Have Power Over Spiritual and Physical Needs

Jesus taught his followers that they have power over spiritual and physical needs.

Matthew 10:1 35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." 10:1 Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. 2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that his followers have power over spiritual and physical problems?

Note: Jesus no sooner teaches his followers to pray that God will send workers to those in spiritual and physical need, when he tells them that they are the answer to their prayers - that God is sending them.  But he doesn't stop there.  Jesus gives them power over spiritual and physical needs.  Jesus' followers can change the world!

Be the answer to your prayers for those in need

Jesus makes his followers the answer to their prayer to be ministers to those in spiritual and physical need.

Matthew 10:1-4 35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." 10:1 Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. 2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that we are the answer to our prayers for those in spiritual and physcial need?

Note: Jesus not only teaches his followers to pray that God will send helpers to those in spiritual and physical need, but then he tells them that they are the answer to their prayers - they are the ones God is sending.

Ask God to send workers to those in need

Jesus taught his followers to ask God to send workers to those in need

Matthew 9:35-38 35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to ask God to send workers to those in need?

Note: The Lord's Prayer is not the only time Jesus taught his followers to pray.  And yet, how often do we pray this prayer together?  Jesus had seen those in need and taught his followers to ask God (the Lord of the harvest) to send out laborers (in the sense of caregivers or helpers) to minister to those in spiritual and physical need. Perhaps we should pray: "There are many who are harassed and helpless, but there are few who will help them.  Send workers to those in need."

The "religious" discredit Jesus

Jesus was accused of being evil by the most religious people of his day.

Matthew 9:32-34 32 After they had gone away, a demoniac who was mute was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the one who had been mute spoke; and the crowds were amazed and said, "Never has anything like this been seen in Israel." 34 But the Pharisees said, "By the ruler of the demons he casts out the demons."

Do we ignore Jesus' experience that the most religious people of his day explained away his power by saying he was evil?

Note:  The Pharisees were the most "religious" "denomination" of Jesus' day.  They are most commonly known for keeping a long list of rules meant to help them from straying from God's law.  But they also had a well developed theology... they believed that an afterlife existed where God would punished the wicked and rewarded the righteous.  They believed in a messiah that would herald an era of Jewish rule and world peace.  Jesus had problems with some of them because there is a difference between practicing religion (following a list of rules, believing a particular doctrine, performing a list of good works) and having a relationship with God.  And many of them didn't have the latter.  Jesus says they were more interested in what humans thought of them than God (Matt 23:28 and John 12:43).  Some Pharisees were followers of Jesus, but the ones in this story are so disturbed that Jesus has power apart from their religion that they can only explain it away if they believe that Jesus is evil.

Trust Jesus' power to heal.

Jesus teaches us to have faith that will seek out his power to heal.

Matthew 9:18-31

18 While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, "My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live." 19 And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples.

20 Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, 21 for she said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well." 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And instantly the woman was made well.

23 When Jesus came to the leader's house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, "Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. 26 And the report of this spread throughout that district.

27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, crying loudly, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!" 28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." 29 Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith let it be done to you." 30 And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus sternly ordered them, "See that no one knows of this." 31 But they went away and spread the news about him throughout that district.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to have faith in his power to heal?

Note:  I think it is important to point out that these stories do not teach that if one is sick (or doesn't get healed) that there is a lack of faith.  But in the three stories here, their faith influences their healing. The leader of the synagogue has faith and his daughter is healed - after the unbelieving crowd is removed from his house.  The woman is healed because "your faith has made you well."  The blind men are healed "according to their faith let it be done to them."  It doesn't seem that it matters how much faith they had ( faith of a mustard seed can move mountains), but that with whatever faith they had, they turned to Jesus for help. 

Don't try to fit Jesus into religious structures

Jesus taught that his followers that their way of being doesn't fit into religious structures.
Matthew 9:14-17 14 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?" 15 And Jesus said to them, "The wedding guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16 No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak, for the patch pulls away from the cloak, and a worse tear is made. 17 Neither is new wine put into old wineskins; otherwise, the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins are destroyed; but new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved."

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that his way of being doesn't fit into religious structures?

Note: Jesus could not (and can not) be patched (or poured) into religious structures. Jesus was (is) inaugurating a new kingdom (an entirely new way of being); to try to incorporate him into religion only succeeds in ripping both apart.

Prioritize outcasts over worship rituals

Jesus teaches us that God prioritizes the befriending of outcasts over having nice worship services.

Matthew 9:12-13 9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. 10 And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" 12 But when he heard this, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners."

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that God wants us to prioritize demonstrating his loving kindness to outcasts rather than having nice worship services for ourselves?

Note: Jesus' quote 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice' is from Hosea where the Hebrew word for "mercy" (hesed) is associated with "covenant love" or the demonstration of God's loving kindness, which, according to Hosea, is more important than "sacrifice" or ritual.  So we could interpret it: "God's priority is that we worship him by demonstrating his loving kindness, rather than by participating in worship rituals."  In the original quote, Hosea comdemns the formal worship of his day, because it had lost its center (its demonstration of God's love to those in need). Now Jesus applies this to the Pharisees because they were more concerned about ceremonial purity, than about loving outcasts (tax collectors and sinners). Our ministry, like Jesus' ministry, should be characterized by loving kindness to those in spiritual and physical need - not having nice worship services.

Note: I don't really like the word "outcasts" and prefer "marginalized."

Invite outcasts to be your friends.

Jesus taught his followers to have genuine friendships with outcasts.

Matthew 9:9-11 9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. 10 And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to develop genuine friendships with those whom society sees as outcasts?

Note: Jesus' followers are often under the mistaken impression that they are to stay away from those society looks down on - especially those who are immoral.  But here Jesus teaches us that his followers are to be friends with people whom the world sees as outcasts - even the immoral (tax collectors and sinners).  Eating together represents friendship - not a relationship of superiority, but a friendship of love, respect, and humbleness on our part.

Note: I don't really like the word "outcasts" and prefer "marginalized."

Have faith that Jesus forgives sins

Jesus taught that he had the authority to forgive sins.

Matthew 9:1-8 And after getting into a boat he crossed the sea and came to his own town. 2 And just then some people were carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven." 3 Then some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." 4 But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Stand up and walk'? 6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-- he then said to the paralytic-- "Stand up, take your bed and go to your home." 7 And he stood up and went to his home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that he had the authority to forgive sins?

Thinking about... if Jesus could forgive sins prior to the crucifixion, then why was the crucifixion and ressurection necessary? 

Prioritize individual's needs ahead of the economy

Jesus put the individual's needs ahead of the economy.

Matthew 8:28-34 28 When he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs coming out of the tombs met him. They were so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 Suddenly they shouted, "What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" 30 Now a large herd of swine was feeding at some distance from them. 31 The demons begged him, "If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine." 32 And he said to them, "Go!" So they came out and entered the swine; and suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the water. 33 The swineherds ran off, and on going into the town, they told the whole story about what had happened to the demoniacs. 34 Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood.

Do we ignore Jesus' example that ministering to the spiritual and physical needs of individuals is a higher priority than the economy?

Note: The economy of this Gentile town is based on the pig market. These two men (homeless, living in the tombs outside of the town) are possessed by demons. Demons apparently (Matt 12:43-45) want a host to inhabit. Jesus decides to free these men from being the host - which meant the men would be able to return to spiritual and physical health.  It would appear rather than allow the demons to go look for more human hosts, Jesus sends them into the pigs who drowned themselves. The people of the town didn’t like this – it affected their pocket books and they asked Jesus to leave. These Gentiles preferred a healthy economy to persons and to Jesus. A musing: As much as the gospels talk about Jesus giving his followers the power to cast out demons and heal the sick, how come there isn't a seminary course in that?  Instead we have courses focused on teaching us how to help people adjust to their circumstances.  Hmm...

Have Faith not Fear (symptom of too little faith)

Jesus teaches us that fear is a symptom of too little faith.

Matthew 8:23-27 23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 A windstorm arose on the sea, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him up, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" 26 And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, you of little faith?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. 27 They were amazed, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?"

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that fear is a symptom of too little faith?

Following Jesus is costly (above family)

Jesus teaches that following him is costly - a higher priority than family.

Matthew 8:21-22 21 Another of his disciples said to him, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." 22 But Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead."

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that even closest family ties must not be set above following Jesus and the proclamation of the kingdom?

Note:  Reminded of when the Israelites in Numbers 14:3 ("Our wives and our little ones will become booty; would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?") are told to go in and inhabit the promised land.  They used their families as an excuse not to follow God instead of having faith that God would take care of them.  So God sent them into the desert for 40 years to reconsider. 

Following Jesus is costly (homelessness)

Jesus taught that following him is costly - and likened it to being homeless.

Matthew 8:18-20 18 Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. 19 A scribe then approached and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." 20 And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that following him is costly?

Note: In the words of German Theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer: "cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance* ... Cheap grace is grace without discipleship (following Jesus), grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ." The practice of filling churches with "followers" who are willing to "pray a prayer and feel some guilt", but are unaware that following Jesus is costly results in dead faith.  Jesus doesn't want our churches filled with dead faith, he seeks out followers who understand they will be following him to the homeless places. 

*The repentance that is required of Jesus' disciples is often reduced by our misguided culture to a list of rules to follow, but that would make Jesus' followers no better than Pharasees.  The repentance that Jesus is teaching is a turning from going one's own way (a way of self promotion) to following Jesus to the hard places (a way of self sacrifice - homelessness).

Miracles demonstrate Jesus is the Messiah

Jesus demonstrates that he is the fulfilment of the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah.

Matthew 8:16-17 16 That evening they brought to him many who were possessed with demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and cured all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, "He took our infirmities and bore our diseases."

Do we ignore that Jesus demonstrated he was the prophesied Messiah?

Heirs of God's kingdom failed (are failing)

Jesus teaches that some of those picked to establish his kingdom will not be (are not) part of it.

Matthew 8:5-12 5 When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him 6 and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress." 7 And he said to him, "I will come and cure him." 8 The centurion answered, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this,' and the slave does it." 10 When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, "Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that some of those picked to establish his kingdom have failed and are not part of his kingdom?

Note: The "prototype" of the kingdom of God was to be established way back in the book of Numbers, when the people of Israel were to take the land of Cannan.  There they were to live as holy people.  This kingdom was to be a open invitation for all races to come and join with them in being God's people.  But because the people had no faith, they didn't settle in the land.  And later, when they did, they had no heart for being God's community (To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with God) taking the blessings of God and hoarding them instead of sharing them.  This is not just the story of the nation of Israel, but it is very much the story of the church today.  The church was also to be this community of people set aside to be Jesus' hands and feet - an open invitation to the world to come be God's people too.  But generally, we have hoarded God's abundance, ignoring the teachings of Jesus to seek out those in spiritual and physical need and offer ourselves to them.  I think what Jesus says of the nation of Israel then equally applies to much of what is loosely called "the church" today...  "the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth"   

Kingdom is for every race & socio-economic background

Jesus teaches that the kingdom is for those of every race and socio-economic background who have faith in him.

Matthew 8:5-12 5 When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him 6 and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress." 7 And he said to him, "I will come and cure him." 8 The centurion answered, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this,' and the slave does it." 10 When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, "Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that the Kingdom is open to every race and socio-economic background?

Note: Jesus' ministry was directed toward the poor and his peeps so much of the time, but here is an example that transcends - he confirms the faith of a rich, powerful, and important, Gentile.  Of course this isn't new news.  The prophets predicted that Gentiles would worship God from all parts of the earth (Isa 45:6; 59:19; Mal 1:11).  Here we also see that faith is the basic human response to God - way we enter into relationship with God.

Act on Jesus' words, don't just agree with them

Jesus taught that agreeing with his words is not substantial, we need to act on them.

Matthew 7:24-27 24 "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell-- and great was its fall!"

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to act on his words, not just agree with them?

Do Father's will, not random good works

Jesus taught that doing random good works (random acts of kindness) is not the job of his followers.  His follower's job is to do the Father's will (intentional good works that the Father has prepared for us to do).
Matthew 7:21-23 21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?' 23 Then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.'

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to do intentional good works that the Father has prepared for us to do rather than random acts of kindness?

Note:  Jesus has just finished saying that we will know false teachers by their fruit.  And now drills even deeper to say even those who seem to have fruit, unless the fruit is born from the Father's will are false followers. 

Discern False Leaders by their fruit

Jesus taught his followers to recognize false prophets by whether they produce the fruits of the Kingdom.

Matthew 7:15-20 15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17 In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will know them by their fruits.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to recognize false leaders by whether they produce the fruits of the kingdom?

Note:  Jesus has just given his followers a picture of what the Kingdom of God should look like.  If leaders are focused on, teaching about, and producing something different than what Jesus has taught about God's Kingdom, they are not his prophets.

Few understand and follow Jesus' teachings.

Jesus teaches that few understand and follow the narrow, hard way he teaches.

Matthew 7:13-14 13 "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. 14 For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that few understand and follow his narrow, hard teachings?

Treat others the way you want to be treated

Jesus teaches us to treat others as we would have them treat us.

Matthew 7:12 12 "In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to always treat others (no matter how they treat us) the way we want to be treated?

Diligently pursue God's kingdom together.

Jesus teaches us that our asking, searching, and knocking (together) will be rewarded.

Matthew 7:7-11 7 "Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? 10 Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to sincerely and diligently pursue God's kingdom together?

Note: Followers of Jesus ask (through prayer), search (with earnest sincerity) and knock (diligently) on God's door (pursuing God's kingdom) .  The "you"s in this verse are plural and better translated as "you all"s.  This isn't so much a command for individuals, but for the collective of Jesus' followers to pursue the Kingdom of God together.  So many people have taken these verses as an invitation to ask for one's selfish gain.  But that is not at all what it is about.  It is about asking for the Kingdom that Jesus has described to his followers.

Don't teach people focused on personal gain.

Jesus teaches us not to waste time with people who want to take the truths of God and benefit personally from them.

Matthew 7:6 "Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that it is counterproductive to teach his truths to people interested in using them for their own personal gain?

Note:  Wild dog and pigs represent those who do not recognize the value of things of God (pearls) -- because they are  like wild beasts only focused on their own needs (food). You can give dogs and pigs the most sacred treasures of God, but if it won't make them rich or sucessful or powerful, they will turn on you.  Jesus teaches us to steer clear of these people because they will attack us when they realize Jesus' teachings aren't about them gaining personal prosperity, but about sharing God's abundance with everyone.

Do not judge your neighbor

Jesus teaches us not to judge our neighbor.

Matthew 7:1-5 "Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. 2 For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. 3 Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your neighbor, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' while the log is in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching not to judge our neighbor?

Note: When followers of Jesus take it on themselves to be the judge of what their neighbor does, they presume to "be God" (Rom 14:10) therefore shutting themselves out from God's generous mercy.

Strive to love and no one will be in need.

Jesus taught a new economy, one where all needs are met when its citizens live by kingdom standards.

Matthew 6:25-34 25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? 28 And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you-- you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' 32 For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 "So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that if we strive to love God and others that no one will ever be in need?

Note: "Strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."  I think this is the most important verse in this teaching and probably the most misunderstood.  Most people think this means that if they have the right list of rules to follow and follow them carefully, that they will never starve or go without clothes.  But the Pharasees were so good at following the law and, yet, Jesus blasted them for not being followers of God.  The kind of righteousness that is of the Kingdom of God is not a list of rules to be followed or a list of rules to make others follow.  Instead it is an all out crazy love for God and others.  So one might interpret this to say "Strive to love God and others and the world's needs will be met."  This is God's economy: It is in loving God and others that there is always enough for everyone.  We don't really need to pray that God will provide enough for everyone.  God already has.  We need to pray that we will love God and others so much that we will spread our abundance to others.

Serving God & hoarding resources are incompatible.

Jesus teaches that serving God & hoarding resources are incompatible.

Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that serving God and hoarding resources are incompatible?

Evaluate what is accepted as truth.

Jesus teaches us to evaluate what we accept as "truth."

Matthew 6:22-23 22 "The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; 23 but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to evaluate what we accept as "truth?"

Note:  Luke 11:33-36 33 "No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar, but on the lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. 34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light; but if it is not healthy, your body is full of darkness. 35 Therefore consider whether the light in you is not darkness. 36 If then your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, it will be as full of light as when a lamp gives you light with its rays."

Collect acts of love - not physical belongings.

Jesus teaches us to store up treasures in heaven not on earth.

Matthew 6:19-21 19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to build storehouse full of acts of love, not physical belongings?

Note: Spiritual Treasures are acts of love for God and others.  Physical Treasures are things that will perish.

Fast - but fast in secret

Jesus teaches us to fast, but to fast in secret

Matthew 6:16-18 16 "And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to fast in secret?

Note: Fasting means not eating or working.  Fasting occurs throughout the Bible to confess sins, ask for healing, petition God, or to remember through God's eyes.  But even in the Old Testament, God accuses humanity of fasting to be heard by him, but not to listen to him.  If they had listened (Zec 7:9-10), then God tells them they would have heard him say to administer justice; show mercy and compassion, stop oppressing the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor, etc. They refused to listen to God, so he refused to pay attention to their fasts.  In Isaiah 58:1-7, God says fasting results in loosening the chains of injustice and untying the cords of the yoke, setting the oppressed free, breaking every yoke, sharing your food with the hungry, providing the poor wanderer with shelter, clothing the naked, not turning away from your own flesh and blood.  Then God will hear us.  True fasting seeks direction from God not to be heard.  Jesus commands us to fast and to fast in secret so that it is just between us and God.

Forgive, rather than insisting on perfection

Jesus teaches that our relationship with others is to be one of a forgiving nature rather than one that insist on their perfection.  This forgiving nature is tied to a right relationship with God.

Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you;  but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.


Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to forgive others rather than insisting on their perfection?

Note:  Church Communities that strive for perfection (perfect list of rules to follow, perfect set of doctrine to believe, perfect list of good works to do) are always weeding out the imperfect people - until there is no one left.  Jesus is teaching us a different way of living.  Instead of insisting on perfection, we strive to forgive the imperfect.  And in forgiving, our relationship with God is perfected (because he forgives our imperfections in this way too).

Face danger knowing Father is with us.

Jesus warns that problems are a certainty for those following him, but that Father is with us.

Matthew 6:13 And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.
Matthew 10:28 Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that his followers are not called to lives of ease and comfort, but to face the places of danger knowing Father is with them?

Note:  Jesus doesn't teach us to pray "rid the world of evil" or "keep us away from danger."  Christians are not called to safety, but God promises he will be with us.  I think the most pathetic part of the Christian Religion is that so many sit home in comfort and ease with a list of rules they follow and feel good about themselves. But Jesus' followers are called to the dangerous places not to mandate morality, but to demonstrate Jesus' love.

Rely on God to identify and overcome temptation

Jesus taught us to rely on God to identify and overcome temptation.

Several Translations/Interpretations:
NRS Matt 6:13  And do not bring us to the time of trial...
NIV  Matt 6:13  And lead us not into temptation...
NLT Matthew 6:13 And don't let us yield to temptation...


Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to rely on God to identify and overcome temptation?

Note: If we rely on ourselves to identify pitfalls in our journey, we will miss them and they will overcome us.  If we think we can overcome pitfalls ourselves, we will probably stumble into them.  Following Jesus is done through the Father's wisdom and power not ours.

Forgive all that others owe us.

Jesus compels us to forgive others for whatever they owe us.

Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.


Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to forgive whatever others owe us?

Live one day at at time relying on God

Jesus teaches us to live one day at a time relying on God

Matthew 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to live one day at a time relying on God?

Note:  "Give" presupposes not only that Jesus' disciples live one day at a time but that all good things, even our ability to work and earn our food, come from God.  We are called to remember that self-sufficience is not a virture for we are reliant on God. "Daily" is hard to interpret since the word is only used 2 times in the Bible and has only been found 2 other times in ancient Greek literature.  It has the sense of immediate need or need that will soon happen.  Might be interpreted: "Give us bread for our immediate needs."  "Bread" represents physical needs (not wants) - and perhaps our spiritual (the bread symbolizes Jesus' body) needs too.

Seek and do Father's will

Jesus teaches us to seek and do Father's will

Matthew 6:10 Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to seek and do Father's will?

Note:  We really can't understand Father's will by asking, "what would Jesus do?" unless we first ask, "what did Jesus do?"  His will is radically different (its from heaven!) than what we can reason out - so much so that Paul celebrated its "foolishness".  Equally important is that this prayer teaches us to seek God's will together as a community of Jesus' followers. 

Participate in Father's Kingdom (not politics)

Jesus taught us to live as citizens of Father's Kingdom - not world governments.

Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come...

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to live as citizens of Father’s Kingdom - not world governments?

Note: The Father’s kingdom is not a place that we go when we die, but a community Jesus enabled on earth where his followers are loyal and active servants of the king. It is not a democracy - we serve the King. It is not capitalism - all we have belongs to the King. It is not a plan to take over the powers that be and make them Christian. It is way of living together where the community's goal is to give themselves for others just as Jesus gave himself for us. Jesus describes this community as his body where we are living members. At the Last Supper, Jesus tells us to remember that his body was given - broken - for the world.

Live worthy of being stamped with God's name

Jesus taught us to pray that we would be worthy of God's name.

Matthew 6:9 9 "Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name."

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to live a life worthy of the name of God?

Note: God doesn't need our prayers to make him holy and that isn't what this part of the prayer "hallowed be your name" is about.  It isn't even about praising God.  In the OT, the name of God was "stamped" on those who entered into covenant with him.   But humanity defiled God's name because they didn't take care of the poor, didn't do righteousness, and didn't love justice.  Jesus' followers will now have the name of God stamped on them.  Jesus is teaching the disciples to ask that they will keep God's name holy through this new way of life that he is enabling within us.

Have family values that transcend the family unit

Jesus taught "family values" that transcend the family unit

Matthew 6:9 9 Pray then in this way: "Our Father..."

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that family values reach far beyond the family unit?  Can we call God "Our Father" and ignore our brothers and sisters down the street and around the world who don't have food to eat, health care, and who are just plain lonely and hurting?

Note: These are Jesus' family values: 
         Mark 3:31-35 31 Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. 32 A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, "Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you." 33 And he replied, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" 34 And looking at those who sat around him, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother."
          Luke 14:26 26 "Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple.   
         John 19:25-27 Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son." 27 Then he said to the disciple, "Here is your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.

Pray together

Jesus taught us to pray as a community.

Matthew 6:9  "Pray then in this way: "Our..."

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to pray together?

Note: The American culture robs us of community, seducing us to believe that indepedence is better than interdependence... so much so... that community looks idealistic and spectacular.  This is not the way of Jesus.

Authentic prayer isn't pretentious

Jesus taught that authenitc prayer isn't pretentious

Matthew 6:5-6 5 "And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6 But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 "When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that authentic prayer isn't pretentious, but between us and God?

Don't let praise from humans motivate you.

Jesus teaches that our motive for kingdom living shouldn't be praise from other humans.

Matthew 6:1-4 "Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 "So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

Note: Piety = acts of righteousness = good deeds = kindness.  Alms = acts of kindness = gifts to those in need

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that our motive for kingdom living shouldn't be praise from other human beings?

Be perfect

Jesus taught that we should perfect.

Matthew 5:48 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to be perfect?  Do we care we aren't perfect?

Note: Perfect also means complete, full-grown, or mature.  The character of God, which ultimately is love, is behind all his commandments.

Leviticus 19:2 --> ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy." 

1 Peter 1:14-16 --> 14 Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. 15 Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; 16 for it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

Love and pray for your enemies

Jesus teaches that we should love and pray for our enemies.

Matthew 5:43-47 43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to love and pray for our enemies?

Note:  Love is concrete actions... not just emotions. It is self-sacrifice.  Prayer aligns us with the character of God and focuses on God's desire for all to experience his Shalom.

Give unconditionally to anyone who asks

Jesus teaches that we are to give unconditionally to anyone who asks.

Matthew 5:40-42 40 and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; 41 and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42 Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.

Do we ingore Jesus' teaching to give unconditionally to anyone who asks?

Note: The only limit to the believer's giving is what love imposes.

Turn the other cheek

Jesus taught that we should not resist an evildoer, but to turn the other cheek.

Matthew 5:38-39 38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39 But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also;

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to turn the other cheek?

Let your word be true and vaild.

Jesus taught that we didn't need special oaths because our word should stand on its own.

Matthew 5:33-37 33 "Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.' 34 But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let your word be 'Yes, Yes' or 'No, No'; anything more than this comes from the evil one.

Do we ingore Jesus' teaching that everything we speak or agree to be true and valid?

Keep marriage vows

Jesus taught that marriage vows were to be kept.

Matthew 5:31-32 31 "It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' 32 But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that marriage vows are to be kept?

Get rid of what makes us sin

Jesus taught us to get rid of what makes us sin.

Matthew 5:29-30 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to get rid of the things about us that keep us from the Kingdom of God?

Note:  The things he tells us to get rid of are parts (eye, hand) of "us" not other people.
Note:  Sin, in the kingdom of heaven, is no longer about breaking a set of rules, but not following Jesus.  And Jesus is showing us here that his way is more stringent (real truth, real justice, real righteousness, real love) than any list of rules.

Have thoughts that match right actions

Jesus taught that we are as accountable for our thoughts as for our actions

Matthew 5:27-28 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 lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that we are as accountable for our thoughts ar as for our actions?

Quickly make things right with others

Jesus taught us to react with urgency in making things right with others

Matthew 5:25-26 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that making things right with others should be an urgent priority?

Reconcile with others before offering gifts to God

Jesus taught us to reconcile with others before we offer our gifts to God

Matthew 5:23-24 23 So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.

Do we ingore Jesus' teaching to reconcile with others before offering our gifts to God?

Note: Offering a gift at the altar takes on new meaning in the Kingdom of God.  Since Jesus was offered on the altar for us, we no longer make animal sacrifices to God in order to hide our offenses.  But we still take the blessings that God has given us and 1) offer them back to God and 2) use them to bless others.  Jesus wants us to realize that if we are offending others instead of sharing our blessings them, we need to reconcile before we offer our blessings to God.

Note: He doesn't say try to reconcile.  He says reconcile.

Have hearts that match righteous actions

Jesus taught that God judges our hearts not just our actions.

Matthew 5:21-22 21 "You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not murder'; and 'whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' 22 But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, 'You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that God judges our hearts and not just our actions?

Note: "You have heard... but I say."  Jesus constrasts what humans are able to judge (murder - an outward crime) with what God is able to judge (anger, insults - what goes on in the heart, what seems minor in comparison to anger). 

Note: The expression "hell of fire" refers to the "Valley of Hinnom," a ravine south of Jerusalem once associated with the pagan god Moloch and his disgusting rites, prohibited by God. When King Josiah abolished the practices, he defiled the valley by making it a, dumping ground for filth and the corpses of criminals (2 Kings 23:10). Late traditions suggest that in the first century it may still have been used as a rubbish pit, complete with smoldering fires.

Follow Jesus for a new way of being

Jesus taught that because he fulfilled the law and the prophets, we have a new way of being.

Matthew 5:17-20 17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that because he fulfilled the law and the prophets we have a new way of being?

Note:  The Kingdom of heaven is not a place we go to after we die.  It is a way of being - living as Jesus taught.  Jesus is saying that neither the scribe's way of being (working hard to have a correct theology) and the Pharisee's way of being (keeping a strict religious/moral code) is in keeping with Jesus' teachings.  Focusing on having a correct theology and keeking a strict religious/moral code falls way short of Jesus' way of being.  The kingdom of heaven is a new completely different radical way of living.

Do good works to be a light to the world.

Jesus taught us to let our good works be a light to the world.

Matthew 5:14-16 14 "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to do good works as a light to the world?

Note: Good works is not personal righteousnes, but meeting the needs of others.

Don't lose your saltiness

Matthew 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to keep salty?

Note: Scientifically, pure salt, can't lose its saltiness.  But impure salt can... most salt in the ancient world derived from salt marshes contained many impurities. The actual salt, being more soluble than the impurities, could be leached out, leaving a residue so dilute it was of little worth.

Rejoice when people wrong you on Jesus' account

Jesus' encourages us to rejoice when people wrong us on Jesus' account

Matthew 5:11-12 "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Do we ignore Jesus' teach to rejoice when people give you a hard time on Jesus account?



Note:  The persecution of those following Jesus are neither new (go back to the Old Testament prophets), nor accidental (vast conspiracy), nor absurd (promise of reward the Kingdom of Heaven). 

Accept persecution for the sake of the kingdom

Jesus taught that a righteous person who is engaging the world will be persecuted. But within the kingdom of heaven, righteousness is the norm.

Matthew 5:10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that a righteous person engaged in the world will be persecuted.  However, within the kingdom of heaven, righteousness is the norm.

Note what it means to be blessed on the Oct 9th post. 

Let peacemaking be your way of life

Jesus taught that peacemaking would be a way of life for the children of God.

Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to be peacemakers?  Do we settle for cheap appeasement or work for costly reconciliation (where humanity is reconciled through Jesus not only to God, but also to each other)?
 
Peacemaking is costly reconciliation not appeasement: "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 18

Seek God with a pure heart

Jesus taught that we see God through a heart that is 100% focused on him and free of deceit. And from this vision of God, we can bless others.

Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to see God through a heart that is 100% focused on him and free of deceit? Then do we bless others what what we have seen?

Jesus might have been referencing Psalms 24:3-4: "Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? 4 Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully. 5 They will receive blessing from the LORD..." 
Pure in heart:  1) singlemindedness in purpose (a heart 100% set on God and the things of God 2) utterly sincere (free of deceit). Seeing God:  Ascending the hill of God and standing in his holy place.

Change the world by giving and recieving mercy.

Jesus taught us to change the world by giving and receiving mercy.

Matthew 5:7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

Do we ingore Jesus' teaching to change the world by giving and receiving mercy?

Note the many meanings of mercy:  1) Showing compassion (or lenient treatment) to someone who has offended 2) Showing compasasion (or lenient treatment) to someone you are in authority over 3) An act of compassion to someone who has not earned it 4) helping someone in distress.  And most importantly... Jesus uses Mercy as an action word not a feeling.

Note what it means to be blessed on the Oct 9th post.

Create abundance with justice and righteousness

Jesus taught that those who desire righteousness (justice) will be filled ... and in turn they are meant to bless others with the abundance righteousness (justice) achieves.

Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."

Do we ingore Jesus' teaching to desire righteousness (justice)... and in turn bless others with the abundance righteousness (justice) achieves?

Note what it means to be blessed on the Oct 9th post.

Make your strength gentle

Jesus taught that those whose strength has been made gentle by God will inherit the land... and in turn they are meant to bless others with the land.

Matthew 5:5 "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Note:  “Meek” is the Greek word "praus".   It brings to mind the modern word "prowess".  It denotes strength brought under control - gentleness. It was used to describe a wild horse tamed to the bridle.  "Earth" could also be translated "land" - maybe meaning "the covenant" which included the land.  Also see the note on what it means to be blessed on the Oct 9th post. Given all this... we might translate/interpret this verse to mean, "Those whoes power is under the control of God will not only inherit the covenant, but will use the covenant to bless others."
 
Do we ingore Jesus' teaching to allow God to make our strength gentle so that he can give us the land... (of course it follows, that we are to then bless others with the land)?

Use your saddness to relieve the afflicted

Jesus taught that those who mourn have been blessed with a new way of being – comfort (relief from their afflictions). So we are to bless others by comforting them (relieving their afflictions).

Matthew 5:4 4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Do we ignore Jesus’ teaching to bless others by comforting them (comfort = relieving afflictions)?

See note about what it means to be "Blessed" on Oct 9th post.

Be changed by recognizing your spiritual poverty

Jesus taught that those who recognize their spiritual poverty have been blessed with a new way of being (the Kingdom of God). And by living in this new way of being, they will change the world (bless others)

Matthew 5:3 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that by recognizing our spirit's impoverished condition we are enabled to bless others (to change the world) by living out the Kingdom of Heaven?

About the word "blessed":  The concept of "blessed" was first introduced to Abraham (Gen 26:3 - "The LORD had said to Abram... 'I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing... all peoples on earth will be blessed through you'.").  Blessed does not mean that if we do "x,y,and z" that God will do something nice for us.   It means that we have already been blessed with "x,y, and z".   BUT being "blessed" doesn't end there.  Blessed means we are to bless others with our blessing.   Just like God's blessing on Abraham meant that he was to bless others.  We are to use our blessings to change the world.

Live a lifestyle in sync with future kingdom.

Jesus teaches his followers to live a lifestyle in tune with his future kingdom.

Matthew 4:25 - 5:2 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan. 1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to live a lifestyle in tune with his future kingdom?

Attend to both spiritual and physical needs.

Jesus attended to both spiritual and physical needs.

Matthew 4:23-25 23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he cured them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

Do we ignore Jesus' example of attending to both spiritual and physical needs?

Be on a team that does God’s ministry together

Jesus built a team to do God’s ministry together

Matthew 4:18-22 18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea-- for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

Do we ignore Jesus’ example of “building a team to do God’s ministry together?”

Call humanity to Jesus' way of being.

Jesus was a great light calling humanity out of the darkness of our world to his way of being.

Matthew 4:12-17 12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15 "Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles-- 16 the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." 17 From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."

Do we ignore Jesus' example to “be a great light calling humanity out of the darkness of our world to his way of being?”

Accept the rest and renewal of Sabbath

Jesus accepted the rest and renewal of Sabbath

Matthew 4:11 11 Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

Do we ignore Jesus' example of accepting the rest and renewal of Sabbath?

Don't comprimise your relationship with God

Jesus didn't achieve God's kingdom by compromising his relationship with God.

Matthew 4:8-10 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9 and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." 10 Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! for it is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'"

Do we ignore Jesus's example that we do not achieve God's kingdom by compromising our relationship with God?

Don't claim God’s promises if they don’t apply.

Jesus did not flippantly claim God’s promises when and where they don’t apply.

Matthew 4:5-7 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'" 7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

Do we ignore Jesus's example by flippantly claiming God’s promises when and where they don’t apply?

Prioritize God’s will ahead of life's comforts

Matthew 4:1-4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3 The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." 4 But he answered, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Do we ignore Jesus' example of prioritizing God’s will ahead of the comforts of our life?