Jan 22 — Matthew 5:13-20

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:13-20

OBSERVATION:
The implication of living counter-culturally, living the way of Jesus in this world, is that we will season this world like salt, and we will shine in an otherwise dark and dreary world. This is how God’s kingdom (the world as God intends it to be) is revealed. But its more than rules and rituals. The Jewish Bible (Law of Moses, warnings of the Prophets) are incomplete shadows pointing to the reality in Christ (Colossians 2:16-17). Jesus is the embodiment of what the Jewish rules and rituals were pointing to. To ignore the Jewish Bible will minimize our value to the kingdom (“least in the kingdom”), and to do less than the Jewish Bible will put us out of God’s kingdom (“not enter”). The way we excel is by striving for the life and pattern of Jesus, what the Jewish Bible was pointing to. A humble, peace-making, meek, merciful, generous, self-sacrificing (i.e. loving) heart is the way of Jesus, and in this way we reveal the world as God intends it to be (Kingdom of God).

APPLICATION:
I need to read the Jewish Bible through the lens of Jesus. For me the Gospels seem to offer the clearest picture of the world that the Jewish Bible hints at and describes with poetic, prophetic and symbolic language. But is my seriousness equal to or greater than the Pharisees in their commitment to the rules and rituals? Is my life a taste sample of what life in God’s world will be like? Am I a good seasoning or flavour in this sour world? Am I a bright light in a dark and dreary world? If not, the what good am I? I “am no longer good for anything.” The world has enough self-centered people, what it needs is more Jesus-like people!

PRAYER:
Lord, I am still feeling these thoughts as generic and abtract, they need to me more personal and practical. Where can I be like You today, here in the office, or in my public relations (driving, shopping, visiting, etc.). Help me make this real! Amen.