Chapters five through seven of Matthew, Jesus gives us His longest Sermon...C. S. Lewis calls it a Sledgehammer Sermon...To me it is the Greatest of Sermons and touches on the Greatest of Words ever spoken by any Man...There are important life lessons in this Sermon...Who cannot find some wisdom in this Sermon...
Jesus saw the multitudes following Him, so He went up into a mountain: and when He was set, His disciples came unto Him: And he opened His mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven...Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted....Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth...Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled...Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. ..Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God...Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God...Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven...Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me...Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you...
And in His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus began to unveil the heart of the New Covenant, a covenant that would fulfill and transcend the Law of Moses...
Matthew 5:1-48
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.
The Beatitudes
He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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.
Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
The Fulfillment of the Law
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Murder
21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
Adultery
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
Divorce
31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Oaths
33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Eye for Eye
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 6:1-15
Giving to the Needy
1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Prayer
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Fasting
16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Treasures in Heaven
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Do Not Worry
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 7:1- 29
Judging Others
1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
Ask, Seek, Knock
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
The Narrow and Wide Gates
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
True and False Prophets
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
True and False Disciples
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
The Wise and Foolish Builders
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
To understand the full impact of Jesus's First Sermon, we must first look at the Old Testament laws that he was referring to, and how He was about to change them...
While Leviticus provided detailed regulations for worship and sacrifice, pointing towards the need for atonement, Jesus revealed that true righteousness goes beyond external obedience...He called for an internal transformation, emphasizing love, mercy, truth, grace, and forgiveness...Just as the sacrificial offerings in Leviticus foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus' Own Life and Death became the Perfect Fulfillment, the 'Lamb without blemish' who takes away the sin of the world...He shifted the focus from outward rituals to inward purity, demonstrating that true worship comes from a heart transformed by love...This New Covenant of Jesus', is built on Grace and not legalism, empowers us to live as peacemakers, merciful and pure in heart, reflecting the very character of God...
Exodus begins to introduce the Ten Commandments and other crucial laws given to Moses by God at Mount Sinai...While the Ten Commandments in Exodus provide the foundational moral and ethical guidelines for the Israelites, Leviticus delves deeper into the practical application of God's law in their daily lives...It outlines specific regulations concerning worship, ritual purity, social conduct, and the administration of justice."...Leviticus starts out very much focusing on the key sacrificial offerings: burnt offerings, grain offerings, fellowship offerings, and sin offerings...In knowing this we must think about the One who said He has fulfilled the start and ending of these Laws of Moses and how He died...We might ask ourselves was this too, a Sacrifice in regards to the laws of Moses in Leviticus?...
We see Jesus' Divine Wisdom when He gives us His Sermon on the Mount...When Jesus Teaches us His first Sermon, He shifts the focus from external adherence to the Law of Moses to internal transformation...He emphasizes the importance of inner purity and righteousness, going beyond mere outward obedience...For example, instead of simply prohibiting murder, Jesus condemns anger and hatred, recognizing that these internal attitudes can lead to violence and to murder...The Sermon on the Mount emphasizes love as the cornerstone of the His Ministry and the New Covenant He would be Teaching...Jesus commands His followers to love their enemies, to forgive those who have wronged them, and to serve the needs of others, even those considered enemies...Cultivating love for our neighbors fosters greater peace and reduces crime within our communities...This radical call to love transcends the limitations of legalistic obedience and points towards a deeper, more transformative way of living...Jesus highlights the importance of Grace and Mercy, emphasizing that true righteousness extends beyond the letter of the Moses law, and all laws for that matter...He emphasizes forgiveness, compassion, and the importance of seeking reconciliation...The Sermon on the Mount provides a blueprint for living out the principles of the New Covenant and the Good News He brings us...It demonstrates how true justice, rooted in love and compassion, surpasses mere legalistic adherence to rules...
Jesus in this Sermon says He would fulfill all the Laws of Moses...So we learn from Jesus when He said: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them...For truly, I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished."...
Jesus profound statements about the Law of Moses emphasizes the continuity between the Old and New Testaments...Jesus' First Sermon and the significance of the Sermon on the Mount and its connection to the principles of the New Covenant were laid out very early in His Ministry...With Jesus we see how justice can fully really reach its potential...
Leviticus, with its detailed regulations regarding worship and sacrifice, provides a framework for understanding God's holiness and the importance of obedience...Jesus, through His life, death, and resurrection, fulfilled the sacrificial system outlined in Leviticus...He became the Ultimate Sacrifice, atoning for the sins of humanity and reconciling us to God...The emphasis started to shift when Jesus was born and then a big shift as His Ministry started and was completed with His death and resurrection: While the Old Testament Law focused heavily on external rituals and ceremonial observances, Jesus emphasized the importance of internal transformation, focusing on mercy, love for God and neighbor...The Law is a Teacher: The Law, with its numerous regulations, served as a "schoolmaster" (Galatians 3:24), pointing towards the ultimate fulfillment in Christ...It revealed the depth of human sin and our constant need for God's Grace...
By fulfilling the Law, Jesus did not diminish its significance but rather revealed its ultimate purpose...He demonstrated that true obedience to God involves a heart-level transformation, a turning away from sin and a commitment to living a life of love and service...In essence, Jesus bridges the Old and New Testaments, providing the fulfillment of God's promises and offering humanity a path to reconciliation and eternal life...
We know that Jesus was and is The Ultimate Sacrifice...Jesus, through His death on the cross, fulfilled the sacrificial system...He became the Ultimate "Lamb without blemish," the Perfect and Final Sacrifice for the sins of humanity...
o Burnt Offerings: Symbolized complete devotion to God...Jesus, through His life of obedience and selfless service, offered Himself completely to the Father's Will...
o Grain Offerings: Symbolized thanksgiving and dedication of one's life to God...Jesus, through His life of service and ministry, offered Himself as a living sacrifice, dedicated to fulfilling God's will...
o Fellowship Offerings: Symbolized communion with God and a sharing of blessings...Jesus, through His teachings and His life, offered humanity the opportunity to enter into a deeper fellowship with God...
o Sin Offerings: Symbolized atonement for sin...Jesus, through His death on the cross, bore the penalty for the sins of humanity, reconciling us to God...Through His death He comes both our Savior and our Mediator with God...Jesus is the Way, our Only Way to God...
The Levitical laws might be seen as precursors and the beginning of our modern laws...The Levitical laws aimed to establish order and justice within Israelite society and their nation...They addressed issues like property rights, social justice, and the protection of the vulnerable...These concepts, such as the importance of just and equitable treatment, continue to be foundational principles in modern legal systems throughout the world...Many of the Levitical laws, particularly those related to ethical conduct, provided moral guidelines for the Israelites...These guidelines, such as prohibitions against murder, theft, and adultery, reflect fundamental moral principles that continue to be relevant in modern societies...The Levitical laws sought to foster a just and harmonious society...They emphasized the importance of compassion, justice, and care for the marginalized...These principles remain essential for building just and equitable societies today...Without laws like those in Leviticus and the current modern laws that uphold justice, compassion, and care for the marginalized, societies struggle to thrive and reflect the values of a just and loving God...While the Levitical laws offer valuable insights into the foundations of a just society, Jesus shows us they should not be applied rigidly or legalistically...True justice, as exemplified by the Master Teacher Jesus, requires a deeper internal transformation – a love for God and neighbor that transcends mere legal compliance...
So Jesus gives us a fresh look at the Law and what Modern Laws should look like...With Jesus coming to dwell among us, we see One who is Full of Grace and Truth...A New Covenant would be established when Jesus finished His Ministry...Jesus established a "New Covenant" based on faith and grace, fulfilling and surpassing the Law of Moses...Jesus would focus on the heart and not the strict legal ways of the law...Jesus emphasized internal transformation – love for God and neighbor – over external adherence to ritualistic laws...Jesus would offer mercy, grace and forgiveness...Jesus emphasized God's LOVE, Grace and Forgiveness, offering salvation to all who believe in Him, regardless of their past sins...Jesus is the True Temple of God...Jesus' Body became the True Temple of God, by fulfilling the symbolic significances of the Arc of the Covenant, the tabernacle and the temple in the Old Testament....We no longer need an Arc of the Covenant, a Tabernacle, or the Temple...Jesus is all these things...Jesus, through His death on the cross, fulfilled the purpose of these sacrifices...He became the ultimate and final sacrifice, the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29)...His sacrifice was Perfect and Complete, once and for all atoning for the sins of humanity had been taken care...
So this New Covenant established by Jesus transcends the limitations of the Law of Moses and furthers modern laws...The Original Law of Moses primarily focused on external behavior and ritualistic observances and most modern laws follow this idea...The New Covenant, however, emphasizes internal transformation – a change of heart, a focus on loving God and neighbor, and living a life that reflects God's Grace...The Law of Moses, while pointing to the need for redemption, could often feel burdensome and legalistic...The New Covenant, based on the Grace of God through Jesus Christ, offers freedom from the burden of legalistic demands and empowers believers to live lives of love and service...So we see that Jesus teaches Grace over Legalism and the Moses and Modern Laws...Jesus emphasized the importance of love, compassion, and forgiveness, virtues that lie at the heart of true justice...He taught that true righteousness extends beyond outward conformity to include inner transformation and a commitment to serving others...The New Covenant transcends the limitations of a specific cultural and historical context...It offers a universal message of hope and redemption for all people, regardless of their background or social status...Justice is really blind, when you love God and everyone of your neighbors...
Jesus teaches us that laws alone cannot guarantee a loving and just society...Laws can be enforced without compassion, and societies can become overly reliant on legalistic systems while neglecting the deeper spiritual and ethical foundations for just behavior...True justice requires more than just adherence to rules...As Jesus commands we need empathy, compassion, and a genuine desire to serve the needs of others to have justice for all...The New Covenant, as exemplified in the life and teachings of Jesus, emphasizes that true justice flows from a heart transformed by love for God and neighbor...While laws provide a framework for order and justice, they cannot replace the internal transformation that comes from a genuine relationship with God...Nations without effective New Covenant type laws, get in the habit of marginalizing their weaker neighbors, who are often the most vulnerable to exploitation, discrimination, and denial of basic human rights... The absence of a strong compassionate, empathetic, loving legal framework allows for the abuse of power and perpetuates systemic inequalities that further marginalize these vulnerable populations...Laws that reflect the principles of the New Covenant, prioritizing compassion and love for all, are ultimately the foundation for True Justice...
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus didn't merely offer a new set of rules; He unveiled a radical transformation of the human heart...By fulfilling the Law of Moses, He revealed its deeper purpose: to point us toward a life of love, grace, forgiveness, and true righteousness...This Sermon, a cornerstone of the New Covenant, continues to challenge us to move beyond external obedience and embrace an inward change, shaping not just our actions, but our very character...The legacy of this teaching and this Sermon is hopefully etched in the lives of those who follow Him, and is a testament to the enduring power of love to build a just and compassionate world...