radical

Matthew 5, 6, & 7 are what are usually called Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount".

It was a MAJOR teaching He shared with we don't know how many people.

We have lived with these teachings for 2000+ years, so we're kinda used to them - it's a part of our basic narrative.

But back then, the things Jesus said in this sermon were stupendously RADICAL thinking for the time.

Well, maybe they still are today - if we truly follow what Jesus teaches in these 3 chapters in Matthew, I'm afraid we might be viewed as pretty radical, too.

Here's just one example of some pretty radical thinking Jesus taught back then...



Matthew 5

43 “You have heard the law that says, 

‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 

44 But I say, 

love your enemies! 

Pray for those who persecute you! 

45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. 

For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, 

and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 

46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? 

Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 

47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? 

Even pagans do that. 

48 But you are to be perfect, 

even as your Father in heaven is perfect.