December 11th – Matthew 5:27-48
Spend some time meditating on vows/covenants and marriage. Then, come back and read the commentary, my verse, and my response to God.
- Request God’s help.
- Read Matthew 5:27-48
- Record a verse that stands out to you.
- Respond to God.
Come back and read the commentary when you’re done…
Adultery and divorce are two of the most devastating things a person can live through. When Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn for, they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4), I believe He was not only thinking of those who lost loved ones but also those who lived through the heart-wrenching death of a marriage.
Unfortunately, we sell ourselves short as followers Of Christ. We buy into the BOGO mentality of the world and sell our birthright (our peace and intimacy with God) for a counterfeit love based on lust and self-medication. In other words, “What God has joined together, let no man separate.” (I am not suggesting you stay in an abusive, controlling relationship; instead, do not allow your flesh to break a covenant you made with God.)
Unmistakably, your oath is sacred. And adultery, divorce, and oaths all go together, don’t they? In other words, don’t make the vow if you don’t intend to keep the marriage covenant. Because God intended marriage to be a picture of His faithfulness, He will never leave you or forsake you. God made the husband the head of the family, just like Jesus is the head of the Church. Then, in Ephesians 5, Paul exhorts husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the Church–sacrificially. For both husband and wife, representing Christ in your marriage is a great and awesome responsibility. Please handle your relationship with Jesus and your spouse with loving care.
Similarly, Jesus says we are to let go of offenses and love our enemies. My goodness, this must have been a complex message to absorb. It is not hyperbole to say that we all are sinners if this is the standard! Yep. True, and that is precisely why Jesus came. Again, there is no way for anyone to exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees apart from Jesus Christ.
What do you think Jesus meant when He said, “be perfect?”
My Verse: Matthew 5:48: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
My Response: Oh my, what an impossible task! I cannot make myself perfect, but thanks be to God, Jesus made way for me to die and be raised a new creation, blameless in Him. Jesus, the perfect One, lived a perfect life, died on the cross bearing my sin, and was raised to new life. Because the payment was accepted, God looks at me and sees Jesus’ righteousness because I am enveloped by Christ and adopted into the family of God.
Father, this is all so beautiful. Your sacrifice, Your perfection, Your love, Your warnings against adultery, divorce, murder, and unforgiveness––it’s all about Jesus! He is faithful! Amen.
1 Comment. Leave new
Sharon’s verse (and boy was it hard to choose just one, today. So many challenging verses and topics! The Sermon on the Mount is tough and hard and so, so good in showing us God’s way of living – totally upside down from the way our selfish natures would live!)
Matthew 5:37 “Just say a simple ‘Yes, I will’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.”
Father, help me to be a fully truthful woman. I should never have to say, “I really, really mean it this time.” When I say yes, help me to keep my word. Dishonesty hurts everyone, as I have seen over and over! Please keep us honest and truthful with our words.