"And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them..."
— Matthew 5:1-2 (KJV)
Over the past several months, much of my writing has centered around the Sermon on the Mount. I make no apology for that. If there was ever a message the Church needs today, it is the message Jesus preached from that hillside overlooking Galilee.
Yet something has troubled me deeply.
I have heard professing Christians dismiss the Sermon on the Mount as being "too progressive," "too liberal," "too weak," or "unrealistic" for the world in which we live. Some have even suggested that those teachings do not apply to the Church today. Imagine that! The very words that came from the lips of the Son of God are now being treated as if they are outdated and impractical.
What has happened to us?
Jesus said:
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
— Matthew 5:9
Yet many who claim His name cheer for war.
Jesus said:
"Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."
— Matthew 5:44
Yet many Christians openly call for nations to be bombed into the dust.
Jesus said to pray for our enemies.
I hear many calling for their destruction.
I hear many calling for vengeance.
I hear many calling for more bombs, more missiles, and more death.
But I rarely hear them calling for repentance.
I rarely hear them praying that God would save those people.
I rarely hear them asking God to send missionaries, revival, and conviction of sin.
Brethren, that ought to concern us.
The people many are so eager to destroy are not just military targets on a map. They are fathers trying to provide for their families. They are mothers putting their children to bed at night. They are grandparents. They are little boys and little girls who laugh, cry, play, and dream just like our own grandchildren.
Most of them simply want peace.
Most of them want a roof over their heads and food on their table.
Most of them want their children to grow up safely.
When Jesus looked upon the multitude, He did not see enemies to be destroyed. He saw sheep without a shepherd.
"But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd."
— Matthew 9:36
The Church has always been at her best when she carried the Gospel to her enemies rather than cheering for their destruction.
The early Christians did not conquer Rome with swords.
They conquered Rome through prayer, sacrifice, preaching, and martyrdom.
Today, many who call themselves evangelical seem more interested in defending political movements than proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Nationalism has replaced discipleship.
Political loyalty has replaced biblical obedience.
For many, Zionism has replaced evangelism.
The flag has become more important than the Cross.
The enemy has become someone to kill rather than someone to reach with the Gospel.
That is not the spirit of Christ.
Jesus wept over Jerusalem.
He died for sinners.
He prayed for those who crucified Him.
"Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."
— Luke 23:34
The Church of Jesus Christ must never forget that our mission is redemption, not revenge.
When I read the message to the church of Laodicea, I cannot help but wonder if it describes much of modern Christianity.
"Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked."
— Revelation 3:17
Notice what Jesus said.
They were blind.
They thought they could see, but they were blind.
They thought they were right, but they were blind.
They thought they were strong, but they were blind.
And what was Christ's remedy?
Repentance.
"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."
— Revelation 3:19
Perhaps the greatest need in the modern Church is not another political movement.
Perhaps it is not another election.
Perhaps it is not another military victory.
Perhaps our greatest need is repentance.
Perhaps we need to return to the mountain and listen again to the words of Jesus.
Perhaps we need to learn once more how to love our enemies.
Perhaps we need to pray for those we have been taught to hate.
Perhaps we need to remember that every soul is precious to God.
The Gospel has not changed.
Jesus has not changed.
The Sermon on the Mount has not changed.
The question is whether we have changed.
May God remove the scales from our eyes.
May He heal our blindness.
May He give us hearts of compassion.
And may the Church once again become known not for how loudly it demands judgment upon its enemies, but for how faithfully it points them to the Savior.
For there is coming a day when every bomb will be silent, every kingdom of man will fall, and every flag will be lowered.
But the Kingdom of Christ shall stand forever.
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
— Matthew 5:9
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