The term “loophole” dates back to 1585 and first referred to holes in castles and forts that archers could shoot through. Eventually the term was used to refer to ways around laws or rules and the seeking of such loopholes has been going on since the first laws were given. As time went on, the religious lawmakers created loopholes for the law through their various interpretations and additions. In His sermon on the mount, Jesus got rid of those loopholes.

“‘You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘“You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.” But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.’” (Matthew 5:21-22)

Several times throughout this sermon, Jesus used the phrase “you have heard” in addressing the law the way it was taught up to that point. Jesus was going to make clear what human interpretation had muddied up. It was understood that if you committed murder, then there would be some sort of judgment and penalty for such a crime. Making murder the pinnacle for punishment allowed for all sorts of behavior: anyone could be angry with their brother or their neighbor and think they were not in danger of judgment or condemnation. You could call someone an idiot or curse them and not worry about repercussions. But Jesus closed the loophole on anger, name-calling, and cursing. Now, even if you are angry with someone, if you call them an idiot, or if you curse them, you are subject to judgment—in fact, you’re in danger of the fires of hell!

“'You have heard the commandment that says, “You must not commit adultery.” But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.’” (Matthew 5:27-28)

Another loophole closed. Up to this point, people thought as long as they didn’t commit adultery, they were okay within God’s law. Jesus declared that if you look at a woman with lust, you’ve committed adultery already. Jesus closed the loophole by pointing out that it’s a heart issue and the law can’t fix a heart issue. Reading on through Matthew 5, we find Jesus closing loopholes on divorce, making promises, on revenge, and He finishes on hatred of enemies.

“‘You have heard the law that says, “Love your neighbor” and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.’” (Matthew 5:43-45a)

“Love your neighbor” is in quotes, because that’s what was actually written in the law. The “hate your enemy” part was one of these added-on teachings so people could think that it was okay to hate those that persecuted them or were their enemies. Jesus closed that loophole because there is no room for hate in the Kingdom of God. Jesus taught us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. When we do this, we are acting as true children of God. By identifying each of these laws as a heart issue, Jesus closes any and all loopholes that human reasoning might create. Yet, we still try to find loopholes today: do I really have to love my neighbor and pray for them when they are so rude? Did I really commit adultery with that person because I choose to think of them in that way? Am I really in danger of judgment because of my hatred and name-calling and cursing of that person? No matter how hard we try for the loopholes, the reality is that Jesus has closed them. How then do we address these heart issues with the law?

“Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.’” (Matthew 22:37-40)

“So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:21-25a)

We are powerless to obey the law perfectly; only Jesus lived without sin. This makes us dependent on God’s grace and the Spirit’s guidance. It is Jesus who sets us free from the law.

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1-4)

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.