So what does living life the Jesus way look like in practice?

After presenting a glimpse of how it is to live in this new revolutionary kingdom of God in what we now call the Beatitudes (we looked at these yesterday), Jesus goes on to cover other aspects of life. In this collection of teachings in Matthew that we call the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus points out again and again how life is not just about following a set of rules, but about the intention and attitude and motive and reason behind the rules. He’s not throwing out all the rules that God created for His people way back when they were first delivered from slavery in Egypt. God gave His people those rules to create a structure for their new society, a structure built around justice and hygiene and wellbeing and safety and worship. Those rules are still valid. But Jesus wants to take things way beyond rules now.

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.  Matthew 5:17-18

Jesus is not preaching anarchy where anything goes. Quite the opposite. He’s introducing a new world order when the rules jump off the page and become more than just words – they take on flesh and blood, a beating heart. This is the fullness of how things were always meant to be, the fulfilment of God’s way for all people. This is living life to the full.

When God’s people start living this way, they become the salt of the earth. They give flavour to life. They become the light of the world – just as Jesus is the light of the world. The way that they live life shines out as an example to others so that people can see what it really means to live as part of the kingdom of heaven right here, right now.

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Luke describes how the eyes are the part of you where the light that is within you finds a way out. The light of God shines out through your eyes. We have that expression, don’t we? Her eyes were shining. When God is at work within us, we cannot hold the light in – it bursts out of us for all to see.

Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you. Luke 11:34-36

There’s a PS here, an additional point. Letting your light shine is not about shouting about your good deeds and making sure everyone sees them. Quite the opposite. You need to just get on with it, knowing that God sees and that that is enough.

Be careful not to practise your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven….But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.  Matthew 6:1-4

Don’t blow your own trumpet. There’s no need for that. When you’re there for others, the light of love and compassion will take a hold deep within you and that is what will shine out of your eyes without you needing to say a word.

Having the light within us and shining as a light in the world sounds great, doesn’t it? But what does that actually look like in practice? How are we supposed to live? Jesus starts by taking the rules that the people already know and expanding on them. He takes the letter of the law and show that there is far more to it. It’s all about attitude and intention.

You have heard that it was said to the people long ago……..But I tell you that……

He’s not breaking God’s commandments but expanding on them to encompass a whole lot more…

And so ‘Do not murder’ becomes ‘Make sure you deal with your anger in every situation, however insignificant it may seem to you at the time’. It includes name-calling and disagreements. It’s about seeking reconciliation quickly in all situations.

And then ‘Do not commit adultery’ becomes ‘Don’t look at another person in that way – you know, that way.’ Don’t objectify, don’t dehumanise by giving marks out of ten or saying ‘I would’ with that knowing look on your face.

And then there’s divorce. Yes, in some exceptional circumstances, it’s the right thing to do. But don’t take it lightly. It’s not just an option for when you change your mind. It’s a really serious thing.

‘Don’t break an oath’. Jesus says don’t make an oath at all. Let your speech be plain. But say yes or no and let that be enough. If you’re known to be reliable and trustworthy, then that is enough. It’s those who feel the need to swear on their grandmother’s life that you need to be wary of…

‘You have heard that it was said, “Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.” But I tell you, do not resist an evil person.  Matthew 5:38-39

This is a great example of how we’ve used the letter of the law to justify our actions. We justify retaliation by quoting ‘an eye for an eye’ when actually, this instruction was given to stop retaliation from getting out of hand and escalating. Because often with retaliation, the revenge is more severe than the original act and then the reaction to the revenge is even stronger and on and on and on until things get really out of hand and there’s irrevocable damage. ‘An eye for an eye’ contains the retaliation – do as it was done to you, no more. But then of course, Jesus takes this one step further. Don’t make it about revenge at all. You don’t need to get your own back. Walk away. If it’s just your pride that is hurt, then get over it. So what if someone has made a fool out of you? What does it matter? You know the truth of the situation. Be the bigger person.

There are occasions when it is important when justice is served and people are kept safe from ongoing danger. There’s a wisdom in discerning when action does need to be taken. But this is about taking responsibility for your own reaction and making it appropriate and right to the situation.

Each time, Jesus takes it one step further. And so now, it’s not about loving your neighbour and hating your enemy, it’s about loving your enemy too. It’s about a radical way to do relationships that is beyond the human response. Anyone can show love to those who are nice to them. This is about doing it God’s way – loving the unlovable, those who irritate us or disgust us or upset us in some way.

All of this is a real challenge, isn’t it? It’s tough, really tough. It’s counter intuitive to live this way and conduct our relationships in this way. The standards are high, that’s for sure.

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.  Matthew 5:48

It’s a daily challenge, isn’t it? The theory is great, but living it out in our families and workplaces and on the bus and at a football match, well, that’s a whole different challenge.

It’s about changing the way we think and act and speak and love, basically. Considering the way we relate to others and asking ‘Is this the Jesus way?’

Well, what are you waiting for?!?