Reflections on the Sermon on the Mount (part I)

Introduction

It often occurs to me that folks are often confused about Christian beliefs. I like to take all scripture seriously and am especially pleased in sharing stories from the Old Testament as it reflects the life of a people who often felt a special relationship with God and were in conversation with that God regularly. That is a bit naïve and perhaps more based on Tevye’s relationship and conversations with God in the musical The Fiddler on the Roof. In truth, they probably were just as errant in their ways as we are, but I still like the idea. I would like to promote that idea of daily intimate conversations with God as Tevye had.

I also believe that this God is most revealed in his Son, Jesus of Nazareth; his teachings, and lifestyle examples. We find those in his many parables, which are great storytelling techniques. And we find it in his great sermon, The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), or Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6. 17-49). For my purposes and I will be using Eugene H. Peterson’s translation, The Message, for his fresh look at these teachings.

I hope my reflections help clarify for others and myself what God wishes to reveal to us in these times.

Reflections on the Sermon on the Mount

You’re Blessed Matthew 5. 5-12

5 1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:

3 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

4 “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

5 “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.

6 “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.

7 “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.

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

9 “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.

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

11-12 “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.

This message of Jesus is commonly referred to as the beatitudes. Here Jesus talks about 8 blessings we have or receive when we practice the teachings of Jesus. They are gifts God gives for faithful discipleship. A number of folk use “if, then” logic with the blessings of the beatitudes. I don’t think that is accurate, the blessing is in the act of the action itself. For example, you don’t find peace as a reward to working for peace, the blessing is in doing peacemaking activities. It feels good to do the right thing, it is not a payment for good works. Now on to the blessings.

For instance, when we find ourselves in dire straights, or at the end of our rope, it is a very good time to converse with God, to gain clarity and perspective on those things that have upset us. Just turning to God in conversation, prayer, helps our orientation to see our way through issues.

Next, Jesus tells us, when we are caught up in intense grief over the loss of someone near and dear to us, it is a good time to turn to the one whose love is eternal and unconditional. It is a time to embrace our God and our faith so “we do not grieve at others who lack hope (1 Thessalonians 4.13.) It is a time to be open to God’s embrace when we feel alone or abandoned.

Jesus then offers us the sound advice to just accept things as they are and be content. We find it so easy to complain about what others have that we want (covet), or situations that discomfort us. As Jesus said a bit later, worrying about things doesn’t change anything, it just makes us feel worse. Instead, think of all the blessings that you do have, it is the sugar that helps the medicine go down as Julies Andrew sings in Mary Poppins.

Jesus tells us to enjoy it when we are active in our discipleship, no matter what. Faithfulness and disciple discipleship are tasty.

Jesus tells us that when we care for people when we are aware of others' burdens and are sympathetic and have empathy, there is a blessing feeling God-like in the best sense. When that happens we can embrace being the children of God.

Too much introspection can give rise to a number of woes and even narcissism. However, when you are in close conversation with God, that introspection can give rise to great intimacy to our creation and give us a great perspective on the rest of the world.

We are very unblessed when we get all hung up on what is wrong with the world, and rotten other people are, and we constantly fight with others. Our competitive world can at worst lead to violence. When we see ourselves as part of the same team working for the same goals, especially God’s goals, we have a great sense of peace and belonging. Feels good.

We like to be popular and belong. But if popularity and being in the “in crowd” leads us to material and fleshly pleasures only that popularity is hollow and unfulfilling. If you do the right thing even if it makes you unpopular or not “with it” but you feel right with God for doing godly things, you can treasure beyond the “goodies” of this world. Look to be a good citizen in God’s world and you will benefit this world.

All is not right with the world, but God is still in her heaven. So, if people give you a lot of crap for working to preserve the world God gave us when we promote positivity instead of negativity when we show love rather than hate, when we work for the common good rather than selfish desires and folk call you a “goody-two-shoes”, rejoice because you have chosen the right crowd to be in with; God’s crowd of faithful, disciplined followers.