What Does Your Life Say?
We’re at the point in Matthew where Jesus shifts from teaching in parables to performing miracles and preparing his disciples for deeper understanding and faith. We see the conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders of his time, the Pharisees. The Pharisees were the enforcers of cultural and religious conformity, and Jesus challenged their authority by reinterpreting the law and emphasizing the spirit rather than the letter of the law. Jesus’ teachings call for a radical departure from the norms dictated by society and a commitment to living out the values of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Throughout history, humans have been subject to manipulation and influence, a phenomenon that has only intensified in the modern age due to the immediacy of social media. Today’s cultural influence is instantaneous, creating a constant pressure to conform. As individuals we need to consider what culture demands of us that might conflict with God’s laws. This involves a transformation of the heart, where actions and words reflect a genuine relationship with God rather than mere adherence to human traditions.