When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
— Matthew 7:28-29
Following the Call—Chap. 52: Our Final Authority
Anyone listening? Amazing indeed! Remember, it’s good news. Your turn.
What then, is the difference between an admirer and a follower? A follower is or strives to be what he admires. An admirer, however, keeps himself personally detached. He fails to see that what is admired involves a claim upon him, and thus he fails to be or strive to be what he admires.
— Søren Kierkegaard
Anyone Listening?
We have come to the end of the Sermon on the Mount. However, we are really only at the beginning. For Jesus did not deliver a sermon only to be heard. He taught with authority. Jesus spoke these words for one purpose: that we his people would live them out together.
Kierkegaard asks: Are we followers, or only admirers of Jesus? What’s the difference between these two? Imagine, Kierkegaard asks, someone who aspires to be a millionaire but has only earned three dollars. Were he to call himself a millionaire because he was on his way to being one, we would call him a fool.
Or imagine undertaking an expedition to the North Pole. Obviously, to take part in such an expedition you would have to first leave your home, then travel, at great expense, exerting a great deal of effort. But suppose you simply make the effort to go in the direction of the North Pole. You leave Copenhagen and travel in comfort by ship to London. You then return home. That was your expedition. After all, you did leave your home! “And to take a ride to the city park on Sunday afternoon,” Kierkegaard says, “leaving one’s home, is also an effort aimed at discovering the North Pole: ergo, we are all striving!” (Provocations: The Spiritual Writings of Kierkegaard)
Kierkegaard’s point? “Striving” alone is not enough. Jesus himself lived what he taught; he showed us by his life what his kingdom is like. No wonder the crowds were amazed. But Jesus did not teach to amaze us. Again, he taught with authority. He called us to follow him, to actually begin to resemble him, the one toward whom we are striving. Are we? Are we really heading to the North Pole or simply taking a stroll in the park?
Amazing Indeed!
Almost fifty years ago, a thousand miles away from home, I experienced Jesus knocking at my door. I wasn’t seeking him, nor in the least bit interested in him. But there I was, alone, heart pounding, sitting on a rock surrounded by steep cliffs, waterfalls cascading in the sun, with a view of the ocean below. Deep within, I heard Jesus calling, “Will you let me be Lord of your life?”
That day not only marked a new beginning for me, but a new kind of life. I began to trod a different path, trying to grasp what it meant to follow King Jesus with others, making choices that didn’t, in most people’s eyes, make much sense. Even so, I was on an adventure, determined to explore what life as a citizen of God’s kingdom might be like.
That exploration led me away from my upper-middle-class background as well as from conventional Christianity. I eventually discovered a new, fresh, and faithful way to live—a life with others in a community of forgiven sinners who place God’s kingdom above everything—above financial security, family, career, and personal goals and endeavors.
This may not sound like much. From a human point of view, it isn’t. I have made no name for myself, never had a career, made no significant impact on the world, and to this day I have no personal assets. And yet I have everything.
I tell you the truth, no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come eternal life. (Mark 10:29-31)
This doesn’t mean Jesus promises security and comfort. Far from it. Discipleship based on the Sermon on the Mount is never easy. It’s difficult to swim against the stream and to keep God’s kingdom in view. Life in community is no panacea. We fail each other again and again and too easily get bogged down with petty, personal things. We struggle to keep in step with the Spirit. And yet, life in community based on the Sermon on the Mount has allowed me to experience some amazing things. Consider the following:
A life built on God’s love and justice is possible and deeply satisfying. Being fulfilled doesn’t depend on how “free” you are, how much money you have, what kind of work you do, or how nice your home is.
You can live securely without owning anything, and you don’t have to shop to enjoy life. Money does not have to divide us. There no longer has to be rich or poor in one church.
Children can be children, and play happily without electronic devices and lots of stuff.
The church can be your family. Single mothers don’t have to raise their children alone; the sick can be cared for by friends, not just professionals, and older people don’t have be shut away, but can give to their dying day.
Serving others is far more meaningful than doing what you like or what you are good at. Your work does not have rule your life nor undermine what you truly value.
Those with emotional and physical challenges can be cherished; they are a gift, not a problem, and have far more to teach us than we them.
Disagreements do not have to divide, conflicts can be resolved, broken marriages don’t have to end in divorce. Forgiveness and reconciliation are always possible—even between enemies.
You can be valued for who you are, and value others for who they are. You don’t have to impress, maintain an “image,” or stand out in any particular way in order to belong.
I think this is pretty darn amazing.
Remember, It’s Good News
The crowds were amazed at what Jesus taught. And why wouldn’t they be? Jesus brought good news; he demonstrated the presence of God’s kingdom. Here we have it, described in detail in the Sermon on the Mount. Here is the blessed life! Jesus exclaims:
Good news! Though your heart be empty, God will fill it up. When you are pure in heart, you will surely see God. When your heart breaks in sorrow, you will be comforted. When you hunger and thirst and ache inside for the world to be put right, you will be satisfied.
Good news! You don’t have to acquire wealth, seek your fortune, or chase after fleeting pleasures to be happy. More meaningful things, lasting treasures, are yours now if you would but serve God and God only.
Good news! You don’t have to stew in your anger, break your promises, push back, or lash out. You don’t have to get even, or get your way, or maintain your ground or your image. You can be free!
Good news! You don’t have to worry about tomorrow or secure your lot in this life. Ask, seek, knock. Your heavenly father loves to give you good gifts, even the Holy Spirit.
Good news! You don’t have to separate yourself from others or stand above them. You can give to them just as God has given to you. You don’t have to choose whom to love.
Good news! When you make God’s kingdom your purpose in life, you will have everything you need. No storm, no wind, no flood, no force can take away your life or joy.
Good news! Living by the Sermon on the Mount is possible. We can honor Jesus with our lives, not just with our lips. His wisdom is not just amazing, but a power that can change everything.
*****
Lord Jesus, help us to take the wisdom of your life and teachings into our hearts and into our lives. Forgive us for being enamored with so many lesser lights. We confess, we are weak but you are strong. We want to give ourselves anew to you, trusting that you will help us to be salt and light in the world. Your word is true. Your kingdom will come. On the day of your coming, you will receive all the glory and praise.
Your Turn
Now that we’ve worked through my book Following the Call chapter by chapter, I won’t be posting here weekly. My earlier newsletters on the Sermon on the Mount will remain available here for those of you guiding group discussions around the book.
However, I do hope to start a new conversation thread on the following topic: The End of Church. So be on the lookout. In the meantime, I urge you to sign up for Plough’s weekly email newsletter where many important issues of faith are addressed.
I’d love to hear what this newsletter and the book Following the Call have meant to you. In what way do you feel God wants you to respond to the Sermon on the Mount? To leave a comment just reply to this email.