Putting It Into Practice

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Opening Prayer

Eternal God, teach me about the endlessness of time, yet remind me that You have already packed it all into this present moment.

Read Matthew 7:13-23

^[13] “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ^[14] But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. ^[15] “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. ^[16] By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? ^[17] Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ^[18] A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. ^[19] Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ^[20] Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. ^[21] “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ^[22] Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ ^[23] Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Reflect

“Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10).

From this point on the Sermon on the Mount is concerned with putting Jesus’ teaching into practice. In the Greek the word “do” occurs seven times, variously translated into English as “bear” (fruit), “do” (the will of God), “perform” (miracles), or “put into practice” (Jesus’ words). The choice in each case is stark: there are only two options: to follow Jesus’ way or to go with the crowd. How often we try to negotiate a compromise! Jesus is telling us in four different ways that there isn’t any compromise.

The gate is hard to find, like some of the gates in the wall around the ancient city of Jerusalem. The road is hard. All sorts of people are deluded into thinking they are on it. There are plenty of “prophets” (like those in 1 Kings 22) who offer a seemingly attractive future, luring us away from Jesus’ narrow way. That’s as true today as it was then. The marketplace is flooded with “Christian” books that make us feel good with their emphasis on the blessings that God has for us, with no mention of the single-minded commitment that Jesus demands. The Gospel gets reduced to “making a decision” without the accompanying challenge to live a countercultural life.

Your righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees (5:20), you must be perfect like your heavenly Father (5:48), you must forgive (6:12,14,15), you cannot serve God and money (6:24), and you should treat others as you want them to treat you (7:12). Impossible? Remember, this teaching was given to Jesus’ disciples (5:1), who were drawn by Jesus’ utter attractiveness, his authority, insight and integrity. We can add our knowledge that he loved us to the end and has given us his Spirit. God works in us what we could never accomplish ourselves.

Apply

In living your life, do you tend to walk on the broad road or the narrow road (13,14)? What makes the broad road most tempting to you? What makes the narrow road difficult? Rewarding?

Closing prayer

Lord Jesus, I offer myself to You unreservedly. By Your Spirit produce in me the fruit that testifies that I am Yours.

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Putting It Into Practice

Opening Prayer

Read Matthew 7:13-23

Reflect

Apply

Closing prayer

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