Daily Devotions
Matthew
An Important Reminder
Text: Matthew 7: 12 - 29
Jesus taught His disciples many deep and profound truths! They had never heard anyone expound the Scriptures this way! How their knowledge must have multiplied many times as they listened to Jesus! To hear Him speak a single truth in one instance was worth many sermons preached by the greatest of scholars in the synagogue or temple. But wait, how should they apply what they had heard to daily life? Jesus sent forth an important reminder to His hearers.
“Therefore, whatever you want men to do
to you, do also to them, for this is the Law
and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12
This was an important reminder indeed. The teachings of Jesus were never meant to be received as mere theory. They were meant to be practised in life! They were meant to be applied in human relationships!
IN PERFECT HARMONY WITH THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS
It is not without significance that Jesus once again made reference to “The Law and the Prophets”. After proclaiming the Beatitudes, Jesus assured His hearers that what they heard was not new and contrary teaching. This was what He said at the outset.
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law
or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy
but to fulfill.”
Matthew 5:17
As if He was taking a breather, Jesus reminded His hearers that what He had taught them was in complete harmony with “The Law and the Prophets”. Perhaps the hearers had never heard anyone expound and apply the Scriptures in quite this way. Nevertheless, the fact remains that Jesus did not contradict but reaffirm that His teachings were in perfect synchronization with the Law and the Prophets.
THE FORCE OF THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS
What was the thrust or force of the teachings of Jesus? The statement that He made seems puzzling at first reading.
“Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them…”
Matthew 7:12
Let us take time to ponder over what Jesus meant by this statement.
1. An important inference
The word “therefore” (“oun” in the Greek text) translates the simple inferential particle. Jesus was teaching His disciples that His teachings had ramifications that they must not ignore! Ultimately, all His teachings must find expression in their application to life itself. His teachings were never meant to be merely touching the heart. They were meant to be applied to practical life situations!
2. Practical application
The Beatitudes in particular were great teachings that were meant to be applied into practical personal relationships in life.
3. The kind of treatment desired
In any situation in life, there will always be at least two main relationships.
a) How people will treat or regard us.
b) How we will respond to them.
It is fascinating to note the way in which Jesus phrased this statement. How would His hearers like to be treated? By stating this, He sought to raise a special sense of awareness of the human relationship aspect! When Jesus had ended His teachings, the hearers would have to go back to the mainstream of life. Would His teachings have made any difference in their life? Would they affect how they lived? They should!
What would be the best way to respond to people? Jesus wasn’t merely talking about “gut-response” when He made this statement. He was in fact saying that all that He had taught were meant to be applied. He was challenging His disciples to put into practice all that He had been expounding! This was the force of His teachings!
PRACTICING THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS IN LIFE
Let us attempt to look at the teachings of Jesus in a different way, this time with special reference to application in life.
1. A beautiful cluster of practical moral teachings
The Beatitudes may indeed be called such! How lovely the lifestyle of the diligent disciple who seeks to apply the Beatitudes in life. He would indeed be a special light in a darkened world.
2. Practical Righteousness
Jesus reminded His hearers that their “righteousness (must) exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees” (Matthew 5:20). The religious leaders partook only of the husk of religion. There was no personal and practical piety evidenced in their life! The emphasis of Jesus was significantly different!
3. A down-to-earth lifestyle
Yes, the teachings of Jesus were truly astounding in depth and beauty. However, they must also be appreciated in the light of the fact that they were meant to be applied in life. To merely gaze at His teachings with awe and wonder is inadequate! Ultimately, all His teachings must be translated into a practical down-to-earth lifestyle. Anything less would be to misunderstand His teachings. What a challenge to have a living faith!