Matthew Chapter 7
In this conclusion of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount we learn in the very last verse that the people were astonished at His teaching.
Jesus spoke with authority and not just as one of the scribes would have talked to them.
Jesus never used the phrase “I think God’s Word means this” while speaking. He spoke with authority.
This people were receptive of what Jesus had to teach them. They may not have understood everything they heard but their hearts were now open to hear more of His teaching.
We know this because the first verse of the next chapter tells us they followed Jesus when He came down from the mountain.
Let's Reflect
1. One of the most quoted verses of all of scripture is here in chapter 7. People quote this verse about not judging others in hopes that it means that Jesus was commanding an acceptance of all kinds of lifestyles and teachings. However, in verses 15-16 and 20 He told us to beware of false prophets. How did He say that we would recognize a false prophet?
2. What Jesus did warn us about, is not to judge others when we ourselves have sin in our life. How did Jesus use humor to illustrate His point?
3. Jesus also told us to use good discernment when sharing the truths (the pearls) of the Word of God with sinners. These sinners are the type of people who are so far away from having an open heart for the gospel that doctrinal truths would only be ridiculed by them, because they have a hardened heart. Pointing out all of their sins, judging them and using scripture to call them out, is only going to bring about animosity. This is not to say that we should not share the good news of the gospel, but we need to use good discernment in what we say. Otherwise, we are simply causing the name of Christ to be trampled into the ground. And Jesus warned that those types of people might also do what to us?
4. Then Jesus brought His teaching back to the topic of prayer. His teaching showed that we need to have persistence when we pray. What words indicate that God wants to see persistence?
5. He reminds them that the greatest gift we can share with others is His love. There are many who are walking on the wide path who need to find the love of Christ. They need to enter through the narrow gate. Will this way through the narrow gate be an easy way of life?
6. Jesus made it clear that not everyone will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Who will people say “Lord, Lord” to, begging for their life on judgment day, but He will say “I never knew you,” who does the pronoun “I” refer to?
7. These are people who never had the salvation of God. They only had religion that they were holding on to. They never placed their faith in the work of Jesus Christ, they only knew about Him. They built their life, their house on sand. Jesus calls them foolish. What did Jesus say would happen to those who heard His words but did not do them?
Devotionals
