As we arrive at the sermon on the mount we see that Jesus has already created quite a stir. He has spent time with people that most rabbis wouldn’t. He has healed and not only that, but He has healed on the Sabbath! On top of all that He has been forgiving peoples sin.

Today when as the church we make room for those on a journey with Jesus we can get accused of watering down the gospel. When mercy is shown for someone’s mistakes it gets misunderstood for agreement and acceptance.

Jesus faced a similar kind of comment when He was on earth. Was He a soft Rabbi? Did He not hold to the law of Moses?

In the sermon on the mount He makes it clear that He isn’t about to water anything down. First of all He makes it clear that He is not abandoning the law of Moses.

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. Matthew 5:17

He then goes on to clarify that with a specific example.

You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister, will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. Matthew 5: 21-22

Jesus was not watering it down in any way, in fact He was raising the bar of what it meant to follow God! He was telling them clearly what it would take yet throughout the gospels He continued to show mercy and compassion to ‘the worst’ of sinners. Alongside this, He made it clear that He didn’t want heavy burdens placed on the people. Jesus continually held the tension of keeping the gospel open to all whilst calling people to the highest standard. Its incredible how He held that tension

I want to learn how to hold that kind of tension as it is one I wrestle with often. On Lord, how we need your wisdom!