Whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:19
The Sermon on the Mount is the longest and most recorded of Jesus’ teachings.
It is of this teaching that Jesus said would not vanish until heaven and earth disappear. It is directly after this teaching that he says that those who listen and do those words would be those who built their house on the rock and not the sand.
At this point, I’m pretty convinced that the Sermon on the Mount is essential for Christian living and discipleship.
As Christians, one of our identities is that we are those who follow and imitate the life of Jesus. Monkey see, monkey do. The call to discipleship is the call to imitate the discipler.
And the sermon on the mount is not just something Jesus taught but something that Jesus lived.
With that, we’re stuck with this question: How does one possibly live up to the standards as exemplified by the Sermon on the Mount?
Do we believe that these teachings are a moral and ethical bar that is held so high above our heads that they are a implausible expectancy? I mean c’mon, loving your enemies? Giving to everyone who asks you? Leaving worship service in order to reconcile with your brother?
And as we read it, we feel the perpetual weight of our inability to walk and live like Jesus did (does).
What is a Christian supposed to do?
To be continued…
