Today’s Reading: Matthew 5–7
Scripture Focus
“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)
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Reflection
In Matthew 4, Jesus announces His kingdom.
Matthew 4:17
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
This is Jesus’ main message as He begins His ministry.
He’s telling the people:
•God’s kingdom has come near.
•A new way of life is being offered.
•Turn from sin and turn toward God.
He’s declaring:
“I am the King—and the kingdom is here.”
In Matthew 4, Jesus also calls His disciples—Peter, Andrew, James, and John.
Why?
So they could learn from Him and eventually teach others.
This shows the heart of Jesus:
He wants followers who know Him and grow under His teaching.
And in Matthew 4, Jesus also displays the power of His kingdom.
He heals, He casts out demons, He restores people.
The crowds follow Him because they saw power…
but now they needed to understand the kingdom.
So in Matthew 5, Jesus sits on the mountain—not just to preach—but to explain the life of the kingdom.
He told them the kingdom came…
now He tells them what people in that kingdom look like.
The Beatitudes describe:
•The character of kingdom people
•The heart God blesses
•What a godly life looks like in a sinful world
Yes, Jesus wanted them to know God better.
But deeper than that—
He wanted them to know God’s heart and reflect His character.
Why did Jesus go up on the mountain?
A Jewish reader would immediately think of Moses on Mount Sinai.
Moses went up to receive God’s Law.
Jesus goes up to reveal God’s Kingdom Law—not to replace the old, but to reveal the heart behind it.
Jesus is showing:
“This is the heart God always wanted in His people.”
So in Matthew 5–7, Jesus sits them down and teaches them what life in His kingdom truly looks like.
He’s not just giving rules.
He is revealing God’s heart and shaping His followers to reflect Him.
By the end of Matthew 7, the crowds are amazed—not because His message was fancy—but because His words carried real authority, the authority of the King.
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Lesson for Me
Jesus wants more than outward obedience—
He wants my heart.
He wants to shape my character, my motives, my words, my reactions, my attitudes.
He wants me to live as a true daughter of the Kingdom—
not influenced by the world, but formed by His teaching.
If He is my King, my life should look like His.
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Application
1.Where is Jesus calling me to learn from Him, not just watch Him?
(Am I following at a distance, or sitting at His feet?)
2.Which Beatitude do I need most right now?
Poor in spirit?
Pure in heart?
Peacemaker?
Merciful?
3.Do I let Jesus’ teaching confront my attitudes, reactions, and habits?
4.Am I building my life on the rock or on the sand?
(Matthew 7:24–27)
5.Ask:
“Lord, what part of my heart does Your authority need to rule today?”
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Prayer 🙏
Lord Jesus,
Thank You for inviting me into Your kingdom.
Thank You for teaching me—not just with words—but with real authority and love.
Shape my heart to look like Yours.
Form my character, my thoughts, and my desires.
Help me live as Your daughter, reflecting Your kingdom in the way I speak, respond, love, and walk.
Teach me to sit at Your feet and learn from You every day.
Make me humble, pure, merciful, and hungry for righteousness.
And may my life be built firmly on the Rock—on You alone.
Amen.
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Journaling Reminder 📝
Sit quietly with Jesus.
Ask Him:
“Lord, what part of this message do You want to change or strengthen in me today?”
Write what He whispers to your heart.
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Takeaway
If Jesus is my King, then His words shape my ways.
The Beatitudes are not just teachings—they are the character of kingdom people.
Today, I choose to build my life on His voice, His authority, and His heart.