Jack Neal fills in for Jeremiah as we look at Jesus’ most popular sermon. What’s it about and how can we apply it today?
The Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 5
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to 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 those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness ‘sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you
(Matthew 5:2-12 ESV)
Jesus kicks it off huge. Then he dives into the Law and the Prophets (the teachings of our Old Testament). He makes a point of talking about how he will fulfill the law and the prophets and also talks about how that happens by changing our motivation for service. The deed itself is not as important as the intention.
So Murder boils down to anger and hatred. Adultery boils down to lust. His point is not to change the law but to expound upon how he will fulfill it and how we are to walk after him.
Matthew 6
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven
(Matthew 6:1 ESV)
He continues by expounding upon service from the heart instead of service for recognition. Then talks about reliance upon God for all our needs instead of worrying.
Matthew 7
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets
(Matthew 7:12 ESV)
The key is to follow Jesus through love since he ultimately fulfilled all the law.