Jill Carattini has long been one of my favorite religion writers (and Jill, if you come here via a Google search, please get yourself a blog). Her latest piece describing the Sermon on the Mount is one of many reasons why:
For the crowds that gathered that day on the hillside, Jesus's words were equally demanding. If God's commandments were difficult before this sermon, they were now terrifying. Who can stand in the kingdom Jesus describes? And how is this good news? And yet, in all of his wisdom, in his unfathomable love, in the middle of his sermon Jesus proclaims gently but confidently, "Do not worry." It is as if he says to those trembling with the fear of certain failure, "It is my life that makes all things possible." This, he says again at the point of the Cross.
The Sermon on the Mount is a concentrated example of how Jesus lays down the law of God, even as he came to fulfill it. It is clear that he expects us to build the houses of our lives upon his words, and he adds that only those who do so are wise and will be safe. His life cries out to all who are at ease in Zion, weary from self-indulgence, unaware of God at work among us, and in this his role is uncompromisable. He is both Lord to be obeyed and savior to bestow the possibility.
She is most eloquent and has articulated gracefully what I attempted some time ago gracelessly:
... didn't Jesus raise the behavioral bar to impossible heights immediately following the beatitudes? Our righteousness to surpass the Pharisees and teachers of the law. Anger = Murder. Reconciliation amongst the brethren before coming to the altar. Lust = Adultery. Divorce = Adultery. No oath taking. Period. And then following, turn the other cheek, love your enemies. Then there are rules about praying, fasting, giving, even worrying. Let's not forget judging (none of that goes on here right? And by "pastors" no less). And then the narrow and wide gates. And warnings against false prophets and the bigger warning that only those doing the will of God will enter the kingdom. And then the warning that unless we practice what He preaches, we'll fall with a great crash.
Lots of hope there eh? Lots of opportunities to fall on our faces if you ask me. Lots of opportunities to figure out that there's no way in hell any of us can live up to those standards. No way in hell.
And yet... and yet:
23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "I assure you: It is hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven! 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." 25 When the disciples heard this, they were utterly astonished and asked, "Then who can be saved?" 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
The more I grow older, the longer I live, as the sun rises anew on that eastern horizon each day, I come face to face with my need for a Savior.
I will never be the Godly man I thought at one time I would be. I will ever be reminded that Christ fills me with hope nevertheless.
Comments