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Matthew 5:43-48 is one of the most familiar teachings of Jesus. It ends with the command to "be ye perfect," which definitely qualifies as one of Christ’s "hard sayings." What Jesus says is both hard to understand and hard to apply. Yet his message can also be liberating.
To be perfect as God is perfect sounds like a tall order. But the question is this: What does Jesus mean by "perfect"? Commonly, when we think about being perfect, one of three meanings comes to mind. For people in the medical field, perfection means absolute accuracy and precision. In medicine, mistakes can be deadly, so there is no room for error. In law enforcement, perfection means following the rules, the laws of the land. It also means being tough and objective enough to enforce those laws. For many of us in the church, perfection means moral holiness, obeying God’s laws and living by a moral standard that reflects God’s own goodness.
These are all valid meanings, borne out of time-tested experience. Yet they are not the meaning Jesus intends in this chapter. Gary Wills explains that the Greek word that is translated "perfect" in verse 48 is teleios, which means "complete" or "inclusive." For example, a perfect set is a complete set, one that has all the parts included. In the context of the passage, it becomes clear what Jesus is saying. Jesus says that God does not play favorites, so go ahead and love your enemies, just as the Father does.
In verse 48, then, Jesus is telling us to be inclusive (in accepting others), just as our Father in heaven is inclusive of all people. We don’t have to live mistake-free lives to be complete in God’s eyes. All Jesus asks of us is receive and accept others as Yahweh does. So as you prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth, relieve yourself of the burden of perfectionism. God is not a demanding parent who thinks you are never good enough. Rather, God is the parent who loves all his children, and wants us to love each other. God sent his Son to earth to include us in loving relationship. My desire is to love and include others as God has done for me. Help me, Lord! God bless you all! Peace!
Matthew 5:43-48 is one of the most familiar teachings of Jesus. It ends with the command to "be ye perfect," which definitely qualifies as one of Christ’s "hard sayings." What Jesus says is both hard to understand and hard to apply. Yet his message can also be liberating.
To be perfect as God is perfect sounds like a tall order. But the question is this: What does Jesus mean by "perfect"? Commonly, when we think about being perfect, one of three meanings comes to mind. For people in the medical field, perfection means absolute accuracy and precision. In medicine, mistakes can be deadly, so there is no room for error. In law enforcement, perfection means following the rules, the laws of the land. It also means being tough and objective enough to enforce those laws. For many of us in the church, perfection means moral holiness, obeying God’s laws and living by a moral standard that reflects God’s own goodness.
These are all valid meanings, borne out of time-tested experience. Yet they are not the meaning Jesus intends in this chapter. Gary Wills explains that the Greek word that is translated "perfect" in verse 48 is teleios, which means "complete" or "inclusive." For example, a perfect set is a complete set, one that has all the parts included. In the context of the passage, it becomes clear what Jesus is saying. Jesus says that God does not play favorites, so go ahead and love your enemies, just as the Father does.
In verse 48, then, Jesus is telling us to be inclusive (in accepting others), just as our Father in heaven is inclusive of all people. We don’t have to live mistake-free lives to be complete in God’s eyes. All Jesus asks of us is receive and accept others as Yahweh does. So as you prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth, relieve yourself of the burden of perfectionism. God is not a demanding parent who thinks you are never good enough. Rather, God is the parent who loves all his children, and wants us to love each other. God sent his Son to earth to include us in loving relationship. My desire is to love and include others as God has done for me. Help me, Lord! God bless you all! Peace!
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