BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD (Part XIII)

BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD (Part XIII)

In our attempt to portray the PERSON and WORK of JESUS CHRIST, we highlight his TEACHING MINISTRY, focusing on key passages from the SERMON ON THE MOUNT. (Matthew, chapters 5-7)  Today we examine CHRIST’S TEACHINGS CONTAINING SPIRITUAL WARNINGS.  Included among these are practical advisories concerning judging others, hypocrisy, false teachers, The Golden Rule, and the sure foundation upon which the Kingdom of God must be constructed.

Since The Creator is the ultimate judge of His creation, Jesus Christ constrains us to avoid judging:

Matthew 7:1-5 (NKJV)

¹ “Judge not, that you be not judged. ² For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. ³ And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? ⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? ⁵ Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Nevertheless, believers were never prohibited from identifying the character and motives of others.  Such spiritual discernment protects both the believer and the integrity of our Kingdom mission.  According to Jesus, we have the spiritual capacity to “know [others] by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16)  This includes “false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing” and also those whom Jesus designated as “dogs” and “swine” who seek to “trample” and “tear” the personhood and the work of unwatchful believers.  (Matthew 7:6,15)  This discipleship advisory is the first cousin or corollary of “watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.” (Mark 14:38)

Because of its holiness imperatives, the Christian walk is described by Christ as a “narrow gate” or a “difficult way.” Although many will lay claim to citizenship in the Kingdom of God, there are relatively “few who find it.”  (Matthew 7:13-14)  While this statement might be viewed by many as a “hard saying,” these are the true teachings of Jesus, His own words, not mine. (John 6:60)  Nevertheless, Jesus informs us that once we truly surrender, following fully, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:30)

The only way we can be counted worthy to enter into eternal rest is to position Jesus Christ as Lord of every area of life.  In other words, our spiritual houses must be constructed on The Solid Rock, The Living Word, Jesus Christ. (Matthew 7:24-28)  To build on any other is an act of folly, “for no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (I Corinthians 3:11)  Therefore, the Son of God issues a clear challenge: “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)   Jesus elaborates, saying, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” (John 15:10)

According to Jesus, the end result of believing and acting in any other way is this:

Matthew 7:21-23 (NKJV)

²¹ “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. ²² Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ ²³ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Included among Christ’s urgent warnings to believers is a very powerful message of hope and connectivity to the “author and finisher of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2)  Every time I read and reflect these comforting words of Christ, I emerge from any life situation feeling spiritually stirred, sustained and satisfied.

Matthew 7:7-12 (NKJV)

⁷ “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. ⁹ Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? ¹¹ If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! ¹² Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Since we are now in the middle of Holy Week, we will conclude this series with three additional lessons: Christ’s Ministry on Maundy Thursday, Calvary’s Atoning Grace, and The Implications of Christ’s Triumphant Resurrection.  Be continually blessed and stay tuned…more to come tomorrow.