Matthew 5
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Matthew 5: The Beatitudes
Matthew 5: The Beatitudes
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
And seeing the multitudes: The previous chapter mentioned that great multitudes followed Him, coming from many different regions (Matthew 4:25). In response to this, Jesus went up on a mountain.
it is wrong to think that Jesus went up on a mountain to remove Himself from the multitudes. It is true that Jesus gave this teaching to His disciples, but this use of the term is probably broad, including many among the great multitudes that followed Him mentioned in Matthew 4:25. By the end of the Sermon on the Mount, people in general heard His message and were amazed which we will see in Matthew 7:28
“Jesus was not monastic in spirit, and He had not two doctrines, one for the many, another for the few, like Buddha. His highest teaching…was meant for the millions.” (F.F. Bruce)
Jesus will speak and teach; it is God speaking but no longer through an inspired human personality like Jeremiah or Isaiah or Samuel; now the truth of God spoken through the God in the flesh.
And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
Then He opened His mouth: This means that Jesus used his voice in a strong way to teach this crowd. He spoke with energy, projecting His message.
“Jesus Christ spoke like a man in earnest; he enunciated clearly, and spake loudly. He lifted up his voice like a trumpet, and published salvation far and wide, like a man who had something to say which he desired his audience to hear and feel.” (Spurgeon)
And taught them, saying: What they heard was a message that has long been recognized as the sum of Jesus’ ethical teaching. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us how to live.
The Sermon on the Mount is sometimes thought of as Jesus’ “Declaration of the Kingdom.” The American Revolutionaries had their Declaration of Independence. With this message, Jesus declared what His Kingdom is all about.
It is important to understand that the Sermon on the Mount shows Christians how we should strive to live life, each and every day.
But it also shows us how we should spread His word. His message is meant to be passed on.
It is clear that the Sermon on the Mount had a significant impact on the early church. The early Christians made constant reference to it and did their best to reflect it in their lives.
The Beatitudes: the character of kingdom citizens.
The Beatitudes: the character of kingdom citizens.
The first portion of the Sermon on the Mount is known as the Beatitudes, which means “The Blessings” but think of it as giving a Christian their “be – attitudes” – the attitudes they should “be.” In the Beatitudes, Jesus sets forth both the traits we should already have as Christians, as well as those we should strive to learn.
If someone reflects none of these traits then it may be safe to question if they are truly trying to follow Christ, but at the same time someone that claims to have mastered all of these traits is probably in the same boat.
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed: Jesus promised blessing to His disciples, promising that the poor in spirit are blessed. The idea behind the ancient Greek word for blessed is “happy,” but in the truest, godly sense of the word, not in our modern sense of happiness being comfort or being entertained at the moment.
This same word for blessed – which in some sense means “happy” – is applied to God in 1 Timothy 1:11: according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God. “Makarios then describes that joy which is serene and untouchable, and self-contained, that joy which is completely independent of all the chances and changes of life.” (Barclay)
In Matthew 25:34, Jesus said that on the Day of Judgment He would say to His people, Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. On that day, He will judge between the blessed and the cursed – He both knows and explains what the requirements are for being blessed or happy.
“Note, also, with delight, that the blessing is in every case in the present tense, a happiness to be now enjoyed and delighted in. It is not ‘Blessed shall be,’ but ‘Blessed are.’” (Spurgeon)
The poor in spirit recognize that they have no spiritual “assets”, nothing of spiritual value without Christ. The ancient Greek had a word for the “working poor/middle class” and a word for the “truly poor.” Jesus used the word for the truly poor here. It indicates someone who must beg for whatever they have or get.
This beatitude is first, because this is where we start with God. “A ladder, if it is to be of any use, must have its first step near the ground, or feeble climbers will never be able to mount. It would have been a grievous discouragement to struggling faith if the first blessing had been given to the pure in heart;” (Spurgeon)
Everyone can start here; it isn’t first blessed are the pure or the holy or the spiritual or the wonderful. Everyone can be poor in spirit.
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven: Those who are poor in spirit, so poor they must beg, are rewarded. They receive the kingdom of heaven, because poverty of spirit is an absolute prerequisite for receiving the kingdom of heaven, and as long as we harbor illusions about our own spiritual resources, we will never receive from God what we absolutely need to be saved.
The call to be poor in spirit is placed first for a reason, because it puts the following commands into perspective. They cannot be fulfilled by our own strength or knowledge, but only by a beggar’s reliance on God.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are those who mourn: The Greek indicates an intense degree of mourning. Jesus does not speak of casual sorrow, but a deep grief before God.
The Greek word for mourn, used here, is the strongest word for mourning in the Greek language. It is the word which is used for mourning for the dead, for the grief of losing a loved one.
This mourning is the godly sorrow that produces repentance to salvation that Paul described in 2 Corinthians 7:10.
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
For they shall be comforted: Those who mourn over their sin and their sinful condition are promised comfort. God allows this grief into our lives as a path, not as a destination.
Those who mourn can grow closer to God; through trying to understand the fellowship of His sufferings (Philippians 3:10),
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are the meek: It is impossible to translate this Greek word praus (meek) with just one English word. It has the idea of the proper balance between anger and indifference, of a powerful personality properly controlled, and of humility.
In the Greek language, the meek person was not easily pushed around. The main idea behind the word “meek” was strength under control.
To be meek means to show willingness to submit and work under proper authority. It also shows a willingness to disregard our own “rights” and privileges.
·The meek are blessed because they are meek before God, in that they submit to His will and to His Word.
· They are meek before men, in that they are strong – yet also humble, gentle, patient, and longsuffering.
The promise “they shall inherit the earth” proves that God will not allow His meek ones to end up on the short end of the deal.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are those who hunger: This describes a profound hunger that cannot be satisfied by a snack. This is a longing that endures and is never completely satisfied on this side of eternity.
· This spiritual hunger is real, just like hunger and thirst are real.
· This is natural, just like hunger and thirst are natural in a healthy person.
· It can be intense, just like physical hunger and thirst can be.
· This spiritual hunger and thirst is a sign of health, just like physical hunger and thirst show health.
It is good to remember that Jesus said this in a day and to a culture that really knew what it was to be hungry and thirsty. Modern people are often so distant from the basic needs of hunger and thirst that we can also find it difficult to hunger and thirst after righteousness.
“He hungers and thirsts after righteousness. He does not hunger and thirst that his own political party may get into power, but he does hunger and thirst that righteousness may be done in the land. He does not hunger and thirst that his own opinions may come to the front, and that his own sect or denomination may increase in numbers and influence, but he does desire that righteousness may come to the fore.” (Spurgeon)
For they shall be filled: Jesus promised to fill the hungry; the Bread of Life fulfilling that spiritual hunger.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
For they shall obtain mercy: If we want mercy from others – especially God – then we should take care to be merciful to others. Some people wonder why God showed such remarkable mercy to King David, especially in the terrible ways in which he sinned. One reason God gave him such mercy was because David was notably merciful to King Saul, and on several occasions was kind to a very unworthy Saul. In David, the merciful obtained mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the pure in heart: In the Greek, the phrase pure of heart has the idea of straightness, honesty, and clarity. There can be two ideas connected to this. One is of inner moral purity as opposed to the image of purity or ceremonial purity. The other idea is of a single, undivided heart – those who are sincere and not divided in their devotion and commitment to God.
“Christ was dealing with men’s spirits, with their inner and spiritual nature. He did this more or less in all the Beatitudes, and this one strikes the very center of the target as he says, not ‘Blessed are the pure in language, or the pure in action,’ much less ‘Blessed are the pure in ceremonies, or in raiment, or in food;’ but ‘Blessed are the pure in heart.’” (Spurgeon)
For they shall see God: In this, the pure of heart receive the most wonderful reward, to see God, to be able to walk in His presence in the eternity. But if we pay attention we can see God reflected all around us.
· The pure in heart can see God in nature, in scripture, in their family, friends, and loved ones.
Ultimately, our relationship with God must become our greatest motivation for purity, greater than a fear of getting caught or a fear of consequences, and greater than the desire to uphold tradition.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: This does not describe those who live in peace, but those who bring about peace, overcoming evil with good. One way we accomplish this is through spreading the gospel, because God has entrusted to us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18).
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
“The verse which precedes it speaks of the blessedness of ‘the pure in heart, for they shall see God.’ It is well that we should understand this. We are to be ‘first pure, then peaceable.’ Our peaceableness is never to be a compact with sin, or an alliance with that which is evil. We must set our faces like flints against everything which is contrary to God and his holiness. That being in our souls a settled matter, we can go on to peaceableness towards men.” (Spurgeon)
We commonly think of this peacemaking work as being the job of one person who stands between two fighting parties. This may be one way this is fulfilled; but we can also end a conflict and be a peacemaker when we are part of the conflict.
For they shall be called sons of God: The reward of peacemakers is that they are recognized as true children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Blessed are those who are persecuted: These blessed ones are persecuted for righteousness’ sake and for Jesus’ sake (for My sake). Peter recognized that suffering might come to us for reasons other than our faithfulness to Jesus (1 Peter 4:15-16), and this is not what Jesus addressed here.
But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
The traits described in the Beatitudes don’t seem to be valued much in today’s world. We don’t give awards to the “Most Pure in Heart” or “Most Poor in Spirit.” Even though modern culture doesn’t think much of these traits and attitudes, GOD DOES.
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake: Jesus brings insults and lies into the conversation of a Christian’s persecution. We cannot limit our idea of persecution to only physical opposition or torture. More often than not, it is mental or emotional. It’s rumors and gossip. It’s name calling and insults.
Early Christians heard many enemies say all kinds of evil against them for Jesus’ sake. Christians were accused of things like:
· Cannibalism, because of gross and deliberate misrepresentation of the practice of the Lord’s Supper.
· Treason, because they would not honor the Roman gods and participate in emperor worship.
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad: Why would we rejoice and be glad while being persecuted? Because we are being persecuted for CHRIST’s sake and the persecuted will have great reward in heaven, and we are in good company: the prophets were also persecuted.
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
You are the salt of the earth: Disciples are like salt because they are precious. In Jesus’ day, salt was a valued commodity. Roman soldiers were sometimes paid with salt, giving rise to the phrase “worth his salt.”
You are the salt of the earth: Disciples are like salt because they have a preserving influence. Salt is used to preserve meats and to slow decay. Christians should have a preserving influence on those around them.
If the salt loses its flavor…it is then good for nothing: Salt must keep its “saltiness” to be of any value. When it is no good as salt, it is trampled under foot. In the same way, we can lose our “flavor” and become good for nothing.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
You are the light of the world: Jesus gives Christians both a great compliment and a great responsibility when He says that we are the light of the world, because He claimed that title for Himself as He walked this earth (John 8:12
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Light of the world means that we are not only light-receivers, but also light-givers. We must have a greater concern than only ourselves, and we cannot live only to ourselves; we need to reflect Christ’s light into the world, and do so lovingly.
Jesus never challenged us to become salt or light. He said that we are – and we are either fulfilling or failing that responsibility.
Salt is needed because the world is rotting and decaying, light is needed because the world is in darkness.
The purpose of light is to illuminate and expose what is there. Therefore light must be exposed before it is of any use – if it is hidden under a basket, it is no longer useful.
“Christ knew that there would be strong temptation for the men that had it in them to be lights to hide their light. It would draw the world’s attention to them, and so expose them to the ill will of such as hate the light.” (Bruce)
A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden: Such a city is prominent and can’t be hidden. If you see such a city from a distance, it is hard to take your eyes off of it. In the same way, Jesus wants us to live visible lives that attract attention to the beauty of God’s work in our lives.
Nor do they light a candle and put it under a basket, but on a candlestick: The idea of a candle gives the sense that we should be intentional about letting this light shine. Lighting is placed higher so their light can be more effective, we should look for ways to let our light shine in greater ways.
That they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven: The purpose in letting our light so shine by doing good works is so that others will glorify God, not ourselves.
The two pictures together are powerful, speaking of the effect of Jesus’ disciples in the world:
· Salt is the opposite of corruption, and it prevents corruption from getting worse.
· Light gives the gift of guidance, so that those who have lost their way can find the path home.
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: Jesus here began a long discussion of the law, and wanted to make it clear that He did not oppose what God gave Israel in the Old Testament. He did not come to destroy the word of God, but to fulfill it, and to correct the way the Pharisees and Scribes had wrongly interpreted it.
For verily I say unto you: “Truly (Greek Amen), I say to you is Jesus’ own signature: no other teacher is known to have used it
I did not come to destroy but to fulfill: Jesus wanted to make it clear that He had authority apart from the Law of Moses, but not in contradiction to it. Jesus added nothing to the law except one thing that no man had ever added to the law: perfect obedience.
· Jesus fulfilled the Law by His death on the cross, taking the penalty we deserved.
The Apostle Paul wrote this: (Romans 10:4).
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
One jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled: The jot and the tittle were small marks in Hebrew writing. Jesus here told us that not only the ideas of the word of God are important, but also the words themselves – even the letters of the words – are important. This shows us how highly God regards His word.
The jot refers to yod (י), the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet; it looks like half a letter.
The tittle is a small mark in a Hebrew letter, somewhat like the crossing of a “t” or the tail on a “y.”
“Though all earth and hell should join together to hinder the accomplishment of the great designs of the Most High, yet it shall all be in vain-even the sense of a single letter shall not be lost. The words of God, which point out his designs, are as unchangeable as his nature itself.” (Clarke)
Till all is fulfilled: This is true in a few different senses.
· It is the assurance that Jesus Himself fulfilled the law by His perfect obedience.
· It is the assurance that God’s plan will never be set aside until all things are fulfilled at the end of the age.
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments: The commandments are to be obeyed as explained and fulfilled by Jesus’ life and teaching, not as in the legalistic thinking of the religious authorities of Jesus’ day. For example, sacrifice is commanded by the law, but it was fulfilled in Jesus, so we do not have to worry about being called least in the kingdom of heaven by not observing animal sacrifice.
Whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven: Our salvation and good standing with God comes not through the law, but through Christ. One passage that explains this is Galatians 2:21
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
The law sends us to Jesus to be justified, because it shows us our inability to please God ourselves. But after we come to Jesus, He sends us back to the law to learn the heart of God for our conduct and sanctification.
Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven: Considering the incredible devotion to the law shown by the scribes and Pharisees, how can we ever hope to exceed their righteousness?
The Pharisees were so meticulous in their keeping of the law that they would even tithe from the small spices obtained from their herb gardens (Matthew 23:23).
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Now think about this. In 1992, tenants let three apartments in an Orthodox neighborhood in Israel burn to the ground while they asked a rabbi whether a telephone call to the fire department on the Sabbath violated Jewish law. Observant Jews are forbidden to use the phone on the Sabbath, because doing so would break an electrical current, which is considered a form of work. In the half-hour it took the rabbi to decide “yes,” the fire spread to two neighboring apartments.
Though the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees was impressive to human observation, it could not prevail before God (Isaiah 64:6).
But we are all as an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; And we all do fade as a leaf; And our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
We are not made righteous by keeping the law. The key to our salvation is the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His mercy, His Grace, His forgiveness. His love for us was so great that He was willing to face the punishment for our inability to find salvation through the law. He was willing to pay the price for our sins. We should do our best to reflect His light and His love into this world, we should try to follow the law to the best of our abilities, but never forgetting that we will fail and that repentance and Christ’s mercy is our sabbath, our peace, and our rest. Our righteousness can exceed the scribes and Pharisees because it doesn’t belong to us. It belongs to Jesus Christ.
Matthew 5 part 1: The Beatitudes
Matthew 5 part 1: The Beatitudes
