Kingdom Disciples

At the end of his sermon, Jesus claimed absolute authority for his words. If we ignore them, we risk rejection by him – Matthew 7:21-28. “ I never knew you! Depart from me! ” These are the most frightening words we might ever hear from Jesus. His warning demonstrates that Christ’s teachings are not optional. The commandments of the ‘Sermon on the Mount’ teach us how we are to live as faithful citizens of the Kingdom of God.

À la fin de son sermon, Jésus a revendiqué une autorité absolue pour ses paroles. Si nous les ignorons, nous risquons d'être rejetés par lui - Matthieu 7:21-28. “ Je ne t'ai jamais connu! Retirez-vous de moi ! ” Ce sont les paroles les plus effrayantes que nous puissions jamais entendre de Jésus. Son avertissement démontre que les enseignements du Christ ne sont pas facultatifs. Les commandements du ‘Sermon sur la Montagne’ nous enseignent comment nous devons vivre en citoyens fidèles du Royaume de Dieu.

When we react to hostility with hostility and anger, Satan wins . T he reality of persecution raises questions. How should we respond when attacked by the State, the culture, society, or even our family and friends? Is resorting to anger or retaliation appropriate, or should we emulate examples from the life of Jesus? In his teachings, he warned us to expect “ tribulation ,” and he summoned us to follow his path (“ If they persecuted me, so they will persecute you ”).

Fulfillment is a key theme in the Gospel of Matthew . With the arrival of the Messiah, the time of fulfillment began. What were the implications for the Law of Moses? In his ‘ Sermon on the Mount ’, Jesus provides clear answers. He did not come to settle the interpretive disputes between competing Jewish sects over the details of the Law but to FULFILL the “ Law and the Prophets .”

The life, words, and deeds of Jesus echo key events from the History of Israel. He brings the things God began in the past to their intended fulfillment. He is the Greater Lawgiver foreshadowed in the story of the Exodus from Egypt. By presenting parallels between Moses and Jesus, the Gospel of Matthew prepares us for the teachings of Christ, especially as represented in his ‘ Sermon on the Mount ’.

Persecution is always a possibility for the followers of Jesus and his Church. We may face hostility from employers, neighbors, government, and family members because of our beliefs and practices. So, how should we react when the possibility becomes a brutal reality? Jesus and the Apostles provided clear instructions and examples of how the Church must respond when faced with persecution.

Mercy and love are the defining characteristics of Christ’s disciples, and they reflect the essential nature of His Father  – Matthew 5:43-48. Jesus exhorted us to become “ perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect ,” yet how can we reflect the perfect righteousness of God? Our Lord's answer is clear -  By performing acts of mercy, especially to our enemies . Self-sacrificial love goes to the heart of Christ’s message and demonstrates the merciful nature of His Father. Was the Nazarene not the Messiah who submitted to an unjust death for us when we were the “ enemies of God ”?