Strange But True

As I was reading from Matthew,
Esp. the Sermon on the Mount (ch.5,6&7)

I tried to picture what it must have been like for these people to hear Jesus' words, 

so foreign to the jot and tittle of Law they followed/feared!

How strange, the words they heard Him speak,

When struck, to turn the other cheek

When robbed, give more on top of that

And do not ask to have it back

How strange the words they heard Him say

To love your enemies and pray

To help the poor, but secretly

Not so other people might see

How strange, the words this Teacher said

He called Himself the Living Bread

The one who hates, a murderer

The one who lusts, adulterer

How strange the words where crowds amassed

To hear teachings by law surpassed

Do not seek vengeance, but forgive

And you must lose your life to live

How strange the words they heard Him tell

Broad is the road that leads to Hell

The narrow road, so few will find

To those who persecute, be kind

How true the words they heard Him preach

From miles they came to hear him teach

Of love beyond Law’s ordered ways

Of Temple rebuilt in three days

How strange, the words He said to them

As true today as it was then

But so few seem to care today

For words that never pass away

© Janet Martin