21-Day Fast 2023 – Day 3
Pause
Here we are on day three of our journey, and it’s very possible you’re feeling the pangs of missing whatever you chose to fast during this season—missing the comfort, familiarity, or sustenance it brought to you.
Take time now to bring it before the Lord. Let Him speak to you about what you are missing, why you may be missing it, and what He can provide you with instead. If you haven’t begun fasting, or need a restart, now is a great time to begin!
Remember, you are seeking His kingdom and His righteousness, and He will care for you. You are drawing near to Him, and He will draw near to you. You are not just fasting, but you are feasting on the Word and the goodness of God!
Reset
“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. For truly I tell you, 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. 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. For 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.
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ [an Aramaic term of contempt] is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.”
Walk with God
There are a few ideas in today’s passage of The Sermon on the Mount. Did one stand out to you? Which one, and why?
Jesus clarifies that He did not come, as some hoped, to get rid of the Old Testament law, a lengthy list of rules that Jews tried to obey perfectly. He instead says that He came to fulfill the laws—to accomplish them! He is alluding to the sinless life He is living and His upcoming death and resurrection, dying in our place as the perfect sacrifice and doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves.
Jesus then begins to point out specific laws and shares the real heart behind them—that the laws are even more difficult to follow perfectly than the people had imagined! The standard is even higher than they thought, which is even more reason for the listeners then, and us now, to be grateful for Jesus!
So, let’s take a moment for intentional gratitude. Find your own words to express to Jesus what it means to you that He would fulfill the law, that He would be perfect in your place and would take the judgment due to us and put it on Himself.
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