Doing the Right Thing

Once again this Sunday, our gospel reading comes from the section of Matthew’s gospel (chapters 5, 6, 7) known as the Sermon on the Mount.

The Sermon on the Mount is the first of 5 discourses – conversations – that Jesus has with his disciples – his followers – throughout Matthew. Through these conversation, Jesus teaches his disciples about life in the kin-dom of heaven and life on earth now.

The Sermon on the Mount takes place early in Jesus’ public ministry; shortly after his baptism and his 40 days of temptation in the wilderness. By this time, Jesus is clear in his own identity and in his purpose to draw all people to God.

By now he has called his first disciples and he has begun preaching publicly, proclaiming the good news of God’s reign of justice and truth, and healing people afflicted with pain and disease. He is attracting crowds wherever he goes. He goes up the mountain (perhaps to find a quiet place to pray, as is his practice throughout his life); his disciples follow him and sit with him. He begins to teach them, sharing many sayings with them that are now included in the Sermon on the Mount.

Jesus has many things to tell his followers; there’s much he wants them to know – what it means to be his disciple; what it means to live a righteous life; a life centered on being in right relationship with God, with other human beings and with all creation; a moral life of doing justice and loving kindness and walking humbly with God.

I have heard it said that Mahatma Gandhi, the devout Hindu and leader of the nonviolent resistance movement that resulted in India’s liberation from British rule in 1947, read the Sermon on the Mount every day. Gandhi considered Jesus’ words to be an ethical and loving way of living in this world.

If you are wondering what it means to follow the example of Jesus, reading and contemplating and striving to live by the words of the Sermon on the Mount is a good place to start.

Last Sunday we heard the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, when Jesus teaches his disciples who is favored by God. We heard Jesus say…. Blessed are the poor in spirit; those who mourn; the meek; those who hunger and thirst for righteousness; the merciful; the pure in heart; the peacemakers; those who are persecuted for doing what is right. We heard Jesus say to us that God loves and values the people whom the world views as outcasts and marginalized.

Jesus offers a way of living that is so very different from what the world expects and demands. Instead of grasping for power or wealth or prestige, Jesus teaches the way of mutual love and compassion and doing the right thing for the common good; so that all people might flourish in the abundant life God gives through Christ.

Listen again to the words that Jesus speaks to us today…You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world….

The “you” in this case is the plural you – Jesus is saying to his disciples – to us – You all are the salt…You all are the light. Together. As a community of faith that believes we are justified with God – made right with God – by grace alone through faith alone in Christ Jesus alone. As a people called by God to follow the example of Jesus.

You (all) are the salt of the earth. You all are meant to have a positive and public effect on the world; to add flavor and spice; to preserve goodness; to purify evil and moral decay; to transform – to change – hate into love; apathy into passionate action; violence into nonviolence; injustice – what is not right – into justice and righteousness – that is, doing the right thing.

You (all) are the light of the world. You all are the light that shines in the darkness; illuminating the world with God’s love for all people and all creation; brightening this dreary world with public acts and words of love and peace and healing and justice and righteousness – that is, doing the right thing.

This is Jesus’ call to bold action for the people who are following him – for the people want to be in right relationship with him and with the God who sent him into the world out of love for the whole world (cosmos):

Go out into the world and make a difference – stand up for democracy in public – hold signs and speak out against government-inflicted oppression and violence – honor and respect the dignity of every human being, created in God’s image – stand up for the right of each person to make their own decisions about their own bodies – speak truth to power when the power of this world has turned evil – nurture creation with care so that all people have equal access to the natural resources God generously provides.

Do all of this publicly – out loud – intentionally – so that people around you will notice you – they will see what you are in doing and hear what you are saying and recognize how you are loving God and pointing toward Jesus and living by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Do all of this because you love Jesus and you want to be in right relationship with God and you want to do the right thing.

Do all of this in the name of Jesus, the one who came that we all might have life and have it abundantly.

Do all of this as a community of faith – grounded in your love for God; connected as the body of Christ; guided by the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.

You (all) are the salt of the earth…You (all) are the light of the world….