As we continue our sermon series on GOD'S NEW HUMANITY we find ourselves at the center of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount—the centerpiece of his teaching. And what we find surrounded by all these heart–centered expectations of Christ are the subjects of prayer and forgiveness. It seems to be a refreshing rest stop for the disciples as they learn about their access to the heart of God (prayer), and their gift from the heart of God (forgiveness). What privileged benefits of GOD'S NEW HUMANITY for the follower of Jesus Christ.
From the events of his birth and throughout his life, Jesus reshaped the religious and cultural expectations of his day so as to make all of it about himself. He completely turns things on their head—flipped upside down—even for us today. Either this is the bold move of a narcissistic megalomaniac or this is the beginning of a subversive movement of grace that would change the course of history forever. Let's take a closer look at the most famous sermon of all time and see how Jesus inaugurated God's new humanity.
