Behind The Curtain

READ

Whenever I read the Sermon on the Mount, I picture Jesus quietly and gently taking the opportunity to set the record straight on some of the most confusing issues of the day — not by coming down hard on people, but by turning things completely upside down and pointing straight to the heart. It was a radical idea that his followers weren't used to at all. As you read today's passage, think about just how shocking these words would have been to the devoutly religious people of that time.

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, 'Raca,' is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.

"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell." -Matthew 5:17–30 (NIV)

REFLECT

Picture a little boy, just shy of three years old, who has just discovered hide and seek. He's absolutely thrilled to play with his mom. He takes off giggling while she counts, convinced he's found the perfect hiding spot. But at that age, hiding isn't exactly a refined skill. His mom can hear him laughing before she even finishes counting. When she opens her eyes, two tiny feet are sticking out from under the curtains, and the unmistakable lump of a little boy gives him away completely.

With a smile, she plays along — calling out his name, pretending to search. "Where are you?" she teases in a sing-song voice. And with complete sincerity, he answers, "I'm not behind the curtains!"

In his toddler innocence, he genuinely believes he can fool her just by saying so — because he doesn't yet understand how clearly she can see the whole picture. It's almost funny to us as adults. How could he think that would work?

But honestly — how many times do we do the same thing?

We don't have to look far to see adults doing exactly that: saying one thing while doing another, believing we can pull it off if we just say the right words. We live in a world that teaches us early on to wear masks, look out for number one, and say whatever we need to say to get what we want. Our culture practically celebrates finding loopholes, pushing limits, bending the rules, and bucking authority — all in pursuit of what we think will make us happy.

And if we're honest, even those of us who follow Jesus can fall into one of two traps when it comes to God's law:

We focus on appearing to follow it. We pick up the right church vocabulary, say the right things in the right places, and wear the mask of performance. Following the law becomes about impressing others, earning approval, or fitting in.

Or we push it to the limit. We quietly ask ourselves how little we actually have to obey to still be considered "good enough." We might say we take the law seriously, but deep down, we're not sure it's really that big a deal.

But what if Jesus is inviting us into something entirely different?

What if, in His Kingdom, the law isn't a checklist to manage from the outside — but a starting point for transformation on the inside? What if appearances and technicalities aren't what matter most? What if we stopped pretending God can't see us behind the curtain and started trusting that He sees our hearts more fully and more lovingly than we can even imagine?

The way of Jesus is less about perfectly keeping the letter of the law and more about righteousness — true rightness with God — that starts in our hearts. It's our relationship with Him that makes transformation possible, changing us from the inside out. The law without that relationship is just a rulebook. But the relationship — that deep communion with our Father — is what gives the law its meaning. That's everything.

RESPOND

Take a moment to sit with what God might be saying to you through this passage:

• Be honest with yourself: Are there areas of your life where you're going through the motions outwardly more than you're being genuinely shaped by your love for Jesus inwardly?

• Does this passage stir something in you about a countercultural way of living that you might need to lean into? What's one step you could take today to move a little closer to the way of Jesus?

REST

Take a moment to simply be still in God's presence. Consider one thing you want to carry with you from your time in His Word today, then close with this prayer:

Father, thank you for Your Word and Your wisdom. Help me keep my eyes on Your ways and not get pulled off course by the voices of my culture that point me away from You. I trust You. Lead me toward righteousness that starts in my heart. I love You and I trust You. Amen.

Port City writer Tara Adams wrote today’s devotional.