Sep 2009 07

Matthew 5 Devotional 0

Posted In Devotions,Syndicated

Matthew 5:1-12

“More than simply a formal literary introduction, the Beatitudes summarize the essence of the sermon’s message, giving in a nutshell the way in which the kingdom makes its impact on the lives of those who respond to it. … “Thus the Beatitudes outline an upside-down reality, or — more precisely — they define reality in such a way that the usual order of things is seen to be upside down in the eyes of God.”[1]

List the characteristics of a blessed person. Notice the progression in the qualities of a blessed person.
Why would being a Christian lead to possessing these characteristics in an increasing measure? How is this true of my life?
Which of these qualities am I most sorely missing?
If these qualities build on previous ones, then what is the significance of the first one?
How does Jesus’ picture of a ‘blessed’ life compare with what the world considers a blessed life?
In what ways have I personally experienced or witnessed the paradoxical truths in this passage regarding what is a blessed life?

Matthew 5:3,17-48

Can anyone be found righteous according to this passage? How can anyone “be perfect” as God is perfect?
What does this passage say regarding God’s holy standards regardless of our inability to meet them?

Additional Questions:

Matthew 5:3-5

How does the world view “the poor in spirit,” “those who mourn,” and “the meek?”
Why are these people blessed from God’s perspective?

Matthew 5:8

Why would being “pure in heart” lead to “[seeing] God?”

Matthew 5:13-16

What are the common characteristics of salt and light and their effect on their surroundings?
What is the significance of Jesus’ declarations, “You are the salt of the earth” and “You are the light of the world?” In what ways have I embraced this identity for myself?
What are the good deeds in my life and in the life of other Christians that has led to people “praising [our] Father in heaven?”
In what specific ways is God calling me to “let [my] light shine before men?”
What is Jesus trying to demonstrate by the scenario of “the salt [losing] its saltiness” and the fact that “a city on a hill cannot be hidden?”

Matthew 5:17-20

“Jesus guides his disciples into the true intention of God’s law, which focuses on inner righteousness as opposed to mere external righteousness. They gain entrance to the kingdom by repenting and confessing their sins (cf. 3:1 – 6; 4:17), which allows the Spirit to enter into their life to bring purification through applying Jesus’ atoning righteousness to their heart. In this way, Jesus’ disciples are more righteous than the scribes and the Pharisees, because they have received regeneration as they enter the kingdom.

Moreover, Jesus’ disciples progress in righteousness through their transformation into the image of Christ. This statement lays the foundation for the later New Testament doctrines of justification (imputed righteousness) and sanctification (imparted righteousness), which will be the special emphases of the former ‘righteous’ Pharisee, the apostle Paul. Small wonder Paul, that most faultless of Pharisees (Phil. 3:4 – 6), when he came to understand the Gospel of Christ, considered his spiritual assets rubbish. His new desire was to gain Christ, not having a righteousness of his own that comes from the law, but one which is from God and by faith in Christ.”[2]

According to v.19, what two types of teachers are there?
What value does this passage place on obedience, and in what ways does this challenge any notion of cheap grace?
Why is it appropriate that this passage follows the call to be “the salt of the earth” and the “light of the world?”

Matthew 5:21-24

Notice the severity of Jesus’ words against someone who expresses anger, or verbally mistreats a brother. Have I abused my power over others, or expressed inappropriate anger? How painfully have I been aware of the seriousness with which Jesus regards such abuse?
Notice that Jesus is talking in v. 23 about a case in which the offending party is aware that a brother has something against him. What is wrong with the picture of a man offering a gift on the altar while knowing that he has offended a brother?
Are there these kinds of contradictions in my life?

Matthew 5:27-30

What is God’s view towards the sins of the heart?
What is my attitude towards external sins vs. internal sins?

Matthew 5:31-32

“Jesus goes back to the original intention both for God’s institution of marriage and for the Mosaic regulation. God intended marriage to be a permanent union of a man and woman into one (Gen. 2:24). God ‘hates’ divorce, because it tears apart what should be considered a permanent union…However, as did Moses, Jesus allows for an exception. Even though God sees marriage as permanent, sometimes the marriage bond has been violated to such a degree that a spouse has already torn apart the marriage union…Jesus states unequivocally the sacredness of the marital relationship but allows divorce to protect the nonoffending partner and to protect the institution of marriage from being a vulgar sham”[3]

How does Jesus’ view of marriage contrast with today’s view of marriage? Are there ways in which I have adopted worldly attitudes toward the sanctity of marriage?

Matthew 5:33-37

“Jesus understands the duplicity of the human heart, for people sometimes invoked an oath in order to conceal an attempt to deceive. By contrast, Jesus’ disciples should be people of such integrity of character and truthfulness of heart that whatever they say is absolutely believable and dependable. A person of integrity is one who in daily conversation is so truthful, dependable, genuine, guileless, and reliable that his or her words are believed without an oath. In other words, a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ should be enough for a trustworthy person (cf. 2 Cor. 1:15 – 24), a saying of Jesus that James passes on (James 5:12).”^[4]

What can you say about a person’s character if he needs to swear to guarantee the truth of what he is saying?
What are the characteristics of a person who cannot simply let their “Yes” be “Yes” and their “No,” “No”?
What makes it difficult to simply let my “Yes” be “Yes” and “No,” “No”?
How reliable are my words?

Matthew 5:38-42

“Jesus’ disciples are not to think first about retribution. Even when they are being abused, they must think of ways to advance the kingdom of heaven and its influence on this earth. Jesus then uses four illustrations from the everyday life of his disciples under oppression to emphasize how they can serve those who offend them. Their ultimate goal is to seek ‘an opportunity for the enemy to be converted to the truth of God’s kingdom.’”^[5]

What surprising or bold initiative does Jesus exhort his followers to exercise in these examples?
What view of myself, others, of evil, and of God would be required for me to be able to live out these exhortations?
Are there situations in my life that I need to apply this teaching to?

Matthew 5:43-48

“But we may also see something of a goal and a promise in the future indicative. A present imperative, ‘keep being perfect’ or ‘be continually perfect,’ would place an impossible demand on Jesus’ disciples. Instead, the future tense holds out an emphatic goal that is to shape the disciples’ entire life — they are to set nothing less than the perfection of God as the ultimate objective of their behavior, thoughts, and will. Furthermore, the future tense also implies a promise, because the Father is not only the divine goal but also the divine enabler. Jesus puts his command in such a way that disciples may look for divine help as they press toward God’s goal for them.” ^[6]

What aspect of God is highlighted in this passage before describing him as “perfect?”
According to this passage, how can I be “perfect” (cf. Gal 5:14, Gal 6:2)?

[1] Wilkins, Michael J. “Matthew 5:1-2” In NIV Application Commentary, New Testament: Matthew. By Michael J. Wilkins, 190-203. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2004.

[3] Michael J. Wilkins, Matthew, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2004) 246-247.

Matthew 5 Devotional0

Posted In Devotions,Syndicated