This is our last week of memorizing Matthew 5:1-19.

See why it matters what we do and say.

Memorize This Week

Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:19 (ESV)

Others Are Watching

Who is watching you?

Sometimes we feel invisible. No one is watching us. Why would they?

But we’re wrong. What we do in private affects others beside ourselves. And what we say in public is being heard.

Others watch. They listen. Adults. Children. God.

What we do—and what we say—matters.

Jesus Says So

In our memory verse this week, we hear Jesus saying it matters. The greatest commands to love God and love others—and all those that follow underneath their umbrella—are important for us to follow ourselves, and to teach others to do likewise.

When we do, we are being salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13), shining light in the world (Matthew 5:14-15), and giving glory to our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

And then? We are called great in the kingdom of heaven.

We conclude our memory verse with those very words:

“…whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

May we take what we’ve memorized, do it, and teach it.

What an ending. And a beginning . . . .

Thanks to all you’ve memorized with us or just read and prayed along! Please continue to review and pray through these scriptures often.

Then join us again this fall for a new section of scripture to memorize together.

Please share your thoughts here.

Do you know what “jot” and “tittle” mean anyway?

Most of us don’t.

Memorize This Week

For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
Matthew 5:18 (ESV)

Not an Iota, Not a Dot

Can you read this?

The huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

You probably know it says this: The human mind does not read every letter by itself, but the word as a whole.

We can work around mistakes here and there.

But still. Every letter matters. (Ask anyone whose name has been misspelled on their passport or driver’s license.)

So in this week’s memory verse, Matthew 5:18, what did Jesus mean when He said that not an iota (KJV: jot) nor a dot (KJV: tittle) would pass away until the Law was accomplished?

Literally, iota and jot come from the same word. The Greek letter iota (Strong’s G2503) is the smallest letter of the Greek alphabet (from the Hebrew jot, the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet). When Latin scholars transcribed it, they could spell jot starting with either an i or a j (variants of each other), so we get either iota or jota (jot).

Iota means the smallest part of anything.

Dot (or tittle) comes from the Greek word keraia (Strong’s G2762). It means a little horn, apex, point.

Tittle is a grammatical term, indicating the little accent marks used above letters. Many Hebrew words were written with small points above them, distinguishing one letter apart from another. A “little horn” here or there could totally change the meaning of a word.

Perfection

Jesus was telling his audience that even the tiniest of letters, the tiniest of dots above the letters, wouldn’t disappear until His job was completed.

Imagine that.

Jesus was perfect. He accomplished His mission perfectly, down to the last jot and tittle.

Jesus is still perfect today. He notices all. He cares for all.

As we memorize this week, let’s thank Him for His perfect attentiveness to every detail about us and our lives. We could have no better Savior.

Please share your thoughts here.

Jesus was here on purpose. Are we?

Memorize Matthew 5:17 with us this week.

Memorize This Week

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
Matthew 5:17 (ESV)

On Mission

What’s your purpose?

Jesus had a purpose in coming to earth. It wasn’t a negative mission. It was a positive one. He didn’t come to do away with the law. He came to complete it.

His aim was to fill full God’s plans, not make them empty.

And He succeeded.

As we memorize Matthew 5:17 verse this week, let’s take time to think anew about our own purpose.

• Why are we here?
• Are we making a positive difference in the world?
• What are we completing versus tearing down?

Are we succeeding?

Please share your thoughts here.

Which would you choose as a favorite?

These are the verses we’ve learned so far.

Do you have a favorite verse from Matthew 5?

We’re taking a break this week from learning a new verse. This is a great time to look back on what we’ve learned so far in Matthew 5:1-16. Quite amazing!

When we return next Monday, July 9, we’ll only have three verses left. We’re almost there.

1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
13 You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

See all the previous posts here.

Which verse means the most to you in this season? Which has come easily? Which has been hard to learn? Please share in the comments.

What good work is God calling you to do this week? When you do it, you bring Him honor.

Memorize This Week

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 (ESV)

“In the same way.”

Jesus begins this verse by referring back to his previous statement (Matthew 5:15). In the same way that a lamp gives light to all in the house, so our good works are to give light to others.

What are your good works?

While as believers we may have several good works in common, many of your good works are specific to you. They are ways you shine in your world. Things you can do in ways no one else can do exactly like you.

When you do well, in this day, what God has called you to do—whatever that looks like in your everyday life—you are letting your light shine before others.

And when your light shines, in this way, God is honored.

Next week: Break

This is our last week to memorize about salt and light. If you haven’t memorized verses 13-15, backtrack to catch those, too. They’ll come to you quicker than you’d expect.

Next week we take a break. Then we’ll finish strong together with three more verses in Matthew 5 and be finished with this memory challenge.

Please share your thoughts here.

Don’t waste your light. Someone needs it to see by. Memorize Matthew 5:15 with us this week.

Memorize This Week

15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
Matthew 5:15 (ESV)

What’s Your Light?

How do you shine in the world?

Sometimes we fail to recognize that we are light. We think our circumstances are too dark or our personalities too dim.

And even if we do have a little light, we think it’s not enough to go around. We don’t want to draw attention to ourselves with it, or use it up and have it go out.

But light doesn’t work that way.

Our eyes are drawn to the dimmest of lights in a dark room. And instead of going out, one bit of flame can catch other things on fire, too, spreading the light all around.

Jesus is our light. He can’t be used up or go out.

With Jesus in us, we shine, too, whether we realize it or not. Each of us has been gifted with light inside our souls.

How Do You Hide?

As we memorize Matthew 5:15 this week, look for ways you may be hiding your light.

What hinders you from letting it shine? As the song says, do you “let Satan blow it out?” As the verse says, do you “hide it under a bushel?”

Do you hide your light behind timidity? Underneath fear? Behind lack of confidence?

Let it shine instead. The more you use it, the brighter it becomes.

Let others see God’s beauty through the illumination you provide. Help them find their way back to the Father because your light for Him is turned on and turned up.

Don’t waste your light.

Please share your thoughts here.

We aren’t light because we’re so brilliant. It’s because of Jesus inside of us. He is the light shining through. Memorize Matthew 5:14 with us this week.

Memorize This Week

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Matthew 5:14 (ESV)

Dark or Light?

School shootings. Volcanos. Turbulent politics.

Does the world feel dark at times? Yes.

We all have those days when we feel dark, too. We don’t want to be seen. We want to hide in a corner and let life move on without us. We don’t feel strong enough or good enough to make a difference. So why try?

Because we are light.

• Even when we don’t feel like it.
• Even when we feel invisible.
• Even when we aren’t capable.

The reason we are light isn’t because of our own innate character. We are light because of who lives inside us.

Jesus didn’t say: You can become the light of the world if you know enough or are kind enough or are proactive enough.

Jesus did say, “You are the light of the world.”

Our light comes from Jesus. Jesus is THE light. The source. The brightest of the bright.

When we are aware of the light burning inside us—i.e., Jesus’ light—not only can we see clearer, but others can see more clearly, too.

Let’s wake up to our light. Let’s show up in the world. The light will shine when we do.

Please share your thoughts here.

How often do you pick up a salt shaker? Notice this week as we memorize Matthew 5:13.

Memorize This Week

You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
Matthew 5:13 (ESV)

Are You Salty?

We want others to think of us as sweet as sugar. But often we’re sour like lemons. What did Jesus say about our flavor?

Be the salt of the earth.

Back in Jesus’s time, salt was precious. It was sometimes even used as currency in payment to the Roman soldiers. Today, a Christian worth their salt may also be seen as a rarity.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. We all have the ingredients necessary to be salty.

Salt is used to preserve foods and to increase flavor. Can we as believers be the carriers and preservers of God’s grace in our communities? Can we be a welcome addition in the presence of our friends and families?

As you memorize Matthew 5:13 this week, notice how often you reach for the salt shaker.

Then become it.

Please share your thoughts here.

Why did Jesus say to rejoice in persecutions? Can anything good come from pain?

Memorize This Week

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:12 (ESV)

Not If, But When

Are you happy to suffer? Let’s be real. I’m not.

If at all possible, I’d relieve all pain. I don’t want to hurt. I don’t want to be talked about. I don’t want to endure any of the things Jesus has been talking about in our past two memory verses (Matthew 5:10-11).

But here’s the thing. Hard things will happen. Jesus didn’t say if pains come, rejoice and be glad. He implied persecutions would come from believing in Him.

Rejoice? Yes

This week’s memory verse gives us good news though! In Matthew 5:12 we understand there is more to come. There is reason to rejoice. A reason to be glad.

Really? Why?

Because you will be rewarded. Not only a little. But a lot.

We could debate what that reward is, when that reward comes, to whom it comes, etc. But the thing we can agree on is this: if Jesus said, “For your reward is great in heaven,” we can count on it being true.

So as you memorize Matthew 5:12 this week, see if you can look forward to the reward that is coming, sooner or later.

Also read James 1:2-4 and Philippians 4:11-13.

Please share your thoughts here.