Matthew’s been introducing us to King Jesus who has the authority to reverse the effects of sin in creation. How do we know Jesus will do that? Because He spoke with decisive authority. And He acts with decisive authority. That’s what we see as we move from the sermon on the mount to this string of 12 miracles throughout Matthew 8 and 9.

As Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount, He tells us how he wants us to respond to His words. We learn that Jesus speaks with one-of-a-kind authority and with eternal implications, but He speaks so we can be saved by faith in Him.

Jesus warns the Church about false prophets who will call us away from the narrow, difficult path that leads to life. Instead, we should follow wholehearted undershepherds leading the way toward everlasting life. All the while keeping our eyes on the Chief Shepherd.

Jesus says in the next part of the sermon on the mount that if sinful parents know how to give good gifts, how much more does your Heavenly Father. Jesus makes two claims about prayer in verses 7-11. God always answers the prayers of His children. God gives good gifts to His children.

Jesus wants us to relate to each other, not as self-righteous judges, but as gospel-humbled rescuers.

The citizens of God’s kingdom are also children of their heavenly Father. They are therefore invited and commanded away from anxious thinking and into a life that seeks God’s kingdom first and stores up treasure in heaven.

Jesus came ushering in the future kingdom of heaven now. Those who enter become citizens of Heaven.

We are raised with Christ and are seated in the heavenly places where Christ is. But we still live in this present world.

And this world is intensely physical. While the kingdom Jesus builds is still somewhat invisible. So, we live by faith.

Put your head down and run after the LORD who is in secret. He’s in the secret, hidden places. And He sees what happens there. So, when you pray in the car. Or in your chair early in the morning. Or in bed at 3am when you’re stressed or anxious. Or out in the woods. Or quietly in the middle of a meeting. Nobody else may know what’s transpiring there. But God, who lives in the secret places, and sees in secret, knows.