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Resurrection III: Sermon on the Mount ...
Thursday, April 24, 2014. This morning, let us read the Sermon on the Mount, as it is reported in Matthew chapters 5-7. Have a look … and let us then talk about what this has to do with resurrection.
On the Mount …
1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.[…]
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother3 will be liable to judgment; whoever insults4 his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. […]
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. […]
New Life …
Jesus is teaching new life. He is teaching to live in a way which fits God's character. He is teaching us a new heart.
Usually, I do not like if people just interpret the resurrection in a figurative sense. I think this does not fit the facts - the resurrection is real, not just philosophy. But It is also “new life”, it is “spirit”, it is a transformation which changes us. If it is not, it is meaningless and vain.
I do not think, that I have completed the transformation. It feels like I am in the very middle of it, partly just started it, partly with some progress. The transformation is a transformation which takes our whole life. It takes every moment, every decision, every thought, every word. We might fail a hundred times, and still succeed in the end. In the sermon on the mount, Jesus is teaching new life in its best sense! (Roland Potthast) ... more texts