Readings for Lent: Parables in Matthew 5-6

Jesus Taught Us in Parables

These teachings are from Matthew 5-6, as part of the New Testament 40-Day Challenge on the YouVersion mobile phone or computer application. Jesus often used parables to help explain and illustrate. These are brief excerpts from what is recorded in Matthew 5-6.

What You Are

You are the salt of the earth, but if salt loses its saltiness, how can it be restored?

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden, nor do people light a lamp and hide it under a basket. Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Christ Came to Fulfill the Law

The Son of God (Jesus) did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets of the Old Testament, but to fulfill them. Jesus said, "Whoever relaxes the commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called the least in the kingdom of heaven...but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

Anger

You have heard it said, "Do not murder." But, Jesus says that whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults, liable to the council; whoever says, "You fool!," will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering a gift to God at an altar and you remember you have something against a brother, leave your gift there and go reconcile to your brother. Then come offer your gift to God.

If you have an accuser taking you to court, come to terms quickly with him, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge and the guard, and you be put in prison.

Lust

You have heard it said, "Do not commit adultery." But, Jesus says, "Whoever looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. Better to lose one of your members than have your whole body thrown into hell."

Divorce

It was said in the Old Testament, "Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce." But, Jesus says, "Everyone who divorces his wife, except on the grounds of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery."

Oaths

You have heard it said, "You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn." But, Jesus says, "Do not take an oath at all...Let what you say simply be, 'Yes,' or 'No.' Anything more than this comes from evil.

Retaliation

It was said in the Old Testament, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." But Jesus says, "Do not resist the one who is evil...if someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other one also."
"If someone sues you to take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well...If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles."

Matthew 5:42, "Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you."

Love Your Enemies

"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven" (5:44)

Giving to the Needy

When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so your giving may be in secret. Your Father who sees in secret will reward you (6:3-4).

Fasting

When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. Anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting will not be seen (noticeable) by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you (6:16-18).

Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

Do not store treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (6:21).

You cannot serve two masters; you will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money (6:24).

Do Not Be Anxious

"Is not life more than food, and the body more then clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"

Consider the lillies of the field, how they grow: they neigher toil nor spin, yet...even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (6:28-29).

"But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you..." (6:30).

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (6:33).

It is never too late to live a life of righteousness. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).