Weekly Playlist  |  March 25-31

Sermon on the Mount - Jesus and the Torah

The Least and Greatest in the Kingdom

Listen to the reading of Scripture below, and then learn more from related resources. As you listen and reflect, think about this question: What is a greater or lesser command in the Torah, and how does a person become great in the Kingdom of the skies?

Read – Matthew 5:17-20

Consider While Reading

The words “dot” and “squiggle” in this passage refer to the tiniest pen strokes used in writing Hebrew letters.

Matthew 5:17-20

Jesus and the Torah

1 min

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Jesus and the Torah
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Don't suppose that I have come to do away with the Torah or the Prophets. I have not come to do away with them, but to fill them full.
Because truly I tell you, until the sky and the land pass on, not one dot or one squiggle will pass on from the Torah until all things have taken place.
Therefore, whoever undoes one of the least of these commands, and then they teach people to do this, that person will be called least in the kingdom of the skies.
And whoever does the commands, and then teaches people to do this, that person will be called great in the kingdom of the skies.
Because truly I tell you, unless your doing-what-is-right far surpasses the scribes and Pharisees, you won't be entering into the kingdom of the skies.

Reflect

What do these details about pen strokes tell us about Jesus’ perspective on the Torah?

About This Translation
This reading uses a new translation from the BibleProject Scholar Team, which aims to bring fresh language to familiar words while using consistent English terms for Greek words used throughout this part of Scripture.

We'll be adding more translations here in the future, but in the meantime, you can find more translations now on the BibleProject app.
Watch – Visual Commentaries, Matthew 5:19-20: The Least and Greatest

Highlight

“Jesus is flipping the social order of his day. The scribes and Pharisees thought of themselves as the greatest, the highest rank in their culture. And they thought of those who didn’t follow their Torah teachings as the least. But ‘surprise,’ Jesus says, ‘God’s Kingdom is turning the whole thing upside-down so that the last are first and the first are last.”

Watch – Biblical Themes, The Last Will Be First (Short Version)

Highlight

“Jesus joined the poor and served them. And instead of fighting his rivals, he served them too. Jesus showed that true power is displayed through self-giving love.”

Listen – How to Be Great in God’s Kingdom

Chapter from Sermon on the Mount E9

How to Be Great in God’s Kingdom

4 min

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How to Be Great in God’s Kingdom
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Highlight

“The language of reward is a prominent theme in Jesus’ teaching. And he doesn't see it as something bad, to hope for reward—or to live your life now in light of some hope for reward or honor. But the nature of that reward and the nature of that honor is to be immersed in the beauty of God's own eternal love. And that reward has a transforming effect on all that I value and think is important.”

Invite your friends and family to meditate on the teachings of Jesus together.
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