I am a Jesus pusher!! “You have heard that it was said to those of old” (Matthew 5:21). Bible scholars are divided about the introductory statement of this verse. Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said,” then He added the phrase, “those (tois) of old.” The Bible translators are divided on using the words “to” or “by” to connect the two phrases. If “to” is used, it assumes Moses spoke, “You shall not kill,” to the fathers of Israel. Now Jesus overruled the Scriptures by adding superior instructions. However, if “by” is used, Jesus’ reference is to the interpretation of the scribes of the Scriptures. Jesus restated the true meaning of the Old Testament to correct the adjustment the scribes and Pharisees imposed on the Scriptures.
Jesus just said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17). Jesus continued without variance regarding His relationship with the Scriptures, the nature and heart of God given to us in written form. Embracing the Scriptures is embracing the nature of God. Jesus became man and allowed the Scriptures to shape His life. The Scriptures express the nature of God, and Jesus reveals the nature of God. He wants to bring us back to the truth of the Scriptures. Nothing beyond or above this exists! Jesus is the Living Word who speaks the Written Word to our lives. Will we be listening? I am a Jesus pusher!!!