My Take
What a different tone that was commonly heard back then in eretz Israel whereas it was more the wealthy and those in higher positions in society that were viewed as being more blessed by God. We are to be "the church of the poor", not the health & wealth "gospel" of hedonism, materialism, and pride. It's "us" not just "me".
The part that used to be more confusing to me was how could Jesus say that he didn't come to abolish the Law and yet the Church began to walk away from the get-go, even with the apostles themselves? It wasn't until much later that I got it straight (or think I do) that what Jesus was doing was basically streamlining (simplifying) the Law, much like telling your teenage kids to "Clean up the room!", and undoubtedly they would do that immediately, right?
IOW, it's the "law of love" from God and all that He preached.
He also covers "heaven" and "hell", neither of which show up directly at least in the Tanakh. IMO, I'm not sure either exists, plus I'm not sure if I'd even want to be in heaven if both
@KenS and
@sealchan were to be there.
The issues of anger and lust I tend to view in more an indirect way. If you get angry because I just purposely stomped on your foot, or if I look at an attractive women and drool a bit (at my age, that happens anyway), I don't think this is what Jesus was referring to because these simply are "built in reactions since we're humans and I do believe God made us that way. Instead, I think it's more likely a prolonging of such emotions-- "attachments" as the Buddhists call them. IOW, "Get over it!".
Finally, the one thing I saved for last is, I believe, terribly important, and that is an overview of what Jesus was saying, namely that Christianity is a
lifestyle, not just a set of beliefs. It's a call to action-- not a call to sit back in a rocking chair with p.c. thoughts running through our heads.
It's
doing, not just thinking, imo. It's what can I do to try and leave this place at least a bit better then it was before I was born. It's which "tools" do I want my kids and grandkids to have so they're not just spectators but are part of the solution. It's standing up for what we know is right and moral, thus not necessarily expedient nor popular. It's commitment.
[OK, the collection plate will now be passed around, so please be very generous
]
Your responses are welcome, so please contribute.