Barney Wiget - What on Earth?: Considering the Social Implications of Jesus Sermon on the Mount

Considering the Social Implications of Jesus Sermon on the Mount

Barney Wiget

The worst thing a book can do for a Christian is to leave him with the impression that he has received from it anything really good; the best it can do is to point the way to the Good he is seeking. The work of a good book is to incite the reader to moral action, to turn his eyes toward God and urge him forward. Beyond that it cannot go.

A. W. Tozer

I hope that this book is one of those books, a signpost for you and for me. Im motivated as much by my own self-therapy as for your edification. I write as a fellow traveler. I still do wrestle with conceit as much as anyone, so if I exude an illusion of spiritual expertise it is not my intent. If I am ahead of you in the journey I invite you to join me. If youre ahead of me I urge you forward. Keep going and bring us with you.

This book is not meant to be a mere explanation of Jesus words but an invitation into doing life with him. I dont want to just tell you what the Sermon on the Mount means. I want to join the Spirit as he beckons you into a meaningful life with those of us who are trying to follow Jesus.

There are a lot of miracles in the Bible, says David Brooks, but the most astounding one is the existence of that short sermon. Ive studied and taught through these three chapters in Matthew at least a dozen times during my life. I memorized it in college and have longed to understand it and live it ever since. Though my moral muscle memory is set to ways contrary to kingdom values, the Spirit perseveres in his efforts to reset those reflexes of mine to inchmeal in order to reflect the ways of Jesus charted in these chapters.

With so much of it that I still dont grasp or practice to perfection, writing a book on it frightens me a bit. Since fear is no excuse for paralysis, Ill try to share what I currently see and leave you to the Spirits guidance for the rest.

I will warn you that this Sermon, which is a condensation of some of the primary ethical teachings of Jesus, maybe more than in all his other discourses preserved for us in the New Testament, challenges our presuppositions about living the Christian life and calls us into an outlandish disciples lifestyle. Taken intravenously, these three chapters in the book of Matthew will positively upset your equilibrium, invite you to muse, and challenge you to act.

Why question me? Jesus said to the high priest. Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said (John :). Is it true that they knew? Surely we know what he said. Right? To our shame, a lot of us dont. There are an awful lot of biblically illiterate churchgoers these days. But the more relevant question is, will we do what he said? Furthermore, will we try to do all that he said or simply cherry-pick those items that suit us? That happens a lot with this particular discourse of Jesus.

Its been said and begs to be said again that its time for a Christianity that looks more like Jesus! Neither his Sermon nor this book will automatically get you there. I know this because throughout all my years of reading and studying the Bible, along with reading hundreds of other books hasnt mysteriously transformed me from sinner into sainthood. But biblical knowledge plus collaboration between the Spirit and our will can produce better Christians.

We were originally hardwired to live the way Jesus prescribes here. Granted, with the break in our internal wiring, conduction is limited and our light shines intermittently at best.

Therefore, many readers blunt the sharp edge of this Teaching by romanticizing it as so much virtuous poetry. Many people have told me how much they love the Sermon on the Mount along with its fetching prose and lovely poetry. I have to wonder if theyve actually read it! If they had, and I mean read it pensively with personal application in mind, I cant see how they could laud it as so much handsomely worded oratory.

Jesus didnt offer a sweet, syrupy spirituality for people who are looking for a little more religion in their lives. The Jesus that some people seem to love is the one who makes no real demands on them and allows them to live any way they choose. Just be nice to everyone, go to church once in a while, take out the garbage when its full, and youre good to go.

For some, the Discourse contains perhaps some of Jesus most familiar teaching yet least followed. I suppose this could be explained by both nature and nurture. We inherited a contrarian nature from Adam and absorbed a defiant posture from all his children since. That must be why Jesus requires our death in order to walk in his way. If we want his way we have to deny our own and carry a cross around for ready access.

Read it, soak in his words, observe the radical lifestyle he prescribes, die to your idols, and hold on to him for dear life!