7/05/25 More Than Inspiration

Takeaway: True discipleship begins not with admiring Jesus’ words, but with submitting to His authority.

Opening Prayer (Saturday)

Father, thank You for the gift of rest. As I slow down today, help me to find peace in You. Restore my soul, deepen my faith, and renew my joy in Your presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflection

There’s something magnetic about Jesus. Even people who don’t follow Him are often drawn to His words. They quote His sayings, admire His compassion, and praise His moral clarity. In Matthew 7, we see that same astonishment in the crowds’ response to His Sermon on the Mount. But what’s striking is not just what Jesus said, but how He said it: “as one who had authority.” He didn’t speak like the scribes, who referenced other teachers. Jesus spoke with the boldness of one who didn’t need to borrow authority. He didn’t merely interpret truth; He was the truth. And this is where the danger lies for us today: to admire Jesus without submitting to Him, or to treat Him as a source of inspiration instead of the Lord of all things.

We live in a culture that often prefers inspiration over submission. We like our heroes wise and gentle, as long as they don’t challenge our autonomy. It’s tempting to reduce Jesus to a sage who offers encouragement when we’re low, and advice when we need it. But Jesus never offer us that version of Himself. He didn’t leave open the option to be admired without being obeyed. His words demand a response. The Sermon on the Mount doesn’t conclude with a quote for reflection; it ends with a warning. The difference between building on rock or sand, life or ruin, hinges on doing what Jesus says (Matthew 7:24–27). To be astonished by Jesus and yet not follow Him is to stand in awe of a lighthouse and still steer your boat into the rocks.

When we reduce Jesus to just a figure of inspiration, we domesticate the gospel. We make it palatable, manageable, and safe for us. But Jesus didn’t come to inspire us. His authority is not oppressive, but freeing. He calls us not just to admire His ethic, but to enter His kingdom. His words confront our pride, challenge our assumptions, and lead us into radical love. If we truly believe Jesus is who He says He is, God’s Son, then we cannot simply applaud His words; we must build our lives on them.

The invitation, then, is to move beyond amazement into discipleship. Let the teachings of Jesus not just touch your emotions but shape your choices. Let His words disrupt your comfort, dismantle your assumptions, and re-center your purpose. He is not just a wise teacher among many; He is the voice of God breaking through human noise. When Jesus speaks, heaven speaks. So today, ask yourself: Do I admire Jesus, or do I obey Him? Only one response will lead to life.

Questions

In what ways have I admired Jesus without fully submitting to His authority in my life?

How do I respond when His words challenge my comfort, preferences, or autonomy?

Application

Choose one specific teaching from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) and intentionally live it out. For example, practicing forgiveness, blessing your enemies, giving in secret, or seeking first the kingdom.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, You are not just a wise teacher. I confess You as the Lord of my life. Forgive me for the times I have admired You but failed to obey You. Soften my heart to Your authority, and give me the courage to build my life on Your words. Let Your truth not just inspire me, but transform me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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