Reflections on Jesus’ Most Difficult Words

March 10, 2011

I’ve found Jesus’ words in the opening stanza (my word) of the Sermon on the Mount to very difficult and prophetic. The ladder (see previous post) challenges me to consider how deep into the heart of the Jesus Story I want to go. After having spent two months in the Beatitudes, here are some general reflections.

1. Torah–Jesus’ entire world was shaped by Torah. Without a deep appreciation for Jesus’ own interpretation of Isaiah, for instance, it’s almost impossible to to hear the depth of Jesus’ words. One of the reasons we don’t get Jesus is because we don’t take his Bible (Torah) seriously.

2. Imagination is more important than orthodoxy (right belief) and orthopraxy (practice). Much ink is being spilled right now on the role of proper belief and proper engagement/action. However, it seems that Jesus first possesses the ability to change the way people see the world as he teaches (belief) and embodies his teaching (action). Imagination, belief, and practice are caught up in a chaotic but beautiful dance, however, if you have to pick a beginning point, start with reclaiming the imagination. You know, “In the beginning, when God created the heavens and earth . . . ”

3. Jesus’ socio-political context (Roman Empire) makes Jesus seem like a revolutionary who’s a few sandwiches short of a picnic. His words are meant to comfort the peasants of Israel while also poking a finger into the chest of Rome’s intoxication with might, power, military prowess, and success.

4. If the Sermon on the Mount only challenges the structures of society and not the way you treat the person across from the table, we’ve failed the Jesus who challenged structures and institutions while, at the same time, treated every person as if they were the only person left on the planet.

5. Matt. 1-4 is the dating relationship. Matt. 5-7 is the marriage proposal. Jesus shows his splendor, power, and sheer electric energy in the first 4 chapters. Then, slows things down and invites people to a deep covenant. How many of us want to live in the first 4 chapters and all-together skip the harder work of marriage described in 5-7 (non-violence, persecution, praying for our enemies, etc).

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3 Comments

Point #1 warms my heart!

by Phillip (Mar 12 2011, 4:28 pm)

Kirt–thanks for the note.
Matt–I don’t think it’s chicken and the egg. I think Torah shaped Jesus and we only are beginning to understand how profound Torah is because he embodied it better than anyone who ever lived.

Sorry your comments disappeared I continue to have blog problems.

by josh (Mar 14 2011, 6:52 pm)

Great insights, Josh. I’m reading “Dissident Discipleship” right now by David Augsberger. He begins by asking these for questions (all CAPS my emphasis added):
1. Do you believe the story ABOUT Jesus?
2. Do you believe IN Jesus?
3. Do you BELIEVE Jesus?
4. Do you BELIEVE WHAT JESUS BELIEVES?

I think this speaks to your point. It is true that we must interpret the entire Bible through the lense of the person of Jesus Christ, but in order to do so, we must view it through his eyes where the entirety of
the OT was a sign post pointing to his appearance, just as the NT is a signpost to his return and the new heavens and especially the new earth (N T Wright, Surprised by Hope).

In my church, it’s a real challenge for me to influence people to embrace imagination and refreshing interpretations of the Word by the Spirit (a confirmation of his mercies made new every morning, I believe). Our leadership claims that we are a progressive (they might prefer a different term) C of C, but the progression seems tightly controlled, or rather it tends to closely guard and tiptoe around those still steeped in 50s-60s dogma. Orthodoxy still rules preeminent and the likes of Brian McLaren and anything emergent or willing to engage anything postmodern in dialog about creative ways to keep the Message relevant to an increasingly postChritian world are considered suspect.

It’s so easy for us to think we’ve arrived and settle for myopia. I think we’re reaping the harvest of the form if the (a?) gospel that we have preached for too long that focuses on filling pews and funding budgets rather than making disciples.

by Jeff Robinson (Mar 15 2011, 3:39 am)