I started re-reading the “Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew
5-7 this week in light of some news that broke in regards to a popular pastor.
This pastor removed himself from the inaugural prayer over a sermon he gave
about 15-20 years ago with a similar title to my post. He had said some words
that were not taken very well by a group of people and it caused him to
withdraw from giving the prayer at the Presidential inauguration. At first I was really upset, or bummed out,
about the situation, but then I came to recognize that maybe it was a good
thing and maybe it could be a great opportunity for some discussion around
standards of living and Christianity.
Forgive the vagueness of the first paragraph, but is
intentional. I am not trying to create a debate as to whether or not the
pastor’s words in his sermon were right or wrong, but to shed light on the only
sermon that was ever given that had no flaws. You see, the “Sermon on the
Mount” was given to a mass group of people and Jesus took the opportunity to
share with them the standards by which He expected them to live. It was a
beautiful message of redemption, reconciliation, love, kindness, compassion,
mercy, and ultimately, how we live life together with people who are in the
world.
Jesus knew that there were going to be differing opinions,
lifestyles, etc. However, for Christians, His thoughts were shared so there was
no wavering. Unfortunately, in our life we tend to do the exact opposite of
what He meant for us to do. The standards are clear: love each other, care for
the poor, love mercy, do justly, don’t hate others, pray regularly, live a life
that is bringing glory to the creator so that His light shines brightly. We
have a role to play in this world to bring people to a closer relationship with
their Creator and by living the way He lays out for us will do just that.
Now, the problem we have is trying to place these standards
on people who are not followers of Christ. These were standards set for people
who literally followed Him to the mountain. They sat to hear His words and He
declared “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them,
may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock…Everyone who
hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man
who built his house on the sand” (7:24-27). We need to walk in the world living
His sermon out so people’s eyes and hearts can be drawn to the Lord, so maybe
they can see a reflection of their Creator in the actions of His followers.
The people of the world are going to make their decisions.
They will remain disconnected from their Redeemer, but if the people who hear
His words truly act on them, the world will see a wiser Church and choose to
live to the standards set by example and not by force. May our hearts and minds
be lifted to the Lord; so His voice and message of reconciliation may be heard
loud and clear when we speak.
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