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In this monologue, Jesus repeatedly turned on its head the conventional wisdom.
“You have heard it was said … but I tell you … ,” he said over and over, compelling the people before him to love their enemies, to avoid murder and adultery of the heart, to extend forgiveness as eagerly as they sought it. Matthew writes that “the crowds were amazed at his teaching.”
Two millennia later, Jesus’ words and authority still perplex and compel. Even the very first words of the sermon are a salvo over most of us who live in 21st-Century America: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). Luke records it more succinctly: “Blessed are you who are poor … .”
Those holding this newspaper in their hands live in the richest nation in history, not far removed from its richest time. Even in the midst of recession, all but the few truly destitute among us are wealthy by comparison to most people of other times and other places.
We may argue that poverty can stem from all manner of individual, family and community failures – and we would no doubt be partly right. Jesus surely wasn’t unaware of this, though, when he called the poor “blessed.”
So what are the characteristics of the poor that Jesus would have us share?
Maybe it’s that they tend to be humble. When one has little that this world values, one is not under the delusion that worth comes from possessions or abilities but clings to the worthiness of “merely” being human – being made in God’s image.
The poor can be generous. Seeing clearly the needs of others, they may be more willing than those of us who have much to invite a stranger to supper, to take in a neighbor who’s lost his home or, if they can do nothing more, to give time to listen.
Poor people tend to be thankful. Those who feel hunger don’t take food for granted; those who have been homeless know the value of having a place to call “home.”
One of the ironies of our society is that poor people are far more likely to be victims of crime than rich people. Even that, though, gives the poor a leg up in eternal matters: “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:20-21).
Maybe one perspective we can learn from the present economic downturn is that treasures in heaven are, after all, the only lasting investment.
Only the High Priest had the authority to deliver Jesus to the Romans and that was the sell out. The High Priest, "looked for a time that they could apprehend him with out causing a disturbance among the crowd".
Maybe you don't have it figured out but some of us do. Organized religion is dangerous. Organized religion in bed with government is LETHAL.
I.
yes it was his destiny to die but the means was by the religious authorities in cahoots with the government. He could have died from being run over by an ox cart and yes the results would have been the same.
Think of it this away: If Jesus were alive today the evangelicals would be the ones that delivered him to the government.
Ciaphas=Mega Church Preacher
Pontus Pilate=Haley Barbour
Tiberius Caeser=Barrack Obama
II.
LOL, I actually saw a guy with money in his coffin one time. I suppose the family took it out before the drop like they do the rings and other valuables.
Jesus was put to death by the government at the insistance of the religious element in bed with the government. This should be a good lesson for today as the Christian Evangelical movement seeks to exert more and more control in the government. The evangelical movement daily crucifies Jesus in their zeal to control the world.
II.
Rich people didn't get rich giving away their money.
III.
I will follow the guy that can heal the blind with mud and spit.
Well, who knows? Suffice it to say that government was the enemy for Christ. It was government who put Him to death.
Someone who could put mud on the eyes of the blind and restore sight might find this question silly, don't you think?