Day 7: Matthew 5:21-48 | 2026 Lenten Reading Plan

Thank you for joining us for the sixth reading in our Lenten Reading Plan. Find all the resources you need below: Read Matthew 5:21-48 on Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205%3A21-48&version=ESV Listen to Matthew 5:21-48: https://share.transistor.fm/s/6ab640c3 Download your own Lenten Reading Plan Bookmark: https://higherthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/HT_Lenten-Reading-Plan-Bookmark-2601-PRINT-at-home.pdf Download the 2026 Lenten Reading Plan Study Guide: https://higherthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HT_Lenten-Reading-Plan-Study-Guide-2511.pdf Jesus reveals that sin doesn't start with our actions; it begins in our hearts. When He says hatred equals murder and lust equals adultery, He's showing us that trying harder to behave better won't fix our deepest problem. The corruption runs too deep for self-improvement to cure. When Jesus addresses divorce, He's not providing acceptable loopholes for ending marriages. Even "justified" divorces leave wounds that need healing. Every marriage, whether it ends or endures, involves two sinners who desperately need mercy and forgiveness. Jesus continues with teachings about oaths, retaliation, and loving enemies. Key takeaway: You can't affect as much as you think. God died for your enemies too, so getting even shouldn't be on your radar. Let Him handle justice while you focus on love. Jesus closes with an impossible command: "Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect." This isn't dismissing sin as unimportant; it matters so much that only Jesus can cure it. Through His death and resurrection, through baptism joining you to Him, you're daily forgiven and made perfect. Don't let hate or lust fester. Work toward forgiveness in marriage. Take everything (your sins and the sins against you) to the cross where your Heavenly Father makes you perfect through His Son. Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology. #higherthings #lcms #lutheran #lent If you have questions or topics that you'd like discussed on Higher Things, email them to content@higherthings.org Subscribe to our channel to get notifications when we go live: http://youtube.com/@HTgospel4all To support the work of Higher Things®, visit https://higherthings.org/morehi/giving/ For more information about Higher Things, go to http://higherthings.org ------ Join the conversation on Social Media: http://facebook.com/higherthings http://instagram.com/higherthings https://www.tiktok.com/@higherthings