[And He Walks With Me] Matthew 7
1-5 This is not a warning against all judging as much as it is a warning against double standards. Too often, we look down upon others for their sin while overlooking and/or excusing our own. Jesus exhorts his followers to address their own sin first. This has two effects. First, it ensures we cannot condescend anyone because we have our own sin to deal with. Second, it ensures we have the moral authority to point out flaws in another person’s behaviors.
6 There is some debate over the meaning of this verse. I would suggest it is an extension of the preceding teaching. There, believers are encouraged to attend to their own sin before they help other Christians overcome their sin. Now, the believer is encouraged to not judge the unsaved because that judgment will fall on deaf ears. The unsaved are not interested in what Jesus or some Christ follower thinks of their behavior.
7-11 As our Father in heaven, God is in the business of taking care of his children. Therefore, as long as we are seeking what he intends for us to seek (see 6:33-34), he will endeavor to fill that request.
12 Therefore indicates that the following teaching flows out of the previous teaching. In this case, the reasoning seems to be that, since God will endeavor to answer those requests and needs that align with his purposes, and since we are called to be like God, we should also endeavor to meet the needs we see in others.
It is important to notice that this command is not contingent upon what others do for you. Rather, Jesus called his listeners and us to do whatever you want others to do for you. No one wants others to judge them or reject them or demean them or abuse them.
13-14 Many Jewish rabbis believed that virtually all Jews would reach heaven. However, Jesus and a few others (e.g., John the Baptist) taught that the way to heaven was narrow, difficult, and few find it. That is, the vast majority of people will not choose to divert from the way taken by the majority, that leads to destruction. We should not be surprised, then, when people balk at committing themselves to Christ.
15-20 Christians should be on your guard against false prophets. That is, we must always be watching for people who pretend to be spiritual leaders but, in reality, are agents of the devil. It should be noted that these false prophets… come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves. Their teachings will sound close to what Christ teaches, and their behavior will resemble his. They may even quote him directly. Yet, there will be a slight twice, their character will not match his, and/or their conduct will be inconsistent. We must, therefore, consider their whole presentation, and particularly their fruit. Legitimate prophets will produce increased love for God and people (see 22:34-40). False prophets will produce boasting, condescension, anxiety, and more.
21-23 In what may be the most sobering passage in Scripture, Jesus warns that there will be many who presume they are doing the will of God and therefore on their way to heaven. They assume the extent of God’s will is to prophesy or preach against people and things, to drive out demons or vanquish their enemies, and to do miracles or put on a show for Jesus. They purport to do such things in Jesus’ name, but in reality, they are lawbreakers. This is an astonishing teaching because, superficially, their behavior may align almost perfectly with the law, but upon closer inspection, they have missed the essence of it entirely.
24-27 It is not enough to hear these words or even know them. We must also act on Jesus’ teachings, working to align our character and conduct with his.
The parable of the house on the rock vs. the house on the sand was familiar to Jesus’ listeners. Other teachers told a similar parable in which the Torah (i.e., the first five books of the Bible) was the rock upon which people should found their lives. Jesus’ teaching, then, is astonishing (vs 29) because he is placing his words on the same level as those of the Torah.
It should be noted that the real measure of effective faith is not how great we look when everything is calm and the world is going our way. Rather, the real measure of effective faith is when the storm comes. Then, we discover whether our lives are built on the rock or on the sand.
28-29 Typically, Jewish teachers endeavored to build their teachings upon those of earlier recognized teachers. Jesus, however, did not worry about citing sources. Instead, he spoke as if he had authority in and of himself.[15]
[15] Keener and Walton 2016, Matthew 7:29