Ben Wilson

He says, And when thou prayest, thou shall not be as the hypocrites are, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. After this manner, therefore, pray ye. Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Okay, so many of these teachings are now so widely known that they might strike us as, you know, banal. But at the time, they were utterly revolutionary.

Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Okay, so many of these teachings are now so widely known that they might strike us as, you know, banal. But at the time, they were utterly revolutionary.

It was a complete inversion of the moral order. The lowly and meek who love God are the good. Power, wealth, health, beauty, and strength are seen with inherent skepticism, or at least that is how the Sermon on the Mount has been popularly understood. He teaches a way of forgiveness, non-aggression, detachment, and love. And I love how the book of Matthew ends this account.

It was a complete inversion of the moral order. The lowly and meek who love God are the good. Power, wealth, health, beauty, and strength are seen with inherent skepticism, or at least that is how the Sermon on the Mount has been popularly understood. He teaches a way of forgiveness, non-aggression, detachment, and love. And I love how the book of Matthew ends this account.

He says, "...and it came to pass when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes." And I think that is a major secret of Jesus's success. He does quote the Torah from time to time, but he doesn't rest his authority on his interpretation of scripture.

He says, "...and it came to pass when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes." And I think that is a major secret of Jesus's success. He does quote the Torah from time to time, but he doesn't rest his authority on his interpretation of scripture.

If he had, there were always people who could oppose and second guess and contradict him. Rather, he just unveils the truth and says it like it is. It's like Steve Jobs pulling the curtain off the Macintosh. Now behold, here it is. The teachings contained their own justification. They were so beautiful and elegant that they needed no complex proofs, no multi-step historical reasoning.

If he had, there were always people who could oppose and second guess and contradict him. Rather, he just unveils the truth and says it like it is. It's like Steve Jobs pulling the curtain off the Macintosh. Now behold, here it is. The teachings contained their own justification. They were so beautiful and elegant that they needed no complex proofs, no multi-step historical reasoning.

Just here they are. Aren't they great? Well, after his Sermon on the Mount, his miracles kick into overdrive. He cures a leper. He stills a storm. He casts out devils. He actually gets into trouble because in one instance, a man has a number of devils that are possessing him, and he casts them out into a herd of pigs. And the newly possessed pigs go into a frenzy.

Just here they are. Aren't they great? Well, after his Sermon on the Mount, his miracles kick into overdrive. He cures a leper. He stills a storm. He casts out devils. He actually gets into trouble because in one instance, a man has a number of devils that are possessing him, and he casts them out into a herd of pigs. And the newly possessed pigs go into a frenzy.

They go running off a cliff into the sea, killing themselves. And the locals are not impressed by his power, but rather furious that he has killed their livestock and they chase him out of town. He heals paralytics, raises people from the dead, causes the blind to see. All this makes him a major celebrity. And everywhere he goes, he is like, yeah, he's a celebrity.

They go running off a cliff into the sea, killing themselves. And the locals are not impressed by his power, but rather furious that he has killed their livestock and they chase him out of town. He heals paralytics, raises people from the dead, causes the blind to see. All this makes him a major celebrity. And everywhere he goes, he is like, yeah, he's a celebrity.

He's just constantly surrounded by crowds of onlookers and followers. Some of them are hoping to be healed. Many of them just want to hear the words of this new and exciting prophet. This celebrity means that he has to steal away at times to either be alone or to be with his inner circle of disciples who had become known as the 12 apostles.

He's just constantly surrounded by crowds of onlookers and followers. Some of them are hoping to be healed. Many of them just want to hear the words of this new and exciting prophet. This celebrity means that he has to steal away at times to either be alone or to be with his inner circle of disciples who had become known as the 12 apostles.

Now, I mentioned before that he offers a compelling way of life, but it's not all giveaways. He's also very demanding of his closest followers. He demands absolute devotion, an incredible sacrifice. So for example, in one instance, one man wants to follow him, but he says, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, follow me and let the dead bury their dead.

Now, I mentioned before that he offers a compelling way of life, but it's not all giveaways. He's also very demanding of his closest followers. He demands absolute devotion, an incredible sacrifice. So for example, in one instance, one man wants to follow him, but he says, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, follow me and let the dead bury their dead.

And this is another lesson that you see from many of the greats. Great leaders are demanding, especially of their closest followers. So for example, when Jesus calls his inner circle, his 12 apostles, here's the commission he gives them.

And this is another lesson that you see from many of the greats. Great leaders are demanding, especially of their closest followers. So for example, when Jesus calls his inner circle, his 12 apostles, here's the commission he gives them.

Quote, and as you go preach saying the kingdom of heaven is at hand, heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils, freely have you received, freely give. Provide neither gold nor silver nor brass in your purses.