From Pastor Perry

Matthew 6:5–8 (ESV)

The Lord’s Prayer (Part 1)

⁵ “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.⁶ But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

⁷ “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.⁸ Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

It is interesting that Jesus is teaching the disciples how to pray.   He teaches us to have the right attitude and how to pray.  He is also teaching us how not to pray.

I pray: O Lord, help me to stay focused in my prayers.  Amen.

Matthew 6:1–4 (ESV)

Giving to the Needy

6 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

² “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.³ But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,⁴ so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Jesus calls us to hide our good works when we are tempted to show them. Our works must glorify the Father. The only blessing that counts is the one received from His generous hand. His grace perfects even the least of our good works. • Loving Father, may my giving to the needy always bring You glory. Amen.

Engelbrecht, E. A. (2009). The Lutheran Study Bible (p. 1589). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House.

Matthew 5:43–48 (ESV)

Love Your Enemies

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. ⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? ⁴⁸ You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Humans are wired to maybe love their neighbors… but we hate our enemies.  Jesus tells us to love our neighbor, and to love our enemies… and to pray for those who persecute you.  This makes us step out of our comfort level and Jesus is teaching us to love all people.  The love is not a love that a husband or wife has for their spouse.  It is a Godly love that where you want them to have the joy of God’s love and will.  In regards to perfection, the Lutheran Study Bible states:  “When we contemplate the six authoritative teachings of Jesus in vv 21–48, we must agree with Luther’s verdict: “At this point you will discover how hard it is to do the good works God commands.… You will find out that you will be occupied with the practice of this work for the rest of your life” (AE 44:109). Some people, when confronted with the strict demands of the Law, will whittle off a point here, another there. They suggest that we do the best we can, and God will be satisfied. But God demands perfection, which sinners cannot achieve (cf Rm 7:21–25; 1Tm 1:15). Our perfection is in Christ alone. As God’s redeemed people, Jesus declares that we are salt of the earth and light of the world.

I pray: Heavenly Father, though I often fall short of Your perfection, forgive my sins for Jesus’ sake, and strengthen me for greater service. Amen.

Engelbrecht, E. A. (2009). The Lutheran Study Bible (p. 1589). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House.

Matthew 5:38–42 (ESV)

Retaliation

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ ³⁹ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. ⁴⁰ And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. ⁴¹ And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. ⁴² Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Jesus instructs His disciples not to resist evil people, a teaching that has provoked much debate over the centuries. As with some other statements Jesus made in this portion of the Sermon on the Mount, there is a degree of exaggeration in what He says. We need to grasp His essential point. Jesus provokes self-examination in every Christian’s heart: have I always been generous in sharing with the needy, whether they are good or evil? Jesus was totally generous in giving His life for us. In Him, we receive forgiveness and renewal.

I pray: Show me Your face, dear Jesus, in the hurting eyes of the needy, that I may help them as You helped me. Amen.

Engelbrecht, E. A. (2009). The Lutheran Study Bible (p. 1589). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House.

Matthew 5:33–37 (ESV)

Oaths

³³ “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’³⁴ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,³⁵ or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.³⁶ And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.³⁷ Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

Jesus tells His disciples not to take an oath at all, expressing a general rule of conduct for them. The bottom line for Jesus is truthfulness. When believers lie or exaggerate commitment, they are not letting their light shine. This rule applies especially when believers converse with fellow Christians. However, there may be times when Christians will be asked to take an oath in their earthly affairs or contacts with governing authorities. Out of loving consideration for this request, Christians may comply. Thanks be to God that He vowed to save us (cf Ti 1:2) and fulfilled that vow by His Son’s life, death, and resurrection for our salvation.

I pray: Lord Jesus, help me speak the truth in all my conversations and testimony. Amen.

Engelbrecht, E. A. (2009). The Lutheran Study Bible (p. 1588). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House.