The Sermon on the Mount

Good Morning!

Our preacher peaked my interest last night as we began our quick review of the book of Matthew. He asked what Jesus was doing when He sat down to deliver what we refer to as the Sermon on the Mount? After a few guesses, the preacher said that Jesus was outlining a new order of faith. He wasn’t doing away with the Law of Moses but the old system of sacrifices was on the way out. Why? I think because Jesus knew that in the future animal sacrifices would not be needed – for He was the sacrifice. And when you look at the structure of the Sermon, it does appear that Jesus was doing something that was parallel to the Pentateuch. Let’s take a quick look at the first part of the Sermon:

Matthew 5 (New International Version)
Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.

Jesus took the sitting position because that is the position of authority that the teacher in a synagogue would assume. His message was to His followers – not necessarily the general public. The disciples had to approach Him – and then He would teach.

The Beatitudes
He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

What does it mean to be “poor in spirit”? Doesn’t it require great spirituality to be entitled to enter the kingdom of God? Isn’t the kingdom of heaven limited to those of us who are spiritual giants? Or, is the person whose faith is so simple as to believe what God is true first in line? God doesn’t use the same measuring stick we do. His sees the heart of a person.

4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

What is the reason for mourning? Is Jesus talking about someone who has lost a loved one to death? Or is He talking about those who realize their separation from God because of their sin – and who miss the relationship? God comforts those who seek a restoration of such a relationship.

5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.

What is meekness? Well, it isn’t weakness. Instead, meekness comes when one realizes his or her incapacity. Meekness is the first step to reliance upon a greater power for provision.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.

Jesus is telling us that our desire for righteousness must be genuine. Remember, His adversaries were those who were religious leaders. They assumed they were righteous – and then were very human and very unrighteous. We have to seek righteousness – actually desire it as food for the soul.

7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.

How can we be merciful? Where do we get the opportunity to show our mercy towards another? Well, think about that person who just insulted you or who just wronged you. How do you feel about them. Are you willing to show them mercy?

8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.

Whenever I see the term “pure in heart” I think of a small child who just trusts. And the truth of the matter is that unless I am willing to “just trust”, I won’t be able to see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.

What does it mean to be a peacemaker? Who are we making peace with? Or, better yet, who are we trying to help make peace with? I see it from an evangelistic viewpoint. People are at war with God – and we have the message of peace.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Persecution will come whenever we are doing God’s will. We are an adversary to Satan and his evil schemes. We are an adversary to those who want to live life by their own rules. We continue to try.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

People will insult us. People will revile us. But God is with us.

Now, the parallel in this first section is the Ten Commandments. Moses received the Ten Commandments and shared them with the people. Jesus didn’t do away with the commandments – we shall soon see that He expounded on them. But the Beatitudes is the groundwork for our faith. In these nine statements, Christ is outlining the relationships that result from our actions.

We will take a look at some more of the sermon tomorrow. Have a good Monday!

Agape’


Mr. Jim

Prayer Need:
From Mike Radcliff:
I'm praying for a friend that is having a rough time now...displaced from his wife and child due a job layoff and had to take a job many states away...now his family is falling apart. Please pray for this family, although most of you don't know to whom my heart is requesting help.