Kingdom Wisdom Part 12

The King Has Spoken

We are continuing our series called Kingdom Wisdom, and we’re nearing the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount. For most of this past year, we’ve been listening to Jesus teach us what life in the Kingdom of God looks like.

We began with the Beatitudes. Blessed are the poor in spirit. Blessed are those who mourn. Blessed are the meek. Blessed are the merciful. Blessed are the peacemakers.

And then Jesus began teaching us how to live. How to love. How to forgive. How to pray. How to trust the Father. How to treat one another. How to seek first the Kingdom.

Over the last several weeks, Jesus has been bringing everything together. Two roads. Two kinds of trees. Two responses to His words. Two foundations. Two outcomes.

Last week, we talked about the storms of life and discovered that the difference between the two houses wasn’t the storm they faced. It was what they were built upon.

And now Matthew tells us what happened when Jesus finished speaking.

I find that fascinating.

Matthew doesn’t tell us that the crowds were impressed with Jesus’ illustrations. He doesn’t tell us that they thought He was a particularly good public speaker.

He says they were amazed because Jesus taught with authority.

And that brings us to an important question.

Who has the authority to define how we live?

Think about how many voices compete for our attention every day. People offer opinions. Experts offer analysis. Teachers offer interpretations. Leaders offer direction. And those things can certainly be helpful.

But Jesus isn’t simply adding another opinion to the conversation.

Throughout the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus repeatedly said, “You have heard that it was said…” And then He would say, “But I tell you…”

That’s remarkable.

Jesus wasn’t simply explaining what other teachers had said. He was speaking with His own authority.

And I think that’s something we need to consider carefully. Because it’s possible to appreciate the teachings of Jesus without actually allowing His words to shape the way we live.

We can admire the Beatitudes. We can agree with the Golden Rule. We can appreciate His teaching about forgiveness and prayer.

But Jesus is inviting us into something much deeper.

He’s inviting us to trust Him as King.

Join Us This Weekend

We’ll explore why the words of Jesus carry such extraordinary authority and what it means to live under His loving reign. Join us in person or online.