One of the things I'm looking forward to in reading through the NT in a month is grasping the big picture themes of the books. Usually, I'll read 2 or 3 chapters of a book at a time and often just focus in on a passage. I don't take the time often enough to read letters through in their entirety.
My first thought after reading through Matthew was how impossible the Christian life is without God. In the Sermon on the Mount alone Jesus sets the bar so amazingly high that no one reading it should have any doubt of how far short we fall. Be meek, merciful and pure in heart. Be ready to be persecuted and slandered. Don't hate, don't lust; but love, even to the point of your hurt, even toward your enemies. Finally, be perfect. You'll search in vain for a 'try your hardest.' There is simply no compromise whatsoever. It is all utterly impossible without God.
Unless you are a self righteous Pharisee. Then you should have no problem justifying yourself. Just be sure to ignore the rest of Matthew.
I just finished reading the Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer which, to me anyway, felt like a pastoral exposition of Jesus' teaching in Matthew, so I enjoyed getting a birds-eye view after having gone through so much of it in depth. I highly recommend Bonhoeffer's book. It is highly motivating.
In regards to the person of Jesus, Matthew read like the biography of the greatest revolutionary of all time. A revolutionary calling others to join him in the revolution: to give up this earthly kingdom in pursuit of something far, far greater. A kingdom which he brought to earth and which we, the prostitutes and tax collectors, have the unbelievable honour of helping build. Don't expect to make it through without injury; I'd be surprised if you have both your hands and eyes when it's all said and done if you are anything like me.
Lord, make our lives like that of the alabaster jar of perfume poured out for no other reason than to honour you. We are nothing in and of ourselves. May we resist the temptation to be blinded to you by our own self-righteousness; but rather to humbly serve you, though we are fallen and desperate.
May we respond to your call of discipleship, leaving all else behind to follow you and you alone. May we hack off anything that stands in our way. May your kingdom be to us the treasure in the field, the pearl of great price for which we gladly sell all else; your beauty such that we pursue you with a hot passion.
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