I am a Jesus Pusher! Jesus began this section (The Fulfillment of the Kingdom) with “me nomizo,” translated as “do not think.” This statement determines the strength of the section. How serious is Jesus in His statements? How much attention should I pay to them? These two Greek words establish it all! I investigated many translations of this verse, and there were four approaches used. Some used “do not suppose,” “do not assume,” or “do not misunderstand.” The majority consistently used “do not think.” Keep in mind; the emphasis is on custom or law. In other words, it is not a fleeting thought but an established way of viewing things.
Changing your traditional thought patterns is difficult. One of the difficulties with breaking habits is the established thought in the habit. Those who attempt to break the smoking habit express this. Breaking the habit is not just a chemical addiction but also a habit of the thought process. The pattern of thinking causes the smoker to reach out for a cigarette when there is none. Victory over temper is not focused on never being upset; it is the pattern that being upset expresses. The Pharisees and scribes destroyed or demolished the Scriptures through their “oral traditions.” It was their consistent thought pattern. They did this by replacing the Scriptures with these traditions. Jesus makes this bold statement, “I have not come to do as they did. I came to fulfill, reestablish, and complete the Scriptures.” In this statement, He distinctly asks us to join Him. I am a Jesus Pusher who commits Himself to the truth of the Scriptures!