Matthew 5

Ah, the 'Sermon on the Mount' - one of the most complete / longest sections of Jesus' teaching in the Bible, so far as I am aware, and the repository of many famous phrases and concepts (at least in Christian circles). There is a lot here, and I had to read over some of it twice.

The second half of the chapter is particularly interesting, I think, as it contains references to bits of the Law from the Torah (first part of the Old Testament / Jewish scripture) - but expands on them. Going from 'don't commit adultery' to 'don't even look at someone with lust'... that is really upping the bar on standards of behavior and thought. Likewise, going from 'don't break your vows' to 'don't even bother making vows, because every time you say yes or no you should be sticking to it' puts a lot of things in a different perspective that I am accustomed to. Several such teachings are given by Jesus here, and as He says he isn't abolishing the old Law: He is fulfilling it, and if anything showing that it isn't just the outward actions we take that matter (which is largely what the Law was concerned with) but also the thoughts and attitudes we harbor inside.