How to be noticed by others and influence change that matters
By Dean Collins
You are the guardians of my rules for life. If you don’t call out the ones breaking God’s laws, then who will do it? You are the great encyclopedias of my wisdom and knowledge. You are an amazing source of my teachings, so make sure everyone knows that you are the source of wisdom and truth.
No, I haven’t lost my mind. But I was pondering how Jesus called us to be salt and light and that the body of Christ, the followers of Jesus, tend to drift instead to being guardians of proper living and the source of truth. Jesus never gave us those assignments.
A Jewish audience
As you read Matthew’s Gospel, you quickly see that Matthew presents Jesus largely to a Jewish audience and demonstrates that he is the son of David, the son of Abraham, the Messiah the Jewish people had long awaited. He is a new Moses and deliverer. As Matthew tells the gospel story he often refers to the law and the prophets. Knowing this, we can see the power of the Sermon on the Mount as presented to the primarily Jewish audience. Of course, this sermon is for us as well, but it was first delivered to Jewish people in a predominately Jewish land.
For centuries the religious leaders had set themselves apart as the experts and teachers of the law. They were the most knowledgeable about the contents of the Torah. As Jesus travels and teaches through Matthew’s Gospel, we also see that the scribes and Pharisees were not necessarily the best at living out the love and mercy of God, but they sure could quote some scripture! They knew the rules and wanted to make sure everyone was following them.
Lived, not just studied
Right after the beatitudes, Jesus is quick to say if we ignore the parts of scripture we think insignificant we might be considered insignificant in his kingdom. On the other hand, if we pay attention to and practice the truth of God’s Word, then we will be considered great in his kingdom. Jesus even said that as holy as the religious leaders appear, our lives should be lived at a higher level of righteousness. Those standing and sitting near Jesus must have scratched their heads at the thought of that. They knew firsthand how rigid their leaders were as they watched them count out mustard seeds to offer a tenth back to God.
But reading all the way through the Sermon on the Mount, we see that Jesus was focused on a theology that was to be lived and not simply studied. Jesus is not impressed with how many verses we can quote. But I think he does smile when we regularly show mercy, practice justice, and love our neighbor.
Love friends and enemies
Pray often, by yourself, and for God’s kingdom to come in and through your life as it is in heaven.
Stop worrying and start trusting God.
Watch out for religious teachers who preach a different gospel and focus on producing good fruit that grows because you are firmly rooted in Christ.
Build your life on the solid rock of Jesus and not on the sinking sand of all the ideas culture brings
These are just some of the basics of Jesus’ kingdom-launching sermon. When he finished, the crowd was amazed because he spoke and acted like one with authority. They had seen enough of the leaders who wielded authority but rarely demonstrated it with their actions.
What people will notice
There has been a lot of talk in our country about Christians taking back or taking control of government policy and leadership. I keep looking but have trouble finding where we are actually told to do that. What is abundantly clear from scripture is that when we live like Jesus, people notice. They may not always like us, but they cannot say that living like Jesus is actually hurting anyone. Jesus always brings love, forgiveness, grace, mercy, peace, and joy with him. When we do the same, we might just end up being the salt and light we are called to be in the world today.
Your time with God’s Word
Matthew 5:19-20, 43-48; 6:6, 9-13, 27-31, 33-34; 7:15-29 NLT
Photo by Tim Wildsmith on Unsplash
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