Throughout the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warns against a hypocrisy that masquerades as genuine, but is only superficial and plastic. The scribes and Pharisees looked religious but their standards were based on performance and not love. We too can fall prey to uttering superficial, religious cliches: going through the motions of worship or serving others while harboring anger, hatred, bitterness or lack of love.
Jesus raises the standard for effective and productive kingdom living. He set the example throughout His life here on earth and simply asks "come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men" (Matt.4:19) When we follow Him we are struck by His humility, His love, His compassion and His selflessness. That kind of model is impossible to duplicate! Unless, of course, we desire to change by allowing Him to do it through us (2 Cor.3:18;Rom.12:1-2).
Earlier in His Sermon (6:9-13) He had given us the ingredients for an effective prayer life. Unfortunately, it is easier to quote the Lord's Prayer than applying its principles to our prayer life. So He concludes His Sermon by a plea for a powerful prayer ministry that will ignite a spiritual Kingdom revolution.
The promise is given in verses 7 and 8 "ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks; the door will be opened." The first speaks of simplicity; the second of intensity; the third of persistency. Too often we stop soon after we ask. But Jesus tells us to also seek. If a person finds a tinny piece of gold in a rock, he most likely will keep on digging or looking because there is so much more to be had. Jesus said, "the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost" (Luke 19:19). The father of the prodigal son never ceased looking for his son to come home. Yet Jesus commands us to knock and keep on knocking.
What is the point? Very simply, there is power in prayer! If we are to be effective servants of Jesus, we must first deal with the "planks" that hold us back. Whatever is in your past or present that enslaves you, God is in the business of liberation. "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36). He longs to release you to useful, joy filled ministry. When the "plank" is removed, you can then help others. You will be able to give "bread" or "fish"to those who hunger. Without His Lordship in our lives, we tend to give a "stone" for bread or a "snake" instead of fish (vs.9-10). A stone is hard; a snake is venomous!
Jesus closes in verse 12 by giving us the "golden rule!" It is personal, practical and productive. "Do to others what you would have them do to you. This sums up the law and the prophets." As Christians, we must reject the "me first" standards that are built on selfishness and pride, and begin applying the biblical principles set forth in the Sermon on the Mount. It is my life-long pursuit, (though I often fall short of His design). I trust it is yours! It is His command and worth following.
1 comment:
Good stuff, Dad!
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