“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”
Matthew 5:21-22 (NIV)

Yesterday I had the honor of presenting the results of some research that I and my colleague did for a client. The client came to us because they have observed that they are slowly losing their customer base. In particular, they’ve observed the younger generations are not doing business with them. So, we did a research study among their younger customers. They weren’t wrong. They’ve got a generational gap issue. But it’s not as simple as it might seem.

A couple of days ago I mentioned that we are living in extraordinary times. One of the things my team’s research is beginning to see over and over again is that there are stark differences between generations. It’s no longer the differences between old and young. Generations X, Y, and Z all have very unique ways of thinking and expectations when it comes to communication and experience. Businesses are having to become more refined in their marketing strategies. One marketing strategy may no longer be enough. It might require multiple strategies to target different generations of customers.

One of the observations I’ve had of recent generations is the difficulty they’ve experienced in maturing into adults. So much so that “adulting” is now a common term. When I was a kid, I fully expected that at 18 I had to go to college or move out and start a life on my own. In choosing college, I knew that part of those four years was figuring out life on my own. Today, I’ve watched as my friends have adult children who have never moved out and continue to live at home off mom and dad’s provision. I have listened to friends struggle with the reality that their adult children willfully refuse to leave home and live on their own.

Today’s chapter is the first of three of the most famous chapters in the entire Great Story. It is Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” and it is the most lengthy example we have of a message Jesus gave to the crowds who followed Him. As I read, I thought about our chapter-a-day trek through the ancient manual for Hebrew priests that we know as Leviticus. Time and time again I reminded us that Leviticus was an instruction manual for a fledgling people group in the toddler stages of humanity. The instructions were simple, binary, and black-and-white like a parent talking to a toddler with limited cognitive comprehension:

“Do this.”
“Don’t do that.”
“Be a good boy or girl and I’ll bless you.”
“Don’t you dare disobey Daddy, or you’ll be punished.”

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount does not abolish those simple early principles. He even makes a point of saying so. He is, however, speaking to an older and more mature people. Humanity has matured over the 1500 years since Leviticus. It’s time for some spiritual adulting.

Throughout today’s chapter, Jesus points back to the old binary rules laid down in the toddler stage.

“Don’t murder.”
“Don’t commit adultery.”
“Stand up to bullies. An eye-for-an-eye.”

Now, Jesus transforms the principles into higher expectations the way a parent prepares their child for life on their own, making their own way as an adult.

“It’s not just about the act murder. Don’t harbor hatred. Don’t be a mean person. You can kill a person’s spirit, esteem, and ego which is just as bad.”

“It’s not just the act of adultery. If you give your mind and heart over to your lusts, you’re already completely out-of-bounds.”

“Living life by violence, vengeance, and retribution is no life at all. It will shrivel your soul and keep you spiritually imprisoned. Blessed are those who are merciful, peacemakers, and hunger for righteousness.”

In the quiet this morning, it’s abundantly clear that what Jesus was offering us was the Heavenly Father’s lecture on spiritual adulting. Even in Leviticus God clearly stated that the rules and instructions He was laying down were so that the people groups around the Hebrews would notice that there is something different about the way they live and conduct themselves. They were to be an example for others to observe and follow.

Jesus says the same thing. “You are the light of the world! Shine!” How do we do that? By being examples of spiritual maturity. The world thinks nothing of vengeance, retribution, mean tweets, lust, lawfare, grudges, judgement, and self-seeking. Jesus points out that Kingdom People must live differently to offer a bright contrast that others notice and to which others will be attracted.

In the quiet this morning, I’m asking myself how well I’ve adulted spiritually. Following religious rituals and going through religious motions is simple, binary, and projects an image of righteousness. Even the religious leaders of Jesus’ day did that. But Jesus made it clear that He expected something more than that, something deeper, and something more spiritually real. “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

I told my clients yesterday that if they want to succeed in their business, they have to mature in their understanding of their customers. If I want to succeed in being a disciple of Jesus, I have to mature in my understanding of what it means to be an adult citizen of God’s Kingdom.

If you know anyone who might be encouraged by today’s post, please share.