A Light in the Window

A Light in the Window
Susan Hoyle, pastor Trinity United Methodist Church

The Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5-7 gives us a clear understanding of what it means to be a disciple of Christ. Sometimes we can be a bit confused about the word disciple. We may think that disciples of Jesus were the twelve that we also call the apostles. Then other times we think that anyone who follows Jesus is His disciple. And both statements are correct. The twelve who Jesus called to learn from Him during His earthly ministry were disciples just like we are and all of our faith ancestors through the last 2000 years. The word disciple is defined as someone who followers a particular teacher. So we are disciples of Jesus Christ.

As Jesus’ disciples, the Sermon on the Mount teaches us what it means to live a life that honors God. In these three chapters, Jesus teaches us The Lord’s Prayer, to be the “light” of the world, to ask ourselves what we really treasure, to love our enemies and The Beatitudes, which means blessed.

Why not take some time to read these three chapters in Matthew? You will discover how we are to live our lives following in the footsteps of Jesus. It isn’t easy to follow Him because He asks us to see the world through His eyes. He asks us to do things that don’t make any sense to us like loving our enemies and letting His light shine through us, even as flawed as we are. Why does Jesus work through us? Whether we understand it or not, Jesus counts on us, you and me, to be God’s love on earth. And that should take our breath away. Jesus, the Son of God, has such deep, abiding faith in us, His disciples, to be His hands, His feet and His heart so that others will know that His love really is alive. And the love of Christ is what changes us and changes the world.

So as you read the Sermon on the Mount and that we are to be His light and to love our enemies, don’t try to make sense of it. Just say “yes, Jesus” and He will show you the way-the way to the Kingdom of God on earth. Amen.