This is a sermon preview for the third week of our “Mountaintop Manifesto” series.
Visit FBCM’s Church Center Channel to view video live stream (live) or audio version of sermon (published week after).
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” - from Matthew 5:17-20
The movie Lilo & Stitch begins with the trial of mad scientist Dr. Jumba and his failed Experiment 626–also known as “Stitch.” Dr. Jumba created 626 to have incredible learning capabilities, which it did. Unfortunately, the experiment also turned out to be aggressive, near-indestructible, and have a downright evil side.
This opening is a common Hollywood motif–some genius creates life, only for their creation to go wrong and be left to their own devices. Planet of the Apes, Spy Kids 2, and Jurassic Park all portray the results of a massively failed experiment.
Sometimes I wonder if the Sermon on the Mount feels a bit like one of Hollywood’s failed experiments. After all, God created this world and everything in it, down to every atom. According to Jesus, the kingdom of heaven has come. This sounds nice and all, but what are we to think when things don’t reflect God’s will on earth as it is in heaven?
Bible scholars describe this tension as the “already but not yet” kingdom of heaven.
In other words, the kingdom of heaven already exists on earth because Jesus brought it with him into the world, and the Holy Spirit continues to usher the kingdom in today.
But the kingdom of heaven is also not yet because Jesus has not returned to make all things fully right. Because of humanity’s choices, we don’t always submit ourselves to the Lord’s prayer, “your kingdom come, your will be done.” We often see the not yet parts of the kingdom of heaven because our individual wills keep us away from God’s good reign.
It’s like we’re stuck on the part of Thanksgiving Day where the feast is not yet ready to be eaten, but the smells are already in the air and your mom gives you a blender beater to lick off the mashed potatoes. There’s a taste of Thanksgiving to hold you over while you finish preparing for the full feast to come.
Unlike any of the movies we mentioned, the sin we see in the world is not a sign that God’s creation was one failed experiment. And God certainly didn’t banish this failed experiment to earth. Instead, God joined his creation on earth to give them a taste of the kingdom and show them how to get to the feast that’s to come. This is what Jesus meant when he said that he had come to fulfil the Law.
Before Jesus, the Israelites looked to God’s wisdom as the way to righteousness, and righteousness was the way that God’s reign was made known on earth as it is in heaven. It was only when Israel lived righteously according to God’s wisdom that the world was good and just.
This is why the Israelites studied the law with such passion and consistency. They believed that studying the Law was how one gained God’s wisdom to know what the righteous thing to do was. And if the Law was unclear or unspecific, God would use the Scribes and teachers to help fill in the gaps for common people.
Of course, we know that Israel didn’t keep up with their study of the Law. They turned away from God’s wisdom. They did not live righteously. They found themselves so far off from the kingdom of heaven that they were exiled to another kingdom entirely, an earthly symbol of what was happening to them spiritually.
But again, God’s creation is not a failed experiment. God’s creation wasn’t left to their own devices on earth. Jesus loves his creation and joins them.
When Jesus says he is the fulfillment of the Law, Jesus is saying that the Old Testament story of God’s relationship with Israel isn’t over. Jesus is saying that God’s reign is already here even when it feels not yet. When Jesus fulfills the law, he is revealing what a life completely marked by God’s wisdom is, what a purely righteous life looks like. Like a snow plow during a winter storm, Jesus forges the way ahead so that the rest of us know how to get back home.
One day, the kingdom of heaven won’t have that not yet part of it. One day Jesus will bring his reign completely to the new earth. But until then, I sure am glad that he doesn’t treat us like failed experiments. I’m glad that he draws near and makes a way.
Even if the way proves to be quite difficult.
Reflection Questions
What do you think “the good life” looks like? How do you think that compares to what God says “the good life” looks like?
Why do you think it is good news that Jesus fulfills the Law for us?
How does Jesus fulfilling the law help you live out FBCM’s watchword: “not to be served, but to serve?”
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