When the word of God is heard in preaching it always demands a response of movement. Continuing movement toward God, or a course correction to respond to God’s call.
Jesus ensured that listening to him would bring comfort to the faithful, but it is not about the faithful being comfortable.
From Will Willimon:
Preaching is difficult because of Jesus. The sermons he gives us are accountable to a different truth than that lived by nine out of ten Americans. If Jesus had ended his Sermon on the Mount with “Blessed are the lilies,” preaching would be easy. Alas, Jesus talked of turning the other cheek, forgiving enemies, and giving to all who ask, thereby making preaching perilous.
William H Willimon, Leading With The Sermon, Fortress Press, 2020, pgs 180.
