The Sermon on the Mount. Three chapters in Matthew. Lessons in living straight from the mouth of Jesus. Lessons about salt and light. Warnings against anger, murder, adultery, divorce, worry and retaliation. Instructions on prayer being wise, loving both friends and enemies, preparing for eternity. The Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5-7, is a much-read, much-studied, and much-preached about passage. Yet every time I read it, I learn something new.
For instance, Matthew 5:1-2 tells us that Jesus went up on the mountain to avoid the crowds — it was just Jesus and His disciples. Whether the crowds came in search of the healing Jesus had been doing or whether the people came simply based on the power of His words, we do know that the crowds came. Matthew 7:28-29 informs us that the crowds were amazed at His teaching.
Can you imagine what that would have been like? Sitting on a hillside listening to the Son of God. Would we comprehend the seriousness of anger when we heard the Messiah equate it with murder? Would we learn to privately fast with joyful obedience when the Christ told us that God would reward our fasting? Would we learn the importance of building treasures in heaven if Lord of Heaven told us to?
Or would we have a different reaction? After hearing the Beatitudes, would we say, “Uh … Jesus, are we supposed to know this?” Will we scratch our heads and ask, “Do I need to write this down?” Would we tell Jesus we would have paid more attention if we had known there was going to be a test? Would we complain to Jesus, “Other people don’t have to learn this stuff, why should we?”
When Jesus was about halfway through His sermon, would we have started looking at our watches, wondering how long the line was going to be at our favorite restaurant? If Jesus talked about something we didn’t like, would we shrug it off and say, “What does this have to do with real life, anyway?” And when Jesus kept on teaching and teaching and teaching, would we turn to those next to us and say, “When in the world are we ever going to get away from here?”
How do people react to Jesus? To the Bible? Some say Jesus isn’t really the Son of God. Some say the Bible is nothing more than a myth. Some say Jesus was a great teacher, but did not die on the cross to save us from our sins. Some say the Bible is a lie. Some say Jesus is not part of the Trinity, that He was created by God in the same manner God created us. Some say the Bible is not relevant for us in our culture. Some say Jesus never existed. Some say the Bible could not possibly be true.
So, what are our reactions to the teachings of Jesus? How do we respond to what we read in the Bible? Hmmm …
Verna Davis, speaker and writer, maybe reached at vrdspeaks@yahoo.com.
Religion
THE JOY LADY: What are our reactions to the teachings of Jesus?
- Religion
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- RELIGION BRIEFS: May 24, 2013
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Get in touch with prayer at Body Prayer workshop
Could your prayer life use some invigorating? If so, the Body Prayer workshop offered by White Violet Center for Eco-Justice at St. Mary-of-the-Woods, a ministry of the Sisters of Providence, may be for you.
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THE JOY LADY: We are not in charge. God is. Get over it, already.
If I were in charge of the world, I would run things a bit differently.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 25, 2013
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Cross Lane Church accepting shoe donations
Terre Haute residents are invited to donate their shoes to help millions of peopleworldwide with a shoe drive at Cross Lane Community Church on June 2.
- Church briefs: May 18, 2013
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The Joy Lady: A good morning: everything that rises must converge
Last Monday, I had a good morning.
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Unity Presbyterian plans retirement open house
The congregation of Unity Presbyterian Church will stage a retirement celebration open house to honor the church’s pastor, Linda Jo Peters, from 2 to 4 p.m. on May 19 at 1207 E. Springhill Drive.
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Organist will be the featured guest at church
Organist Benjamin Kolodziej will be the featured guest at an organ recital at 4 p.m. on May 19 at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 645 Poplar St.
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THE JOY LADY: Call your mom; tell her you love her, that you miss her
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a resolution proclaiming “the second Sunday in May to be hereafter known as ‘Mother’s Day.’”
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 11, 2013
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Celebrate the women in your life with The Living Rosary
On Friday, May 10, join the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods for The Living Rosary and experience the grace and power many people have discovered by “praying by hand.”
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THE JOY LADY: When awe leaves us, we leave room for doubt
In any given gathering of grade-schoolers or even a gaggle of teenagers, in all likelihood, you will hear certain words over and over:
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 4, 2013
- RELIGION BRIEFS: May 4, 2013
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Good Friday service today at St. George Orthodox
St. George Orthodox Church at 1900 S. Fourth St., Terre Haute, will celebrate its Good Friday service at 7 p.m. today (May 3) and its Easter service at 9 p.m. Saturday. The Agape (Love) service will be conducted at noon on Sunday.
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Organist’s concert May 5
Organist Jonathan Rudy will be in concert performing works from the 1600’s to the present day at 4 p.m. on Sunday at Central Presbyterian Church, 125 N. Seventh St.
The concert is free and open to the public. -
THE JOY LADY: Christ is coming again. Are you ready for that?
An older couple had a grandfather clock that announced each hour with the ringing of chimes.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: April 27, 2013
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THE JOY LADY: Let us pray that our hearts be blessed by God
Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my uncle and his family in Florida.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: April 20, 2013
- CHURCH BRIEFS: April 13, 2013
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THE JOY LADY: You can learn a lot from a box of crayons
Denis Omar is a handsome third-grader in Ocotillo, Honduras. The last time I was in his home, his colored chalk drawings decorated the concrete block walls. His mother said when she got tired of one drawing, she’d wash the wall and have Denis draw another.
- RELIGION BRIEFS: April 13, 2013
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BBQ fundraiser April 13 at Allen Chapel
Historic Allen Chapel’s annual barbecue dinner fundraiser is Saturday, April 13, in the Chapel at Third and Crawford streets. Serving will be from noon to 6 p.m. with a full-line of dinner, sandwiches, sides and desserts available. Chef Stephen Miller, formerly owner of the Black Skillet and now a caterer in Cincinnati, will again prepare the barbecue.
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THE JOY LADY: Most complaints tend to be pretty selfish
Complainers never think they are in the wrong. How could they be when they know everyone else is so wrong?
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Church briefs: April 6, 2013
What's going on this week at area churches.
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THE JOY LADY: Our attendance in worship services encourages other worshippers
There are all kinds of church attendees. Some attend church services once or twice a month, some once or twice a year. Some attend only Sunday morning worship.
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African children’s choir to perform at Mount Pleasant
The Watoto Children’s Choir, traveling from Africa, began its five-month eastern U.S. tour in Oak Bluffs, Mass., on Oct. 6 and are continuing the tour through Terre Haute, Lebanon, Indianapolis, Peru, Bloomington, Columbus, Evansville and Vevay, from April 16 to May 1. All performances are free and open to the public.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: March 30, 2013
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