Tuesday, January 6- Matthew 5:13-20

13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
-The blessed people from earlier in chapter 5 are the salt of the earth.
-If we lose our purpose than we're no good for anything. This would be a sad position to be in.

14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
-Jesus telling us very explicitly what we are.
-We can't hide from our purpose.

15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
-we must embrace our purpose. Not be proud of it, but just do what it does.

16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
-Good deeds precede praising God in heaven. Just like before when Jesus used healing people to draw crowds.

17"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.
-Jesus isn't giving new law that destroys the old, but just fulfills them. He can set up new standards because of who he is.

18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
-Shows the strength of trusting in God's word. Shows the ultimate authority of God's word.

19Anyone who breaks 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 practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
-Very strong contrast in actions. The power of teaching leads to great detriment or great honor. We must know these words well. We might not lose our place in heaven, we might, but things won't be the best if we teach falsely.

20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
-Doesn't seem like that high of a mark to us because we don't think to highly of them, but to the people of the day that must've been an amazing thing to say.