The Ethic of Jesus

I am getting ready to teach a series from the Sermon on the Mount. The goal is to orient us to the amazing ethic of Jesus. Here are some things I am thinking about...

How do these words of Jesus strike you?
What do you find that is fresh?
Where do you want to pause and say, “I had not thought of that.”?
Where do you see the Good News?

Matthew 5:17-20 Jesus says that he did not come to abolish the law or the prophets. The narrative of the Old Testament has not been abolished. The standards of God have not been reduced by the appearance of Jesus. Matter of fact, in the Sermon on the Mount, the standard is strengthened. When we seek to justify ourselves we do our best to rationalize our behavior.

For example: how is your social or ecological sensitivity? (Darfur, Rwanda, Global Warming?) Remember: you are the light of the world and the salt of the earth.

20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

We spoke of Murder/Anger.
1. If you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment.
2. If you insult a brother or sister, you will be answerable to the Sanhedrin. The implication is that you will be subject to the dicipline of the leaders of the community.
3. If you call someone an empty headed fool, you will be subject to hell-fire.
4. What is Jesus doing?
5. Is there an ethical expectation?

We spoke briefly about Adultery/Lust.
1. If you look with lust, you have committed adultery.
2. We talked about the eye or hand causing you to sin.
3. What is Jesus doing here?
4. Is there an ethical expectation?

Marriage/Divorce Matthew 5:31-32 (NRSV) 31 "It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' 32 But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Background: The certificate of divorce was an act of mercy on behalf of the woman. Before we plunge into this example, consider: Did followers still get angry at their brother or sister? Did followers still look with lust? The point is: in this context, we are not shifting to a situation of ‘non-dependence’ on the grace of God.
A couple of things I think:
1. The exception clause is not viable grounds for a self justifying ‘work-around.’
2. Unchastity (porneia) is a rather flexible word. It could be ‘close marriage,’ or incest, or prostitution. It is also used for general unfaithfulness to the covenant promises that the community made to God.
3. Anything odd here? Anything apparently harsh and unreasonable? Would that be consistent with the previous two episodes? How does his act of divorcing her make her guilty of adultery? And the rescue of a powerless woman makes the rescuer guilty of adultery, too. Interesting?
4. If those who look with lust are guilty of adultery, are they in a ‘better’ position than those who marry a divorced woman?
5. What is Jesus doing here?
6. Is there an ethical expectation?

Matthew 5:33-37 (NRSV) 33 "Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.' 34 But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let your word be 'Yes, Yes' or 'No, No'; anything more than this comes from the evil one.
What about swearing? How does that add strength to your promise?
What belongs to you? Why do people put a hand on the Bible to swear?
Do we follow through? Are we honorable to our commitments? Are we reliable? Do we weasel out of commitments based on technicalities?
Is there a social ethical implication?

Then there is this:
1. Do not resist an evildoer.
2. Turn the other cheek.
3. Give your coat to the one who sues for your shirt.
4. Go the second mile.
5. Give to everyone who begs, or seeks to borrow.
6. Love your enemies.
7. Pray for those who persecute you.
8. Be perfect as…