The Sermon on the Mountain. Everyone calls it “mount” but I like to be different. We’ve all read this many times, I wonder if I can notice anything different this time?
My first thought relates to how the passage is broken into segments, and how the Beatitudes are identified separately. What if the whole thing is one Beatitude? “Blessed are you when……because you will receive…….”. That makes more sense. Looking at them as separate raises questions: “Why wouldn’t those with pure hearts who see God also be called “children of God?” That doesn’t make sense. But if all of them describe one person, a person who is pure, seeks peace, is merciful, humble, etc. it begins to become clear.
My first thought relates to how the passage is broken into segments, and how the Beatitudes are identified separately. What if the whole thing is one Beatitude? “Blessed are you when……because you will receive…….”. That makes more sense. Looking at them as separate raises questions: “Why wouldn’t those with pure hearts who see God also be called “children of God?” That doesn’t make sense. But if all of them describe one person, a person who is pure, seeks peace, is merciful, humble, etc. it begins to become clear.
Thinking of that, it makes sense to me that the following discussion about being salt and light belongs with the Beatitude thought. The Beatitudes are talking about how we relate to others, and that is how we are salt and light.
If there is a break in the train of thought (I think scholars call it a “movement”) it could begin with verse 17. Before this the focus is on our behavior, now Jesus shifts to speak about himself and the Law. But wait, by verse 19 He is once again directing the focus back to our behavior…so maybe this whole discussion is about the type of person we should become. The next few paragraphs tell us that our thought life counts. We can be involved in doing good things, but if our thoughts are evil or corrupt, then God considers us corrupt. That was the real problem with the Pharisees. Jesus called them “whitewashed tombs”, because they looked good on the outside, but on the inside (their heart and mind) they were corrupt.
Acts of worship, anger, adultery and divorce are mentioned here as popular examples of what Jesus is trying to illustrate. You aren’t going to be called “children of God” if you harbor resentment while you sing praises in church. You aren’t going to inherit the kingdom of God, no matter how humble you may appear, if you allow yourself to think about pornography or violence.
The Christian life is only authentic when it occupies your thoughts, your heart and your actions. And it must follow that path: First our mind and thoughts, and then our heart’s desires change, and that leads to different actions.
The Pharisees were trying to offer the right actions without the heart and mind being changed, which we now know isn’t acceptable.
Serving excitedly,
PR