By Rev. George Mastrantonis
An outstanding guide in moral reflection is recorded by St. Matthew
in his first group of studies, a discourse which consists of pronouncements
and utterances of Jesus to His Disciples and to every disciple henceforth.
It is known as the Sermon on the Mount, (Matthew. chs. 5, 6, 7),
which reminds us of the Ten Commandments of old which were given
on Mount Sinai.
The Sermon on the Mount is an advanced guide from the same God to
His people for their salvation. There is a resemblance between the
Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount but there is a difference
in degree and perspective. On Mount Sinai, Almighty God appeared
in clouds and thunder. In the Sermon on the Mount, God is incarnate
in a human form. On Mount Sinai guidance was given in ten utterances
negative in form, touching only the obligations of every society
for its sustainment. In the Sermon on the Mount, guidance was given
in the affirmative, uprooting evil intention rather than waiting
to destroy its fruits.
Our Lord journeyed through Galilee "teaching in their synagogues
and preaching the Gospel of the kingdom" (Matt. 4:23). The "Gospel
of the kingdom" is the most important subject in the New Testament
(cf Matt. 3:2). The Gospel and deeds of Jesus Christ were understood
as messianic, especially when Christ was "healing all manner of
sickness". Christ was accepted by the multitude as the Messiah.
It was at this moment that Jesus left the multitude and "went up
into a mountain" (5:1), which by tradition is located about five
miles west of the Sea of Galilee. On this mountain Jesus taught
His disciples and other persons.
The Sermon on the Mount was destined to become the universal charter
of ethics and higher ideals that have shaped the moral principles
of the civilized world. The Sermon on the Mount reminds us of Moses
and the Mosaic law, the covenant and the Ten Commandments, which
were delivered on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:3f). At that time, God
appeared in clouds and thunder; but in the Sermon on the Mount,
God was present as a divine and human Being, the incarnate Jesus
Christ, to utter clearly the revelation for the new creation of
mankind.
The main teaching of the Sermon is not so much the kingdom of Heaven
and repentance (4:17), which are presupposed, but the new piety
versus the old piety of the scribes and pharisees (5:17-26). The
Sermon encourages the Christian to apply in his own life these principles
of piety. It opens with the Beatitudes (5:3-12), which describe
the character of a true disciple, and of the Christian who glorifies
God. and will enter His kingdom. The Sermon instructs the Disciples
and believers, to seek the true righteousness and informs them that
their good works are for the glory of God (5:13-16), not for merit
and fame. It indicates that this righteousness is superior to the
purely legal kind taught by the scribes (5:17-48) and practiced
by the pharisees (6:1-18). For the attainment of this goal, a series
of commandments are given (6:19-7:6 negative, and 7:7-23 positive),
and the Sermon closes with the parable of the builders (7:24-27),
all to the astonishment of the listeners (7:27-29).
The Sermon on the Mount begins with the utterance of "moving lyrical
strains of the Beatitudes." They constitute "the string of pearls"
which adorn the crowning of Christian ethics. The Beatitudes are
independent exhortations of blessedness to mold the character of
the Christian believer.
The Beatitudes provide the specifications for the architecture
of Christian character. Accepted as a whole, they provide the ingredients
for the upright Christian character:
- Blessed is the man who is poor in spirit, that is, one who
feels so-the humble one, because humbleness is the gate which
leads to the kingdom of heaven.
- Blessed are the mourners, who long to enter the kingdom of
God, but who face many difficulties, such as sin and other impediments
which block the way to the kingdom of God. Our merciful God
will comfort them.
- Blessed are the meek, the people who are not disturbed by
their own desires, but trust in the Lord (cf. Ps. 37:11, LXX).
Their attitude will be rewarded with the inheritance of the
earth, which means through their convictions and trust in God
they will inherit the age to come.
- Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness.
They feel the impulse and desire to fulfill the Will of God
by their worship of and obedience to God.
- Blessed are the merciful not only for giving alms, but especially
for giving of themselves in helping others, who in turn obtain
mercy (cf. 6:14; 18:33).
- Blessed are the pure in heart, the upright, the sincere,
the honest in every thought and activity (Ps. 24:4). They will
feel the abiding companionship of God.
- Blessed are the peacemakers, between neighbors and between
nations, who have a peaceful mind to resolve human discrepancies.
They should be the treasurers of divine peace from above in
order to provide this peace for others who shall be sons of
God.
- Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness' sake. People
who are armed with virtues of the previous beatitudes are well
shielded to face persecutions for the establishment of divine
principles of life. The kingdom of God is expanded to their
hearts.
- Blessed are ye (my Disciples) who resist evil and undergo
persecutions by words and acts for My sake.
- The blessedness of God is the source of men's rejoicing and
gladness not only in themselves but also for the reward in heaven,
as it happened to the persecuted prophets (cf 23:20; Lk 11:33-38).
Salt and Light, 5:13-16
"Ye are the salt of the earth; but if the salt have lost
his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good
for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot
of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an
hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it
under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light unto
all that are in the house. Let you light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which
is in heaven."
Four terms are used to illustrate the Christian character: salt,
light, lamp, and lamp-stand. Salt was used by the Jewish people
to sprinkle on oil to give brightness to the lamps. Salt also
was used to purify and preserve food. Jesus Christ used these
illustrations to show the function of the Christian character,
to give brightness to life and to preserve society from the forces
of decay. The lamp and lamp-stand were used as an illustration
for everyday life of the Jewish people. The significance is that
the disciples of Christ and all Christians are obliged to present
the light of the Gospel to the world. Jesus named Himself the
Light to illuminate the Apostles and disciples as they present
the Light of the Gospel to the world, shining before man to show
God's good works and to guide man in glorifying the True God.
The Fulfillment of the Ancient Law, 5:17-48
The Attitude of Jesus Toward the Law, 5:17-20
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets;
I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto
you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one title shall in
no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore
shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men
so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven; but
whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great
in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, that except your
righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and
Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."
The law of the Old Testament was inspired by God through the
prophets in order to guide the people to accomplish the Will of
God. Jesus Christ was not to abolish the old law, but to fulfill
it and to give it the right interpretation. The fulfillment of
the law was attained not only through the new interpretation of
the intention of the believers, but especially through the Person
of Jesus Christ as Savior in all ages. The old law - the Old Testament
in general - is the "custodian" to Christ. What the Old Testament
needs is a new interpretation in the light of the teaching of
the New Testament and in the function of Jesus for the attainment
of salvation. The disciples of Christ should teach the law and
practice it in order to be worthy of their mission. It is necessary
to add the Christian view to the righteousness of scribes and
pharisees, showing that they should sacrifice much of their pleasures
and riches in order to win believers in Christ. The new interpretation
of the Law is "destined to set Christianity free from Judaism"
(F. C. Grant).
The Law On Murder, 5:21-22
"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, 'Thou
shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of
the judgement.' But I say unto you that whosoever is angry with
his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgement;
and whosoever shall say to his brother, 'Raca', shall be in danger
of the council; but whosoever shall say, 'Thou fool', shall be
in danger of hell-fire."
The new interpretation of the law is not merely to correct the
wrongdoer, but more to prevent him even from thinking of doing
wrong. It is the evil thought and intention which is sin, and
which needs cure. It is not only the killer who violates the law,
but the person who intends to kill, or who is angry with his brother
also violates the new meaning given the law by Jesus Christ. Even
words which insult another person are considered a violation of
the new interpretation of the Gospel (see the examples of Jesus'
revision and reinterpretation of the Law).
Reconciliation With Friends, 5:23-24Â and Enemies, 5:25-26
"Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there
rememberest that thy brother halt aught against thee, leave there
thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled
to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine
adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him, lest at
any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge
deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily
I say unto thee, thou shalt by no means come out thence, till
thou has paid the uttermost farthing."
Throughout the New Testament, the right relation of one man to
another is stressed and guided not only in its external function
but especially from within the heart and mind of the Christian.
Any degree of hostility, any hidden thought of envy would be the
great separator between the believer and God. The Christian should
learn that with the grace of God he should build more bridges
of communication with his neighbor, rather than construct fences
of protection. A Christian is not expected to be a saint without
mar of sin, but he is one who is struggling with himself to avoid
the violations of God's Will and striving to overflow with the
quality of Christian love which is attainable by sacrifice of
pleasures, pride and riches. The Christian has no enemies; does
not seek revenge; does not stop praying for people whose hearts
are not yet cultivated and watered by the grace of God.
Law On Adultery, 5:27-30
"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, 'Thou
shalt not commit adultery.' But I say unto you that whosoever
looketh on a women to lust after her hath committed adultery with
her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck
it out and cast it from thee; for it is profitable for thee that
one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body
should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee; for
it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish,
and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell."
Adultery was a weakness of the people of the past and still remains
as such among the people of the Christian era. In the past, customs
and laws legalized adultery and fornication through polygamy.
Solomon with many "wives" was not committing adultery. Jesus stated
that adultery is sinful, not only through the actual sexual act,
but even through the thought of lust.
Jesus condemns adultery in the heart. The illustration of plucking
the eye is not to be taken literally; neither the illustration
of cutting off the right hand. These illustrations suggest the
uprooting of evil thoughts from one's heart. In Christian ethics,
the only legal and sacred relation between man and women is their
union in wedlock. Every other sex relation and practice is against
the principles of the Gospel.
The Law On Divorce, 5:31-32
"It hath been said, 'Whosoever shall put away his wife, let
him give her a writing of divorcement.' But I say unto you that
whosoever shall put away his wife, saying for the cause of fornication,
causeth her to commit adultery; and whosoever shall marry her
that is divorced cometh of evil."
Jewish men at the beginning of the Christian era had the right
to divorce their wives and marry again. Jesus Christ forbids divorce
save for the cause of fornication. The Eastern Orthodox Church
permits divorce only on the grounds of adultery and reasons such
as insanity, abandonment and changing of faith. Under these conditions,
second and third marriages are permitted in the Orthodox Church.
Law On Oaths, 5:33-37
"Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old
time, 'Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto
the Lord thine oaths.' But I say unto you, Swear not at all: neither
by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is
his footstool; neither by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the
great King. Neither shalt thou swear by the head, because thou
canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication
be, 'Yea, yea'; Nay, nay'; for whatsoever is more than these cometh
of evil."
Jesus stresses that truthfulness of speech is indispensable for
the maintenance of a healthy community. James 5:12 reads,"Let
your yea be yea, and your nay, nay". The Christian. has no right
to swear either by heaven or "by your head". Jesus Christ commands,
"Swear not at all" (5:34) in private life and enterprises. An
oath is required in a court of law. But an individual who takes
the oath to tell the truth invokes God to help him to state the
truth and aid the court to pronounce justice.
Law On Revenge, 5:38,42
"Ye have heard that it hath been said, 'An eye for an eye,
and a tooth for a tooth.' "But I say unto you that ye resist not
evil; but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn
to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law,
and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever
shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him
that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn
not thou away."
Revenge is forbidden because it multiplies evils a hundredfold.
The Christian should "overcome evil with good". Jesus condemns
the legalized Jewish custom of "an eye for an eye" (which probably
means only an eye for an eye), and commands the Christian to tolerate
the insult if his enemy smites his right cheek. The Christian
should tolerate such humiliation because of his firm faith in
God's command; he sacrifices his ego and pride with the intention
of winning his enemy to Christ, making him his friend and creating
in him a belief in Christ on whose commandment he is a servant.
Love For One's Enemies, 5:43-48
"Ye have heard that it hath been said, 'Thou shalt love thy
neighbor, and hate thine enemy.' "But I say unto you, 'Love your
enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate
you, and them which despitefully use you, persecute you, that
ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven; for
he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth
rain on the just and on the unjust.' For if ye love them which
love you, what reward have ye? Do no even the publicans the same?
And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others?
Do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as
your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
Christian love is unique in the Gospel. Its root is absolute
dedication to God's Will, from which the believer receives the
power and grace not to forget his enemy but to forgive him and
remember hope that some day he will win his enemy to Christ. This
needs a deep understanding of sacrifice enriched and nourished
ceaselessly by the grace of God. In fact, it is not the faithful
one alone who forgives and loves his enemy, but also God Almighty
Who has shielded His servant to convey His love and sacrifice
for his enemy. Love of intimate friends and relatives is commonplace.
What God expects from His believers is love for people who are
either opposed to them or who are without qualities of attraction.
Pious Works and Their Practice, 6:1-18
"Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to he seen
of them; otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in
heaven."
The Christian who has been taught the principles which are included
in the preceding chapter 5 is ready to serve the Will of God toward
his fellow man. The Christian is confronted with the difficulty
of choosing the proper way to help his fellow man. Jesus admonishes
the Christian that everything should be done "not before men to
be seen of them". The Christian is urged to put to work his faith.
His good works should not be done before men to gain him recognition,
but in such a kind and gentle way as to make more steadfast their
hope in the providence of God. The Christian should not practice
good works for the sake of good works, but in the name of Jesus
Christ; he is His steward of the riches and blessings of God.
Almsgiving, prayer and fasting are included in the good works
which apply, respectively, to one's neighbor, to God and to one's
self.
Almsgiving, 6:2-4
"Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet
before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the
streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you,
they have their reward. But when thou doest alms let not thy left
hand know what thy right hand doeth, that thine alms may be in
secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward
thee openly."
The practice of giving alms was mentioned to guide the intentions
of the giver and to sanctify his offering in the name of God.
Secrecy in giving alms is imperative to eliminate the arrogance
of the giver and to make him only God's steward and servant. The
true meaning of the art of almsgiving is not the anonymous gift,
but the humble gesture of the donor through the deep feeling of
serving God's will. The Christian donor should not advertise his
generosity to immortalize his name, but should pray for God's
blessing to be in a position to further contribute to a good cause
in God's name.
Prayer, 6:5-15
"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites
are; for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the
corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I
say unto you, they have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest,
enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray
to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in
secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain
repetitions as the heathen do; for they think that they shall
be heard for their much speaking. But not ye therefore like unto
them; for your Father knowest what things ye have need of, before
ye ask him."
Prayer also should be offered in privacy; but does not eliminate
corporate worship. Prayer should be sincere, concise, ritualistic
or extemporaneous, constituting a sacred conversation with Almighty
God and offered in repentance and obedience.
The Lord's Prayer, 6:9-13
"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art
in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be
done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily
bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And
lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine
is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will
also forgive you; but if ye forgive not men their trespasses,
neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
The Lord's Prayer was taught to the disciples by Jesus Christ
not as the only prayer, but as an example for other prayers in
various circumstances and needs to reach communion with God. In
the Lord's Prayer the Christian invokes God the Father for his
tenderness and mercy, and at the same time he confesses the brotherhood
of mankind in order to sanctify His Name, to obey His Will and
to thank God for his daily bread. The Christian pledges to forgive
his debtors and invokes God to deliver him from evil. (See O
LOGOS pamphlet, "The Lord's Prayer")
Fasting, 6:16-18
"Moreover when ye fast be not as the hypocrites, of a sad
countenance for they disfigure their faces that they may appear
unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.
But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head and was thy face,
that thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which
is in secret; and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward
thee openly."
Fasting in itself is not a virtue, but it helps the pious Christian
behave himself, to give alms and to pray. Fasting once was the
practice of abstention from everything but bread and water. For
the Christian today fasting is instead a certain selection of
foods. Spiritual fasting is the abstention from sin, exemplifying
love and charity for the needy and accomplishing God's Will toward
one's neighbor.
TRUE DEVOTION, 6:19-24 AND TRUST IN GOD, 6:25-34
Treasures In Heaven, 6:19-21
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth
and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal,
but lay up for yourself treasures in heaven, where neither moth
nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through
nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be
also."
Riches and treasures on earth are corrupted by moth and worm
in the hands of an owner who has made them his goal on earth.
In their desires to gather wealth for the sake of wealth, as an
objective of life, many men have made wealth an idol. Treasures
and riches can be handled by a Christian as a steward, as an instrument
for progress and work, for charity and help, transferring earthly
wealth into treasures in heaven. The human heart belongs either
to earthly wealth or to treasures in heaven.
Clear Sight, 6:22-23
"The light of the body is the eye. If therefore thine eye
be single, thy whole body shall be full of light; but if thine
eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore
the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!"
What the lamp is to the house, the eye is to the body. If the
eye is sound and healthy, it provides happiness; if the eye is
diseased (evil), it is blind and brings darkness to human life.
By obeying the principles of the Gospel, the Christian clarifies
his sight and insight in order to serve his mission in bringing
the Light to the world.
True Loyalty, 6:24
"No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the
one, and love the other, or else he will hold to the one, and
despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
There is no neutral position for the Christian. He is exhorted
to oust evil from his heart and at the same time act ceaselessly
for the development of his Christian character. God and mammon
(wealth, property, possessions, etc.) should not be placed on
the same level by compromising and exchanging their influence.
Mammon should always serve God's Will so the Christian may keep
his loyalty to God undefiled.
Faith In God - Against Anxiety, 6:25-34
"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life,
what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body,
what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the meat, and
the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow
not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly
Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of
you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And
why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field,
how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin. And yet I
say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed
like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the
field, which today and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he
not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? "Therefore take
no thought, saying, 'What shall we eat? or, 'What shall we drink?
or, 'What withal shall we be clothed?' For after all these things
do the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father Knoweth that ye
have need of all these things. "But seek ye first the kingdom
of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added
unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow
shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the
day is the evil thereof."
Verses 6:25 to 34 (cf. Lk. 12:22-31) are an analysis of verse
24, which deals with the overwhelming feeling of anxiety. Men
of every generation, regardless of the progress of civilization,
feel anxiety if they are not careful to trust in God. The desire
for security for the future is very strong, not only in the underprivileged
one, but to anyone, regardless of wealth.
The only way to overcome anxiety ("anguish or fear coupled with
uncertainty, or of the anticipation of impending misfortune, disaster
or the like") is to dedicate oneself without any reservation to
the providence of God and His loving care. Here our Lord Jesus
Christ presents God acting and caring for the individual believer
and for the betterment of mankind. God shapes the history of human
activities for the benefit and salvation of the individual and
the world.
The Christian is urged to have confidence in himself, working
and acting according to the principles of the Gospel, and to entrust
his future to Almighty and Loving God, Whom he praises and worships.
The opening sentence of this paragraph starts with the admonition,
"Take no thought for your life" (v. 25), and ends, "Take therefore
no thought for the morrow". Our Lord summarized His utterances
saying, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
and all these things shall be added unto you." Whoever shall seek
it "first" will search for it, and only it - the Kingdom of God.
Judgement Of Others, 7:1,5
"Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment
ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it
shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote
that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that
is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, 'Let
me pull out the mote out of thine eye,' and behold, a beam is
in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out
of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out
the mote out of thy brother's eye."
The devout Christian is aware of the final judgment which will
take place at the second coming of the Lord. This judgment will
consider the activities of the Christian, especially in relation
to his neighbor. "Judge not", is both a warning for the Christian
not to exercise judgment against his neighbor and also an indication
that by not judging others he may not be severely judged by God.
The Christian is urged not to compromise evil doings with the
moral principles of the Gospel; he as a Christian is appointed
a guardian of the Christian moral code to function in the everyday
life of his society.
The Christian has no right to condemn his neighbor; on the contrary,
he should show kindness and sympathy. But he does have the right
to judge the wrong activity in itself. He does not have the right
to judge the thief, but has the right to pronounce stealing a
crime against society and a sin toward God's Will. By judging
the wrong activity as such, the Christian includes himself, because
he is responsible for the poor education of the people which afflicts
the members of society at large. The Christian is advised to "cast
out the beam from thine own eye", which means to provide means
for greater education and sound guidance for all peoples, young
and old, so that all people respect the law and follow the sphere
of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
THE RIGHT WAY OF PRESENTING THE GOSPEL, 7:6
"Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast
ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their
feet, and turn again and rend you."
The christian is an ambassador of the Will of God and the Gospel;
his mission is to present the Message of Christ wherever he is
and with whatever he has at his disposal. His example, his manner,
his words and sympathy, according to his position and responsibilities,
are to be used for the expansion of the kingdom of God. The Christian
should be careful of how to approach people who are disrespectful
and impure; he is advised to use his friendship and acquaintance
in order to encourage these people to follow the Christian way
of life and then to show them the holiness of God and the pearls
of His Gospel.
THE ANSWER OF A TRUE PRAYER, 7:7-11
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find;
knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh
receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh
it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son
ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will
he give him a serpent? "If ye then, being evil, know how to give
good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father
which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him"'
Ask, seek, knock. These words emphasize the persistence that
a faithful Christian should use to invoke God's mercy and enlightenment.
God knows what the faithful man needs, but the persistence of
the faithful one to invoke God's mercy is for his own benefit,
making him vigilant and bringing him nearer to God by keeping
the channel of communion open and clear. The Christian is urged
to watch and pray ceaselessly with the immutable confidence and
conviction that God Almighty, his Father, will answer those petitions
which are for his benefit, not only for this life but also for
the eternal life.
THE GOLDEN RULE, 7:12
"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should
do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the
prophets."
Provided that faith in the true God is firm and life-giving,
the Christian must apply the fruits of his faith toward the benefit
of his neighbor. If, for instance, his neighbor is crippled, the
Christian should do those things for him which he himself would
need were he the crippled one. In these plain and practical words
our Lord summarized the commandments of the "law and the prophets".
The technology of today provides ways to cultivate the vast energy
of the earth and the universe, and has the potential to provide
goods for everyone on earth to enjoy a decent life. Technology
is a blessing in the hands of men and nations who are inspired
to produce and share the goods of life for all people on earth
and to establish brotherhood under the blessings of God, the Father.
This deep conception of responsibility is the only ground on which
to establish peace on earth, which is the goal of the Golden Rule
of Christ.
TRUE DISCIPLESHIP, 7:13-27
The Narrow Way, 7:13-14
"Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate and
broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be
which go in thereat; "because strait is the gate and narrow is
the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
The Christian faithful should bear in mind that the undertaking
of Christianity should be exemplified through Jesus Christ as
an inspired member of the Church in love and sacrifice. The gate
of the kingdom of God is straight and narrow leading to salvation,
unlike the gate of destruction, which is broad. The privilege
of choice should be evaluated for the Christian to select rather
the narrow gate which demands sacrifice and humility, kindness
and sympathy to enter "unto life". The picture of the two roads
and ways of life was known and exemplified by the pre-Christian
world, as well as the Christian. (cf. Didache, ch. 1-6,
and the "Choice of Heracles").
The Test Of Goodness, 7:15-20
"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing,
but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their
fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even
so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree
bringeth forth evil fruit. "A good tree cannot bring forth evil
fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. "Every
tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast
into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."
"False prophets" of Christianity are dressed with the mantle
of hypocrisy and cleverness; they seek to exploit the simplicity
of kind people and replace the Gospel of Christ and Christ Himself
with temporary manifestations of glory and human accomplishment.
They are false prophets who endeavor to forge with shrewdness
untruth from the true message of Christ. We should beware of them.
The Orthodox Church is the guide to the true meaning of the Gospel
and the true mission of Christ by preaching the same Gospel and
the same Lord from the dawn of Christianity to today, without
deviation or innovation. The believer is urged to be firmly the
member of the sacred body of Christ - the Church - to gain nourishment
and sanctification. To distinguish the true prophet from the false,
Christians should be well informed and alert, learning the meaning
of the Gospel, worshipping the True God and helping each other
in faith in the realm of the Church Whose Head is Christ.
Judgement And Its Criterion, 7:21-23
"Not every one that saith unto me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter
into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father
which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, 'Lord, Lord,
have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast
out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works?' And then
will I profess unto them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, ye
that work iniquity."
Hypocrisy and false prophecy can be hidden from the eye of the
believer by pretending to exercise good works and "casting out
demons" in the name of the Lord. False prophets can deceive their
fellow man; but they cannot deceive the judgment of God. Who will
declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from me, you evil-doers".
Arrogance, hypocrisy and false-witness of God are the weaknesses
of humans. Therefore, the believer without a strong foundation
of Christian knowledge and humility, may become the prey of evil
ones. External gestures and words are not always the sign of the
inner spiritual condition and intention. Therefore, the Christian
is urged to look into himself with the light of the Gospel to
illuminate his conscience in order to pave the wax of obedience
and humbleness which leads to communion with God.
Hearers and Doers of the Sayings, 7:24-27
"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth
them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house,
upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and
the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell not; for
it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings
of mine and doeth them not shall be likened unto a foolish man,
which built his house upon the sand; and the rain descended, and
the floods came and the winds blew, and beat upon that house,
and it fell; and great was the fall of it."
The believer faces in life many difficulties, disappointments,
misfortunes. Therefore, he should be armed with courage and faith
in God to overcome the sorrowful moments of his life, as well
as the moments of reluctant faith. The Christian witnesses the
rain fall, the floods come and the winds blow; his house-his heart
and faith-will overcome their destructive power if his house is
built upon the rock, upon a solid and unshakeable rock of knowledge
and true worship of God. The wise man lays such a foundation and
cornerstone as a strong protector against all destructive and
evil powers that threaten him, his house, his faith, his virtuous
life. The foolish man builds his house on sand, following the
easy-going life without foundation, without solid faith. His house
cannot stand the power of destructive forces. The Christian is
called to build his house of faith and moral life on the rock
which is Christ and His Gospel. His house is a fortress for protection
and defense, and for the expansion of the kingdom of God.
ASTONISHMENT OF JESUS'S HEARERS, 7:28,29
"And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings,
the people were astonished at his doctrine, "for he taught them
as one having authority, and not as the scribes."
On top of the blessed hill, surrounded by trees and birds, in
the tranquility of the environment which mother nature provided
for this moment, the disciples of Christ breathlessly listened
to the Lord. They accepted His words as precious pearls, from
beginning to end. They "were astonished at His teaching", and
exclaimed, "that he taught them as one having authority and not
as the scribes". With this treasure in their hearts, the disciples
armed themselves with convictions and courage to immortalize Christ
and His Gospel throughout the world so that we today share this
inheritance which has shaped the destiny of civilization. The
Sermon on the Mount, an advanced companion of the Ten Commandments,
is perpetuated in the hearts and activities of inspired and dedicated
people who bold the banner of Christ's kingship from generation
to generation, heralding the living message of Christ to a living
society.