A NEW FORMATION

In the second part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus asks us to be able to use these new forces that have been transformed into order and love for service to others:
To do good to those who wrong us (Matthew 5:38-42).
To pardon those who offend us (Matthew 6:12).
To make peace before offering gifts at the altar (Matthew 5:23-25).
To correct, and receive correction, with our brothers and sisters (Matthew 18:15).
To do good without receiving thanks or recompense (Luke 6:35).
To turn the other cheek (Luke 6:29).
To love universally, not just love those who love us (Luke 6:32).

Repentance is the overturning and upending step from selfishness to love.

This was an important time for Jesus. He is bringing the message of the kingdom of God and it is a radical new order that restores but also tears down. It tears away all false and self imposed strength and logic and replaces it with original order and process. Starting with the Sermon on the Mount and then time after time in His teaching; Jesus gives resolute conditions of the restored order and constantly reminds His followers, ‘Friends, you still have time to stay or leave. You still have time to choose. But from now on, know that the one who chooses to follow me will have to decide by the following conditions: he who looks after himself is lost, he is not worthy to follow me. He who denies himself is saved; he is worthy of my program. The grain of wheat will only be brought to life if it fulfills the condition of dying. So then, whoever wants to live has to die (Matthew 16:24-27; Mark 8:34-38; Luke 9:23-27; John 12:25ff).

“Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” Jesus