November 1, 2020

Matthew 5-7 is called the Sermon on the Mount because Jesus gave it on a hillside near Capernaum.  It is the “Magna Charta” of Christianity.  In it Jesus proclaimed His attitude toward the law and His expectations for those who will be Kingdom dwellers.  In Matthew 5:38-42, Jesus teaches about retaliation, and in Matthew 5:43-48, Jesus teaches about loving enemies.  To many Jews of Jesus’ day: “That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.  And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.  And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain” these statements were offensive.  Any Messiah who would turn the other cheek was not the military leader they wanted to lead a revolt against Rome.  Many today find it offensive to suggest that our political leaders could learn much from the Sermon on the Mount.  They are impressed with those that they perceive to be strong political leaders that are bombastic, bullies, narcissistic, and exudes a “macho” confidence.  Jesus tells us:  Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”.   What a radical response to injustice and the end result is “that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven:”  “For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye?  do not even the publicans the same?  Dear ones, in this very toxic political climate, even if the political leaders do not learn from the Sermon on the Mount, we certainly must.  Jesus says in verse 48: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”  Not sinless perfection, but perfect in character, in holiness, in maturity, and in love.  We can be perfect if our behavior is appropriate for our maturity level – PERFECT.

Be blessed and be perfect.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

Jehovah God spoke through the Prophet Amos many years ago this admonition:  “But let judgement (justice) run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.”  Then, as now, justice was perverted and those who try to do right are hated for their justice.  The law courts should have been, and should be, places of justice where the poor and oppressed can find relief.  The unfortunate, it is as Paul says of the Law of Moses in Romans 8:3: “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in flesh:” The basic problem of our society is sin, and our Problem Solver has dealt with this issue once and for all times.  When I look at some of the lawsuits being filed today as an example, the Trump administration suing to end the National Census, the Texas GOP suing to end curbside and drive-thru voting, how needful it is for “Justice to run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.”  We are not now there but this Pastor sees a reason for hope.  When I see the all inclusive involvement in the protest of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and many others, one will note that the moral arc of righteousness is slowly bending toward justice for all.  As was spoken by the prophet Amos “the day of the Lord” is coming and it will bring judgement (justice).  In spite of everything, GOD HAS SPOKEN.  As for you dear people, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Gal. 6:9) “The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways” (Deuteronomy 28:7) Amen.

Pastor J. Amos Jones