Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is one of the most famous sermons ever given. Some of the things he says in it have become well known sayings, like, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you; Love your enemies; Turn the other cheek; Don’t cast your pearls before swine; Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find.”
All sorts of people have treasured this sermon, including Mahatma Gandhi and Leo Tolstoy. Yet others find it deeply unsettling. Here are some less well known lines: “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect; Everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
What are we supposed to do with the Sermon on the Mount? Is it just a random list of requirements? Or is Jesus somehow pointing us to a greater meaning? Starting at the beginning of Matthew and leading into this famous sermon we’ll tackle these important questions as we see what Jesus says it looks like to be a son or daughter of God.
Everyone’s welcome at Trinity North East. Come along this Sunday at 10am.