Matthew 7:21-23
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
As we near the end of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, Jesus continues to underscore the foundational theme of his teaching: motives matter. Read Matthew 7:21-23 attempting to “see” below the surface.
From their outward actions, the people Jesus describes in this passage seem to be doing all the right things. They are attempting to represent Jesus as they speak and work in his name. But they have missed the point.
The will of God is that we live in a vital relationship with Jesus. Our activism and good deeds must flow from our dependent, loving connection with him.
Stop to contemplate your own relationship with Jesus. How connected are you to Jesus’ mind and heart? How do you purposefully make time to listen to Jesus? Do your good deeds flow from your love and gratitude to Jesus or from some other motivation? Share your thoughts about all of this with Jesus.
Read Matthew 7:21-23 again noting what Jesus says about those who will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
The Apostle Paul, in a stern warning about false teachers to the church at Corinth, wrote:
“… the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.” – 1 Corinthians 4:20.
For a true citizen of God’s Kingdom, words and actions are reflections of something much deeper. To know and be known by Jesus is to know and be known by God, and this is the basis for life in God’s Kingdom.
Calling Jesus “Lord” means nothing if we haven’t realized that in and of ourselves there is nothing we can do to restore shalom to ourselves or to anyone or anything else. All that we are – our identities, our good works, our love for others – is realized through our relationship with Jesus. Certainly, there will be seasons where we feel closer or more distant from him, but feelings are no more a reliable indicator of our relationship with him than are actions. The important thing is to know that we have yielded ourselves wholly to Jesus and are drawing our very lives from him.
For the last few minutes of this time of meditation, sit quietly in the presence of Jesus. After some time, pour out your heart to Jesus telling him how much you need him and thanking him for loving you freely and extravagantly.
What do you believe Jesus might want you to do or do differently as a result of his teaching today?
What will you do to follow through on that?
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