Jesus is teaching here it is not enough to turn from evil. Evil needs to be replaced with Christ or greater evil will return (v24-26). It is not enough to just stop certain behaviour in our lives, there needs to be something better in its place. If people try to clean up their lives and live in a more sensible and moral manner, they may achieve that, but it doesn’t make them into a better person. They need to come to know Christ, His cleansing power and the new life that is to be found in Him.

Salvation includes repentance and faith hand in hand. Repentance is the turning away from our sin, and faith is the turning to Christ in new life.

A woman from the crowds speaks of how blessed Jesus’ mother must be in having a son like Him (v27). Jesus rather teaches that true blessedness comes from a life changed by God’s word (v28).

Being a church member and attending a church in itself is not enough. We must have the power of Christ and His word in our lives. It is this relationship with Christ, based on the truth of His word that makes such an amazing difference. Do you know and walk with Jesus in a daily living relationship?