Jesus’ Manifesto of Love
+May my words be in the name of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Over the past few weeks I have talked about the critical nature of justice and mercy in the Scriptures, in Jesus’ life and how we, as God’s people are called to live. This week the clarity of that message is deepened as we hear the words from the Prophet Micah, 1 Corinthians and Matthew. All of it is bound up in the famous Sermon on the Mount spread out over three chapters (5-7). One could call the this whole section of Matthew as Jesus’ Manifesto of Love. It is tough reading in places yet sets the scene for Jesus’ teaching and ministry.
Last week focused on the relationship between justice and mercy and how God calls us into transforming relationships. This week we add humility to the discussion. So, if Justice is the grammar, mercy the poetry, and cost is the reality, then the very disposition of the writer must be humility.
“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)
“Consider your own call…not many of you were wise by human standards…” (1 Corinthians 1:26)
Humility is a difficult word. It is often confused for self-deprication, false modesty or low self-esteem. It is none of those things. Yet, it is a critical component of the relationship with God and with each other. One Aboriginal poet, Noel Davis, once said,
“Humilty is knowing your right size in the universe.”
Humility is a relationship word. I can not be humble in isolation from anyone else – God or fellow human beings. Rather, it is a way of seeing myself in relationship to others, the worth I recon about others in relation to myself. Am I more important thatothers?
I am sure you have many of you will have heard many many sermons on the Beatitudes with each one discussed. I don’t want to do that because, there is a beauty in overarching pattern they form:
· Poor in spirit A realistic reflection on the state of the self.
· Those who mourn A deep appreciation of the fragile nature of life
· The meek Those who know their right size in the universe
· Hunger and Thirst Those who can see clearly what they need from God
· Merciful Those that know suffering and seek to alleviate it.
· Pure in heart Those whose honest understanding of themselves opens
their eyes to God.
· Peacemakers Those who know what peace is and long to see it in their
relationships.
· Persectuted Those who know who they are, trust in God, love their
fellow human beings and stand up for what is just and right.
You could be forgiven for thinking that the person Jesus describes is somewhat superhuman – or a saint! Yet, quite the contrary. The beatitudes describe a person who is thoroughly acquainted with humanity, with suffering, with pain, with the limitations of human living and loving. The difference being they hold on to God even when they don’t feel God’s presence, they know who sustains them, they are fearicley aquainted with their humanity with its brokenness, and they love and love and love regardless of it all.
Justice, mercy and humility: The structure of the relationships between God and others; the language used in those relationships that build up and nourish; and the disposition each has for the other. Together they form a goodly and Godly bond out of which the Gospel is lived out in our lives.
God has indeed told us, through his Word, what is required of us. It isn’t being the most pious person in the room, or being the most successful or hard working, it isn’t about being a ‘goody-two-shoes’ or a bible thumper. No. Joining with last weeks readings, it is simply this:
Do Justice
Love mercy
Walk humbly.
In the name of Love, Amen.