Sermon - Part 2, and Hitting the Road

Week One - Day 3

Today's Reading -- Matthew 7:1 to Matthew 9:38

Our reading continues with Jesus still on "the mountain" teaching his disciples.  His words today begin with an admonition on judging others against standards that we don't maintain within our own lives.  How easy it is for us to fall into that trap of self-righteousness.  Much of what Jesus has said is a jolt to our perception of our own worthiness, our nuanced ideas of how we well we personally have walked in the ways of God.  There's more to it, Jesus is saying; not more rules, but more depth, more compassion towards others, greater reliance upon the mercy of God.  As the Sermon on the Mount concludes with end of chapter seven, Matthew tells us that "the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes" (7:28-29).  The references he has made to the Torah present Jesus as a definitive interpreter of the Law and Commandments that Moses received from God on Mount Sinai.  The ability to provide such an interpretation was seen by some within Judaism as a sign of the Messiah, the one who would come and repel Israel's oppressors and restore the glory of the kingdom.  What more will this man from Nazareth say or do?

Well, the answer comes quickly as Jesus embarks on a healing mission throughout Galilee, dealing with people both inside and outside the recognized religious community and the nation of Israel.  A Roman soldier's servant; the mother-in-law of Peter; people possessed by demons; others who are paralyzed, blind or mute; each of these is compassionately ministered to by Jesus.  But he is more than just a faith healer.  Jesus amazes his disciples by stilling the storm on the sea, and he begins to upset the religious elite by asserting this authority to forgive sins.  The disciples are in for the ride of their lives as Jesus drops the not-so-subtle hint that they will soon be a part of these new teachings and ministry.  For he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest" (9:37-38).  I can imagine they might have responded, "Who? Us?"  Yes.  And that also means you and me.