Matthew 5 - 03.20.25
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:3 NIV
“Jesus said,
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
OBSERVATION
Jesus went up on a mountainside, sat down and settled in for what would become HIS Most Famous Teaching “The Sermon on The Mount”. Most likely The Teaching covered several days—beginning with the famous—Beatitudes. Jesus did not come with a brand new teaching. HE came as the Promised Messiah with a Message Heard from the Beginning of Time. Jesus will Fulfill and accomplish the entire Law and The Prophets—
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to FULFILL them.” (Matthew 5:17 NIV)
APPLICATION
What does it mean that Jesus Came to Fulfill the Law?
The Law required Perfect Obedience. When The Law was broken-even unintentionally—The only WAY to Forgiveness was the death of an animal without blemish.
Blood had to be shed and sacrificed.
For a sin offering, the live animal (without blemish) was brought to the altar, and the sinner was required to lay his hand on the head of the animal (in effect-transferring his sin to the animal). Then the animal was killed, at which point the priest would take some of the blood and put it on the horns of the altar.
“In this way the priest will make atonement for them for the sin they have committed, and they will be forgiven.” (Leviticus 4:29-30, 35)
Jesus did not abolish the Law.
God still wants our obedience. In fact, as you read through the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus upped the ante by focusing not just on “outward appearance” but on the condition of our “character and heart”.
Jesus Fulfilled the Law—by offering HIMSELF Up for the Sins of the world. (Hebrews 9:22) Jesus was the perfect Lamb without blemish whose precious blood was Spilled after being publicly slain. Jesus blood sacrifice satisfied the Law requirement ONCE for ALL Sin—and—Tore the curtain in the inner Sanctuary Making the WAY Wide Open. We now have access to God 24/7– Through the unmerited grace and mercy of Jesus. We cannot earn it-we don’t deserve it. It is a free Gift —because of HIS very great Love for us. A Love we will never fully understand.
Now-Everyone has access to Forgiveness AND Heaven—without waiting for a special “day of atonement” or the need to go through a “High Priest” at a Temple. We can accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord at home, in a Park, at the grocery store, over the phone. We can receive His forgiveness and grace in the car, in the kitchen, anywhere and everywhere—God speaks to us. Jesus OPENED the WAY. JESUS—IS—THE WAY. (John 14:6)
Now-ANYONE who realizes their poverty and great need of Christ’s atoning blood sacrifice—can Come—and Receive—the Kingdom of eternal heaven!
“For God SO Loved the world that HE gave HIS ONE and ONLY SON, that whoever Believes IN HIM shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16)
Jesus prayed…“Now this is eternal life: that they KNOW you, the only true God, AND Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3 NIV)
“I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”” (Mark 10:15 NLT)
“When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous,
but those who know—they are sinners.”” (Mark 2:17 NLT)
PRAYER
LORD Jesus,
Thank YOU for Your gracious mercy that saved me when I didn’t know I needed to be saved. Help me to have the same courage and boldness that this lady (whose name I do not remember) had when she walked into the store where I was working and shared the gospel with every single customer and worker that day. Not one person seemed to be receptive. And she will not know until heaven that her seed grew into my salvation just a few months later. We may not know at park outreach-IF someone later recognizes their poverty AND receives the Kingdom of Heaven. Lord, help us to just keep praying and sharing WHEREVER You lead us—with family and friends—at the grocery—at restaurants—planting and watering. Thank you for your Holy Spirit that ALWAYS supplies us with ALL we need for Your Kingdom work.
In Jesus Name. Amen.
Tina L Kudelka