[Jesus continued:] “So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.” —Matthew 5:19 NLT Key Thought Jesus did not come to …
[After saying that he came to accomplish the purpose of the law of Moses, Jesus continued:] “I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.” —Matthew 5:18 NLT Key Thought The intent of Jesus’ teaching is to shift the …
[Jesus continued:] “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.” —Matthew 5:17 NLT Key Thought Jesus’ statement is shocking! To the devoted Jewish believer, nothing was more sacred than the law of Moses. But …
[Jesus continued:] “You are the light of the world — like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your …
[Jesus continued:] “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.” —Matthew 5:13 NLT Key Thought How does salt become “unsalty”? That’s a logical question for folks who get their …
[Jesus continued:] “God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a …
[Jesus continued:] “God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.” —Matthew 5:9 NLT Key Thought “Wage Peace.” That’s a fairly popular bumper sticker around our neck of the woods. At first, it may sound similar to the old Hippie song, “All we are saying is give peace …
[Jesus continued:] “God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.” —Matthew 5:8 NLT Key Thought “Purer in heart, O God, help me to be …” That’s a powerful line of Fannie Davison’s old hymn. Being pure in heart is also an amazingly pervasive theme in Scripture, whether articulated by the prophets, …
[Jesus continued:] “God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” —Matthew 5:7 NLT Key Thought God treats us much, much better than we deserve. That fundamental, undergirding spiritual truth is the reality of grace. He has seen us in our sin and had mercy on us because of his great love …
[Jesus continued:] “God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.” —Matthew 5:6 NLT Key Thought Other translations use the wording, “hunger and thirst for righteousness,” where this translation refers to those who “hunger and thirst for justice.”* Except for a voluntary fast, most of us who spend our time …