MONDAY Matthew 5:1-16
Jesus did not just preach the Sermon on the Mount once, and then move on to other topics. Greek scholar William Barclay noted that the verb translated “taught” describes, when read in the original Greek, “repeated and habitual action, and the translation should be: ‘This is what he used to teach them.’” This sermon’s principles have been called the platform, the foundation of all that Jesus taught about God’s Kingdom and those who are its citizens.
• The Common English Bible renders verses 3-11 as “happy are,” not the more familiar “blessed are.” Jesus would have used the Aramaic phrase “O, the blessedness of …” Scholar N. T. Wright has said, “In our world, still, most people think wonderful news consists of success, wealth, long life, victory in battle. Jesus is offering wonderful news for the humble, the poor, the mourners, the peacemakers.” Which of Jesus’ statements ring most true for you? Of which do you feel, “I sure wish I had some of that”?
TUESDAY Matthew 5:17-42
In today’s reading, Jesus quoted five different snippets of Old Testament law. In each case, he echoed the Old Testament prophets by saying God didn’t want just outward compliance. God cares about the inner spirit behind our acts (see Isaiah 1:10–15; Jeremiah 6:20; Amos 5:21–24). That’s why Jesus said he hadn’t come to “do away with” the law. He wanted to apply it to the true source of both good and bad in life: our (often hidden) inner self.
• Jesus, like many Hebrew teachers, used hyperbole—rhetorical exaggeration to grab attention and underline a point’s seriousness. So “tear out your eye … chop off your hand” says, “Temptation is serious business. Don’t play with it in your mind, but avoid it.” Reflect on each section. What insights do you get about the basic life principle Jesus wants you to take seriously, and about your own inner attitudes and motives?
WEDNESDAY Matthew 5:43-6:18
“Don’t blow your trumpet” is another use of hyperbole. Many charity boxes were trumpet-shaped, which may explain Jesus’ image. Many Hebrew rabbis also stressed the need for pure motives behind good deeds—but that was hard to live. It still is. Scholar Myron Augsberger notes that today “one-upmanship, competition for bigness, assurances that God blesses the faithful with material bonanzas or with health and healing” tempt many of us.
• Verses 2, 5 and 16 used a business word that literally meant “payment in full.” Jesus said showy piety does often produce human admiration and praise—but that’s all it brings us. If the choice is between human praise here and now, or God’s appreciation in eternity, which (if you’re really honest with yourself) does your heart prefer?
THURSDAY Matthew 6:19-34
Understanding Jesus’ use of hyperbole can serve us well in applying this section’s principles. Taken as fully literal, they would seem to say that any saving, any planning for the future on this earth, is wrong and shows a lack of trust in God. Jesus’ point was that, in the end, this world is not the most important reality. True wisdom values God’s gift of an eternal life of joy and freedom over this life’s transient treasures.
• For most of us, the idea of “slavery” has no connection to our daily lives. In Jesus’ day it was a legal and practical reality for many people under Roman law. Verse 24 literally said, “You cannot be a slave to both God and wealth.” When push comes to shove, which of those concerns most dominates your thoughts and behavior?
FRIDAY Matthew 7:1-14
In today’s passage, Jesus taught some crucial relationship principles. Since “all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory” (Romans 3:23), we need to take responsibility for our own life, rather than spending our energy judging or condemning others. Jesus also told the disciples to “ask,” “search,” and “knock”—in other words, to pray. Deepening our relationship with God through constant communication and trusting that God has our best interests at heart is key.
• Taking responsibility for our own thoughts, emotions, words, and actions instead of pointing the finger of blame can be difficult. Yet healthy, authentic, loving relationships depend on our ability to “take the log out of our own eye.” What is your “log”? What are the issues that keep you from living as Jesus taught us? How can you more fully reflect God’s grace to you in the way you relate to others?
SATURDAY Matthew 7:15-29
Jesus didn’t offer quick, slick surface change. He was concerned about the deep roots from which life springs, about whether we build our lives on solid rock or shifting sand. Like prophets before him, he warned about false prophets (see Jeremiah 6:14; Ezekiel 22:28). They challenged Jesus’ followers, too (see Acts 20:29). But Jesus’ main concern was not for us to play “gotcha,” and live with contempt for others’ weaknesses (remember Matthew 7:1-5). He asked us to focus on the foundation for our life, and the kind of fruit we bear.
• Jesus said, “Everybody who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise builder” (verse 24). What paths to greater freedom and joy have you seen offered to you as you’ve read Jesus’ sermon this week? How can your life, and your impact on the lives of others, be stronger and better as you open your heart to the inner transformation, the new way of seeing life, that Jesus offers you?