Judgement and Reconciliation

Feb 22, 2025 • Eric Eidson

Reading Matthew 5-7 in sections often leads to thinking of the various PARTS of the sermon as sound bites rather than seeing it within the context of the WHOLE. Jesus used language and rhetoric in a masterful way to lead his listeners into a fresh revelation of the nature and character of God the Father. The reality is, the Sermon on the Mount is less about how we are supposed to behave as Christians and FAR MORE about who God is!

This week we look at the passage about judging others and re-think how we read this passage in light of what Jesus had already been teaching for chapters 5-6.

• Where do you see connections to what Jesus has already preached?

• What do the connections between the various parts of the sermon reveal about Jesus overall message?

• What measure does God use to “judge”?

• Is God’s justice (judgement) intended to punish? If so, what does it reveal about his nature?

• How does this passage (pre-Cross) hold up in light of what Christ did AT THE CROSS?