” let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”  Matt 5:16

“unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”  Matt 5:20

“anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment”  Matt 5:22

“anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart”   Matt 5:27

“Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”  Matt 5:37

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”.  Matt 5:44

“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect”.   Matt 5:48

  Just a few excerpts from a single sermon (Matthew Chapter 5) that gathered followers for a movement that still exists today, and made powerful people angry enough to have him killed.  As I read them this morning I realized once more that the words of Jesus still have the same effect today.   The words of Jesus either convince and convict us of our personal sinfulness and make us want to follow him, or the anger they invoke makes us want to reject his teaching completely. 

It’s easy and trendy  to cheer his Jesus’ Miracles and Good works.  (Just as it was for the people of Jesus’ time.)

In the end though,  its the red letters (the words of Jesus) that divide us, that convict us, that at times anger us, and in the end save us…