JANUARY 7, 2022 READING... Matthew 5
Today we begin the portion of Matthew that contains what is called, “The Sermon On The Mount” …Matthew records for us the most complete record of this message from Jesus on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus begins His sermon by sharing the beatitudes…these words set the world upside-down. It is clear from the beginning that Jesus’ teachings would be radical, and stand in complete opposition to the philosophies of the world, and of the religious world. Sadly, there many today that still don’t get what Jesus taught, and called all His disciples to. Jesus tells us that we are the salt of the earth, and the light of the world. These are not what we do, but what we are. Jesus also wants us to understand that He is the fulfillment of the law. The Old Testament whether it is the law or the prophets was given by God to lead us to Jesus. The law is good and perfect…the problem is not with the law, but with we who cannot keep it. Jesus who kept the law perfectly, paid the price for our breaking the law; therefore, fulfilling the law. In that way He is the fulfillment of the law of God…the law remains perfect and good, and is fulfilled by the One who is perfect and good.
Jesus then clarifies the meaning of the law given by God. He is able to do this with complete correctness, because He is the Author of the law. Religious teachers, religions, theologians have all interpreted God’s truth from their personal perspective…we should be listening to the Author, surely, He knows better than anyone what He wrote actually means. Jesus tells us that murder is wrong, but the intent is for us to understand that we can actually murder or destroy someone with our verbiage. He taught that adultery was a sin, but that it also includes when we look at another with lust in our hearts. He emphasizes again the holiness and importance of marriage…telling us to easily give a certificate of divorce and enter into another relationship is adultery. He warns us of swearing oaths…for we don’t possess or control those things we swear by. We are called to be people of integrity…let our yes be yes, and our no be no. We are not to seek personal retribution…and actually do more for others than they demand, even unjustly demand. Finally, He tells us to love not only those who love us, but to love our enemies.
Please share your thoughts from today’s reading.
MONDAY, JANUARY 10 READING…Matthew 6