Quite Unlike
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law. (Matthew 7:28, 29 NLT)
He taught different. And His teaching is still being taught. One of the ministries often neglected about Jesus was His teaching. Absolute. Firm. To the point. And life-changing.
Perhaps because Jesus practiced what He taught.
Matthew 7:6 Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.
The teaching authority of Jesus was rooted in His reverence for the Scriptures. To remember the Psalmist declaration: for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. Psalm 138:2
How often people want Bible-bites to make our life better.
How often they come looking for a "spiritual" side to life
But Jesus calls for much more.
Jesus held that even casting out demons and prophesying were unknown to the Lord and immediately he shows why - they did not build their lives on what He said (Verse 24-27)! Could it stand to reason that the way to KNOW Christ is to apply what He says?
Many appreciate the teaching of Jesus.
But few know HIM THROUGH APPLYING it.
I remember hearing that to build one's house on the rock in Palestine required the extra effort not many were willing to give to "dig down deep" under the upper layer of crusted sand. It took time and energy. That's what applying Jesus' teaching takes. Digging down. Going deep. Not a cursory glance for religious duty, but a reverence, patience, and energy to get it through to your heart.
I find the more I know Jesus through His Word, the stronger my life gets. I love how He entrusted Himself to the Father's plan, how He never bothered to let critics upset Him. How He refused to let His worth be defined by what others said about Him. What a life! What a teacher! What a word!
PRAYER:
Help me Father to dig. Even when I'm tired and weary. Thank you for your Word. Drive me deeper than I ever have been before. I want to KNOW you...
He taught different. And His teaching is still being taught. One of the ministries often neglected about Jesus was His teaching. Absolute. Firm. To the point. And life-changing.
Perhaps because Jesus practiced what He taught.
Matthew 7:6 Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.
The teaching authority of Jesus was rooted in His reverence for the Scriptures. To remember the Psalmist declaration: for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. Psalm 138:2
How often people want Bible-bites to make our life better.
How often they come looking for a "spiritual" side to life
But Jesus calls for much more.
Jesus held that even casting out demons and prophesying were unknown to the Lord and immediately he shows why - they did not build their lives on what He said (Verse 24-27)! Could it stand to reason that the way to KNOW Christ is to apply what He says?
Many appreciate the teaching of Jesus.
But few know HIM THROUGH APPLYING it.
I remember hearing that to build one's house on the rock in Palestine required the extra effort not many were willing to give to "dig down deep" under the upper layer of crusted sand. It took time and energy. That's what applying Jesus' teaching takes. Digging down. Going deep. Not a cursory glance for religious duty, but a reverence, patience, and energy to get it through to your heart.
I find the more I know Jesus through His Word, the stronger my life gets. I love how He entrusted Himself to the Father's plan, how He never bothered to let critics upset Him. How He refused to let His worth be defined by what others said about Him. What a life! What a teacher! What a word!
PRAYER:
Help me Father to dig. Even when I'm tired and weary. Thank you for your Word. Drive me deeper than I ever have been before. I want to KNOW you...
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