Matthew - Week 12

Least and the Greatest 

READ 

Matthew 5:19 

19 “So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.” 

People today are not under the Old Testament law although the moral law is true for any age. Some today think Church-age believers should be under the Old Testament law, but that law never provided salvation for anyone, as Romans 3:19-20 states. Salvation has always been by grace through faith. There are commands of Jesus found in the New Testament, however, for believers to follow, such as in John 13:34 to love as He has loved. There are also several commands in the New Testament letters to be followed. 

REFLECT 

Are you trying to live by the Old Testament law or by your love for the Lord Jesus? 

RESPOND 

According to common Jewish count there are 613 laws in the Mosaic law. James 2:10 says if you break one you have broken them all. Read Colossians 2:16-17 to see what the apostle Paul, formerly a strict Pharisee living by the law, said about diets and days during this age. Read Ephesians 4:25-32 for commands that apply today. 

 Righteous Limitations 

READ 

Matthew 5:20 

20 “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!” 

This is a powerful verse that can be used today in witnessing about the need for salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees had been through more religious rituals from infancy to adulthood than most people can think of today. Yet, most of them were Christ rejecters. Their righteousness was a self-righteousness. Salvation comes only by trusting in Jesus as Savior and receiving His righteousness that is accredited to the believer’s account. 

REFLECT 

Are you thankful for the church you are attending and yet realize that salvation comes from Jesus only and not the church? 

RESPOND 

Denominational labels are fine—if they teach what the Bible teaches about Jesus. One evangelist was known for saying, “If you believe in Jesus, the denominational labels will fall off as you go up to heaven. If you don’t believe in Jesus, the denominational labels will burn up as you go down.” 

Burning Anger 

READ 

Matthew 5:21-22 

21 “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ 22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.” 

In these statements, Jesus contrasts the Old Testament law with the motives of the heart that lead to sinful actions. The “court” referred to the Sanhedrin, the Jewish supreme court. The “fires of hell” referred to Gehenna, which also referred to eternal judgment of unbelievers. The word appears most in the Gospels and is used by the Lord Jesus Himself. The term came from fires burning constantly southeast of Jerusalem to burn anything discarded and was a figure of eternal punishment.  

REFLECT 

Think of the importance of your motives as you wish to honor Jesus in all you do. 

RESPOND 

Read Revelation 20:11-15 to see what the apostle John wrote about the final judgment of unbelievers known as the Great White Throne judgment. Verse 15 refers to the “lake of fire.” Pray for others to accept Jesus as Savior to avoid this horrible destiny. 

Reconcile First 

READ 

Matthew 5:23-24 

23 “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.” 

Normally it is thought that if a person has done you wrong, that person should come and ask your forgiveness. That is not taught in these verses. The person ready to make a gift or sacrifice to God and remembers some wrong he or she has done should go to the one wronged and make things right before making the offering to God.  

REFLECT 

Have you thought about this passage before? Does it bring to mind anyone you need to make amends with? 

RESPOND 

Talk with a fellow believer about this passage of Scripture that records Jesus’ words. Read Matthew 18:15-17 that tells of resolving conflicts and talk about the different steps in the process. 

On the Way to Court 

READ 

Matthew 5:25-26 

25 “When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny.” 

These words plead for settling cases out of court. Once it gets into the legal system things can happen that are not for one’s best interest. Proverbs 25:8-9 also warns about trying to avoid going to court. Although we live in another age now, the principles in the Bible remain true throughout different ages. 

REFLECT 

In what way have these words of Jesus been helpful to you? 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend how following the instructions in the Bible about going to court can be helpful today. Read 1 Corinthians 6:1-6 to provide more information to think about.