What Jesus Did

[Jesus continued:] "When you pray, don't babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don't be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!"

—Matthew 6:7-8 NLT

Key Thought​

The Stoic philosopher Seneca made fun of the pagans of his day "fatiguing the gods" with their prayers. Jesus warns his followers not to follow the same course. Senseless babbling and the heaping...

 

[Jesus continued:] "When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you."

—Matthew 6:5-6 NLT

Key Thought​

In almost every place you go and visit with Christians, there is a...

 

[Jesus continued:] "When you give to someone in need, don't do as the hypocrites do — blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you."

—Matthew 6:2-4 NLT

Key Thought​

Giving to the...

 

[Jesus continued:] "Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven."

—Matthew 6:1 NLT

Key Thought​

Jesus has been challenging us to a greater righteousness as expressed in our relationship with other people. He is now going to remind us of the key relationship at the center of our being — our relationship with the Father. In many ways, when Paul wrote the "love chapter" (1 Corinthians 13), he...

 

[Jesus continued:] "If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect."

—Matthew 5:46-48 NLT

Key Thought​

I am called to be perfect like my Father in heaven! Jesus emphasizes that this is especially important in my relationship with others. My goal is the...

 

[Jesus continued:] "You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike."

—Matthew 5:43-45 NLT

Key Thought​

This is a powerful conclusion to the things Jesus has been teaching us about our relationships with...

 

[Jesus continued:] "Give to those who ask, and don't turn away from those who want to borrow."

—Matthew 5:42 NLT

Key Thought​

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus challenges us to a way of life that does not reflect conventional thinking. These radical challenges should not be read legalistically. At the same time, we must hear Jesus' imploring us to live by a Kingdom family ethic toward others so that we can be powerful witnesses in a world so self-absorbed. Letting someone take...

 

[Jesus continued:] "If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles."

—Matthew 5:41 NLT

Key Thought​

A bitter-hearted rebel lives in many of us. We hate it when someone takes advantage of us. We view the lane-changing, frenzied, aggressive driver as a jerk and sometimes look to get even with him or her. This bitter-hearted rebel also lived in many Jewish hearts. When Roman soldiers imposed on them to carry their equipment, they resented it deeply...

 

[Jesus continued:] "If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too."

—Matthew 5:40 NLT

Key Thought​

We have basic rights — at least that's the assumption many of us operate under as human beings. We get very angry when those basic rights are compromised. Jesus, however, is more concerned that we are redemptive than insisting that our rights are honored in every situation here on earth. His goal is to redeem others through us, not for us to get...

 

[Jesus continued:] "You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also."

—Matthew 5:38-39 NLT

Key Thought​

Jesus' words draw us to the values of our Heavenly Father. Rather than passively accepting evil, we are to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). Like the suffering servant in Isaiah* who suffers...