I am a Jesus pusher!!! In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus launches into the proclamation of six illustrations giving explanation and validity to His proposition. Jesus spiritually weaves the illustrations to form one message, the message of the “perfect nature of the Father” (Matthew 5:48). Jesus addresses every area of living in these six illustrations. He gives us three sets with two illustrations each. The first addresses the “Cardinal Truth” about life, containing the illustrations of “Murder” (Matthew 5:21-26) and “Morality” (Matthew 5:27-30). Here we investigate our view of relationships within the context of life. If righteousness is not present in this realm, there is no possibility for purity in the remaining areas. The following two illustrations consider “Covenant Truth.” “Marriage (Matthew 5:31-32) and “Morals” (Matthew 5:33-37) expand God’s nature into our commitment to each other. Without His nature, we fail in all our covenant interactions with others. The last two illustrations address “Core Truth.” “Malice” (Matthew 5:38-42) and “Motive” (Matthew 5:43-48) demand a heart filled with God’s nature. He calls us to be like Him!
In each illustration, Jesus discusses the sermon’s premise. He does not give detailed teaching on the subject of the illustration but applies the New Covenant, the filling of the Holy Spirit, to the subject! It appears that it is impossible to achieve each illustration supporting the premise of the message. We are helpless and can do nothing without the intimacy and enhancement of Jesus’ presence. He does not aid us but merges with us to form a new creature, the Kingdom person. This new person lives on a level the Old Testament people only dreamed about. Life is in Jesus! I am a Jesus pusher!!!