teaching
30 - 01/25 /16:17
When Jesus saw the crowds He went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him and He began to teach them.
— Matthew chapter 5
Jesus’ sermon on the mount scorns human wisdom. One example: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.” Jesus taught an upside-down reality.
His teaching presents a kingdom of heaven ethic applicable for citizens of God’s kingdom. The sermon on the mount seems impracticable because it doesn’t work for human law or human government.
Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others.” The purpose of the sermon on the mount is to transform Christ-followers into sign posts that proclaim the kingdom of heaven has come near. God’s kingdom is accessible. And like it or not, that kingdom is on its way to overthrow all human systems.
Problem is, the sermon on the mount gives advantages to selfish and evil people. Jesus said, “Do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” This doesn’t offer methodologies for human success. Compliance does not help you get ahead in this world. Instead, compliance prepares you for the kingdom that shall come while alerting those who seek truth to the fact that something other-worldly is near and coming.
2015 Dylan Roof walked into a prayer meeting at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC. The believers in that prayer group thought Dylan came seeking truth. In fact he came seeking to ignite a race war. During the closing prayer Dylan Roof pulled out a gun and shot eleven of the twelve people at that prayer meeting, leaving one unhurt to be a witness.
South Carolina law allows victims to confront the perpetrator in court. Upon his conviction for nine murders along with assault and hate crimes, relatives of some of those Dylan murdered offered forgiveness. Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” Sheila Capers, sister-in-law of Cynthia Hurd, told Dylan she prayed for his soul to be saved. “If at any point you want me to come and pray with you, I will do that.”
The survivors of that Emanuel AME Church prayer group became a flashing neon billboard that the kingdom of heaven is near and offers out-of-this-world power and love.
Jesus explained how to access the kingdom of heaven. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” The portal to God’s kingdom opens to those who ask, opens to seekers who humbly approach God’s house and ring the doorbell. ~
Blessings,
Dan Nygaard