This is part of a Daily Devotional Orwell Bible Church prepares each week. You can get a copy from our Downloads and Literature page.
Jesus continues teaching how those who truly believed he is the promised Messiah should live. True followers of the Messiah live thoroughly righteous lives. We can know Jesus had his immediate hearers in mind from statements in verses 2, 5, 10, 13, 16, 31–33. These were Jews who worshiped in synagogues, looked for the coming kingdom, and experienced temptations from Satan.
Christians today must learn from Jesus’ teaching how to live righteously before God. examine your life regarding the areas and principles Jesus addressed in this chapter: Why and how do you do good works (vv. 1–4), pray (vv. 5–15), and fast (vv. 16–18)? What do you live for in this life (vv. 19–21, 24–34)? What is the fundamental character of your life (vv. 22–23)?
Truths to Nail Down and Meditate On
- While Jesus condemns hypocrisy he does not condemn the various commands and deeds that righteous people should obey and do.
- Jesus helps us see the difference between living for the praise of men and the things of this this world and living for the praise of the Father. living for this life has benefits restricted to “now,” whereas living for the Lord has benefits for both life and eternity (cf. 1 Tim 4:8).
