People

Throughout Matthew chapter 5 Jesus gives us examples of how He is fulfilling "setting it straight" the law and in each one of His examples that He gives runs the common thread that there is something sacred about the human life, the person itself and that it is to be respected and held in high esteem. The question begs why? The why can be found in Genesis where God says that "man is made in His own image and likeness." So therefore people should be held in high regard.

Jesus then brings this thought full circl at the end of the chapter when He commands us to love our enemies and then in verse 45 He says we should do this so that "we may become like our Father who is in heaven." By showing this love we begin to take on the attribute, and more of the "likeness" of our Father. Already made in His image but becoming more like Him!