THE GOSPELS 209
Jesus warns against judging others
in The Parable of the Mote and the
Beam (c.1619) by Domenico Fetti.
The painting was one in a series of
13 works illustrating the parables.The sermon as a far-
reaching influenceFrom the earliest days of
Christianity, Jesus’s Sermon
on the Mount has been
considered central to His
teaching, giving His followers
a clear pattern for their lives.
Church leaders and prominent
thinkers point to the sermon
when giving ethical guidance
to Christians in such diverse
areas as conflict resolution,
personal relationships, wealth,
and justice. Some groups, such
as the Amish, are renowned
for seeking to live simply in
accordance with the Sermon
on the Mount.
The influence of the sermon
reaches beyond the Christian
Church. Some phrases have
become idioms in wider usage,
not least owing to influential
literary figures such as Dante,
Chaucer, and Shakespeare.
“Don’t hide your light under
a bushel,” “salt of the earth,”
and “don’t throw your pearls
before pigs” all come from
Jesus’s teaching.presenting a picture of an ideal
life; He was saying that they could
be part of this kingdom, if only
they would build their lives on
the “rock” that He was.
Jesus knew that not everyone
would accept this way of life.
It was a “narrow gate” for people
to enter, compared to the broad
road of living as you please, but
the narrow path would lead to
God’s blessing (7:13–14).
Jesus’s story continued to
unfold. His death and resurrection
became powerful reminders to
Jesus’s disciples and followers
to teach and live by the lessons
of the Sermon on the Mount. ■kingdom. It is a world in which the
weak and powerless are considered
to be God’s treasured children,
a place where generosity and
forgiveness are valued more highly
than strength. Here, trust in God
matters more than any other virtue.
The idea of such a world must have
seemed an impossible utopia for
those listening to Jesus, yet they
recognized God’s authority in
Jesus’s words. He was not simplyAsk and it will be
given to you; seek and
you will find; knock
and the door will be
opened to you ...
For everyone who
asks receives.
Matthew 7:7–8US_204-209_Sermon_on_the_Mount.indd 209 25/09/17 11:20 am