Matthew 4-5: A New Powerful Kingdom

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. - Matt.5:43-47 NIV

After all the prophets then silence for 400 years, along comes another man, and what he says is in stark contrast to even the words they heard from the prophets.  He does not proclaim gloom and doom, he claims another kingdom and calls anyone who would listen to be perfect as God is perfect.  What is this?  How can we be perfect like God in heaven is perfect?  If we are truly aware of his might and power, the power that led to the destruction of the great kingdoms of Israel, Babylon and Persia?  How do we appropriate that kind of power?

By loving your enemy as God does.  By turning the other check, by doing good to those who persecute us, by giving our coat to those who would take our jacket, by going the extra mile.   And thus, our image of God is changed, from one who would destroy his enemies, to one who loves all of his creation and calls us to do so.  Have we been in the Old Testament too long to see the good news of the Messiah?  Can we really believe that we are blessed to be poor in spirit, to mourn, to be meek, to hunger and thirst for righteousness, to be merciful,  pure in heart,  peacemakers, and persecuted because of righteousness,  Is that what it means to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect.  Does that sound like power to you?

2010 Post - Matthew 4-5:  The Kingdom of Heaven is Near