits the severity of all Old Testament food regulations (see Leviticus chapter 11 et al).

 

*In Matthew 15:21-28 Jesus over-rides the Old Testament law demanding enmity with all those from the land of Canaan (see Deuteronomy 20:17).

 

*In Matthew 16:6-12 Jesus encourages a lessened respect for “the yeast of the Pharisees” – namely, their strict adherence to conservative interpretations of the Old Testament. (!)

 

*In Matthew 19:29 Jesus indirectly encourages a violation of the Commandment to honor one’s mother & father (see Exodus 20:12, Exodus 21:17 & Leviticus 19:3).

 

*In Matthew 22:24-30 Jesus diminishes the sacredness of Deuteronomy 25:5.

 

*In Matthew 22:31-32 Jesus denounces the resurrection from the dead (!) – a common pharisaic belief to this day.

 

*In Matthew 23:9 Jesus could be construed to encourage the dishonoring of one’s father (see Exodus 20:12, Exodus 21:17, Deuteronomy 5:16 & Leviticus 20:9).

 

*In Matthew 23:16-22 Jesus seems to contravene the Commandment to swear by God’s name (see Deuteronomy 10:20).

 

*In Matthew 24:2 Jesus generally shows disrespect for the Temple (see Leviticus 19:30).

 

*In Matthew 25:14-30 Jesus evidences an inverse criticism (see verse 26) of the Old Testament regulation prohibiting lending with interest (see Leviticus 25:37 & Deuteronomy 23:20).

Thirdly, understand that Jesus radically & purposefully expanded Old Testament regulations (essentially making them more absolute &/or more inclusive than tradition demanded) …

Consider the following examples thereof:

 

*In Matthew 5:13 Jesus amplifies the Old Testament law requiring that sacrifices be salted (see Leviticus 2:13).

 

*In Matthew 5:21-22a Jesus amplifies the Old Testament law stating “do not murder” (see Exodus 20:13 & Deuteronomy 5:17).

 

*In Matthew 5:22b Jesus amplifies the law stating “do not slander” (see Leviticus 25:17).

 

*In Matthew 5:27-28 Jesus amplifies the Old Testament law prohibiting adultery (see Exodus 20:14, Deuteronomy 5:18 & Leviticus 18:20).

 

*In Matthew 5:31-32 (& Matthew 19:3-9) Jesus radicalizes the Old Testament law related to divorce (see Deuteronomy 24:1-4 … Note as well that the phrase “except on grounds of unchastity” is fully absent in the parallel verses of Mark 10:11-12 & Luke 16:18)

 

*In Matthew 5:33-37 Jesus amplifies the Old Testament laws related to swearing (see Leviticus 19:12, Numbers 30:2-3, Deuteronomy 23:2+24 & Deuteronomy 10:20).

 

*In Matthew 5:43-44 Jesus radically expands the implications of the Old Testament requirement to “love your neighbor” (see Leviticus 19:18; doing so in perfect harmony with the apparent intent of Exodus 23:4-5).

 

*In Matthew 5:48 Jesus amplifies the Old Testament laws of Deuteronomy 18:13 & Leviticus 19:2 – turning fearful obedience to God into a loving homage for Him.

 

*In Matthew 6:1-4 Jesus amplifies the Old Testament laws related to tithing (see Exodus 23:19, Deuteronomy 18:4 & Deuteronomy 18:26).

 

*In Matthew 6:5-8 Jesus amplifies the Old Testament laws related to prayer (see Exodus 23:25 et al).

 

*In Matthew 7:15-20 Jesus amplifies the Old Testament laws regarding false prophets (see Deuteronomy 18:20-22 – simultaneously harmonizing them with Deuteronomy 13:4).

 

*In Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus amplifies Jewish worship in general; from mental obedience to active Love (see Leviticus 22:32 & Deuteronomy 6:5 – done in harmony with Deuteronomy 28:9).

 

*In Matthew 9:2-6 Jesus amplifies the oral law that believed only God could forgive sins (see Mishna Yom 8:9).

 

*In Matthew 12:35-37 Jesus makes absolute the Old Testament law about giving false testimony (see Exodus 20:13).

 

*In Matthew 12:48-50 (& Matthew 15:1-6) Jesus intensifies the Old Testament law requiring the honoring of one’s mother & father (see Exodus 20:12, Exodus 21:17, Deuteronomy 5:16 & Leviticus 19:3).

 

*In Matthew 18:1-5 Jesus radically expands the Old Testament law requiring the honoring of one’s elders (see Leviticus 19:32).

 

*In Matthew 18:6-7 Jesus intensifies the implications of Leviticus 19:14.

 

 

*In Matthew 18:8-9 Jesus makes a radical commentary on the Old Testament laws related to amputation (see Deuteronomy 25:11-12 & Ezekiel 23:25).

 

*In Matthew 18:23-25 Jesus seems to reflect the Old Testament law forbidding interest-laden loans to the poor (see Exodus 22:25).

 

*In Matthew 19:5 Jesus intensifies the Old Testament laws regarding marriage (see Genesis 2:24 et al).

 

*In Matthew 19:11-12 Jesus radically comments on the Old Testament laws related to sexual intercourse (see Deuteronomy 23:18 et al).

 

*In Matthew 19:16-21 Jesus intensifies the absoluteness of the 10 Commandments (see Exodus 20:12-16 & Deuteronomy 5:16-20), the law to “Love your neighbor as yourself” (in Leviticus 19:18), and the law requiring the giving to those in need (see Deuteronomy 15:7-8).

 

*In Matthew 20:1-16 Jesus amplifies the Old Testament regulations regarding the payment of workers (see Deuteronomy 24:15 & Leviticus 19:13).

 

*In Matthew 20:24-28 Jesus intensifies the Commandment to not covet (see Exodus 20:14 & Deuteronomy 5:18).

 

*In Matthew 21:28-32 Jesus amplifies the Old Testament laws related to the upholding of oaths (see Deuteronomy 23:24 & Numbers 30:3).

 

*In Matthew 21:40-43 Jesus indirectly amplifies the implications of Old Testament mercy-laws (see Numbers 35:12 et al).

 

*In Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus radically inverts the potency of the 10 Commandments (see Exodus 20:6-12 & Deuteronomy 5:16-20) by expanding the power of the Shema (see Deuteronomy 6:5-7 & Exodus 30:6) & intensifying the implications “Love your neighbor” (in Leviticus 19:18).

 

*In Matthew 23:13-26 Jesus radically expands the Old Testament call to merely learn the Torah (see Deuteronomy 6:7), while simultaneously making a commentary on the Old Testament prohibition against oppressing the weak (see Exodus 21:22).

 

*In Matthew 23:23-24 Jesus intensifies the Old Testament regulations related to tithing (see Exodus 23:19, Deuteronomy 18:4+26, Leviticus 27:30 & Numbers 18:24).

 

*In Matthew 26:2 Jesus inverts the overall ramifications of the Passover (contrast with Exodus 12:1-10).

 

*In Matthew 26:6-13 Jesus makes a radical commentary of the Old Testament law related to annointings (see Exodus 30:32).

 

*In Matthew 26:26-29 Jesus amplifies the Old Testament law requiring that thanks be given to God after a meal (see Deuteronomy 8:10).

Filed under: Burnishing Bigotry by Scaughdt