Come Follow Me for Individuals and Families
New Testament Lesson #8
Matthew 5; Luke 6
The Sermon on the Mount, as it is known, was given at least twice, and possibly three times. First is Matthew 5, 6, and 7, and second is 3 Nephi 12–14. The sermon in Luke 6:17–49 is sometimes represented as the same event as in Matthew, but the text tells us it was given on a plain (Luke 6:17) after Jesus came down from the mountain where he named/called His twelve disciples. The logistics are not critical; what is critical is the message. And I wonder if it came as a result of the Savior being asked, “what kind of person should we be?” “How do we achieve exaltation—what can we do in this life to return to live with our Heavenly Father and be with our family forever?”
These are the steps to perfection; the aim is high. In essence, perhaps these sermons are helping us understand how we cleanse our inner selves so that we can treat His other children the way He would want them to be treated. But, as always, the blessings we receive as we follow these injunctions far outweigh any sacrifice we might make of those elements within ourselves we have to give up.
During Sunday School today, I was thinking about crossing or drawing a line. Are we aware of a drawn line within ourselves when crossing it would reveal unacceptable thoughts or actions? Have we actually drawn one? And what got me thinking, after Brother Linn’s comment about intentions, was is my line receding into grey, badly lit areas, and thereby becoming blurred, or is it gaining more contrast with light before it.
How am I doing with meekness, mercy, peace-making, light-bringing. Is my spiritual house firmly embedded in rock? And, of course, if not, then what do I need to do to bring that line firmly into the light.
Sorry if this is completely introspective today. But I’d love to have any thoughts and comments.
No comments:
Post a Comment