Day 2

Reading: MATTHEW 5-7

Journal

Matthew paints a broad picture on the life of Christ, unlike the fine details seen in the other gospels. The words of Jesus made up about 60% of the highly organized content of Matthew's account; in fact, the discourses, miracles, parables, questions are thematically arranged to highlight the thrust of the Savior's words and work.

The Sermon on the Mount is one of five major discourses given by Jesus during His public ministry, of which the Beatitudes and Similitudes are the most well-known. Jesus spelled out the principles that govern the vertical relationship between God and man as well as the horizontal aspects between fellow humans. In fact, Jesus expanded on the Law and took it further, stressing on the motives and intentions behind the actions, and not just mere outward external conformity.

We all have the tendency to adhere to a set of rules, and oblige ourselves to fulfill them as our self-imposed moral duties and responsibilities, more often than not without engaging our hearts and affections. Jesus, however, will not have us interpret God's Law or even His teachings in such a stone-cold manner. This is what unregenerate man, one without a vibrant, living relationship with God, does best. Not only is it futile and meaningless—it makes a mockery of God's holy character which is embodied in the Law.

This is also the reason why Jesus went to great length to point out the religious practices of the Pharisees in areas of charity, prayer and fasting as an outward show of piety, acts to gain people's admiration and approval. It certainly feels good to be better, and perhaps even holier, than others in terms of rigorously keeping the Law. But God isn't impressed at all. James, the half-brother of Jesus, set the record straight in his epistle:

Pure religion that is undefiled before God and the Father is this—to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction and to keep himself unspotted from the world. (James 1:27)

In the end, it comes down to the Golden Rule in the way we treat one another, the choice we make between the two ways Jesus laid out in life, the teachings we choose to listen to, and the type of foundation we're building our lives on. We do well to be careful what we choose because our choices have eternal consequences, and Jesus isn't kidding because He spoke as One having authority. He knew what He's talking about.

Ponder & Meditate

What do you think of Jesus' exposition on the Kingdom principles—turn the other cheek, give more than is required, or even go the extra mile? Impractical, incredulous, or perhaps bordering on insanity? Is that your true feeling?

In all honesty it is humanly impossible if not illogical unless we are out of our mind. Jesus never said that we can do it on our own, or that we should meet its requirements to be saved. Instead, He showed us by His life that only He could and let us know that only by trusting in His effort, not ours, can we be saved and enabled to live that kind of life, for without Him we can do nothing.

Do you have worries and anxieties? Matthew 6:24-33 lists out five solutions to counter them. Follow Jesus' advice and trust Him to help you overcome them daily.