Tara Bible Study Tayo! Topic: Who is "Least" and "Great" in the Kingdom? (Matthew 5:19)

Pastor Ronald: Kamusta? Grab your coffee, na. Today, we’re diving into a verse that many Christians often misinterpret. Ready ka na ba sa Matthew 5:19?

Student: Ready na, Pastor! Medyo kabado lang kasi parang nakakatakot yung warning ni Jesus. Basahin ko lang po ha:

"Kaya't ang sinomang sumuway sa isa sa kaliitliitang mga utos na ito, at ituro ang gayon sa mga tao, ay tatawaging kaliitliitan sa kaharian ng langit: datapuwa't ang sinomang gumanap at ituro, ito'y tatawaging dakila sa kaharian ng langit." (Mat 5:19 Tagalog AB)

Student: Pastor, ito yung tanong ko agad: Ano ba yung "kaliitliitang mga utos"? Does this mean kailangan pa rin nating sundin yung mga Old Testament laws, like bawal kumain ng baboy o bawal magsuot ng mixed fabrics, or else magiging "least" tayo?

Pastor Ronald: Ganda ng tanong mo. Diyan madalas nagkakamali ang interpretasyon. Let’s look at this through the lens of the New Covenant.

Remember verse 17? Sabi ni Jesus, He came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill (ganapin) it. So, when Jesus talks about "these commandments" in verse 19, He isn't telling us to go back to the Old Covenant civil or ceremonial laws meant for Israel.

Instead, He is talking about the moral will of God as interpreted and fulfilled by Him.

Student: Wait, so hindi ito about rituals?

Pastor Ronald: Exactly. In the Jewish culture, noon, rabbis often debated kung alin ang "heavy" (mabigat) at "light" (magaan) na utos. Jesus is addressing that attitude.

Sa New Covenant perspective, "these commandments" likely refer to the Law of Christ. Notice na after this verse, Jesus starts teaching the "Six Antitheses" yung mga "Narinig ninyo na sinabi... datapuwa't sinasabi ko sa inyo..."

Examples:

Old Law: Huwag papatay.

Jesus’ Command: Huwag ka ring magagalit nang walang dahilan sa kapatid mo.

Old Law: Huwag mangangalunya.

Jesus’ Command: Huwag tumingin nang may masamang pagnanasa.

So, the "least commandments" Jesus is protecting here are the heart-level moral principles. Baka kasi isipin ng iba, "Ah, saved by grace na tayo, pwede na tayo mag-relax sa holiness."

Student: Ah, gets ko na! So Jesus is actually raising the standard, not lowering it. Pero Pastor, ano naman yung ibig sabihin ng "tatawaging kaliitliitan sa kaharian ng langit"? Does that mean mawawala yung salvation nila?

Pastor Ronald: Very important distinction, yan. Pansinin mo yung exact words: "tatawaging kaliitliitan sa kaharian."

The person is still IN the Kingdom. Hindi sinabing itatapon sila sa labas. This fits our theology na salvation is by grace through faith, not by perfection in keeping the law.

However, it speaks of status, honor, and influence.

Student: So parang may ranking sa heaven?

Pastor Ronald: In a sense, yes. Or at least, a distinction in how God views our stewardship.

Imagine a Christian teacher or influencer who teaches, "Okay lang yan kahit mag-cheat ka sa tax nang konti, basta nagta-tithe ka," or "Okay lang mag-harbor ng konting hate, tao lang tayo." While they might be saved believers, tinuturuan nila ang iba na i-relax ang moral standards ni God.

Sa mata ng Diyos, they are "least" because they misrepresented the holiness of the Kingdom. They compromised the transformative power of the Gospel.

Student: Grabe, ang bigat pala. It’s about our integrity and how we lead others. Eh, paano naman maging "Great" or "Dakila"?

Pastor Ronald: Simple lang, pero challenging. "Sinomang gumanap at ituro."

To be great in God’s Kingdom is to embody the character of Christ. Unlike the Pharisees na puro external checklist lang, ang "Great" sa Kingdom ay yung taong sumusunod kay Jesus mula sa puso.

They teach others that grace leads to obedience, not license to sin. Sila yung nagsasabing, "Because Jesus saved us, let's love our enemies, let's be pure in heart, let's be honest even in small things."

Student: So parang ganito, Pastor: Being great isn't about being famous or having a big ministry. It's about taking God's moral will seriously, even the smallest details of love and righteousness, and helping others do the same.

Pastor Ronald: Tumpak! Sa New Covenant, ang greatness ay nasusukat sa love and internal obedience. Hindi na tayo under the Mosaic Law as a code of condemnation, but we are under the Law of Christ as a rule of life. We obey because we love Him, and we want to honor Him in everything, big or small.

Real Talk Reflection

Bible Verse:

"Datapuwa't ang sinomang gumanap at ituro, ito'y tatawaging dakila sa kaharian ng langit." (Mat 5:19b)

Reflection:

Minsan, ang daling maging "Christian" sa malalaking bagay sa church attendance, sa ministry pero kumusta tayo sa "maliliit" na utos? How do we treat people when no one is looking? Are we making excuses for "small sins" (white lies, gossip, laziness) and teaching others by our example that these things are okay?

Greatness in God's Kingdom isn't about the size of your audience, but the depth of your obedience. Don't just teach the truth; live it out, even in the smallest details.

Call to Action:

Is there a "small" command from Jesus (like forgiving a petty offense, or being honest in a small transaction) that you’ve been ignoring? Do it today. Show God that you value His Word, down to the smallest detail.

Real Talk Reflection

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