Journey WitnessesSample

Some of the most famous words Jesus ever spoke are recorded in the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew Chapters 5-7. It is likely that Matthew only provided some of the highlights, but what we get is a picture of God’s ideal kingdom. The incarnation of Jesus was more than just God with us, it was the introduction of an entire kingdom. The Sermon on the Mount is the beginning of that picture being painted for us. 

After correcting some serious misconceptions about what it means to be the people of God, Jesus takes His listeners back to God’s intention, His goal and purpose for the part of creation formed in His image—us. In His kingdom, we are perfect. 

Be just like the Father—perfect. But how is this possible when sin has eliminated the possibility of perfection? The word perfect in in this verse is the Greek word teleios. Translated literally, the word means “complete.” So when Jesus tells us to be perfect, He is taking us back to the gospel itself, back to the garden, and back to God’s original intention for humanity, back to the relationship we were meant to have. It is a command to, once again, reflect the beauty of God Himself and be the perfect and beautiful reflection of the Father. But more than that, it is only because of Jesus and through Jesus that such beauty is even possible.