Genesis 11-13:4 Matthew 5:1-26 Psalm 5 Proverbs 1:24-28
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them…For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:17, 20 TNIV).
The Pharisees and the teachers of the law in Jesus’ time were very careful about everything they did, making sure they didn’t accidently do something God told them not to do. Their ancestors had not followed God very well and lost God’s protection because of it. Now the Hebrews were determined not to make that mistake. They were going to be as perfect as they could be in order to get as much blessing from God as they could get.
Now comes Jesus. He starts teaching things that are different from what they have been teaching. Because they don’t understand, they accuse Him of teaching something different than the Scriptures taught. (The Law refers to the books written by Moses and the Prophets refer to much of the rest of the Old Testament.) But Jesus isn’t teaching something new or different. He is showing them how God always wanted His people to have a heart like His—a heart that naturally wanted to do what is good for others. The Law and Prophets were never about earning God’s favor, but about showing us how we’re not like God and need the heart transplant He offers. This is what it has always been about: God wants to rescue us from sin, but we have to want to be rescued first.
Lord Jesus, help us to see what it means to really live for You. Give us hearts that want to love like You love. Forgive us for when we forget what it is all about and try to earn Your love for our own selfish reasons. Use us today as Your salt and light on earth, spreading Your love and truth to anyone and everyone who will listen. Amen.
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