Today begins our 50 day journey together through the Sermon on the Mount. These three chapters in Matthew are by far Jesus’ most well known teachings, and have been heralded for centuries as the greatest ethical teaching in history. As followers of Jesus we cannot possibly hope to understand the gospel or our role in the Kingdom of God unless we are deeply immersed in the Sermon on the Mount.
As we embark on this journey together, keep in mind that you don’t go alone. None of us is an expert, but we’re all committed to each other as apprentices of Christ. The daily exercises are meant to resemble the rhythm of a daily workout; we’ll mix it up, give you some regular rest days so you can process what you’re learning, and it will get somewhat more intense as the 50 days progresses. Also like a daily workout, it will go better if you find a partner to process it with.
Exercise:
You can do this exercise alone, or with a friend or spouse. Find a quite time and place and read the entire Sermon on the Mount slowly (Matt 5-7), taking in the whole teaching. Then take a few minutes to reflect on what you’ve read, answering the following questions either in the comments or in a journal:
- What was your reaction to the Sermon on the Mount? (i.e. we’re you comforted, challenged, disturbed, etc.)?
- What particular passage challenges you the most, and why?
- What are you hoping to get out of this course of exercise over the next 50 days?
Finally, take some time to pray your reactions to this passage. This isn’t a time to ask God for things. Instead, speak openly to God about this passage and pay attention to the way your heart responds to the prayer.
Whenever I read the Sermon on the Mount I am struck by its density. It’s difficult to stay focused and I’m often challenged to remember what I just read (thought this may be my fault as I find it challenging to remember what I ate for breakfast). I often feel that I’m missing something deeper.
I find the end about the wise and foolish builder to be most challenging. And this is what I’m looking for from the next 50 days, to be able to take wisdom from the Sermon and build my house on rock. I look forward to doing this in community.
We were both struck by how few of Jesus’ words are popularly known. There are a few phrases – like the golden rule – but otherwise it seems we tend to just boil some of these down to the point where it becomes almost meaningless.
We’re both challenged by the virtuous life depicted in the Sermon. There’s a significant contrast here between the way people tend to actually live and the way people of the Kingdom are portrayed. That’s what we’re both hoping to get out of this 50 day course; a life of genuine virtue. We both long to look like Jesus.
Jason & Jenell
Verses 6 and 9 from Chapter 5 made me think of this community. I was reading it in a version I had never read this passage in before (The New Living Translation) and it uses the phrase “hungry and thirsty for justice” (5) and “those who work for peace” (9). That’s what this community is all about! You can’t labor for the cause of justice day in and day out without being hungry and thirsty for it. When we pour ourselves out on behalf of others and the Kingdom, then, naturally, we are hungry and thirsty for more of God as well. If worship is a kind of “spititual food” or “fuel” for the spirit and serving is a kind of “spiritual exercise” or “output” of the spirt, then, the more we expend on behalf of others, the more fuel we need to put back in.
That’s very well said Deb. I really that service is a kind of spiritual exercise. I was struck again by how often Jesus talks about “putting these things into practice,” like we’re learning a new skill.
It’s good to hear from you! I hope things are well with you, and I hope you’ll be able to join us for the next few weeks and contribute your thoughts.
I am always comforted when I read the passages in chapter 6:25-34. He has always taken care of me…so why do I still worry?
I am always challenged by 5:31 because I am divorced but this time what also stood out to me was 5:42. Verses 38-41 have always been a challenge to me when I read it, I always sak myself do I do this? Can I do this? But this time what really jumped out to me was give to anyone who asks you? Turn NO one away? hmmmmmmmm
I am always disturbed by 5:28-30 I never know what to do with that……
What I hope to get out of this is what I am always seeking, a closer more intimate relationship with the one who put me here.
I’ve read this so many times that I have to try and really read it with new eyes. I’m amazed at how Jesus turns the prevailing religious wisdom of his day completely on its head. He breaks down that it’s not about following rules and regulations to the tee, but rather going above and beyond through love and grace as the motivation. Jesus is also pretty stern with those who do not do things sincerely, but with ulterior motives. At the same time, I’m amazed at how people nowadays can still try and look at these passages as rules and regulations to follow and miss the point of what he’s trying to say.
I feel encouraged and challenged by the passages on giving to the needy and not judging others. I feel these so often get missed by the church today and it’s easy for me to regard these as secondary, whereas Jesus shows the importance of them.
I really hope that over the next 50 days I can look at the sermon on the mount with new eyes and apply it in exciting new ways.