Matthew 5:31-32 (read it, it is one of those passages that makes you scratch your head at first)

In the context of the Christ’s Kingdom being established, considering murder and then adultery makes sense, but why would he go to divorce next? Where is the rhyme or reason to that?
Well Jesus is getting to the heart of the matter, and marriage is an institution that has a way of exposing the state of your heart. Jesus uses divorce as an example of hardheartedness, the very problem with much of his religious audience.
Remember he is talking to the men, the religious leaders, possibly some who had divorced their wives for ridiculous reasons, or at least sanctioned it for others. They felt good about it, because the Law of Moses supports writing a certificate of divorce.

Jesus addresses these men with two main things here:
First of all you are exposing your hardheartedness in that you could not reflect the faithfulness and love of God in your marriage.
Second of all you are causing your wife to become an adulterer. You are leading your wife into isolation and destruction instead of the presence of God and life.

This is the very language that God used with his people when they turned to worship false god’s through out the exile. Their hearts were hard, they were adulterers, and led the world that they were supposed to save into adultery and unfaithfulness to God. Well that has come to an end, Jesus is here now to finish what God had started through Israel.

Marriage is about reflecting the great love of Jesus Christ for his church. The good news is that when we mess it up, there is one who is eternally faithful who will fix it. Jesus wants us all to know that his kingdom is about unity, not separation.

Take some time to thank God for the faithfulness and love of Jesus Christ. Then ask God to help you be a minister of his love and unity through word and deed today.

- Adam

Read Matthew 5:27-30 (otherwise the following won’t make any sense)

Jesus presents a harsh statement, especially in our culture where provocative images sell. But remember that Jesus is addressing those who boast of keeping the entire law. Jesus says in my kingdom it is not just about the actual act of adultery, but your heart.
The point is that your heart is way more corrupt that you can ever imagine. Those of you who think you are good; you are not, because your heart is corrupt. You need a savior.

The whole idea of plucking out your eye, and cutting off your hand is a hyperbole, which is a drastic overstating of the point. You could mutilate yourself, but the lust in your heart would still be there. We must move beyond plastic surgery to spiritual surgery.

The topic of Adultery is a major theme throughout the Scriptures and a serious no, no, in the kingdom of God. But the main point here is not that all who commit adultery or lust are going to hell, but that we are all in desperate need of a savior.

There are sinful things that will haunt your entire life, which is a fact. In Christ’s kingdom we realize this, and learn to live a life that is growing more and more dependent upon the mercy of God, the love of Christ, and the power of the spirit.

Take some time and get your heart right today, repent and believe.

-Adam

Find a Bible and Read Matthew 5:21-26 (it will only take about two minutes, and trust me it more important than anything else you got lined up today)

Jesus gives the Pharisee’s interpretation of the law by saying “you have heard it said”, then he follows it up by giving his interpretation by saying, “but I tell you”.

Because the Pharisees were so concerned about the external obedience to the law they actually made its demands weaker. Jesus begins with the biggest offense there is, murder.

Everyone feels good about this commandment because very few of us will ever be involved in intentional murder. But there is more to this than just don’t kill people. Jesus says it is really about the anger you are harboring in your heart toward people.
When it comes to murder, you and I are actually in desperate need of God’s grace, Christ’s love, and the Spirit’s power, because it all about our attitude toward other people.

We have all been humiliated, used, and deeply wounded by other people whether they meant it or not, and we tend to let that create bitterness, anger and wrath toward them. Jesus says in my kingdom you are not to retaliate, or verbally attack them. In Christ’s kingdom we are called to be quick to reconcile and slow to anger. Nothing could be harder. In fact this is impossible without Christ.

Through out the Bible God uses words to create life. He speaks the creation into existence, Christ speaks and people receive sight, hearing, faith, food, healing… life. You and I as His image, representatives, body, and bride were created to use our words in the same way. How are you doing with this? I know that I struggle.

Today ask God to search your heart, repent for the anger you have towards people, then go to them and ask for their forgiveness. Make an effort to speak life giving words today, you may notice how often and easily you complain, and tare down others. This will make you sad, but take heart, God is faithful and just to forgive you or your sins, and as you submit to the power of His Spirit he will complete the good work He has started in you.

-Adam

NIV Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

So what do you think? This could cause some confusion, but not for you, because you understand God’s overarching story of redemption beginning in Genesis and ending with the great hope of Revelation. Jesus has announced his Kingdom, he has announced that the plan to use Israel to bring salvation to world has found fulfillment in his coming, those who believe are now the salt, the instruments of light, because the presence of God has been and is being restored. Jesus critics, mostly the Pharisees at this point would want to discredit Jesus by claiming that he is just a novelty, or a trendy guy showing up to mess with things for his own power. But Jesus shuts that down in this part of the Sermon on the Mount.

-Adam

Matthew 5:13-16 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Jesus has just finished stating the basic paths to happiness in His kingdom, known as the beatitudes. This was his powerful introduction to the Sermon on the Mount, basically saying you all need to understand that life here is going to be different. Jesus is now continuing to flesh out what this all means.

Jesus is telling a predominately Jewish audience something profound here. Beginning with Abraham God chose to create a people that would bring salvation to the world. The Jews were to be the vehicle through which God would reign over the world. They failed. They kept on failing, even when God made deals with them, (covenants) where he promised blessing, peace, land, and His presence if only they could be faithful. Well, Jesus is now saying, that he is God come to earth to do what the Jews could not do, that he would be the faithful Israelite, securing all the promises of God. It is through Jesus that the world will be saved.

Salt is a preservative, which keeps food from rotting especially when there are no refrigerators. Through Christ the kingdom has begun, it has been established, and in this kingdom we are called to preserve the truth, keep it, present it, do not forget it or let it smell rotten. The light has come, and this light immediately wipes out darkness, we know this light to be Jesus. We are called in this passage to remember, preserve truth, and let it shine. Let the light of Christ shine to the world through your love that they may see and praise your Father in heaven.

So here is the deal today, praise God that Christ has not failed, and because he has secured the promises of the Father to his people we are called to preserve it and let it shine. This is a primary truth that has millions of applications. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you today and then that He would shine through the many things you have planned for the day.

-Adam