Never one to demand blind faith, Jesus took them apart and began to teach them the meaning of discipleship. He begins, according to Matthew's Gospel, with what we have come to know as the Sermon on the Mount. They must have been thunderstruck at its austere demands-even as we are today. Each beatitude is a challenge. Then, the Teacher launched into a careful extension of the law from deed to motive.
Murder is evil, as the law says, but so also are the anger and hate which lead to it.
Adultery is evil, but so also is the lustful spirit which causes it. Love of neighbor is good, but to love one's enemy is better. Jesus warns them of the perils they will face. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Jesus concludes the sermon with the parable of two men, two foundations and two houses, driving home the point that these are teachings to be taken seriously.