October 10, 2017. Matthew 5-7.

 

Have you ever been given unsolicited advice?  Or had someone try to teach something and end up confusing you more?  Sometimes it is hard to differentiate between those who are actually going to be giving you the guidance and teachings you need, and those who are just blowing smoke.  

In these passages, a crowd had gathered to Jesus.  They had seen or heard of the miracles He had performed and wanted to find out more about this man and who He claimed to be.

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. Matthew 5:1-2

He began to teach them.  He teaches about attitudes, sins, loving your enemies, prayer, fasting, and so much more.  When He finished:

28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. Matthew 7:28-29

There were so many false prophets and bad teachers during this time that the people had become accustomed to them.  You might be able to relate in this day and age when you hear people teaching the key to life is finding your own happiness, or worshipping the earth, or any number of other teachings.  But here’s the thing, once you hear truth it is hard to deny it.  The people at the mount knew that Jesus must be the real deal.  They believed in the authority He had as the Son of God.  Those teachings apply to you and I today as well.  God is the same today, yesterday, and forever.

God has given us everything we need to know through His word.  He is the ultimate teacher.  And as He is truth itself, you can be confident in His teachings.  So challenge yourself to read the sermon on the mount in its entirety today.  He wants to teach you something new.  And while devotionals are great, sometimes God is trying to speak to you directly through His word.  There’s a lot of good stuff in there!