'But I Tell You'

What makes Jesus' Sermon on the Mount so remarkable? Not the fact that he delivered it outdoors—although we like to imagine the picturesque scene as the crowd gathered in a natural amphitheater on a mountainside.

Not his posture—although it seems a bit strange to us that Jesus "sat down" to deliver this sermon (Matthew 5:1-2). The Lord didn't pace around or pound his fist on a pulpit; he sat and addressed the listening crowd. But there was nothing unusual about this, for rabbis often sat down while teaching in those days.

Certainly Jesus' sermon is remarkable for its introduction. The Beatitudes are a waterfall of blessing, cascading down upon the poor in spirit.

Perhaps the sermon is best known for its illustrations. Unsalty salt. A lamp hidden under a bowl. Insect-proof, rust-proof, theft-proof treasures. Birds fed and lilies clothed by God. A guy with a plank in his eye pretending he's an ophthalmologist.

And of course, the Sermon on the Mount features the most famous prayer ever uttered, beginning with the words, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name" (6:9).

While all of this is significant, I believe the most remarkable fact about the Sermon on the Mount is the personal authority Jesus claimed for himself. At the end of his message, "the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law" (Matthew 7:28, 29). Jesus didn't need to quote from some other rabbi to back up his words. He felt free to expand upon the Ten Commandments!

Raising the Bar

God's law said, "Do not murder," but Jesus took it several steps further. "But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment" (Matthew 5:22).

Self-righteous men smugly patted themselves on the back for obeying the command, "Do not commit adultery." How startled they must have been when Jesus added, "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (v. 28)!

Allowable under the law of Moses, divorce had become far too commonplace. "But I tell you," Jesus insisted, "that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to commit adultery" (v. 32).

In a world filled with empty promises the rule was, "Do not break your oath." Jesus' standard was higher, though. "But I tell you, do not swear at all" (v. 34).

For centuries people followed the adage, "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth." Then along came Jesus with the challenge, "But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also" (v. 39).

It's human nature to "love your neighbor and hate your enemy." Jesus, however, took personal relationships to another level. "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (v. 44).

Jesus' sermon contains the noblest description of genuine holiness ever written — a masterful outline of life in God's kingdom that stirs us to examine our inner motives as well as our outward acts. At the same time, it compels us to recognize our need for God's grace. After all, it's hard to read the Sermon on the Mount without wondering, Who can live this way? How can I measure up? How can I be "perfect, as my heavenly Father is perfect" (v. 48)?

Only one person has fulfilled all the ethical demands of the Sermon on the Mount. We've missed the main point of the sermon unless, in humble faith, we accept the one who preached it.