To be a man was to be responsible. It was as simple as that. To be a man was to build some-thing, to try to make the world about him a bit easier to live in for himself and those who followed. You could sneer at that, you could scoff, you could refuse to acknowledge it, but when it came right down to it, Conn decided it was the man who planted a tree, dug a well, or graded a road who mattered.”
–Louis L’Amour (Conagher)
“But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”
–Luke 6:49 (NIV)
——————————-
I have greatly enjoyed watching The Chosen over the seasons. One item that I disagree with is when Jesus is “preparing” for the Sermon on the Mount. The film shows Him anxious, even fretful; He says He has to make it right. It is my humble opinion that Jesus was not anxious, nor fearful of making a public speech. We read several places in Scripture not to fear, nor to have anxiety. This was His calling, part of His great purpose. Jesus is the message–the message is Jesus.
The Sermon on the Mount, oh my, what a series of life lessons, of ethics in which to guide one’s life. John Stott says, “Here is a Christian value-system, ethical standard, religious devotion, attitude to money, ambition, lifestyle and network of relationships–all of which are totally at variance with those of the non-Christian world.” If we have trouble with them, then check to see how close to the world we are living.
There are two main views regarding this “Sermon.” One is that it was one sermon given on one day. The other is that it is a set of sermons preached throughout Jesus’ ministry and Matthew simply placed them together as a whole. There are some, of which I agree, that believe it could have been one sermon, but that they were also taught throughout His ministry. I have started a study, as you can see, on what we call the Beatitudes. One thing I have not noticed before now is the eschatological aspect of these verses as well as the practical meaning. Keep that in mind as we look at them together.
John Stott writes, “The beatitudes set forth the blessings God gives to those in whom He is working such a character–blessings given not as a reward for merit but as a gift of grace.” The writing of Matthew simply begins, “And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:” (Matthew 5:1-2, NKJV) When “He opened His mouth” is used as a solemn, grave, and dignified utterance. The Greeks thought of it an “oracle”–a weighty saying. In other words–LISTEN! Listen, take to heart the words of Jesus. According to William Barclay, this means that, “A person is really opening his heart and fully pouring out his mind. It is used of intimate teaching with no barriers between.”
To close out this introduction I want you to think of the setting and Jesus opening His heart to the disciples and to the multitude that had gathered. Contemplate, ponder, meditate simply on the words of these two simple verses. Then I want you to get into the imagery that Thomas Watson portrays:
“Here is a garden of delight, where you may pluck those flowers which will deck the hidden man of your heart. Here is the golden key, which will open the gates of Paradise! Here is the conduit of the Gospel, running wine to nourish as are poor in spirit and pure in heart. Here is the rich cabinet wherein the Pearl of Blessedness is locked up. Here is the gold pot in which that manna which will feed and revive the soul unto everlasting life. Here is a way chalked out to the Holy of Holies.”