I Tell You the Truth Matthew 5:18 Introduction

Dear Lord,
     You know that I give every student that comes to my office a mustard seed on my business card and we talk about Matthew 17:20  You also know that not one student, staff or parent has ever quoted all of the verse.  All they remember is the "faith of a mustard see can move mountains", part.  Well, I lovingly get after them a little bit and tell them that the rest of the verse is maybe more important than the part they quote, since I do not see major landscaping going on at the student's word.  I tell them that the "I tell you the truth", part and the "nothing shall be impossible for you." part is the most important.

      I asked a student last week, "How many times have you read right past all of the "I tell you the truth" or "Verily I say  unto you" parts of verses and don't even notice the importance?"  Lord, You convicted me with those words!  How many times I have read those verses and not given them any special thought either.  I don't know if it is because I believe everything You say is true or if I am not attentive when I read.  Whatever the cause; Lord You have challenged me to find them all and to ponder them in depth.  All You said to the people back then was true, as You are God and cannot lie.  However; at times You felt it extra important to stress the truth of the statement You were about to make for special importance.

      So, Lord, I ask You to guide and teach me as I go through all of the times in all of the Gospels that You say, "I tell you the truth" and really pay attention this time.

The first time I see this particular "I tell you the truth", is in Matthew 5:18.  I do not find this in any other of the Gospels:
( For some reason the translators in the NIV that I have copyrighted in 1978 by the New York International Bible Society and published by Zondervan Press uses the wording, "I tell you the truth". In the Blue Letter Bible online this is now "Truly I tell you".)

  "I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved." NLT

"For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished." ESV

"For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled." NKJV
 
       You had just been speaking about how we are to be salt and light.  Then You start talking about how You did not come to abolish the law or the prophets, but to fulfill them.  It is after these You state what is in this verse.
  
      First You confirm that heaven and earth will indeed pass away, be destroyed, at some point in the future but You also confirm to me that You are indeed accomplishing something.  You are not just frittering away Your time in Heaven while the world falls apart.

      Then You  reassure me that Your word will stand against time and events until the end of time.  That means I can trust it at all times no matter how evil things get on earth.

      You go on to say, "So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven." NLT


      That is such a strong admonishment and also encouragement to all of us who teach Your word to others!  May I always remember that, O Lord!  Please do not let me forget!