Wednesday, December 19, 2018

#46 The Sermon on the Plain


#46 The Sermon on the Plain
Please first read: Luke 6:17-49


 Among sectarian gospel writers there are two schools of thought regarding the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7) and the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:17-49) … are they different sermons or the same one? The Sermon on the Plain (Luke) was given right after the selection and ordination of the Twelve. Some scholars believe that Mathew’s account is an assemblage of information from different sermons … a selection of his greatest ethical teachings into a continuous sermon … thus giving a better concept of our Lord’s teachings … others do not.

The same basic sermon was given by Christ to the Nephites after his resurrection
(3 Nephi chapters 12-14) showing that the material in Matthew is all (probably) one continuous discourse. We have such a small example in our scriptures of the many times Jesus taught … he would have repeated many things many times. The Nephite version was given after the Nephite Twelve were called. Some portions of the sermon are addressed to the Twelve Apostles and some portions are for the multitude in general. The JST of Matthew chapters 5-7, adds a considerable amount of additional material that applies to the Twelve rather than to the people in general.

We have four scriptural records of this sermon – Luke, Matthew, JST Matthew, and in Third Nephi. The Prophet Joseph Smith made no material changes in Luke’s rendition, although he added some language that clarified what was already written. (Luke 6:29-30) All four scriptural accounts use the same general pattern, the same doctrinal truths, and follow the same sequence. The accounts vary somewhat because they are all abridgements only, but they are the same subjects. The JST version of Matthew gives us the fullest and most complete report. In some subjects covered in both the Mount and the Plain we find additional insights given in Luke

Examples:

·         Turning the other cheek: JST Luke 6:29-30
·         Judge righteously: Luke 6:37-38; 41-42
·         Be obedient: Luke 6:46-49

Apostle James E. Talmage:

“The opening sentences are rich in blessing, and the first section of the discourse is devoted to an explanation of what constitutes genuine blessedness; the lesson, moreover, was made simple and unambiguous by specific application, each of the blessed being assured of recompense and reward in the enjoyment of conditions directly opposite to those under which he had suffered. The blessings particularized by the Lord on this occasion have been designated in literature of later time as the Beatitudes. The poor in spirit are to be made rich as rightful heirs to the kingdom of heaven; the mourner shall be comforted for he shall see the divine purpose in his grief, and shall again associate with the beloved ones of whom he has been bereft;  the meek, who suffer spoliation rather than jeopardize their souls in contention, shall inherit the earth; those that hunger and thirst for the truth shall be fed in rich abundance; they that show mercy shall be judged mercifully; the pure in heart shall be admitted to the very presence of God; the peacemakers, who try to save themselves and their fellows from strife, shall be numbered among the children of God; they that suffer persecution for the sake of righteousness shall inherit the riches of the eternal kingdom. To the disciples the Lord spake directly, saying: “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (p. 230-231)
                                                                                 
Larson:

Jesus now presents a new set of “rules” for living … not just new, but revolutionary in the extreme. As mortals we tend to resist rules; we don’t like anything that restricts us; but what Jesus is teaching here is contrary to their ways of dealing within society, patterns of behavior, reaction, and mores that have been in place for centuries. The changes required will not just be a greater ability to love, but Christ-like love will be needed, tempered with much mercy. God’s law of love goes far beyond “keeping the rules.” It will affect all … Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes, Essenes, Gentiles … and all areas in which Jesus will have his ministry … Galilee, Judea, Peraea, Samaria, and Decapolis. The opposition to Jesus will now greatly increase on all fronts.

Fitzmyer:

Similarities and Differences:  
·         Luke the Plain: 30 verses
·         Matthew the Mount: 107 verses
·         Subject matter: both expect certain conduct from disciples
·         Content: almost all sayings in Luke are found in Matthew, especially those requiring love of ones’ neighbor, and even one’s enemies
·         Conclusion: listeners are challenged to become doers
·         Location: mountain and descending from mountain
·         Matthew’s writings seem well-constructed. Luke’s is looser and rambling
·         Love of one’s enemies requires love with mercy as God would give
·         Most all of the Lords listeners at this time would have the strong ancient background, still in practice, that one should do harm to one’s enemies and be of service to one’s friends

I like Fitzmyer’s new translation of Luke 6:37 that teaches about judging: “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and gifts will be given to you … good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into the lap of your garment. For the measure you use with others will be the measure by which return is made to you.”
                                                                                
Tyndale::

Some Meridian of Time History and Beliefs: 
For many centuries the Jewish nation has been captive under various foreign powers, currently under the domination of Rome. To listen to Jesus tell now to “love (by his definition) their enemies and do good to those who despitefully use you” must have been bitter to listen to.

“The blind leading the blind.” Many people were taught by leaders who had limited knowledge of what Jesus was teaching … they did not have much choice or opportunity to do better.

The named areas those here came from had substantial Gentile populations, some of whom would be attending. Jesus’ fame for healing would be of interest to any sufferer. There was a public belief that to touch Jesus might bring healing, power, virtue.

A disciple must not only hear the word … but must act on it. Love is an active word … it demands action … to not do good is actually to do evil … love expects no return.

Jesus tells the poor who suffer unfairly to take comfort … the Lord’s prophets in the past have been so treated … so is he being treated now by their leaders … blessings will come.

The counsel to love one’s enemies was not totally new to Israel…it had its roots in the Old Testament: Proverbs 25:21; and Exodus 23:4.

We see references to the “Golden Rule” in these scriptures.

The challenge “Cast out the speck in your eye” and the rebuttal “Cast out the log in yours” goes back in antiquity prior to the Meridian of Time.

In “Parallel New Testament Commentary,” Bethany writes:

It is an affront to the Lord to call him “Lord” and then do not what he says.

The heart is the tree and our words and actions are the fruit of that tree.

‘Into your bosom,’ Or ‘lap.’ In most ancient nation’s men wore loose garments. When they needed to carry anything they could not carry in their hands they would fold their robe (as a woman will do to her apron) to make a pocket or sack in which to carry. (verse 38)  

Glenn R. McGettigan
January 2016

References:

“Jesus the Christ.” Talmage
“Communicator’s Commentary.” Larson
“The Gospel According to Luke: A New Translation.” Volume 1. Fitzmyer
“New Testament Commentaries.” Tyndale
“Complete Biblical Library.” Tyndale
“Parallel New Testament Commentary.” Bethany









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