I am a Jesus pusher!!! The approach of “those of old” was an academic approach. They said, “You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment” (Matthew 5:21). “You shall not murder” is quoted five times in the Scriptures. The original account of God giving the Ten Commandments is in Exodus. Moses reminds the people of Israel of these Ten Commandments in his last message to them before God takes him away (Deuteronomy 5:17). Jesus quotes this commandment in our passage (Matthew 5:21). In His encounter with the Rich Young Ruler, Jesus reminded him of the commandments (Matthew 19:18). Paul proclaimed this commandment and others to expose them as fulfilled in love (Romans 13:9).
Murder, in the Scriptures, is in a list of commandments, which is significant. The commandment is quoted from the perspective of Old Testament law. Although the three New Testament quotations place it in the context of the Old Testament, in each case, Jesus elevates it to a new level and expectation. Jesus called the Rich Young Ruler to go beyond the act of not murdering the poor to selling everything to give to them. Paul referred to this commandment and others to highlight the call to love. He proposed that all commandments are “summed up in this saying, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Romans 13:9). In our passage, Jesus calls us to the true meaning of the commandment. Jesus focused the physical commandment regarding murder on an inner attitude of anger! He deals with the source, not the symptom! I am helpless to change my attitude. I must experience His nature. I am a Jesus Pusher!!!