While reading the Sermon on the Mount I came across what I call an “insight word.”
I’d read this sermon many times. In fact, I challenged the people in my church to memorize it. My family did it as a part of our devotions. I preached a series of messages at the time. I noticed this insight word before, but it never registered in my mind like it did this time.
In Matthew 6 it is used four times in what is referred to as “acts of righteousness” – alms, or giving to the needy, prayer and fasting. The word is “secret.” When I reflected further I began to see that Jesus was emphasizing the secret, inner or hidden dynamics of our lives. In the light of this insight word I decided to look deeper into what Jesus said throughout the Sermon on the Mount recorded in Matthew 5-7.
The beatitudes can be looked at as outward actions that others will notice and possibly affirm or praise. If you try doing them for that reason, however, you’ve missed the whole point Jesus was making. He was pointing out that for God to bless your life He is looking for these qualities. If He sees them in your life He will bless you.
When I looked at the beatitudes from this perspective I realized they were the opposite of pride or arrogance. They were inner qualities of character which moved you to look out for the welfare of others rather than having your own needs met.
More on this in subsequent programs. I hope you’ll join me over the next couple of weeks as I review Jesus’ sermon through the prism of the insight word, “secret.”