# 3 2017 Dev. Mt. 5:19. “The Least and the Greatest. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.
Matthew 5:19 “Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven”.
This passage is part of a section in Jesus’ sermon called: “The Fulfillment of the Law”(Mt. 5:17-20). Further, from the verse we are looking at “therefore” points to what is written before it. Jesus is the fulfillment of the law, Jesus fulfills the law as the Lamb of God, Jesus fulfills the law as was prophesied about Him, Jesus fulfills the law by His perfect life. He does what we can not do and He does it for us! Since Jesus does that for us we are released from the Old Testament demands of the law but not from the obligations of law. Jesus added the law of love (Jn.13:34) as we see it in the summary of the law (Mk. 12:30-33).
Today the law teaches us about God’s Holiness. The law teaches us about our shortcomings (sin). The law teaches us God’s will for our lives. The instruction is there for us; a guide in a broken world but the condemnation of the law is set aside in Christ.
We are righteous by faith in Him (Ro.10:4). We are justified by faith in Him (Gal 3: 23-25). We have peace in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:13-18).
All of the above Jesus teaches in His sermon with a promise and a warning, obeying or not obeying the law has consequences for our standing in the Kingdom of God. Those who do not pay attention to the law of God and teach others to ignore the law will be the least in the Kingdom. Yet, they still are in the kingdom, confirming the new covenant; by faith alone in Christ we are saved.
But all those who adhere to the law and teach others to do so will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. Salvation and regeneration is by faith in Jesus Christ alone but Christ honors those who faithfully serve Him. Praise the Lord and keep serving Him with the gifts He has given us!
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