May 03


Respecting the Word


“Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 5:19 (TLB)


We’ve seen what Jesus had to say about the greatest (first) commandment. This is primary to our spiritual formation, but Jesus gives us more. Here, He tells us how important the least of the commandments are as well. In essence, He points to the significance of Scripture in its entirety. Jesus had a deep respect for the written Word of God and ... He calls us to respect it all as well.

On occasion, I’ve seen whole congregations rise to their feet when the Word of God was read. There are examples of this in the Old Testament as well. This is a wonderful display of respect for God’s words to us. What I am coming to understand is the need to maintain that kind of respect deep in my heart. This is what God looks at, this is how and where we will be judged. He looks at what's in our hearts and what we do with it. We cannot handle the Word of God lightly. Jesus won’t let us. He warns us of the importance of being serious with God’s message, and it is convicting.

I am under conviction—not that I am a commandment breaker (we’ve ALL sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23). I am convicted that my heart be in absolute awe of God’s directives. He is God. It is His Word, and it carries great weight. It requires my utmost care to handle it, use it and apply it well.


God, help me hear, understand and apply Your Word accurately. Amen.