Sermon on the Mount – Blessed are the Merciful
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Sermon on the Mount – Blessed are the Merciful • FOUNDED IN TRUTH
Absolutely, everyone. Welcome to this teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship, where we continue to explore the profound words of the Sermon on the Mount. For the past several weeks, we have been delving into the introduction and the Beatitudes. It is beneficial to revisit this sermon, because a careful reading reveals that its assertions are not always the gentle, easily digestible teachings they are sometimes made out to be. In reality, when we compare Jesus’ words to the way the world operates, some parts can seem quite stark. The Sermon on the Mount presents a vision of how God intends to work and how we, as reflections of God’s nature, should live within that reality. It’s a challenging message, one that we often tend to simplify or negotiate with to make it more convenient, but it is meant to be understood in its difficulty.
This week, we are focusing on the beatitude, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.” To begin illustrating the essence of this teaching, let’s consider a story from early 1950s British cinema. This was a fictional film, not based on the true events of 1947 in the United States, that depicted test pilots attempting to break the sound barrier for the first time. In the movie, each time the pilots approached 767 miles per hour, this seemingly impenetrable “sound barrier,” their aircraft would begin to shake violently, experiencing uncontrollable turbulence and threatening to disintegrate. The pilots were faced with a daunting challenge: how could they possibly overcome this dangerous phenomenon? They struggled to find a way to maneuver their planes through this critical point without them falling apart in the sky.
The pilots couldn’t understand why their aircraft behaved so erratically as they neared this liminal space between danger and safety. They observed that at that speed, the controls seemed to function in reverse. For instance, pulling back on the control stick, which should have raised the nose, would instead cause it to go in the opposite direction. The plane was reacting contrary to all their training and experience. However, one pilot developed a theory: perhaps the rules of aerodynamics changed at this extreme velocity, and maybe the solution was to apply the opposite control inputs. He took to the skies, accelerated towards the sound barrier, and as the violent shaking began, instead of pulling back, he pushed the control stick forward – an action that would normally send the plane into a nosedive. In the film, his theory proved correct. The plane lifted, soared, and broke through the sound barrier, now flying faster than the sound it produced, resulting in a sonic boom. This fictional story, while not factual, serves as a powerful illustration of what Matthew Vander Els believes Jesus was doing in the Sermon on the Mount.
The overarching narrative of the Bible, according to the speaker, is about the consequences of humanity trying to define good and evil for themselves. This pursuit consistently leads to exploitation, violence, injustice, and a world that, in the biblical narrative, Satan can claim as his own, even though we are the ones who created this state. We recognize the brokenness of the world and our desire for change. Yet, we often fall into the trap of believing that we can end cycles of exploitation and violence by employing the very same tactics in the name of a greater good. This is exemplified even in our political processes. We may find ourselves voting for what we perceive as the lesser of two evils. In this pursuit of self-defined good, we create and utilize instruments of violence, oppression, and social destruction like weapons, imprisonment, and systems built on gossip and slander.
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Application for Everyday Life
- Practice forgiveness: Actively choose to forgive those who have wronged you, even when it is difficult. Remember the parable of the unmerciful servant and the connection between the forgiveness we give and the forgiveness we receive.
- Extend kindness beyond your comfort zone: Look for opportunities to show compassion and generosity to people who are different from you, who are outside your usual social circles, or even those you might consider your adversaries. Reflect on the story of the Canaanite woman.
- Challenge your biases: Be aware of your own prejudices and assumptions about others. Ask yourself if you are limiting God’s mercy (and your own) based on superficial differences or past conflicts.
- Go above and beyond: Emulate the concept of “chesed” by actively seeking ways to help others in need, even if it requires significant effort or sacrifice on your part.
- Advocate for justice with mercy: When addressing injustice, do so with a spirit of compassion and a desire for restoration, rather than condemnation alone.
- Be persistent in faith: Like the Canaanite woman, don’t be discouraged by initial resistance or silence when seeking help or trying to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
- Recognize the inherent worth of all: Remember that in God’s eyes, everyone is part of the larger human family and deserving of love and mercy.
- Audit your “God image”: Regularly examine whether your understanding of God aligns with the inclusive and merciful God revealed in Jesus, or if you have inadvertently created a God who mirrors your own biases.
References
- The Holy Bible, Matthew 5:7
- The Holy Bible, Matthew 15:21-28
- The Holy Bible, Matthew 18:21-35
Books and Resources Mentioned
About Founded in Truth Fellowship
Founded in Truth Fellowship is a Messianic Fellowship in Rock Hill, SC that provides Biblical teachings, fellowship, and resources for Biblical studies. Founded in Truth Fellowship is able to spread the gospel and the word of Yeshua because of supporters like you. If Founded in Truth has been a blessing to you or your family, we ask that you would give so that the same messages can bless others.
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