What we have studied in the Manifesto of the King so far has been challenging, to say the least!  We have been able to see however that properly understanding what Jesus was actually saying makes His description of Kingdom life seem possible rather than impossible.  For example, understanding that lust is desire conceived rather than temptation or mere sexual thoughts gives a lot of relief to those who thought they have committed adultery in their mind for as long as they can remember!  These next two paragraphs in our study will need careful explanation and interpretation as well.  An "eye for an eye" seems a lot more appropriate than "turn the other cheek."  When Jesus says we should not resist an evil person, is He actually commanding the police and soldiers to "stand down" and let bad men run wild?  Is He suggesting we give everything we have to anybody who wants it whenever they want it?  Is this what it means to live by faith?  Who is sufficient for these things?  My mind is filled with questions about these matters.  I want to ask about various scenarios.  What about crazy people with guns bent on mass murder?  What about a wife getting smacked around by her husband?  What about a child being abused?  Does Jesus expect those kinds of scenarios to go unaddressed?  What kind of Kingdom does He think we live in anyway, Mr Rogers Neighborhood?  I will mention some helpful interpretive tools on Sunday that M.L. Jones lists in his commentary on the Sermon on the Mount.  I think one of the most helpful is simply, if the interpretation is ridiculous it is wrong.  In other words, we need to begin with the presupposition that Jesus knows what is going on and that He is brilliant!  He is not in a bubble and He is not ridiculous, the problem is in our understanding of what He is actually saying.  He would not tell us to do something we are unable to do.  He is with us, He has given us the Spirit and if we'll cooperate, the work He started in us will actually begin to produce the fruit He intended.  The question is not His readiness...it is our willingness.  He is ever ready to help us "get on with it" when we are willing to employ the means to participate.  The illustrations He gives of what we could be like should whet our appetitites to engage with Him.  Are you in?