It seems clear that Jesus' teachings represent the unqualified demands of the Kingdom of God. They do not (as we say) "take human nature into account." That is, Jesus does not soften the rigor of his teachings so that they will be easier to follow. The teaching about perfection makes this uncomfortably clear:
Jesus does not say, "Be as good as you can under the circumstances."
He does not say, "Resist as many temptations as you can."
He does not say, "Do your best and let it go at that."
He does not say, "Be perfect according to human standards of perfection."
His demand is the most exacting one possible: "Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" ( Matt. 5: 48).
It is an out-and-out demand, with no concessions made or promised.
It's the same way with specific teachings. Jesus does not say, "Love your enemies as long as it is practicable to do so." No, he says, "Love your enemies" -- and offers no concessions. In fact, it is not just enough to love them, you must also pray for them. And Jesus does not agree with Peter that it would be pretty bighearted to forgive a person seven times. On the contrary, Jesus says we must forgive "seventy times seven." But with Jesus this is a special kind of arithmetic, the arithmetic of compassion. For
70 x 7 ≡490, but 70 x 7=Infinity
We must, in other words, forgive limitless times.
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