Friday 22^nd February

Matthew 7:1-6, Hebrews 12:2

So often we think of Jesus as a man on a mission to right the wrongs and stamp His authority on this earth through hard line sermons and constant rebukes. If I am honest, I too have often read the Sermon on the Mount as an almost telling off. However, as serious as His words were, I believe that they were said in love and joy. I remember watching the Gospel according to Matthew on DVD and the image that is depicted of Christ is one of a calm, gentle and almost humorous man. Yes, there were times when He had to ‘lay down the law’, but I truly believe that Jesus was the most friendly, gentle man that has ever graced the face of this earth.

Think about it. What makes us so uptight? What causes us to be stressed? Worry, anxiety, fear, or simply not knowing who you are? The list could go on. Yet Jesus didn’t need to worry or carry burdens. If He did He would have never promised to take our burdens from us. Jesus knew who He was. He was secure in His identity. The only issue I can think of that would have caused Jesus to stress, would have been knowing the way He was going to die. But even then, the writer of Hebrews said we should consider “Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the JOY that was set before Him, endured the cross and despised the shame” for you and for me (Hebrews 12:2). It was Jesus’ joy to surrender His life for us His children. Have you ever met someone who was really chilled, content and never complained? Isn’t it a pleasure to be around them? Why do you think so many people wanted to come and hear Jesus talk? Was it because they wanted to be rebuked or rather was it because they wanted to hear the words of truth delivered by someone who could practice what He preached in love and kindness?

The truth is that meekness was not Jesus’ weakness. Being meek, mild and joyful doesn’t mean that you are weak but rather it is a decision to find peace even in the midst of storms. One particular section in the film the ‘Gospel according to Matthew’ that struck me was when Jesus was preaching His Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 7. He shares the teaching of not judging each other and first removing the plank in your own eye before you take the speck for your brothers eye. In the DVD he actually picks up a plank and comically demonstrates this by using someone from the crowd to explain His sermon. It really struck me because I have always imagined Jesus almost shouting this sermon at the crowd. However the image that resonates in my heart and mind is as I saw on this DVD, Jesus joyfully and comically explaining an extremely important and relevant message. This is not to say that Jesus’ teachings were not life changing sermons but rather I think Jesus’ delivery of these wise words was done in love and joy. Yes, as mentioned before, there were times when Jesus did need to be harsh and rebuke sinful attitudes and teachings. However let us, if we are to be Christians, be Christ like in our attitudes and in our living. Let us replicate His attitude in all we do. Be joyful, be sincere and let Christ be your mirror.