The Sermon
on the Mount
Matthew 5-7
Jesus’ popular teachings
that are often called “the sermon on the mount” are not for everyone. And yet, of course, they are for
everyone. Let me explain.
In Matthew chapter 4 we
read that Jesus had been supernaturally healing everyone who came to him. Naturally, this stirred a lot of
interest! More and more people began to
follow him. Such a huge crowd of people
followed him that he went up on a mountainside to teach them. It’s as if he was saying: “So you are looking
for physical healing from God – let me show you how to find true and complete
healing from God – a life transformation.”
I’m sure many books
have been written on the teachings in this sermon of Jesus’, but I want to
focus on his one simple message –
Here’s how a person who wants to follow God
can
line up his behavior with what God is really like.
I see three truths that Jesus revealed about
God:
- God is holy – no fudging it.
- God is genuine – no faking it.
- God is generous – no worries.
Here’s where I explain
why this sermon is not directed at “everyone” – Jesus was talking to those who
were “following” him, those who were seeking God.
So when he talks about
divorce, murder, adultery – he tells them that their cultural morality they
have grown up with won’t do. If you’re
seeking after God, God is holy – you will have to set the bar higher. You think that a good person is kind? God is even kind to his enemies. You think that you’re OK in your marriage if
you stop short of sex with others, but where is your head? You think it’s natural to want revenge for a
wrong, but God is forgiving and compassionate.
Next he kind of
addresses the “religious” crowd – those who have been faithful to go to synagogue
and obey the Mosaic law all their life.
Praying, fasting, and tithing, these people “seem” to be seeking
God. But you can’t fake God out – you will
have to really mean your prayers and do your service to others from the heart
if you want to follow God. God
entertains no fakers. Get real.
And then there are his
encouraging words to the normal, hard-working people – don’t be discouraged,
because God is way more generous than you think and he’s got your back. So you work 9 to 5 and take a second job to
support the family and still you worry that you can’t make ends meet? Look around you! Even flowers and birds get their needs met by
this caring Father, and you have the privilege and ability to ask when you need
something! Don’t worry about it.
So, you see, Jesus was
not talking to people who want to be good, he was talking to people who want to
have God. You can be good by the world’s
standards and miss God’s completely. How
badly do you want God himself? It’s up
to you.
