what does it mean to be least in the kingdom of heaven
Question
What does information technology hateful to exist to the lowest degree in the kingdom of heaven?
Reply
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks much about the importance and value of the Law: "For truly I tell you, until heaven and world disappear, not the smallest letter, not the to the lowest degree stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Police until everything is accomplished" (Matthew 5:18). The accomplishing of the Law was realized in Jesus Himself, who came to fulfill the Constabulary (poesy 17). In verse xix, Jesus says, "Therefore anyone who sets bated one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly volition be called least in the kingdom of sky, but whoever practices and teaches these commands volition be called great in the kingdom of sky."
In other words, the Police is perfect and holy, and every command that God gave is equally of import. The commandments are and so important, Jesus said, that if someone sets bated what might be considered "one of the least" of them, then that person will exist called "least in the kingdom of heaven." Conversely, the ane who teaches the whole Law—and obeys information technology—volition be called "great" in the kingdom.
Information technology is important to remember to whom Jesus was speaking in the Sermon on the Mount, namely, Jews in Israel who were withal nether the dispensation of the Law. At the time of Jesus' address to the multitudes in Matthew 5, the Law was in full effect; the temple was standing, the sacrifices were being offered, and the veil was intact. When nosotros make application of Jesus' words to the church building today, we need to distinguish betwixt the moral laws that God gave and the ceremonial and civil laws. When Jesus cried, "It is finished!" from the cantankerous, some laws, such as those regulating sacrifice and worship, were plainly fulfilled because Christ Jesus was the concluding and complete sacrifice. Other commands, such as the command not to murder or lie, are nonetheless equally valid now equally e'er. In case there is any dubiety, the moral laws are repeated in the New Attestation epistles, whereas the other laws (concerning diet, observance of days, etc.) are not repeated for the church building.
1 day, Jesus will render to the earth to set up His kingdom (Daniel 2:44; Revelation eleven:xv). Jesus' reference to the "to the lowest degree in the kingdom of heaven" in Matthew 5:19 suggests that there will be different levels of honor in the kingdom. The criteria used for assigning honor seem to be based on the handling of God's Word. Those who received God's Give-and-take and fulfilled their responsibilities in God's sight will exist called "great," merely those who rejected parts of God's Give-and-take and shirked their responsibilities will be called "to the lowest degree." This corresponds to the believers' advent before the judgment seat of Christ ane day, where we volition be rewarded based on how faithfully we served Christ (2 Corinthians v:x). Some of us will "endure loss" when our work "will be shown for what it is" and its quality does not pass the examination (see i Corinthians three:eleven–15).
Immediately later on speaking of those who are least in the kingdom of sky, the Lord Jesus indirectly condemns the Pharisees and religious teachers for their misconduct concerning the Law: "For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you lot volition certainly not enter the kingdom of sky" (Matthew v:twenty). The Pharisees, so, were examples of those who "set up bated" some of the commandments, and they would suffer shame for it (run across likewise Mark 7:1–thirteen). Not merely did their actions diminish some parts of the Police, but they had no true righteousness—because they rejected Christ.
In summary, Jesus taught that the Law is skilful (Matthew 5:xviii–19), and the righteousness of the Law is fulfilled in Himself (poetry 17). His message was not contrary to the Constabulary; rather, His words confirmed the Law and His works accomplished the Law. Those who lightly esteem God's Word will themselves be lightly esteemed. Greatness in the kingdom of heaven will not exist based on one's gifts merely upon how i handles the Word of God (see 2 Timothy ii:xv).
Questions about Matthew
What does it hateful to be least in the kingdom of heaven?
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This folio last updated: January four, 2022
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