By: Curtis Baker
Coming into Matthew chapter six, we have reached a transition point in our study of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. So far in this sermon, Jesus has made two very distinct and important points. First, in Matthew 5:1-16, he explained to his disciples who is truly blessed in this life. Far from being the common understanding, Jesus included in his list of blessed people those who mourn, are meek, and who are persecuted because of their faith in him. Jesus’ point in this is not to say that the only blessed life is a sad and difficult life, but to say that sad and difficult lives are blessed too, in so far as they are lived in relationship to Jesus and his kingdom. As a matter of fact, anyone who takes up their life into God’s life is blessed, no matter what the outward circumstances of their life may be. It is these people that Jesus proclaims as the “salt of the earth” and a “light to the world.”
Having answered the question of who is truly blessed in life, in Matthew 5:17-48 Jesus now turns his attention to another important question: “Who is a truly good person?” According to Jesus, a truly good person must be defined by more than the traditional religious answer–what Jesus calls, “the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees.” The righteousness that is found in Scribes and Pharisees is not something unique to Jesus’ day. While the names have changed over the years, the problem Jesus is addressing is present in all forms of religion. Jesus is speaking of the idea that a good person is simply one who follows the rules. In the rest of Matthew chapter five, Jesus carefully deconstructs this idea, by showing that those who “keep the rules” in the absolute sense, are not always “good” in the true sense. For example, one may keep the rule of not committing murder, but they may be filled with anger and contempt in their heart. One might also keep from committing adultery, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t do if they thought they had the chance to get away with it. In a similar way, one might be persuaded to tell the truth while under oath, but Jesus says we should be honest in all of our dealings all of the time. And a person might have legal justification for divorce according to the civil law, but that doesn’t necessarily mean divorce is the right option. All of these things are examples of true inner goodness that must go beyond simple rule keeping. Rules enforce minimal decency. Goodness is wisdom for one’s whole life.
With all of this before us now, Jesus transitions from a discussion of the truly good person, to warn us about some potential threats to our spiritual wellbeing. Two dangers are specifically addressed in chapter six. The second is the well known threat of trying to secure oneself by means of wealth and material wellbeing (Matt 6:19-34). We’ll have plenty to say about that when we get there. But first, before addressing the dangers of wealth, he addresses an impulse common to us all–the desire to secure our reputation (Matt 6:1-18). This includes doing certain “religious” acts in order to be recognized as good by others. In chapter six, Jesus will address three specific examples: our giving to charity, our prayer, and fasting. Today we might easily include church attendance to that list. It is very easy to do religious functions in order to be known as a “good” person in the community, without truly participating in what those religious functions are intended to do. With that in mind we should listen carefully to what Jesus says in Matthew 6:1- “Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, TO BE SEEN BY THEM. If you do you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”
Our God is of the nature that he does not insert himself where he is not wanted. If what we want is the praise and adoration of other people, God will step out of the way and allow us to have that, but nothing more. But if what we truly want is to please God, then God will certainly appreciate anything that we do for his glory. We’ll take up our discussion there next week. God bless!
(Don’t forget to join me for A Message from the Heart radio program Sunday evening at 8:00pm on KJAK 92.7FM, or streaming live at www.kjak.com)
(curtisbaker@hotmail.com)
Write to: P.O. Box 157, Slaton, TX 79364
