Can I Live by the Sermon on the Mount?

   I admit I struggled with this passage this morning. Matthew 5:17-18 (MSG):

“Don’t suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures—either God’s Law or the Prophets. I’m not here to demolish but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama. God’s Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God’s Law will be alive and working."

   And here in the NKJV:

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled." 

   It seems I can get the overall gist of the passage, that God's Law is still in effect and will last forever, but how do I live it out on a daily basis?

   Just a few verses down in this same chapter, Jesus talks about two of the ten Commandments and gives new meaning to the literal explanation of each.

   There are lots of commandments and laws in the Old Testament, from the "Big Ten" down to dietary laws, health issues, serving in the tabernacle, etc.

   Then Jesus brings all of the commandments down to just two, Love God and Love Your Neighbor, everything stems from that Great Commandment. Sounds easy enough on the surface, but when I begin to ponder what all that entails, I am amazed at the ramifications of those 6 words.

   How I live my life today, not only affects my relationships in the present but will keep on for years to come. I can get my mind around that statement, but it will take more time to reflect on all the other things included in the Torah.

   I have heard people state that they will live by the Sermon on the Mount.

   An admirable thought, perhaps, but do they really understand all that is in these 3 chapter? I sure don't, and I'm not even through the first chapter.

   (Written on the journey to attempt understanding, with God's help.)

 

Right Light

   When I read the verses in Matthew 5 this morning, and its references to Light, there is not any question in my mind as to the image that be my focus. I look in my photo file and find over 90 images of lighthouses, and most of them are the same building, our own lighthouse on St. Simons. It seems that every time we go down to the Village area, that tall beacon just thrusts its image into our consciousness as it looms over the whole surrounding landscape. Be it morning, noon, or night, it is there. If I go to take pictures of a sunrise, it is there and calls out to me. It is the same for playground pictures, or beach pictures, or sunsets, or anything, I can't seem to ever go to that area without coming  back with some "light" images.

   One of my favorites, for sure, but there are many "favorites:

   The function of lighthouses is to assure safe passages to ships coming to harbor, and Christians should have the same effect. Matthew 5: 14-16 in The Message:

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven."

   Some lighthouses do not have a working light, one that still shines in its original purpose. Once there was help there, but now it is just a tall structure, a relic of the past.

   God says that a Christian's purpose is to be light-bearers, and all people bear some kind of light.

   I want to bear the right kind of light, a helping and loving light, and He says that I am blessed when I do.

   And I want to be blessed and to hear that "well done".



 

A God Flavored Creation

   Before I went to walk this morning, I read the next verse in Matthew 5, the one I would focus on today. From The Message, verse 13:

“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage."

   And from the New King James, same verse:

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men."

   And then I thought about those words as I walked along the path. And the question:

   What is the role of the Christian in the world today? To be salt, and what does salt do?

   According to the verse in The Message, it brings out the God-flavors of this earth.

   So as I walked, I stopped and talked to three people, an ex-neighbor, a friend and a lady with a hurt dog. In my mind I could see how I could be salt to each of those, just by stopping to talk, treating them as important enough to have a conversation, and not just keeping on with my walking.

   But was there more to the time spent out there? What else did I see or hear that spoke of the God-flavors of my world?

   Well, there was a turkey buzzard sitting by the cart path, one who flew away as I approached. There was that turtle, one of the type that inhabit the ponds on the course. He was on dry land, heading south, evidently moving his habitat from the pond on #4 back to the one on #3, slowly but surely, and then the rabbit eating the new grass beside the marsh.

   Now no one was in earshot so I talked to each of these, asking about their day, what they were about, and, in the case of the turtle, why he was moving, especially when it took such effort and such a long time.

   I thought back to the story of St. Francis, who, according to legend, preached to the animals as they gathered around him and gave him their attention.

   Then I wondered about those creatures. They didn't talk back to me, they gave no indication that they even heard my low voice, did they think about me at all?

   Francis would have said, and maybe did, that we should respect all the creation of God. People, animals and all the plant life as well. He was an ecological monk for sure.

   Respect the creation and worship the Creator

   And forget about the guy talking to the turtle.

   Probably a lot of chuckles among the turtles in pond #3, when they heard that story.

   Funny Farm material.....

Rights and Wrongs

   Matthew 5:11-12 (The Message):

“Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

   Matthew 5: 11-12 (New KIng James)

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

   I note that these verses do not just say we are blessed when we are called out for wrongs, only for those that are actually lies. There is no "blessed" in being put down for actually doing wrong, only for right actions that are falsely classified as wrong.

   May I do the right things without fear of other's speaking against me. Let me do right and receive the applause of the "Only One Who Matters"

   A short thought for today, but one that I need

 

Problem or Solution?

 
   There are tags attached to furniture that look like this:

   "Except by Consumer".

   I am the one who is reading these verses today, so I am the consumer in this case. How does this verse below speak to me?

   Matthew 5:10 (The Message):

“You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom."

   Matthew 5:10 (New King James):

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
    For theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

   Definition of the word "persecution": What does it mean to persecute?

"to pursue with harassing or oppressive treatment, especially because of religion, race, or beliefs;harass persistently."

   Is that me? Even though the idea of the Beatitudes is to show how the blessings of God fall to those who are true to His Word, I have to look at myself on both sides of that word. Am I persecuted, and/or do I persecute?

   I have to admit, that when I read these verses, I did not even think of myself as being one who might persecute others, but I realize that it can be true. In Christian circles, I read of believers who are killed for their faith, but Christians can be unChrist like in their attitudes and words toward others who are different. I can put them down and treat them as inferior and be guilty of this action against them.

   While I want to emphasize the joy of being blessed by God, as shown in these verses at the beginning of Matthew 5, I have to realize that the inverse of the word "blessed" can also apply. I sure do not want to be "cursed" for being in the camp of the persecutors.

   I got a note the other day from a reader of this blog, criticizing me for being so hard on myself, but I often feel that God speaks in my life to show me areas that are not pleasing to Him. Not that He is always looking to zap me, but because He knows that the blessings he offers for right living are so much better.

   So, although I can see other ways to think on this Beatitude, like why I am not persecuted, or how I can be a persecuted person while living here in America, I can also see why God might speak to me in this opposite mode. Kind of like getting the log out of my own eye, before thinking of the speck in others.

   Not self degradation, but self examination, and seeing truth.

   And wanting to be a part of the solution, not part of the problem.

How About It?

   Matthew 5:9 (The Message):

“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family."

   Same verse (New King James):

"Blessed are the peacemakers,
    For they shall be called sons of God."

   Peacemakers, not just be peaceful, but make peace. There is an active ingredient here, not just a passive one.

   On the surface, this seems a logical and easily understood task, but it is hard to get my mind around it. Being peaceful is easier, just don't cause conflict myself and encourage others to live peaceful lives also. But there must be more than that.

   I looked up peacemaker on Google and got all kinds of hits for this word:

   Jimmy Carter and his efforts for peace..

   A movie The Peacemaker, which looks kinda violent..

   An online school that teaches conflict resolution..

   A game called Peacemaker which puts players in roles to help the process..

   Even a pistol, referred to as the peacemaker..

   But where do I fit in? What does God call me to do?

   Carry a gun and step in with a "peace or else" mandate?

   How about being aware of where I have opportunities to serve, at home, at church, in the condo complex, in the community and being a voice of reason there?

   How about trying to see both sides (or more) of an issue before jumping in?

   How about being part of a solution instead of part of the problem?

   How about listening to God's voice and going from there?

   How about it?

The Correct Order of Things

   Matthew 5:8 (NKJV):

"Blessed are the pure in heart,
    For they shall see God."

   Matthew 5:8 (The Message)?

“You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world."

   Where do I go with this passage today?

   I ran across this on one of my rabbit trails this morning. Since I have been using St. Francis of Assisi, his actions and words to shepherd my thoughts through these Sermon on the Mount chapters in Matthew's Gospel, I looked up this verse on Google with his name attached to the search.

   After reading down through a long list of things out in the world that can take my heart away from being pure and holy, there were these lines, written as a prayer: (not by Francis but another)

"That others may be esteemed more than I,


Jesus grant me the grace to desire it.That in the opinion of the world, others
may increase, and I may decrease,...


Jesus grant me the grace to desire it.That others may be chosen and I set aside,


Jesus grant me the grace to desire it.That others may be praised and I unnoticed,


Jesus grant me the grace to desire it.That Others may be preferred to me in everything,


Jesus grant me the grace to desire it.That others may become holier than I, provided
that I may become as holy as I should."


Jesus grant me the grace to desire it."
   In my desire to be holy, do I just concentrate on myself or is there more?

   Others, the more important ones.

   The path to purity of heart leads through the land that others occupy and is evidenced by my attitudes toward them.

   Jesus first, Others second, then me......