Matthew - Week 11

Peacekeepers 

READ 

Matthew 5:9-10 

9 “God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. 

10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” 

Those who work to produce peace are the happy or fortunate ones because it shows they are children of God. Others are usually angry with themselves and with others. Some are persecuted for doing right while others call good evil and evil good. Those persecuted for doing right reveal the quality of character of those in God’s kingdom. 

REFLECT 

What have you done this past week to work for peace and what is right? 

RESPOND 

With a fellow believer read John 1:10-12 to remind yourself of what it takes to be called a child of God. Read Isaiah 5:20-21 to see what God says about those who call evil good. 

Be Very Glad 

READ 

Matthew 5:11-12 

11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.” 

Having mentioned those who are persecuted for doing what is right, Jesus now referred to those who are persecuted because they are His followers. He told believers to be happy and glad about that because a great reward was waiting for them in heaven. For those who might be discouraged, He told them to remember the ancient prophets who were persecuted for identifying themselves with God.  

REFLECT 

Have you had people say evil things about you because of your relationship with Jesus? What kinds of things were they saying? Are you encouraged in your faith as you think of what others have gone through for their faith in the Lord Jesus? 

RESPOND 

Hebrews 11 emphasizes what followers of God did by faith. When the writer comes to the end of the chapter, he concluded his comments in verses 32-40. If you are discouraged in what others are saying about you because you are a Christ-follower, remember those in Hebrews 11. They are the witnesses spoken of in Hebrews 12. With a friend, read Hebrews 12:1-4 that was written to encourage believers to keep doing what God has set before them. 

Salt of the Earth 

READ 

Matthew 5:13 

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.” 

Jesus called believers “the salt of the earth.” This can only be true of those living in such a way that glorifies Him. Salt adds to taste and should cause others to want to taste what believers possess because they have trusted in Jesus. Salt is also a preservative and believers are used in this world by the Holy Spirit to restrain evil.  

REFLECT 

Have you had someone ask you why you have peace in troubled times? If so, your life has served as salt to them.  

RESPOND 

Rules can sometimes be made about what you can or cannot say in your employment. Read about the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 and notice the last statement. No one can prevent you from expressing the fruit of the Spirit in your life that will serve as salt to others and cause them to want to know more about you. Read 2 Thessalonians 2:5-8 that tells about the Restrainer holding back evil.  

Light of the World 

READ 

Matthew 5:14-16 

14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” 

The believer’s life should be like salt and his good acts should permit others to see Christ reflected in his life. Jesus said He is the light of the world, as recorded in John 8:12. Believers can be reflectors of His light and their good deeds can cause others to praise the heavenly Father.  

REFLECT 

What actions have you done this past week that casts light on others and attracts them to Jesus? 

RESPOND 

Read 1 John 1:5-7 and talk about this passage with a friend. Notice what produces fellowship between believers. Some claim to be believers and in the family of God, but do not have anything to do with the rest of the family. Such thinking does not agree with this passage of Scripture. Read also Hebrews 10:25 in this regard. 

Achieving the Purpose 

READ 

Matthew 5:17-18 

17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.” 

No one could fully keep the Mosaic law except Jesus. He fulfilled it and died on the cross so that others could inherit His righteousness. Jesus also believed in the verbal inspiration of the Scriptures. Here He referred to the Hebrew alphabet when He mentioned the “smallest detail.” The smallest Hebrew letter Yodh was written as a comma above the line.  

REFLECT 

Think of how hopeless mankind would have been had Jesus not fulfilled the law perfectly and died on the cross to purchase everyone’s pardon. The pardon has to be accepted, however, by believing in Him as Savior. 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about the confidence Jesus had in the Scriptures. For the inspiration of the Scriptures, read 2 Timothy 3:16 and 2 Peter 1:20-21.