Introduction

The Sermon on the Mount ends with decision, and thus judgement. There are two ways, two trees, two claims and two builders. The choice is one of life or death and the purpose of the illustrations is to remind us that we have chosen death.

v13-14.The imagery of the two ways is vague and leads to a variety of translations. The NIV is best. There is a wide gate and we may enter it and travel on a broad way, but it leads to destruction. There is a small gate, followed by a narrow (not necessarily straight) way, and this way leads to life. Sadly, few enter the narrow gate. Jesus calls for decision, but what is the decision? The term for "narrow" in v14 often refers to persecution. Thus, the narrow way may image cross-bearing discipleship and the broad way that of compromised commitment. Yet, Jesus is not calling on us to press along the narrow way, but rather choose the small gate that leads to the narrow way. This gate leads to salvation and so is best understood as the small gate of obedience.

v15. The imagery of the two trees, v15-20, is also a bit of a mystery, but makes much the same point as the two ways. Who are the false prophets? Thy are probably Pharisees/legalists, those who rest on a law-righteousness that leads to destruction. Their "fruit" gives them away, for like all rebels they are sinners. They "strain out gnats, but swallow camels", ie. they redesign the law so that it seems as if they keep it, but all they keep is "insect law" while ignoring justice, love, compassion, mercy.....

v16-20. The berries of the buckthorn may look like little grapes, but are worthless fruit. A life that fails to produce the fruit of obedience will inevitably face the "fire".

v21-23. The two claims represent those who are truly righteous and those who claim to be righteous (law obedient). Those who share in eternity do "the will of my Father who is in heaven." Those who are cast out may perform righteous and worthy deeds, but they are ultimately deemed "evildoers."

v24-27. Finally, the two builders sum up two ways - the way of perfect righteousness and the way of self-righteousness. On the day of judgement one will stand and one will fall. "The will of my Father who is in heaven", v21, now becomes "these words of mine." The wise man is he who "hears these words" and "puts them into practice." That is, does exceeding righteousness - perfectly obeys. If "these words of mine" are not "put into practice" then the future involves a "great crash." So, Jesus again illustrates the truth that "no one is good except God alone". We have all built our house on the sand and face destruction. We are left with the question, how then can we survive the "great crash"?

v28-29. The crowd is "amazed" - a response far from faith. They are astonished at his "authority", ie. he declares God's truth on his own authority, unlike the prophets who say "Thus says the Lord."

The Pharisees saw Jesus as a libertine. He associated with unclean people, cared little about Sabbath Day regulations and came "eating and drinking." They even called him "a wine bibber and a glutton." Jesus, on the other hand, said he had not "come to abolish the Law and the Prophets." In fact, he came "to fulfill them." By "fulfill" he meant "complete". When it comes to the Law, he taught a righteousness that exceeds that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law. In fact, said Jesus, we "will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven" if we fall short of the law-obedience revealed in the Sermon on the Mount. The Mosaic Law may permit "an eye for an eye", but Jesus teaches that perfect righteousness demands that we "do not resist an evil person." The Mosaic Law may denounce murder, but Jesus teaches that perfect righteousness demands a life free from anger.

At the end of the sermon, Jesus calls for self examination. Which gate have we entered, which tree represents us, which claim do we make, which house-builder represents us? Does our law-obedience, either before or after our conversion (even our baptism in the Spirit), in any way get us through the narrow gate, keep us on the narrow way, make us a fruitful tree, support our claim before God, or somehow build our house on rock? The answer is no, for our righteousness is always filthy rages; we have all sinned (and have continued to sin) and fallen short of the glory of God. Who then will rescue us from the "great crash"?

There is one who has entered the narrow gate, whose fruit is pure and whose house is firmly on the rock. He has done the will of the Father. Those who identify with this righteous Jew, who hold onto his tassels as he enters the gates of the heavenly city and presents himself before the Ancient of Days, are graciously treated as if they were this righteous man.

So, our task is a simple one. We must seek out the house of this righteous man, knock on his door and ask to come in and there to find rest for our soul. The good news is "ask and it will be given you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks the door will be opened", Matt.7:7-11.

"There is nothing we can do to make God love us more. There is nothing we can do to make God love us less", Philip Yancey. Comment.