Here At Bethesda Senior Living, we feel the teachings found in Matthew 5-7 offer a vivid illustration of what a believer's life and heart should look like and that we should strive to put them into practice each day as we interact with the residents in our assisted living communities.
The word heart is mentioned hundreds of times in the Bible. For example, David prayed for a clean heart (Psalm 51:10). Solomon urges readers to trust in the Lord with all their hearts (Proverbs 3:5), and the author of Hebrews warns that an unbelieving heart will lead believers to lose their way (Hebrews 3:12).
Jesus frequently taught that peoples' words and actions reflect the good or evil stored in their hearts (Luke 6:45, Matthew 12:34). During the Sermon on the Mount, he showed how easy it is for individuals to sin, explaining that even those who don't murder or commit adultery still get angry without cause or have inappropriate thoughts (Matthew 5:21-27).
Although these infractions may seem minor compared to killing or stealing, they serve as a reminder that every human has sinned and falls short of God, who is perfect (Romans 2:23).
For senior believers, the heart is an excellent measure of their walk with the Lord. It's within the heart that the weeds of bitterness, jealousy and disbelief grow. However, it's also where you can nurture seeds of faith and reap a harvest of good fruit (Matthew 13:8).
Jesus promises all believers that he hasn't left them as orphans (John 14:18). Instead, he's provided the Holy Spirit to help his followers remember and understand his teachings.
At the very beginning of his sermon, Jesus shared a list of people who'll be blessed by God. Collectively known as the Beatitudes, these short verses spell out the characteristics God desires believers to have in their hearts, including:
The first Beatitude blesses those who are poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3). The New Living Translation says this verse is about those who recognize their need for God.
Jesus noted just a few verses later in Matthew 5:17-20 that he didn't come to abolish the law but rather to fulfill it. The law exists to show that everyone has sinned at some point in their lives and needs a savior.
This first blessing stands as an assurance that everyone who repents has a place prepared for them in heaven by Christ himself (John 14:2). If you're troubled by mistakes you've made in the past, you can hang on to this promise and know you're forgiven and blessed.
Jesus promises that the humble will inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). He offers clear examples of how to live out this command, including praying, fasting and doing good deeds without seeking recognition (Matthew 6:4, 6:6 and 6:18).
Christians serve as a light pointing the way to Christ (Matthew 5:14). Humility lets seniors do good deeds and make a difference in the lives of others without claiming recognition and praise for themselves.
This redirects the praise to God. In doing so, it gives others a chance to see and experience his love and forgiveness for themselves.
Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” Matthew 9:13 NLT
The 5th Beatitude states that the merciful will be shown mercy. Jesus repeats this truth in the next chapter of his sermon when he's teaching his followers to pray. He instructs believers to ask God to show them the forgiveness they've shown others.
Many seniors have suffered injustices and wrongs throughout their lives. While being angry for a just cause isn't a sin, it's imperative for the believer not to let their anger turn into bitterness. When bitterness takes hold, it hardens your heart and turns your attention inward and away from God.
Although you're forgiving others, the action is deeply personal. While it can comfort a person you're forgiving and help relieve their grief over a situation, you stand to gain the most. Forgiveness sets you free of the cycle of anger and pain that keeps you from experiencing the joy, peace and contentment God wishes to give you.
Jesus warns his followers that they'll have trouble in their lives (John 16:33) and that some of that trouble will be mockery and persecution because of their faith in him (Matthew 5:11).
Jesus teaches it's better to forgive those who slight you and turn the other cheek (5:39). This doesn't mean accepting abuse and allowing it to continue. Rather, Jesus is urging you not to respond the same way.
Instead of focusing on the actions of others and judging them, Jesus urges believers to look at their hearts and remove any stumbling blocks that hinder their personal relationship with God (Matthew 7:1-5).
In seeking God first and constantly striving to improve your walk with him, you'll find the answers to dealing with any situation in your life, including relationships with others (Matthew 7:7).
