Obedience and Authenticity

The campus of the University of Central Missouri isn’t massive. It spans a few blocks of our community. But it’s large enough that a new person can still get lost. During my first few weeks working in this ministry, I needed a campus map to help me reach my intended destination. All of Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount are a bit like a map for those who may become citizens of God’s kingdom, but an overarching theme of effective navigation is more clearly sensed in this specific set of passages.

Jesus gives his original disciples (and us) a few guiding principles about navigating life in God’s kingdom. In verses 13 and 14, Jesus once again offers wisdom that sounds proverbial. The way into God’s kingdom is “small” and “narrow”. It's not popular or chosen by many. The Greek word translated as “narrow” can also refer to affliction and difficulty in a metaphorical sense. If you’ve been following Jesus’ teaching up to this point, you may have already noticed the potential difficulties with any attempt to embrace the ways of God’s kingdom. Following Jesus and living in God’s kingdom may require a radical shift in how we handle our anger, respond to our sexual desire, keep our word, treat our enemies, view our wealth, and relate to God and others. It’s not a commitment that can be made lightly, but it “leads to life”.

On our quest through this life, where we simultaneously reside in both the kingdom of God and this dying and decaying world, there will be people who aren’t what they appear. Jesus warns his disciples of “false prophets” –those who pretend to speak on behalf of God. Jesus also cautions his listeners that not all those who seem to possess the power and favor of God are genuinely in alignment with Him. These words of Jesus prompt us to re-evaluate how we perceive true spirituality and connection to God.

A person’s intelligence, winsomeness, or powerful personality are not sure signs that their words can be trusted to guide us toward life in God’s kingdom. On a personal level, our religious performance or spiritual-sounding resume are not sure signs that we’ve truly entered into God’s kingdom. So, how can we trust anyone or have confidence in the legitimacy of our faith? Jesus, in this passage and the next, points to obedience or the “fruit” in a person’s life. As believers, we may still experience the persistent struggle against sin. It’s evidence that we’re human. But our growth in the character of God and our conformity to His likeness are evidence that something super-human is taking place in us. Accomplishing impressive feats in the name of Jesus is not an indicator that someone truly submits to him as King. The often subtle, step-by-step obedience to his teachings and growth in his character are far more difficult to fake. The citizens of God’s kingdom, over time and only by God’s grace and power, will become more and more like their King.

Discussion Questions

• Icebreaker: What is the most geographically lost you have ever been?
• Are Jesus’ words in verses 14 & 15 surprising to you? Why or why not? Do you think they would be surprising to others?
• In your experience, or what you have witnessed in other people’s lives, what makes following Jesus challenging? What makes following Jesus rewarding?
• Who are the primary few people currently shaping your view of God, yourself, and the world? What makes you accept their perspective or position? Why do you trust them?
• Why might Jesus value obedience to his “Father who is in heaven” more highly than impressive, outward displays of spiritual power?