the interesting thing about memorizing parts of the Bible

So, I (along with some of my friends) have undertaken a goal to memorize the Sermon on the Mount. [Don't congratulate me, I haven't gotten very far.] One thing I'm finding that is very interesting is how the whole process is opening my eyes to old and familiar scriptures. I'm not sure how others' brains work but as I set about the task of memorizing a particular verse it is easy for me to grasp and remember the main concept of the verse.

For example, today I am trying to commit Matthew 5:18 to memory. My first attempt to recite it without looking went something like this:

"Truly, until heaven and earth pass away, the smallest letter or the least stroke of a pen will not disappear until everything is accomplished."

Not bad... I think it is pretty true to what Jesus said, but here is how my translation (TNIV) reads:
"Truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished."

So, what I am really enjoying is learning all the small details of this sermon Jesus gave that modify and clarify what he was trying to convey. Often I find it in the things I forget on the first run. Here is something I missed the first time around today:

• in the last clause Jesus modifies his statement that "nothing will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished" by saying it will not happen "by any means".

This strengthens what he is saying incredibly. They will not disappear by any means! I missed that every time for the first 31 years of my life until I tried to memorize it.