Holy Textures

Matthew 7:21-29

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Verses 21-23, continue the teaching against false prophets that began in Matthew 7:12-20.

But here Jesus ups the ante. For the usual warnings about false appearances (crying "Lord, Lord") and false promises ("prophesying in your name") and judging by the results ("casting out demons in your name") are subjected to what is truly at the heart of Jesus message:

doing the will of my Father in heaven.

Matthew 6:24-34

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In terms of the Lectionary, we are now picking up where we left Matthew back in the Season of Epiphany in January and February!

It might be helpful to pause on the word, "Therefore," which begins verse 6:25 and review the "whereas's" that begin in Chapter 5:

• The Beatitudes
• Being salt of the earth and light of the world
• Obeying and fulfilling the law
• Anger and reconciliation
• Adultery in our hearts
• Divorce
• Let your Yes be Yes or your No be No
• Do not retaliate, instead publically expose the unjust authority
• Love your enemies
• Give alms, but don't make a show of it
• Pray, but don't make a show of it
• Fast, but don't make a show of it
• Store up treasures in heaven not on earth
• Make sure your inner light is healthy
• Don't think you can serve two masters: God and wealth

Matthew 28:16-20

Read the passage: The Message   or   The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

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This passage which ends the Book of Matthew is commonly referred to as The Great Commission.

The commissioning can be highlighted by the verbs in verses 19 and 20:

• Go
• Make disciples
• Baptize
• Teach
• Obey
• Remember

These verbs represent the key activities that Jesus wants his followers to be doing.