What is the one key idea of this chapter. pay attention to the title of the chapter!
Called to be like Jesus. As Christians our mission in life is to be more like Jesus, by following him, respecting others, and above all worshipping the one true God. In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus is portrayed as a teacher who tells us what we need to do in order to get into the Kingdom of Heaven. He explains that our mission takes place from the very start of our life, and in order to gain eternal happiness we need to do what is right in the world we live in. We need to treat others as if they were Jesus, and spread his word, not only by the word of mouth, but by our actions. Although we may have times of doubt and darkness, Matthew teaches us to realize this is often when we are at our lowest, when things aren’t going the way we want. But,we need to understand that Jesus had the same troubles, namely when he was tempted by the devil. We need to know that when we resist evil we are strengthening our lives for future trials just as Jesus once did.
Write about two major ideas you want to remember. Write a short paragraph on each clearly stating the idea and then telling why you want to remember it.
One idea from chapter three that I would like to remember is the Beatitudes. The Beatitudes begin the Sermon on the Mount, and call on people to live in a relationship with others. They do not condemn the Ten Commandments; rather they are an expression of that law. The Ten Commandments are a fundamental law code of duties for humans, whereas the beatitudes are a more communal understanding of the law of love, in which Jesus teaches us love and compassion. They provide guidelines for an attitude that will make us truly happy. They are the secret to happiness in life. I want to remember this because it tells me that Jesus wants to have a special relationship with humans, and yearns to teach me the rights and wrongs. It truly shows Jesus as a loving teacher, the way Matthew portrayed Jesus.
Another key topic in this chapter is the idea of counterculture. Counterculture is the values, thinking and action not normally accepted by society. The Beatitudes are considered countercultural because they challenge Christians to move beneath the surface; to transform a merely legal way of thinking into a more radical understand of the purpose of their lives. And in order for followers to dig beneath the surface they must be devoted to Jesus’ teachings, and move past society’s answers to lives longings. Jesus’ followers must be truly dedicated to his ideas and teachings. I want to remember this idea, because so often did my Lord and savior use counterculture. He taught his way, and his way is the way I want to live. I am dedicated to the word of Jesus Christ.
One image that captures the chapter for you.
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/pic/matthew
If you were going to summarize the Gospel of Matthew in one sentence, what would the sentence say?
Do one of the "Living the Gospel" questions at the end of the chapter. Write out the question, reflect upon it and write out your answer.
The group I would like to nominate for living the gospel is WINGS. Starting in 1997, BJC health system assured that a full range of care would be granted for children, by initiating the regions first certified pediatric hospice program, WINGS. As the region’s only pediatric hospice provider, WINGS provides a compassionate, end of life care for children diagnosed with terminal illnesses. This non for profit organization offers care and respite for children ages newborn to twenty-one years of age. Although WINGS has done a lot for pediatric hospice, much more can be done with your help. WINGS is always looking for generous donors and/or volunteers. If you have any questions about WINGS please contact Nancy McMullin, vice president at 314.965.1487, Or go online at www.peds.wustl.edu/clinical/wings
I chose WINGS for living the gospel because my sister and I have done some community service for them and WINGS is an extraordinary program that helps the terminally ill youth of St. Louis. I am shaken every time I think about a little child dying at such a young age, and can’t help but imagine what their family is going threw. As an organization WINGS tries to alleviate some of the pain, and help a child look at the brighter parts of his last days of live. I have such respect for this organization because it does all it can for the children. If anything I hope WINGS makes you realize it is not all about money and material goods, yet it is about seeing a child who is losing his or her life truly happy.