Matthew 7 on 8/7 | NT260 — Reading & Growing in Christ

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Read it. Pray it. Share it. Live it.

Jesus ends the Sermon on the Mount by turning our attention to how we relate to others and how we respond to Him. He warns us not to judge others harshly or with pride, especially when we haven’t first looked at our own hearts (vv. 1–5). At the same time, we are called to be discerning (v. 6). Jesus invites us to ask, seek, and knock—to keep coming to our Father in prayer with confidence that He loves to give good gifts (vv. 7–11). Then, in one powerful sentence, He sums up the law and the prophets with what we call the Golden Rule: treat others how you want to be treated (v. 12).

Jesus gives four warnings to close His sermon: there are two gates (vv. 13–14), two kinds of prophets (vv. 15–20), two kinds of disciples (vv. 21–23), and two foundations for life (vv. 24–27). The narrow road to life is hard and few find it, but it leads to Jesus. The wide road is easy, but it leads to destruction (vv. 13–14). Some may appear to speak for God, but their lives prove otherwise (vv. 15–20). Even those who say “Lord, Lord” can be far from Jesus if they don’t truly know Him and obey Him (vv. 21–23). The wise person listens to Jesus’s words and lives by them—like building a house on a rock that can’t be shaken (vv. 24–27).

🌀 Reflection:
What kind of foundation is my life built on? Am I only hearing Jesus’s words—or am I putting them into practice?

💬 Mission Challenge:
Take time today to encourage someone who may be walking the “narrow road.” Speak truth, show grace, and pray for them by name.