Dig Deeper:
PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION: Think of how closely the Pharisees must have been following Jesus and the disciples to notice the little things they were doing on the Sabbath. The whole thing is sort of like when little kids tattle on a sibling for having their eyes open during a prayer, when the only way they could know that is if their eyes were open too. It's not enough to 'follow' Jesus closely, even the Pharisees did that. Rather, you must not only follow His teaching closely but you must trust in Him as well.
CLIFF NOTES VERSION: This chapter is a very condensed version of Jesus' teachings during the Sermon on the Mount which is recorded with many more details in Matthew 5-7.
BEATITUDE FOR US TODAY: Our society is becoming increasingly intolerant to ideas and viewpoints that are based on Biblical values rather than whatever groupthink opinions which happen to be dominant in a given news cycle. If you have not experienced hate, insults or rejection because of your belief and trust in the Son of Man, you will. It's worth memorizing v22:
Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.
AAA Prayer Tips:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Your Lord and King (v20)
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Don't come to Him saying "Lord, Lord" without doing what He says (v46)
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
