"Depart From Me!"

At the end of his sermon, Jesus claimed absolute authority for his words. If we ignore them, we risk rejection by him – Matthew 7:21-28.

“I never knew you! Depart from me!” These are the most frightening words we might ever hear from Jesus. His warning demonstrates that Christ’s teachings are not optional. The commandments of the ‘Sermon on the Mount’ teach us how we are to live as faithful citizens of the Kingdom of God.

La Luz del Mundo

La “Vida” se encuentra en la “Palabra”, y esa vida es la “Luz de los hombres.” Es “brillar en la oscuridad”, y la oscuridad “no puede hacerse cargo” o suprimirlo. Precisamente este “Verbo” o Logos se hizo “carne”, Palabra Viva de Dios manifestada y expresada en Jesús de Nazaret. En él, la gloria y la vida del Dios que creó todas las cosas se iluminan para que todos los hombres las vean.

Siervo del Señor

Jesús cumplió el papel del ‘Siervo Sufriente’ descrito en el Libro de Isaías. A diferencia de Adán, él no trató de captar la “semejanza de Dios.” En cambio, se humilló a sí mismo y se sometió a una muerte vergonzosa en la cruz romana. Por esta razón, Dios lo exaltó altamente y lo hizo “Señor” sobre todas las cosas. Su exaltación no precedió a su muerte, su entronización la siguió.

Carrying His Cross

Retaliation and violence are never appropriate reactions to persecution by the disciples of Jesus. Rather than respond in kind, they must meet threats and assaults with humility, mercy, and forgiveness. Doing so is what it means to “deny yourself,” “take up his cross,” and follow him. We fulfill the “Law and Prophets” and become “perfect as our Heavenly Father” by doing good to our “enemies.”

Perfected Disciples

Jesus summons us to become “perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect,” yet how can we emulate the perfect righteousness of God? His explanation is clear – By performing acts of mercy for others, especially our enemies. Self-sacrificial love is the heart of the Gospel and the essential nature of the merciful God. Was Jesus not the Messiah who submitted to an unjust death on our behalf when we were yet the “enemies of God”?

Дэлхийн гэрэл

Амьдрал нь “үг” эсвэл ‘logos’ - д байдаг, Энэ нь “хүмүүний гэрэл” юм. энэ нь “харанхуйд гэрэлтэж” байгаа бөгөөд харанхуй нь гэрлийг дарж чадахгүй. Энэ “үг” нь “махан бие” болж, Бурханы амьд Үг Назарын Есүст илэрхийлэгджээ.

"Rejoice and Exult!"

The followers of Jesus are called to rejoice when they are found worthy to suffer for him and his Gospel.

Persecution is always a possibility for the Church. We may face hostility from employers, neighbors, the government, and our family members because of our beliefs and practices. So, how should we react when the possibility becomes reality? Jesus and the Apostles provided clear instructions and examples of how we must respond when faced with persecution.