Section D: 2.2 The moral vision of Jesus


Jesus is seen by Christians as the ultimate revelation of God – the most complete and primary source of truth, beauty and wisdom. Through his life and ministry Jesus highlighted the path to salvation for humankind. It consists of a loving relationship with God the Father, respect for the dignity of human life, and a self-giving love of your neighbour. The early Christian Church spread these teachings far and wide, before the Romanisation of the culture turned it into a dogmatic religious institution, which had a transformative effect on Western civilisation. 


It’s hard to imagine it now, but Jesus’ original message was seen as counter-cultural. He opposed the religious teachings of the day – which were too focused on wrongdoing and rules and not focused enough on taking a practical approach and changing the world around them for the better. Jesus’ ethical teachings represent a response to, and deepening of, Jewish teaching. He is preaching to an audience familiar with the tenants of Judaism and his lessons can be seen as a critique of the high priests interpretations of ‘the Law’. In the Sermon on the Mount, his key ethical teaching, Jesus presents us with the Beatitudes – a list of positive behaviours that offer a balance to the Commandments of Judaism.


Jesus wants his followers to go beyond what the law demands by maximising our contribution to the overall wellbeing of those around us (the minimum and more), he condemns those who do good only to be seen (the external and the internal), he praises the humble and warns against arrogance (humility and self-righteousness) and also criticises materialism and preoccupation with the things of this world (attachment and detachment). These principles form the basis of a changed outlook – one directed towards a communal, ethical spirit.


Exam Question

Describe the ethical vision of Jesus as seen in his preaching.


The ‘Law of Love’
All of Jesus’ moral teaching is concentrated in one command: love; the love of God and the love of neighbour. One of the most powerful moments in John’s gospel is when Jesus washes his disciples’ feet at the Last Supper. Jesus gives himself as an example of unconditional love. And having shown them how much he loves them, now he is willing to give up himself for them. He gives them a new commandment ‘Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.’ (John 13:34-35)


In Greek, the language of the New Testament, there are different words for different types of love; Eros is the word for romantic love, Storge is the love of affection, Agape is the word used to mean unselfish love, seeking only the good of the other. It is often translated as ‘charity’. The self-giving, selfless love described by the word ‘agape’ is central to Jesus’ moral law. We learn what this love means in his life and in his teaching.




The Sermon on the Mount


The most concise moral teaching of Jesus is found in the Sermon on the Mount. It is the clearest and most radical expression of what it means to live as a Christian. The Sermon begins with the Beatitudes – the powerless in this world are blessed in the Kingdom of God.

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you… if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also.


There is urgency in the language and tone of the sermon. These are radical sayings, everything in the worldly order is turned on its head. One of the key themes is that Jesus looks at what is within. Morality is internal.

If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away.


The Old Law laid down a rule, the sermon deepens it. Jesus is not abolishing the old law, he is deepening it. The sermon is problematic in some senses, and throughout history it has been interpreted in different ways:

• A prayer rather than an ethic – it is in the form of counsels, advice and not commands. It is a form of spirituality rather than a set of rules. So we follow the Ten Commandments and pray the sermon.

• An ideal – it is an ideal to be aimed at, to make us seek higher values, but impossible to live in the real world.

If we view morality as a path to happiness, not just a list of commands, then the sermon makes sense. It points the way to true and fulfilling happiness. It is a prayer and an ideal and a way to fulfilment.

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