Great thinkers throughout history have speculated about “prudence” (wisdom). St. Augustine defined it as “the knowledge of what to seek and what to avoid.” Not downloading the answer for every possible situation – but becoming a prudent/wise person. In Matthew 7:21-29, Jesus tells us hearing and doing his kingdom teachings form true wisdom in us.

There is worldly wisdom, but true wisdom comes from Jesus’s words (v. 24, 26). We pursue prudence by hearing and doing the Word of God, especially the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7). Though challenging, this is the way to the “good life” or “flourishing” as our Creator intended. Pursuing wisdom requires humility and begins by turning from other “words” to listen to Jesus’s words.

And having heard, Jesus says a wise person pursues “wholeness”– to be righteous outwardly and inwardly (5:20-30), to hear and do his words. This is the point of the images in Matt 7: a healthy tree produces healthy fruit (v. 15-20), outward religious works are useless if we don’t know Jesus inwardly (v. 21-23), the unseen foundations distinguish the houses (v. 24-28). Through the Sermon on the Mount, the Holy Spirit will show us where we lack wholeness and how to pursue it.

A wise person also thinks ahead, so too Jesus calls his followers to look ahead – to the judgment (v. 21-23, 27) and the Kingdom (6:9-10). Where does inward un-righteousness lead? To judgment and separation from God (Matt 25:1-13). 

Jesus is not calling us to climb a moral ladder to achieve salvation. He came to save us from sins (1:21) and to give His righteousness to those who desire it (5:6). Rather, the Sermon on the Mount is a depiction of what life in the Kingdom will look like. It is a call to think ahead, to prepare for that life now empowered by his Spirit and means of grace.

This Lent, how will you listen more closely to Jesus’s words so you might do them? As you reflect on the Sermon on the Mount, where do you lack wholeness and need forgiveness?

Here is a helpful podcast on the Sermon on the Mount

https://thetwotestaments.com/matthew-5-7-with-dr-jonathan-pennington/