Matthew records the teaching of the disciples in the Sermon on the Mount in chapters 5-7 of his Gospel. I’m teaching this interesting section of the Scripture this spring and actually presented an abbreviated synopsis earlier this evening at a different church that asked me to teach in their Lenten Series. The topic is to teach on new things and what could be more new than teaching this band of followers what it is that Jesus expects from His newfound friends.
One of the hallmarks of the teaching of Jesus is that He expects us to do things differently from the world at large – something we call the “upside down kingdom” in seminary. Almost without exception, the way mankind naturally gravitates to things is directly opposite of what Jesus wants from us. This means that a tremendous change in thinking has to occur in us to rise to the occasion and meet this new standard. For example, we tend to put our money into things that are of interest to us. So we have a passion for something and then follow up with our donation or investment. However, if we read the section relating to this in Matthew, Jesus tells us that our passion will follow our money. In other words, put our money into kingdom work and then we will have a passion for where we place our funds. (See Matthew 6:21 – “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”)
The Sermon on the Mount is filled with these kinds of surprises – sections of Scripture that we fail to follow as mandated by Jesus. Many people think that the Sermon was for the masses of people who followed Jesus but the Bible is quite clear that Jesus moved away from the crowds with His disciples and began to speak to them. Theologians believe that these lessons were to train the disciples to become more like Jesus and eventually spread the Good News throughout the known world in accordance with the Great Commission.
Jesus starts His teaching with the Beatitudes. These statements, that start with the word “Blessed”, have to do with who will be blessed. But notice that there is no lesson on how to achieve those things. Jesus sets the goal but doesn’t yet reveal how we are to get there. Then, Jesus brings it a little closer to home by letting the disciplines know that they are the salt and light of the earth. In other words, He takes us from the goal, to speaking about the twelve themselves – and then becomes even more intimate by telling us why He has come (“not to abolish the Law but to fulfill the Law” – Matthew 5:17). At this point, and Jesus is just starting out, their heads must have been spinning.
In chapter 6, Jesus speaks about taking care of the needy and then moves on to prayer. This is the section that contains what we call the “Lord’s Prayer.” Jesus tells the disciples how they should pray, but if you read it carefully, Jesus doesn’t reveal how He prays. It is quite a study in the elements of prayer. In fact, this isn’t a prayer that Jesus would pray. There’s a line that says, “Forgive us our debts (or trespasses)” but Jesus was sinless! He wouldn’t have prayed to be forgiven of sin. So this prayer sets up the difference between Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, and us, God’s adopted sons and daughters.
Of course, Jesus goes on about money – and there are more verses about money than any other topic in the Bible – including prayer. Each section of the Sermon on the Mount goes deeper and deeper – challenging the disciples to dig deep and embrace the mandates of Jesus. Jesus uses imperatives – think “commands” in instructing the disciples what to do. He doesn’t make suggestions as much as He requires obedience and for His band of followers to stretch…
Jesus enters chapter 7 speaking about the disciples and their relationship with God. He then immediately follows on with instructions on relationships with one another – unity! Jesus ends the Sermon with sections on the way to heaven and building our “house” on solid ground. The entire three chapters in Matthew are a study on becoming more like Jesus and stretching as far as we can possibly stretch to become ambassadors of the kingdom of God here on earth.
By this time, I am sure that the crowds have also listened to the words of Jesus but they are not as advanced as the disciples are supposed to be. Eventually, during the next several chapters, Jesus performs miracles of healing and then, at the beginning of chapter 10, it appears that the disciples are ready for “graduation” day.
And that brings us to the verses for tonight. Matthew tells us that Jesus called his disciples together and empowers them in Matthew 10:1-4, “He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.”
Did you catch the change? They are no longer disciples – they are apostles! Getting ready to spread the Good News and endowed with the ability to heal every disease – just like Jesus. An apostle is someone commissioned and specifically chosen to be sent out as a messenger. My encouragement this evening is that Jesus wants us to all be more like Him. And Matthew gives us the roadmap to try and get there. My prayer is that we will all re-read this section of Scripture through a different lens and invite the Holy Spirit to further illuminate each of us as we strive to become more like Jesus. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…