Why should we pay attention to Jesus? One reason is that Jesus brings a message of peace—challenging head on the human social dynamics that lead to violence and war.

This morning, I presented the sixth in my series of what will probably be thirteen sermons on Jesus.  The sermon was called “What Matters Most?” and focused especially on Jesus’ “Sermon on the Plane” in Luke six.

The message of the first six chapters of Luke is that Jesus brings a message of an upside-down perspective on reality where the mighty are brought down and the vulnerable are lifted up. After reiterating his message of turned-around expectations in Luke 6:20-26, Jesus deepens his challenge even more by emphasizing that the human connection with God will be found in its most profound way when we love our enemies.

But is such love of enemies realistic? The sermon concludes with the story of nonviolent action at the center of the most successful phase of the American Civil Rights movement in the early 1960s.