“SERMON ON THE MOUNT – AND BEYOND !!!”
By Jeremy Stopford, Semi-Retired Pastor
In recent months, one of my most favorite shows to watch – and it is NOT on regular TV programming – is “The Chosen”. This is a private production of the earthly life and ministry of the Lord Jesus as seen through the writers of the Gospels.
What makes this production unique is that it is being produced with NO funds from Hollywood – no million dollar endowments to underwrite the program. It is 100% dependent upon…the donations of followers AND upon the “paying it forward” as one watches each of the episodes.
Obviously it is an unique program. Season 1 consists of 8 one to two hour “episodes”, taking us from the birth and early ministry of the Lord Jesus through the calling of the first of His disciples. The cost for each season is seemingly (humanly speaking!) prohibitive, but so far The Chosen production is “paid for in full” through the beginning of Season THREE.
You can watch the 8 episodes “for free” on YouTube. Or you can google search “the chosen” and you will find many ways for the viewing of each of the 8 episodes of Season 1. OR you can go to “www.thechosenmerch.com” and find many opportunities to purchase and/or support this great ministry.
Why do I give free advertising to this unique production? Because they have just begun the taping of…the Sermon on the Mount! They brought in thousands of “extras” to be in the crowd. Neat. IF you have an account in Facebook, you may want to check out “The Chosen” to get a more detailed background.
We are in the study of the “Beatitudes” from the Sermon on the Mount. Remember? “Beatitude” is the direct translation from Latin of WHAT? Yes, “Blessed”! Good job! Today we are at Beatitude #3:
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matt. 5:5)
As a little boy, without a doubt my favorite television program was “Superman”. Oh I thoroughly digested the show! All 3 foot tall and 60 pounds wet of me looked up to the “Man of Steel” who was “faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locamotive, able…”! Well, you know. Now mind you, the “Superman” I watched was NOT the Christopher Reeve version. No, no! It was the George Reeves “Superman” of “Adventures of Superman” from 1952-1958. Of course, the show was taken from the comic book creation. But this little boy could not get enough of this show. And the KEY to the show? Superman could disguise himself among the mortal humans simply by putting on a suit and…a pair of glasses! And with that suit and pair of glasses, the “Man of Steel” became a “mild mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper”. He went from super to…MEEK. He was clumsy. He was bumbling. He was the partner of Lois Lane, who saw in her Clark Kent anything BUT a “man of steel” but a “man of meekness”.
Remember the basis for the Beatitudes? Our Savior is encouraging His disciples to be “blessed”. This means that those who follow Him will have His JOY, a joy not dependent upon circumstances but upon an intimate relationship with HIM! So why is our Savior encouraging the people to be “MEEK”? Am I to be like Clark Kent? Am I to be a bungling idiot, disguising the true strength of the Lord of my life?
In New Testament times, it was a common word, meaning:
(1). “Mild”, of things
(2). “Tame”, of animals
(3). “Gentle” or “pleasant”, of persons
(4) “Kindly” or “lenient”, of activities or punishments. For example, laws may be severe, but judges can at times show leniency.
So what about in Matthew 5:5? I want to be like Jesus, don’t you? But He didn’t have a secret identity! He wasn’t STRONG when doing miracles but MEEK when dealing with people! He was MEEK at all times! So once again the question is asked, “how am I to be ‘meek’”?
Jesus is quoting from Psalm 37:11, a passage which would be most familiar to His hearers:
“But the meek shall inherit the earth,
And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”
Jesus’ hearers would know that the HOPE of Israel is to one day be in the promised kingdom of peace – the millennial kingdom where their Messiah and King will rule them from the Throne of David in Jerusalem. The Lord Jesus is presenting Himself in the Gospel of Matthew as…that promised MESSIAH! He is sharing with them the reality that right before them is the fulfillment of their HOPE! But in the meantime, He is offering to them NOW His JOY (remember, “BLESSED”). And a part of that joy is His changing me into one who is MEEK.
So then HOW do I display a “MEEK” spirit? By application, I will be showing “good will toward all men, and reverent obedience towards God.” I will not be harsh, self-assertive, nor covetous. I will not be one who tramples upon those with whom I do not agree. [“Not ME!”, you say]. I will be one who will be in submission to the will of God at all times. And in order to do THAT, I will be attentive to the Word of God at all times! I will be a regular student of the Word! I will “seek FIRST His kingdom and His righteousness”, as directed in Matthew 6:33. Do YOU seek Him first – first thing in the morning? First thing throughout the day when a decision must be made?
But wait! I need an example! I can’t do this by myself! HOW can I be meek? WHO is there today who I can follow who already is MEEK?
The One you need to follow was right in front of Israel! Years after the SOTM was preached, the Lord Jesus was at center stage as He rode into Jerusalem in what is now known as His “Triumphal Entry” – just days before His crucifixion! Quoting from both Isaiah 62:11 and Zechariah 9:9, in Matthew 21:5 the writer Matthew describes this scene:
“Tell the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your King is coming to you,
Lowly [KJV: “MEEK”], and sitting on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ”
The Lord Jesus was presented as Messiah to Israel one more time. And what did the children shout? Quoting Psalm 118:26, their cry was Matthew 21:9:
““Hosanna to the Son of David!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
Hosanna in the highest!”
And yet just a few days later, the shout of the people would be, as recorded in John 20:15:
“CRUCIFY HIM! CRUCIFY HIM!”
“WE HAVE NO KING BUT CAESAR!”
Our Savior exhibited a meek spirit. Israel wanted at that time a King to take the place of the Roman government. They did NOT want a Messiah to rule and reign in their hearts on Israel’s Throne. They rejected the MEEK ONE.
But what about us? How is He displayed to us? Matthew once again shares it well in one of the most wonderful invitations in all of Scripture, as found in Matthew 11:28-30:
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle [KJV: “MEEK”] and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Why is this so wonderful an invitation? The mighty Son of God, the One Who would go to Calvary’s tree for my sins, is inviting me to come to Him at any time. He can do that because He is not afar off. Although He is indeed High and Mighty as God the Son, yet He is lowly to meet me – and YOU – wherever I am, in whatever situation I am in.
Are you under conviction that you are a sinner in need of a Savior?
Jesus said, “I am meek. Come to Me – I will take you to the cross for your trust.”
Are you overwhelmed by the conditions of society and of our times?
Jesus said, “I am meek. Come to Me – I will take you to the cross for your trust.”
Are you hurting financially because of the loss of income?
Jesus said, “I am meek. Come to Me – I will take you to the cross for your trust.”
Are you in distress over a loved one who is ailing – or perhaps has passed away?
Jesus said, “I am meek. Come to Me – I will take you to the cross for your trust.”
Is there a situation in your life that you think NO ONE can handle?
Jesus said, “I am meek. Come to Me – I will take you to the cross for your trust.”
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matt. 5:5)