Matthew 7: The Sermon on the Mount (41)
Pray Psalm 40.1-3.
I waited patiently for the LORD;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
He has put a new song in my mouth—
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the LORD.
Sing Psalm 40.1-3.
Dix: For the Beauty of the Earth
I waited patiently for God; He inclined and heard my cry,
lifted me up above the sod, set me on a Rock on high!
New songs in my mouth He gave; may He through me many save.
Read Matthew 7.1-29; meditate on verses 24-29.
Meditate on the hearing and doing that you will do today.
Prepare.
1. How does Jesus describe the wise person? The foolish person?
2. How did the people react to Jesus’ teaching? Why?
Meditate.
We recall that this sermon began with Jesus saying, “You have heard it said…but I say to you…” His own words were the only authority Jesus drew on in His teaching. He brought the Old Testament into His teaching, but only so that He could enrich and enlarge its meaning in Himself. The scribes could not teach anything without citing some human reference: “As Rabbi So-and-So puts it…” Jesus did not need to support His words with authorities beyond Himself and the Word of God. He spoke with authority—as if He were the author of what He taught, for indeed, He is.
He insisted that His teaching was reliable and sure, like a person who builds a house on a solid rock foundation (the word for “rock”, meaning the bedrock that spreads out and supports the earth’s mantle, is, in the Greek, πέτρα, petra; we’ll consider the importance of this when we get to chapter 16). External threats, in the form of false teaching, trials, or temptations, cannot move the person who stands squarely on the solid rock of Jesus’ foundation: “On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand…”
The reason the people “were astonished” at Jesus’ teaching is not hard to understand. He continued, throughout His sermon, to teach about the righteousness of God and His Kingdom, referring to Old Testament texts and teachings, but assigning them deeper significance on the authority of His own understanding. He thus put Himself above all the rabbis of Israel as supreme Interpreter of Scripture, and more than that, as the Lord to Whom all will one day give an account. The people had never heard any teaching like this, and they must have sensed the truth of it.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
“Whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man…”
“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man…”
(Matt. 7.24, 26).
“To do evil is like sport to a fool, but a man of understanding has wisdom.
The fear of the wicked will come upon him, and the desire of the righteous will be granted.
When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an everlasting foundation”
(Prov. 10.23-25).
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
“You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (Jn. 14.15; 15.14).
“And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Matt. 7.28, 29).
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28.18).
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo,
I AM with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28.19, 20).
Astonishing!
But we must be astonished enough to obey His commands.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5.16).
“For Yours is the Kingdom
and the power and the glory forever.
Amen” (Matt. 6.13).
Reflect.
1. How does one “build” a house upon the Rock?
2. How can you avoid building your house merely on sand?
3. What is your duty in helping others in this building project?
But most of all they were astounded at his authority. For when he said these things, he did not refer to another, as even the prophet Moses did, but everywhere he showed that he himself was the One who had the authority to decide. For even when he was establishing laws Jesus continually added, “But I say to you.” And when he was reminding them of the final day of judgment, he showed that he himself is the One who will bring justice, both through the punishments and through the honors. John Chrysostom (344-407), The Gospel of Matthew, Homily 25.1
Pray Psalm 40.4-17.
Thank God for His blessings and protection, and call on Him to empower you to proclaim the good news of righteousness in your Personal Mission Field.
Sing Psalm 40.4-17.
Dix: For the Beauty of the Earth
Blessed are all who trust in You, turning both from lies and pride.
Countless wonders, LORD, You do, and Your thoughts with us abide.
LORD, Your worth who can declare? None with You can e’er compare.
Off’rings You do not require—open now my ears, O LORD!
What from me do You desire? Firm delight to do Your Word.
Take my life in ev’ry part; write Your Law upon my heart.
LORD, Your truth will I proclaim to Your people gathered ’round.
Nor will I my lips restrain—let Your precious ways resound!
Of Your saving grace and Word I would speak, most loving LORD.
Keep Your mercy not from me; let Your love and truth prevail.
Evil and iniquity make my trembling heart to fail.
LORD, be pleased to rescue me! Let my shelter with You be.
Bring to shame my ev’ry foe, all who would my life destroy;
bring them down to scorn and woe who at my hurt sing for joy.
Let them come to grief and shame who heap scorn upon my name.
Let them shout for joy and sing who in saving grace delight!
Let them praise to Jesus bring, though affliction be their plight.
Christ, our help, our Savior He! Of us ever mindful be!
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest: This week: The Read Moore podcast continues readings from our book, The Kingdom Turn. Our Crosfigell teaching letter presses ahead in a series on the state of the Church in Europe at the time of the Celtic Revival. The ReVision column looks at David as a visionary leader. Check out our other excellent writers. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
