Devotion:
Read Matthew 5:21-30.
Matthew is known as the teaching gospel, as it emphasizes Jesus’ teachings and collects them into blocks of Scripture. This block of teaching is known as the Sermon on the Mount, in which Jesus teaches his disciples then and now what it means to follow him. With the Old Testament law as their moral guide to this point in time, those first disciples may have felt a sense of self-satisfaction in having never murdered anyone or having never committed adultery. Obedience to rules can do that! In these verses, Jesus challenges them and us to be more than mere adherents to rules.
It is understood that we are not to break the commandments, but Jesus tells us that God expects more, going right to what is in our hearts. Of course we are not to murder someone, but Jesus calls us to think kindly of others and to be reconciled to them when we have disagreements. Jesus teaches that lustful thoughts are just as sinful as actually committing adultery. If we are honest with ourselves, these are troubling teachings and much more challenging than simply complying with the rules. Jesus challenges us to follow the spirit of the rules if we are to be his disciples and kingdom people.
Personal Worship Option:
Almighty God, your Son helps us to see things so very differently. Thank you for revealing yourself through him. Just as he challenged things that were not your way, help us to step up and do that as well, but only in the spirit of love in which Christ calls us to act. Show me your way! Amen
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