DEVOTIONAL

A new series starts this week studying the Gospel according to Matthew. The format looks a little different with shorter devotionals and some chapters skipped along the way. I encourage you to read through the entire book of Matthew and use the devotionals as pit stops to look deeper into a selected passage. In the series we will read Matthew with two questions in mind:

  1. What are the words or actions of Jesus in the passage?
  2. How do these words or actions of Jesus impact how you live today?

Before we look at the passage for today, it helps to know who is Matthew that writes one of the four Gospels. Matthew is a Jew which tells us he was ingrained from a young age to uphold the Jewish laws and holidays. The rituals are dignified and give Matthew swelling pride to identify as a Jew. The book opens with the genealogy from Abraham to David and then Jesus. This perspective highlights the Jews that Yahweh called to be His people. It differs from Luke, a Gentile, that gives the genealogy account from a Gentile perspective starting with Adam. Another fun fact I like to remember is Matthew makes a career jump from a tax collector to a disciple of Jesus. Talk about a change in skill set. He writes the book after the change. Matthew’s allegiance pulls away from the government and is pledged to the kingdom of God. Matthew maybe gives up comfort and stability to be a disciple, but I do not think he minds because Matthew has complete buy-in for the vision and mission of Jesus. Jesus the Son of God is who the Jewish people have long awaited to arrive. And the Good News Matthew writes to share is… the Messiah is here.

We pick up the story of Jesus in Matthew 7. These are the closing remarks of the first sermon Jesus gives to a crowd of people. Maybe Jesus speaks for an hour or so. Hopefully He speaks slow enough for people to soak in every bit of it. For two chapters, Jesus tells the crowd what the kingdom of God is all about. And to Jewish ears it sounds upside down or opposite of the Jewish law in some ways.

The visual of rock and sand is so helpful for me. Jesus presents two kingdom choices that are as vastly different as rock and sand. The kingdom Jesus represents and offers to the crowd is solid, stable, withstands trials, and survives pressure. It is like building a house on the rock. The other kingdom choice is of the world that lacks structure, adapts to popularity or trends, and crumbles under pressure. It is like building a house on the sand. After Jesus presents the two kingdom choices, it is our turn to respond. In Matthew 7:24 Jesus says, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Jesus instructs the crowd to hear and put into action the words He has spoken in Matthew 5-7 to receive the kingdom of God that is solid, stable, and eternal. The “put into action” can be hard for me. A lot of times I hear the Holy Spirit whisper truth or feel the nudge of conviction when I try to walk on sand. It wears me out to walk on sand because my feet push in different directions as I try to find balance and then a tide rolls in. I can never find my footing. It is pure chaos.

However, what does life look like when I choose the rock? I live in peace and assurance in who’s got me. Give Jesus your life and submit to the Word of God and you will experience that the steadfast love of God never ceases in grief or uncertainty or fear. Maybe this week you choose the rock by asking Jesus to help with doubt instead of believing the lies of comparison. Another great first step is reading through Matthew 5-7 and ask God to show you which topic is the hardest to “put into action” after hearing it. There are some whammies. My prayer is for Jesus’ words to soften my heart and open my mind to want to love my enemies, deal with sin seriously, and be a light in this world. Life on the rock builds each day as I put into action the words of Jesus. The ways of the kingdom of God are eternal. The ways of this world are here one day and wiped out the next by a tidal wave. The words of Jesus in Matthew 7 are meant to change your life for the better. Will you put them into action?

Q: Which topic in the Sermon on the Mount is the hardest for you to put into action? Spend time this week asking God to help you put it into action. Maybe share with a friend for accountability.

 Additional reading: Matthew 5:1-7:23