The Sermon on the Mount. There is no way to summarize this amazing sermon from Jesus. One of my favorite books on this subject is, "Christ of the Mount", by E. Stanley Jones. Jones leads us through the sermon and teaches us how to live it out.
Here is what spoke to me as I read through.
Matthew 5:3-11. Jesus outlines the life that God blesses. Poverty of spirit, meekness, hunger for God, mercy and purity are all aspects of humility.
God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. God's grace leads to humility. I know I have done nothing to earn grace, but I am thankful for it. His grace humbles me.
Matthew 6 Jesus separates religious activities that lead to pride and what a humble pursuit of God looks like. What do I do for the praise of people? Ask God to purge you of the desire to please people.
Jesus then gives us a lesson on Kingdom economics. Matthew 6:19-34. How much time and energy do we devote to our financial situation. We get caught up in storing treasures for ourselves which is a form of pride. Jesus knows that the number one competitor for our hearts is finances. So he tells us that true treasure lies with the eternal. For Jesus this is a heart issue.
Matthew 6: 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
If someone were to look at your finances; Would they conclude that you seeking the kingdom of God first? Would they say there is a clear difference between how you and your neighbor live and spend? Do you trust that God will take care of what you need? Ask God to test your heart in this. How much of your spending is based on impressing others for the sake of your pride? Jesus is asking us to live differently.
Then Jesus issues this warning; Matthew 7: "13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it....21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Jesus wants our hearts not a show. He asks us to build our lives on the foundation of his words, not on the foundation of this world. The season of lent is a time to reflect and repent. Based on your reading today, what needs to be confessed, what needs to change?
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