Matthew 5: Sermon on the Mount, Part One

Matthew 5 Blog: Sermon on the Mount

The Sermon on the Mount is all about how to live in light of the coming Kingdom (Note the audience for the Sermon- is it the crowd or the disciples?). Chapter five roughly breaks down into three parts:

The Beatitudes (5:3-11): The values of a Kingdom-centered life (“the good life”)

Here we see the values of the world are turned upside-down by Jesus in light of the reversal that will take place when God’s reign is established. The disciples are called to live now in such as way that will align with God’s future work, although it will make life difficult in the present. Note that there is a tone of irony here. The word “blessed” is perhaps not the best translation for the beatitudes . . . many bible teachers favor a translation that says “Happy the one who . . .”. The point is that wisdom, and what constitutes a well lived life, can only be determined in light of the Kingdom.

The Mission (5:12-20): The goal of the disciples

By adopting the values of the Kingdom the disciples can now fulfill what Israel was called to be so many years before (Exodus 19:1-6): to be a holy people and kingdom of priests that reveals God to the world. That’s what it means to be salt, light, and a city on a hill. Furthermore, as the disciples fulfill this mission they will fulfill the Law, and in so doing they will live in a manner worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Examples of Kingdom Living (5:21-48): What it looks like in practice

The best way to understand this section is to start at the end first. Jesus ends this part of the discourse by telling His disciples to “be perfect, as your Father in Heaven is perfect” (5:48). Obviously, this is impossible. But that’s not the point. The point is, that God’s children are supposed to be like Him. They are supposed to be images of God who reveal to the world God’s character. This is exactly what God commanded Israel in Leviticus 19:2 (“You shall by holy, for I, the LORD your God am holy.”). Jesus does not accept “minimum” requirements like the Pharisees and scribes. The goal is NOT to just live up to a certain standard to be counted righteous. The point is for the disciples to live with their eyes fixed upon God and to imitate Him. There is obviously no end point to this journey, nor any place where one can rest easily in their righteousness. Each Law that Jesus names in this section is not bad in itself, but Jesus’ point is that the goal was never to meet these minimum requirements. The goal was never “don’t murder”, but to love your brother and sister. The goal was never “don’t commit adultery”, but to dedicate oneself wholly to one’s spouse. Each of these teaching points is about the abolishing minimum standards and pursuing the God’s full intentions.