The Sermon on the Mount forms part of Jesus' manifesto for his kingdom. In it he shows what people who follow him are supposed to look like. It is a manifesto in tension. Jesus is and does everything he speaks about. We do not. However in his power we are able to live radically different lives. They are lives which necessarily challenge the political, social and religious norms not just of Jesus' day, but particularly today. At this time in history we must return to and be empowered to live out the racial ethics of Jesus.