CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE DAILY DEVOTIONAL ON YOUTUBE
Matthew 7:28-29
Jesus began this teaching in Matthew 5:3 as He gave blessings; He then made a promise to His disciples in Matthew 5:17 (NKJV) declaring, “do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” And then, in Matthew 5:21-22 He introduces His authority over that of the Old Testament Scriptures by stating, “You have heard that it was said…,” and following it with, “But I say to you…”. From that point in this teaching, Jesus gives instructions that are justified in one’s heart, not by outward actions which can be deceptive to one’s true faith and belief. In Matthew 7:21 (HCSB) Jesus declares, “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 in heaven.” This ties our hearts desires to our outward actions, and this ties His teaching to the Old Testament; not to do away with the Old Testament Scriptures but to give a better understanding of how we are to interpret them properly – from the heart. The scribes taught the Scriptures from man’s point of view while Jesus taught the Scriptures from God’s point of view. He came to save the world from sin – it was important that He give us understanding for how to receive it and live in it – in Christ.
This is a promise and example of the authority of Jesus being sent from God in heaven.
As we study the teachings of Jesus it becomes clear that Jesus is the Son of God sent to save the world from sin (John 3:16-17), but as we seek salvation in Christ Jesus we must also beware of the outcome for those who refuse to open their hearts to Jesus and put His teachings into action in their lives. Jesus teaches us that many people will falsely believe that there are other ways to eternal life in heaven, but He gives us a warning in Matthew 7:21-23 and states what will happen to these people in the end as He says in Matthew 7:23 (NIV), “Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” Jesus spent His ministry striving to convince His hearers that He was sent from the love of God to save them from sin and that salvation matters not on our deeds alone, but the true intentions of one’s heart to God in obedience and sincerity. The Apostle John declares this in John 1:12-13 as he declares, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” Believe in the saving power of Jesus today and be saved for eternity – in Christ!
Dear LORD,
We have concluded our study of Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” which was a sermon given to those who put their faith in Him (His disciples, Matthew 5:1-2). Please open our eyes to the salvation that Jesus provides for all who sincerely and obediently put their faith in Him. In Jesus name I pray, amen.