Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Matthew 6:1-34
Jesus teaches us how to live the life of true righteousness. He first describes false righteousness or hypocritical religion. He instructs us to pray and give and fast in secret and our Father in heaven will reward us. If we do these things in public our only reward will be the praise of men.
Jesus teaches us how to pray, how to fast and what to pursue (righteousness and the Kingdom, not money) and he teaches us to be anxious for nothing but to be entirely dependent on God.
Following Jesus in this way is exactly what I need to do. Why does it seem so hard?
Jesus teaches us how to pray, how to fast and what to pursue (righteousness and the Kingdom, not money) and he teaches us to be anxious for nothing but to be entirely dependent on God.
Following Jesus in this way is exactly what I need to do. Why does it seem so hard?
Labels: fast, Jesus, kingdom, pray, righteousness
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Matthew 5:1-48
The sermon on the mount: Jesus teaches His disciples and raises the bar of righteousness. I don't know if His call to righteousness that surpasses that of the Pharisees and the scribes was to point out that theirs was a faux righteousness or that the standard is higher than mortal man can attain. Jesus ratchets up the ten commandments such that calling one's brother a fool is akin to murder and lusting after a woman is akin to adultery. I know under these standards I am guilty of all of the ten commandments.
Jesus closes this chapter with "be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect". There is the standard. Anything less results in condemnation. Thank you Father, that you do not see my sin but you see the perfection of your Son and the covering of His atoning blood.
Jesus closes this chapter with "be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect". There is the standard. Anything less results in condemnation. Thank you Father, that you do not see my sin but you see the perfection of your Son and the covering of His atoning blood.
Labels: disciples, Jesus, Pharisee, scribe, Sermon on the mount, sin
