the mountain manifesto

the gage Canadian dictionary defines the word manifesto as "a public declaration of intentions, purposes, or motives by an important person; proclamation." working with this definition The Sermon on the Mount comes to mind. "When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying..." (Matthew 5:1-2 NRSV, the rest can be read in Matthew 5-7). in these chapters are some of the most radical and innovative words ever recorded. through His teaching here, Jesus comments on ethics, community, matters of faith and religion, and life in general. people listening to these words at the time must have been turned on their heads. i read them now and find them challenging and thought-provoking. how can i live out these words? how can i add these insights, thoughts, and commands to my Christian journey? this is difficult material to read/hear/live. John Stott wrote: "To my mind no two words sum up its intention better, or indicate more clearly its challenge to the modern world, than the expression 'Christian counter-culture'." (John Stott, The Message of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), page 15). he wrote this in 1978 and the thought rings true today. turning the other cheek, loving enemies and praying for those who persecute you, not making a big deal of your faith expressions, and being non-judgmental goes totally against the grain of our humanity. we want to point out that speck. we want people to know how great we are at praying or fasting. we want to judge. we don't want to love our enemies. we don't want to pray for those who persecute us. we don't want to turn the other cheek. the Sermon on the Mount is about our relationship with God and with others. a children's chorus comes to mind: "J - O - Y, J - O - Y, Surely that must mean. Jesus first, yourself last and others in between." the Sermon on the Mount is like this. Jesus taught His disciples, and is teaching us, about others and the Kingdom of God.