The Sermon the Mount

Text Matthew 5:2-12

Hymn 457, 281

The Need for Hope

The principal ruling family in Palestine in the years that saw the dawn of the Christian era was the Herodian dynasty. Herod the Great was appointed by the Romans as the king of the Jews, reigning from 37 to 4 B.C. His rule was marked by intrigue and bloodshed, including the incident recorded in Matthew 2, called “the slaughter of the infants.”

Of the sons of Herod the most noted in the gospel records was Herod Antipas who ruled from 4 B.C. to A.D. 39 as Tetrarch of Galilee and Perea. It was this Herod whom John the Baptist accused of wrongfully marrying Herodias, costing John his life (Matt. 14:1–12). Jesus called Herod “that fox” (Luke 13:32), and it was he who was involved in the trial of Christ in Jerusalem (Luke 23:7–12). Walter M. Dunnett, Exploring the New Testament (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2001), 12.

So the world that Jesus came into, was a world that was filled with disease. It was a world where the majority of the population lived way below that poverty line. Demon possession was rampant; Roman oppression and taxation made the life of many difficulty some times unbearable; it was a dark world there was: depression, there was racism, there was classism. the Zealots acted as terrorists.

The people needed Hope. Just like us today, we need hope. Well things are a lot worse today than in the first century B.C.

Sickness and disease still take our loved ones from. Taxes are higher than they have ever been. Countries are warring against each other and it seems as if it is only a matter of time before someone fires a nuclear bomb. Things are tense, people are sick and depressed, Demons are possessing people now more than ever many are lunatics, like the people of first century Palestine we seem to be without hope, but Here Comes JESUS our hope in ages past; he fed that hungry, He healed that sick, He Cleansed that leper, He Cast out demons, He loosed the tongue of the speechless, He untangled the joints of Cripple, He broke the chains of the shackled, and put at ease the mind of the depressed.

You see that kingdom of God is at hand Jesus is coming again. Back in the first century A.D. Jesus preached that most powerful sermon ever preached; it caused a new hope to spring up in hearts of the people as Jesus elaborated on the Kingdom of God He preached

“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 gentle, 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 have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matt. 7:28, “the crowds were amazed at His teaching”).

Jesus instructed them in view of His announcement of the coming kingdom (4:17). Natural questions on the heart of every Jew would have been, “Am I eligible to enter Messiah’s kingdom? Am I righteous enough to qualify for entrance?” The only standard of righteousness the people knew was that laid down by the current religious leaders, the scribes and Pharisees. Would one who followed that standard be acceptable in Messiah’s kingdom? Jesus’ sermon therefore must be understood in the context of His offer of the kingdom to Israel and the need for repentance to enter that kingdom. Louis A. Barbieri Jr., “Matthew,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 28.

Faith’s Response

Selected Messages, Book 1 Section 5: Christ and the Doctrines

When we begin to realize that we are sinners, and fall on the Rock to be broken, the everlasting arms are placed about us, and we are brought close to the heart of Jesus. Then we shall be charmed with His loveliness, and disgusted with our own righteousness. We need to come close to the foot of the cross. The more we humble ourselves there, the more exalted will God’s love appear. The grace and righteousness of Christ will not avail for him who feels whole, for him who thinks he is reasonably good, who is contented with his own condition. There is no room for Christ in the heart of him who does not realize his need of divine light and aid.

Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). There is fullness of grace in God, and we may have His spirit and power in large measure. Do not feed on the husks of self-righteousness, but go to the Lord. He has the best robe to put upon you, and His arms are open to receive. Christ will say, “Take away the filthy garments from him, and clothe him with a change of raiment.”

Love in Action

Matthew 5:23–24 NASB95

“Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.

Wash someones Feet.