Deuteronomy 30:19
This study of Matthew's Gospel is a collaboration between Mary Barmore and Alice C. Linsley. We study Matthew's Gospel using Mary's notes and Alice offers points of historical and anthropological relevance. When studying the biblical texts, it is important to consider the cultural contexts of the writers and their intended audiences.
Begin by reading Matthew, Chapter 7. After you have read the chapter, answer the 10 questions. Check your answers by scrolling to the bottom of the page.
Introduction
In this final section on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount we learn about the dangers of being judgmental, reflect on our treatment of others, are reminded of God's goodness and generosity, and warned about false prophets. Jesus tells the crowd that the gateway to his Father is narrow and that not all who call him "Lord" are recognized by him. He urges his listeners to hear and do what he says that their houses may be built on solid ground.
The crowd who listened to Jesus' discourse were astonished because he spoke as one who had great authority. They perceived that his authority was greater than that of the Jewish scribes. For the first century Jews, the scribes represented religious authority because they meticulously copied sacred Jewish texts according to strict laws.Matthew, Chapter 7
1. In what ways do we judge others?
2. If we hope to avoid being hypocrites, what must we do?
3. Jesus cautions us not to misuse or misapply what is holy. What behaviors of dogs and swine describe how an impious or sacrilegious person regards holy things?
4. God's nature is expressed in what Jesus says about prayer. What can we expect from God when we pray in faith?
5. The Golden Rule, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is an ethical guideline found in many religions and philosophies. Jesus points out its earliest origin in the Law and the Prophets (v. 12). Why does Jesus refer to this rule in the context of prayer?
6. Jesus says we are to pray about our needs and concerns in confidence that God will provide. What qualities of true prayer are emphasized in his Sermon on the Mount?
7. Jesus uses the metaphors of a "narrow gate" and "wide gate" to speak of eternal life and death. The wide gate leads to destruction and spiritual death. How are we to avoid approaching that gate?
8. How are we to identify false prophets?
9. Who will enter the Kingdom of Heaven?
10. What are the traits of the people who build up their houses?
Answers
1. We judge others by standards to which we fail to hold ourselves. We tend to notice in them the very sins we commit. We apply a higher standard of moral and ethical behavior to them than to ourselves.
2. We must acknowledge our sins, repent, and amend our lives. We can do this only with God's help and the grace of the Holy Spirit.
3. "Do not cast your pearls before swine," is a command for discernment and wisdom in sharing spiritual truths with the impious or sacrilegious person because like dogs they are likely to vomit them, or like swine to trample them under their feet. Such actions further endanger their immortal souls. We must be careful about sharing spiritual things with people who mock God. They will be judged and, according to the Church Fathers, so will we.
4. The Lord's Prayer informs us about God's nature as a good father who provides our daily needs and who forgives us according to the measure that we forgive those who have hurt us.
5. Jesus refers to the Golden Rule in the context of prayer because our prayer life is hindered when we fail to act as His faithful disciples. To not treat others as we wish to be treated is a form of hypocrisy. Jesus followers are to embody God's mercy and compassion toward others. We are to go beyond legalistic fulfillment of the Law. We are to provide for others, not out of a sense of duty, but out of true compassion for the less fortunate, the sick, for prisoners, and for orphans and widows.
6. True prayer is persistent. We are to ask, seek, and knock. Jesus modeled this by praying for long periods and he emphasized it in the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18). The "ask, seek, knock" principle means to keep asking, to continue seeking, and to steadfastly knock. Such persistence in prayer will receive, find, and have doors opened. True prayer also thankfully recognizes that God is eager to provide good things for his children.
7. We avoid the gateway to destruction when we deny the gratification of our flesh, avoid preoccupation with worldly concerns, and do everything as Christ directs. We must do more than call Jesus, "Lord". He must truly be the lord and master of our lives. This requires less self-reliance and more reliance on Him and the Holy Spirit. In my flesh, I make my own decisions, but as a true disciple of Jesus Christ, I consult Him concerning all things. Jesus' words echo Deuteronomy 30:19 where God presents a choice between life and death, and blessing and curse, and urges the Israelites to choose life.
8. False prophets are known by the effects their words and actions have on others. The false doctrines and misdirection of such people are motivated by pride, greed, and self-promotion. Ultimately, the followers of false prophets suffer negative and destructive outcomes. This was the case with the cults of Jim Jones, David Koresh, and Ervil LeBaron. The people who listened to Jesus' Sermon on the Mount were aware of false prophets. Some were men who claimed to be the Messiah and gathered a following. Simon bar Giora and Theudas, who led armed uprisings, are two examples of false prophets who were known to Jews of the first century.
9. Jesus stated that only those who do the will of his Father will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. In other words, we are to be like Jesus whose first concern was always to please his Heavenly Father.
10. The practice of building up a house is more than building a place to live. In the Bible, a woman "tearing down her house" is a metaphor for bringing ruin to her family, household, or community through foolish and destructive actions. Proverbs 14:1 expresses this concept: "The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down". Building one's house on solid ground involves cultivating a spiritual lineage, nurturing children and grandchildren in the Faith, managing finances well, generosity, hospitality, honesty, and obedience to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The traits of one who builds up his or her house are set forth in the Beatitudes.
Next, we will consider Matthew, Chapter 8. Please share this with your friends and join us next week for more deep digging.Related reading:
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