Jesus looks at the heart issues, rather than the outward sinful acts. Murder starts in the heart with anger, and therefore, in God’s eyes, the two are equally sinful.
All of Scripture is to be our standard of righteousness, both Old and New Testament. Because Jesus has fulfilled the law, we can now meet God’s standard in Christ.
As we come into the kingdom of God, we have been given the responsibility of being an influence in the world as salt and light.
Jesus wants to be clear that if we follow him and enter into his kingdom, persecution (for his sake and because of lives of righteousness) is inevitable. This is a wonderful proof that we are truly part of his kingdom.
Jesus continues the progression into his Kingdom saying that it’s only the pure in heart who will see God, but then there comes a responsibility: we are called to be his peacemakers in this world.
As we come to God in brokenness and meekness, we hunger and thirst for righteousness. It’s in righteousness, then, that we are truly able to be merciful. It is a result of righteousness.
We need to get to the place of mourning over our sinfulness to find true happiness in the Lord. In our mourning, we then come to the Lord in meekness, realizing the holiness of God, to seek righteousness.
Jesus wants us to experience true, long-lasting happiness, which only comes through realizing we are spiritually empty. It’s only in Jesus that we can be truly happy.
Matthew summarizes Jesus’s plan to reach the people of the area and beyond by what he spoke and the miracles he performed – both pointing to his messiahship and kingship.
As we look to the new year, what would God have us do? The author of Hebrews gives us five New Year’s resolutions, beginning with, “Let us draw near to God.”