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How Important is “Loyalty” to God?

 

In my last email I discussed the importance of the word “mitzvah” in the Jewish culture. Mitzvah (singular) (mitzvot [plural]) is an act performed in agreement with God’s will. Next to the word “Torah,” “mitzvah” is the most basic term in the language of Judaism.

The Jew looks upon a “mitzvah” almost as if were an object rather than a concept. This can be seen in the teachings of Jesus. Below are two examples.

 

● Jesus spoke of “acquiring mitzvot” in his teachings about “Laying Up Treasures in Heaven.”

 

● Jesus spoke of “pursuing mitzvot” in this blessing – “Blessed are those who pursue tzedaqah, for they are the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 5:10)

 

In my last email I also pointed out that for Christians today, a major challenge for understanding the Jewish Jesus will be to view him as someone that was not only actively engaged in legal discussions of his period – he would never have said “do away with the law!” Or to put it another way, “do away with the mitzvot!”

 

His legal expertise is seen in the “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5-6). He reveals his position in legal arguments related to the following commandments:

 

● murder (5:21)

 

● adultery (5:27)

 

● divorce (5:31)

 

● oath-taking (5:33)

 

● loving neighbor (5:43)

 

● eye for an eye (5:38)

 

In his teachings on the above commandments, he also gives his interpretations. In some cases, he will agree with Hillel, but in other cases he disagrees. It is important to remember that the subjects above are “Jewish issues” related to the laws that governed Judea and Galilee.

 

What I will say next is extremely important. The teachings of Jesus fall into two categories – teachings about Jewish issues and teachings about the Kingdom of God (Heaven).

 

Teachings about Jewish issues are secondary

to his teachings about tzedaqah and the Kingdom of God.

 

This is clearly seen in Matthew 5:19-20.

 

Whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments,

and teaches men so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven.

 

Whoever does (these commandments) and teaches them,

he shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

 

This is what I say!

Unless your tzedaqah exceeds the tzedaqah of the scribes and Pharisees,

you will by not enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

 

Did you notice that “people who break commandments” and “teach others to break commandments” will be “in the Kingdom of God”? What do you think about that? Later Jesus will address his position on the “Kingdom of God” in a parable about the Great Day of Judgment (Matthew 25):

 

● Nations that did acts of tzedaqah enter eternal life in the Kingdom of God.

 

● Nations that did not do acts of tzedaqah are sent into eternal punishment.

 

The acts of tzedaqah that determined “eternal destinies” were those affecting the lives of “the least members” of a nation -- “food was given to the hungry, drink was given to the thirsty, strangers were given shelter, clothes were given to the naked, the sick were visited, and people went to those in prison.”

 

Modern Americans view acts like the ones listed above as “charity,” something that is completely voluntary. For Jesus and members of his Jewish audience, those things are mitzvot -- acts performed in agreement with God’s will.

 

They are acts that must be performed at stipulated times and seasons –

or whenever an appropriate occasion arises.

 

A person must be alert “to do mitzvot that come to his hand,” because an opportunity that has passed will not return and cannot be retrieved. The root meanings of tzedaqah are “loyalty to God” and “loyalty to the community.”

 

Acts of tzedaqah combine to create shalom.

 

This is what shalom meant to Jesus and to members of his Jewish audience.

 

Shalom connotes totality, health, wholesomeness, harmony, success,

the completeness and richness of living in an integrated social milieu.

 

Take a moment to consider the meanings of the eight underlined words above. When we become aware a person that lacks any of those things:

 

It is an opportunity to do tzedaqah (a mitzvah);

an opportunity to be loyal to God,

and an opportunity to be loyal to the community.

 


When Jesus said “breaks one of the least of these commandments” in Matthew 5:19-20 above, the phrase “these commandments” refers to “Jesus’ interpretations of God’s commandments.” Below is what his audience heard:

 

Whoever doesn’t follow my interpretations and teaches men that,

shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven.

 

Whoever follows my interpretations and teaches them,

shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

 

This is what I say!

Unless your loyalty to God and loyalty to the community exceeds that of

the scribes and Pharisees, you will by not enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

 

His interpretations of the biblical commandments reflect legal arguments taking place in his nation, but his teachings related to tzedaqah are for the people of all nations. Please share and discuss this email with others.

 

Shalom,

Jim Myers

 

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