Matthew 5:27-48
Psalm 6:1-10
Proverbs 1:29-33
It is important to always keep in mind that the story of Abram and his descendants is about God's plan of redemption through history. Always keep an eye towards our salvation and victory in Christ.
"Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, 'blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.'" (Genesis 14:18-19)
God has given Abram victory over his enemies and the King of Salem comes to pay tribute, sharing "bread and wine". Sound familiar? Well, Hebrews continues this discussion, talking about how Melchizedek is one of the only "priestly-kings". He looks forward, foreshadows the priestly king of Jesus who gives us victory... on that note... on to Matthew!
This section of the "sermon on the mount" is especially humbling. There is not a word that does not cut us down to size. Our Lord wishes us to see ourselves for who we are and be humbled before his throne.
The Psalms is especially comforting here:
"The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer"
Hi, Matt.
ReplyDeleteYou're right about the tie-ins between Abram and Jesus. I like to also think about Abram's choice to let Lot decide who dwelt where. Abram trusted God even with the prosperity of his household, knowing that God would look after Him, even though the decision to let Lot take the choicest of land probably in worldly ways was foolish. In the end, Abram was known to have been wise.
Sermon on the Mount (Matthew):
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Matt. It is most humbling. With the context of yesterday's Be-Attitudes, Jesus lets us know that Christianity is not all sugar & spice. The Be-Attitudes lets us know what God is eager to give us in our low times, while today's teaching is pretty straightfoward about how God expects us to treat people. We can't take just part of it & run with it. We must commit to doing our best to live godly lives.
Psalm:
ReplyDeleteDavid describes desperate times. But in those desperate times He also describes the Lord hearing his cry. He doesn't state the Lord hearing his prayer & answering his prayr like "I hope He hears", or "I hope He will". David uses explicit language to say "the Lord has heard" and "my enemies will". Chances are, whatever we face in life will be nothing like what David faced. Yet the same Lord God Almighty hears our prayers today & answers them as surely as He did for David.