Matthew 5: Jesus Preaches His Sermon on the Mount

Mathew Chapter 5 starts Jesus’ most famous teachings in the Sermon on the Mount (Chapters 5-7). Here, He tells us how we should live. These are the rules of the Kingdom of Heaven. It’s really rather simple. We are to constantly strive to be Christlike. What people miss, is that there’s a benefit for each rule. And, as He says in the last verse of Chapter 5, “But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Really?! How?! Let’s dig in….

Matthew 5

One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

“God blesses (special honor and recognition) those who are poor and realize their need for him, (poor in spirit)
    for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

These are people who realize that they are sinners and in need of a savior. The Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. Is the Kingdom of Heaven yours?

“God blesses those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.

I love this one. Especially since I recently lost two close friends. I am comforted because I am sure that I will see them in Heaven because they were both born again Christians. It’s the assurance that is only found through the salvation of Jesus Christ.

“God blesses those who are humble, (meek)
    for they will inherit the whole earth.

God doesn’t like pride. Humility is the opposite of being prideful. In some versions, the word is “meek” –great power under great control. That’s something to think about.

“God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, (righteousness)
    for they will be satisfied.

If you seek what is good, you will find it.

“God blesses those who are merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.

Be kind to others and you will be shown kindness.

“God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
    for they will see God.

Is your heart pure? What are you feeding it? Is it time to clean up your act?

“God blesses those who work for peace,
    for they will be called the children of God.

The Jews were living under Roman occupation. There were factions who wanted to fight the Romans by force. They thought that the Messiah, Jesus, would come to do that. Here, He stresses that the peacemakers will be called children of God. When you surrender your life to Jesus, you become a child of God.

10 “God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
    for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

I turn to these every time that I get mocked or insulted for sharing the truth about the Good News. It’s my confirmation to keep doing what I’m doing, because my great reward awaits me in Heaven.

Teaching about Salt and Light

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Jesus is the sun, we are the moon — reflecting the light. We, born again, Christians, who have the Holy Spirit within us, should reflect His light in our daily lives.

Teaching about the Law

17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. 19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

20 “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

Teaching about Anger

21 “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ 22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.

23 “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.

25 “When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny.

It takes a lot of the Holy Spirit’s self-control to keep me from calling certain people idiots. I think about it, then I remember that verse. Holding grudges hurts nobody but yourself. That’s where humility comes in. Giving the issue to God is the only solution. Reconciliation: do it based on truth and mercy, not confrontation. Gee, wouldn’t the world be a much better place if everyone lived like that?

Teaching about Adultery

27 “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, 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 hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, 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 be thrown into hell.

In other words, it’s better to live without sin than to spend eternity in hell. Your eyes are an entryway to the heart — so watch what you watch!

Teaching about Divorce

31 “You have heard the law that says, ‘A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce.’ 32 But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.

If you are divorced, repent and ask Jesus for forgiveness. And that’s all I’m going to say on the subject. I defer to any of the Bible Studies in the free YouVersion Bible app that deal with this subject.

Teaching about Vows

33 “You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’ 34 But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. 35 And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. 36 Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. 37 Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.

Teaching about Revenge

38 “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.

Teaching about Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

Matthew 5 NLT

There’s that line! “But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Call it sanctification or purification, that is something that we cannot ever accomplish by ourselves. We need Jesus! Particularly when it comes to praying for those who persecute you, or your enemies. However, that’s exactly what Jesus is talking about here. Imagine praying for the people who jailed you unjustly. I watched the Virtual Event by The Voice of the Martyrs. It featured 3 men who were imprisoned for preaching the Gospel. They prayed for their jailers. Many came to Christ because of them. Prayer is powerful. Jesus is powerful.

You, Too Can Tap into the Power of Jesus!

If you’re not sure if you’re saved or not, if you truly want to be born again and have the assurance of salvation, receive the Holy Spirit, feel His Shalom — a peace that surpasses all understanding, and get a 1-way, non-stop ticket to Heaven after you die, or that you won’t be left behind at the Rapture, which can happen at any moment, this is what you have to do…

Invite Jesus into Your Heart and Receive the Gift of Grace, Joy, Peace, and the Confident Hope of Eternal Life…


Soli Deo Gloria! To God Alone Be the Glory!

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