Houses of Response by Ps Michael Podhaczky

Houses of Response

Matthew in Matt 7:24-29, mentions two houses and two responses; one wise and one foolish. The statement following this says,

²⁸ “When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at His teaching, ²⁹ for He taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law” (Matt 7:28-29 NLT)

What does it mean, “He taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law?” Typically, scribes taught by quoting what earlier rabbis had previously said. However, when Jesus taught it was direct and authoritatively. In this manner, He used the phrase “You have heard that our ancestors were told, but I say…” or something similar throughout Matt 5-7.

This was the concluding section of the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5-7. However, we need to go back further for more background and scriptural perspective (to Matt 4:12-17,18-22 and especially verses 23-25). Verse 25 says, “Great crowds followed Him from Galilee, and from the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, Judea, and from east of the Jordan.” Then chapter 5:1 begins by saying, “And seeing the multitudes, He went up on the mountainside…”

This helps to see the foundation that Matthew laid, for his account of Jesus’ teaching here. Jesus did not use the traditional rabbinic teaching traditional style; rather, a thought-provoking approach seeking a Kingdom response from the listeners. So, when reading the following verses Matt 7:28, 29 (the immediate context of Matt 8:1-9:38, where Jesus came down from the mountain) the tone is set for Jesus to begin putting his teaching into practice.

To know the Father, through Jesus Christ, and to live a redeemed life, was the challenge that Matthew gave to the readers. The message is still relevant today; it has not, nor will it change. It remains that the only way to know the Father is through Jesus Christ. The way that the Christ-follower is to live is laid out here, opposed to the works of the Law. The message of Jesus Christ is still thought provoking and seeks a spiritual response from you, the listener.