Sermon-Sermon on the Mount #1

Jesus Begins His Ministry

[a] But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

NRSV

2 [a] The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined.

After John was cast into prison, Jesus departs to Galilee. He dwells in Capernaum by the sea in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali that the prophecy of , might be fulfilled. The prophet Isaiah also predicted that the Messiah would live by "the way to the sea," Via Maris () and Jesus fulfilled this prophecy by living in Capernaum ().

He moved from Nazareth to the city of Capernaum, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, but more importantly, on the main highway through the land, a trade route.

During his ministry, Jesus lived in Capernaum, a small town near the Sea of Galilee. Capernaum served as a military post for the Romans. People from around the world could hear Jesus' message as they traveled this route. The area was home to a variety of people, from religious zealots to pagans, and from devout to secular Jews.

Once a volcanic lake, the Sea of Galilee left large deposits of volcanic rock, or basalt, in the surrounding area. Many people living in Capernaum were tektons (tech can), people who worked with stones. Tekton can also be a carpenter. Jesus was probably a tekton by trade, and his hometown of Capernaum was known for their production of basalt food processing implements.

The town of Capernaum is the location of the record of the centurion who sent a delegation of Jewish elders to Jesus requesting his slave be healed. The elders backed up the centurions request with what statement?

He built us a synagogue , but the centurion was a gentile so how could Jesus justify honoring his request? The temple is for all those who come to worship and honor God.

​The Eastern/Greek Orthodox Bible: New Testament

  AndG2532 leavingG2641 Nazareth,G3478 he cameG2064 and dweltG2730 inG1519 Capernaum,G2584 which is upon the sea coast,G3864 inG1722 the bordersG3725 of ZabulonG2194 andG2532 Nephthalim:G3508 

  The landG1093 of Zabulon,G2194 andG2532 the landG1093 of Nephthalim,G3508 by the wayG3598 of the sea,G2281 beyondG4008 Jordan,G2446 GalileeG1056 of theG3588 Gentiles;G1484 

Ministry of John the Baptist and baptism of Jesus.

  TheG3588 peopleG2992 whichG3588 satG2521 inG1722 darknessG4655 sawG1492 greatG3173 light;G5457 andG2532 to them which satG2521 inG1722 the regionG5561 andG2532 shadowG4639 of deathG2288 lightG5457 is sprung up.G393 

  FromG575 that timeG5119 JesusG2424 beganG756 to preach,G2784 andG2532 to say,G3004 Repent:G3340 forG1063 theG3588 kingdomG932 of heavenG3772 is at hand.G1448 

To you: Be immersed in His death burial and resurrection and His life.The Message: the “kingdom of the heavens at hand,” John presents Jesus not as King who would at that time set up His earthly throne, but as “the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world” (the true prophetic order).

Written by Matthew the Evangelist/Disciple/apostle

Temptation of Jesus. Jesus’ public ministry begun. Call of first disciples.

Jesus has gone up the mountain to pray. The next day He calls His disciples and appoints 12 whom He called, Apostles. The difference between these 12 and the other disciples in , He called these 12 to a specific mission. At this time He begins to teach them of the Kingdom of God.

To you: The Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit, which if rightly handled, will defeat Satan/Yetzer HaRa in the attempts to snare the. believer by tempting usually through the five senses. Beware of Satanic twisting of Scripture—“rightly divide the Word of Truth.” Justification. The Message: (1). lust of the flesh (tree good for food); Jesus to turn stones into bread. (2). Lust of the eyes (tree pleasant to the eyes); Jesus—glory of kingdoms of the earth—to take them in a way not appointed by the Father. (3). Pride of the life—(desired to make one wise); Jesus—to throw Himself from pinnacle to be hailed by crowds below as the long expected Messiah.He is the Bread of Life, His Glory comes from the Father and His Kingdom belongs to God, He is obedient to the Word, He is the Word of God. The authority of the king to call people to follow Him

Tax collector

Spoke Aramaic and Greek

Jesus in the synagogue at Nazareth. Casting of demons out of man at Capernaum. Healing of Peter’s wife’s mother and others.

To You: Not all things are manifested in this realm at this time. That does not change they are true. We are to carry the Gospel which contains the power of the Word of God to restore wholeness to mankind. God is a God of order. The Message: The words of Christ’s mouth were attended with a power which pricked the consciences of men, dispersed evil spirits and they drove away disease.When Jesus visited the synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth, he stood up to read the Scripture but then sat down to give his interpretation (). Jesus, therefore, is acting as a rabbi when he sits down to give his teaching..Notice Jesus stopped His quotation in the middle of a passage from Isaiah. He stopped with “the acceptable year of the Lord”—which is His first advent, but He knew His coming rejection. “The day of vengeance of our God” has to do with His second advent, and He therefore omitted it at the time. The acceptable year of the Lord =Jubilee.Ben Joseph vs 1 and 2a and Ben David vs 2b

In the success of Jesus’s preaching of the Kingdom is seen.

Healing of the palsied man. Call of Matthew. Parable of the cloth and bottles. Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath.

To you: Power of Christ. True faith and trust in Him will overcome all obstacles and bring deliverance.The message: In calling his first disciples (), Jesus’ directness and the immediate response may be modeled on Elijah’s call to Elisha in . In the summary of Christ’s ministering throughout Galilee (), the references to his healing many diseases call to mind the healings associated with the messianic age, especially in .

In the success of Jesus’s preaching of the Kingdom is seen.

Miraculous draught of fishes. Healing of a leper and a paralytic. Call of Matthew. The scribes and Pharisees answered. Parables of the garment and bottles.

To you: He is Lord of Creation, He is God Almighty but you must have faith and trust that He Is the Great I Am. He alone has the power to forgive sins.The Message: Jesus Christ has power to forgive sin proving that He is God. Jesus Christ has divine power to command creation , to drive out incurable disease by His Word; to separate sinners from the penalty of their sins, and authority to call whom He will.

The marriage at Cana and the first miracle of Jesus. The passover and the purification of the temple.

To You: Those who expect the blessings of Christ must with obedience observe His Words. All things function through love. You must be right with your brother before you can be righteous before God.The Message: Confirmed by God at Cana The King has now come to cleanse the Temple, His resurrection will settle the question of by whose authority He cleansed the Temple.

What was Johns mission? .

What was Johns mission? .  And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.   And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.  What does say? How does this relate to the cleansing of the Temple? . .  Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.   But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:   And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.*  *human life and human community look like when they come under the gracious rule of God. (EOB: NT) 17 From that time on, Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” What is the prerequisite to entrance in the Kingdom of God?RepentanceWhat does it mean to Repent?"teshuva" it means to return, to change your way of thinking toward God Pick one word to describe the action of those Jesus called in -22Obedience18 Walking by the sea of Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers: Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother. They were casting a net into the sea since they were fishermen. 19 He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fish for people!” 20 Immediately, they left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them. 22 At once, they left the boat and their father, and followed him. In the success of Jesus’s preaching of the Kingdom is seen.

  And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.   And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. 

What does say? Who is the messenger in ? How does this relate to the cleansing of the Temple? . .

What does say? How does this relate to the cleansing of the Temple? . .  Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.   But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:   And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.*  *human life and human community look like when they come under the gracious rule of God. (EOB: NT) 17 From that time on, Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” What is the prerequisite to entrance in the Kingdom of God?RepentanceWhat does it mean to Repent?"teshuva" it means to return, to change your way of thinking toward God Pick one word to describe the action of those Jesus called in -22Obedience18 Walking by the sea of Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers: Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother. They were casting a net into the sea since they were fishermen. 19 He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fish for people!” 20 Immediately, they left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them. 22 At once, they left the boat and their father, and followed him. In the success of Jesus’s preaching of the Kingdom is seen.

.   Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

   But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

  And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.*

(  Temple cleansing and the sons of Levi)

*human life and human community look like when they come under the gracious rule of God.

EOB: NT 17 From that time on, Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

*human life and human community look like when they come under the gracious rule of God. (EOB: NT) 17 From that time on, Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” What is the prerequisite to entrance in the Kingdom of God?RepentanceWhat does it mean to Repent?"teshuva" it means to return, to change your way of thinking toward God Pick one word to describe the action of those Jesus called in -22Obedience18 Walking by the sea of Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers: Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother. They were casting a net into the sea since they were fishermen. 19 He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fish for people!” 20 Immediately, they left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them. 22 At once, they left the boat and their father, and followed him. In the success of Jesus’s preaching of the Kingdom is seen.

What is the prerequisite to entrance in the Kingdom of God?

trance in the Kingdom of God?

(EOB: NT) 17 From that time on, Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” What is the prerequisite to entrance in the Kingdom of God?RepentanceWhat does it mean to Repent?"teshuva" it means to return, to change your way of thinking toward God Pick one word to describe the action of those Jesus called in -22Obedience18 Walking by the sea of Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers: Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother. They were casting a net into the sea since they were fishermen. 19 He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fish for people!” 20 Immediately, they left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them. 22 At once, they left the boat and their father, and followed him. In the success of Jesus’s preaching of the Kingdom is seen.

Repentance

What does it mean to Repent?

"teshuva" it means to return, to change your way of thinking toward God

"teshuva" it means to return, to change your way of thinking toward God

Pick one word to describe the action of those Jesus called in

Pick one word to describe the action of those Jesus called in

Obedience

. In the success of Jesus’s preaching of the Kingdom is seen.

In the success of Jesus’s preaching of the Kingdom is seen.

​The Eastern/Greek Orthodox Bible: New Testament

4.23 Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing all kinds of diseases and sickness among the people.

Chapter 423 Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing all kinds of diseases and sickness among the people. 24 His fame spread into all Syria, and they brought him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments,a people possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and he healed them. 25 Great crowds from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and from beyond the Jordan followed him.

24 His fame spread into all Syria, and they brought him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments,a people possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and he healed them. 25 Great crowds from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and from beyond the Jordan followed him.

teaching in Hebrew =oxgoad

preaching in Hebrew= He declares

His Fame=His word came out

HNT His word came out in all of Syria and brought to him all the patients suffering from various illnesses and pains, as well as to the people -Demons, impoverished moon and silencing (and they shut up), and he cured them HNT

His word came out in all of Syria and brought to him all the patients suffering from various illnesses and pains, as well as to the people -Demons, impoverished moon and silencing (and they shut up), and he cured them HNT

What does the impoverished moon have to do with all of this? . .

selēniazomai 17.15 Saline a oz o mai- This term means moon struck. Astrological texts in the second century A.D. use the same term. Astrological interests were alive and well, even in the first century.

selēniazomai 17.15 Saline a oz o mai- This term means moon struck. Astrological texts in the second century A.D. use the same term. Astrological interests were alive and well, even in the first century.

Like the other celestial bodies, the moon was believed to have an influence on the universe. Its injurious influence on man is referred to in PS 121.6 which probably refers to the blindness which, in Eastern belief, results from sleeping in the moonlight with uncovered face. It was also believed that the moon caused epilepsy ( Latin "lunaticus")

Twice Matthew uses Saline a oz o mai to describe the situation of a person under the influence of demons. In Jesus encounters a father who is pleading with his disciples to release his son from demonic influence. They have had no success. When the man sees Jesus, he pleads for a merciful response because his son “has seizures (selēniazetai) and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water.”

). 4:24;17:15

Jesus has gone up the mountain to pray. The next day He calls His disciples and appoints 12 whom He called, Apostles. The difference between these 12 and the other disciples in , He called these 12 to a specific mission.

During his ministry, Jesus chose to live in Capernaum, a small town near the Sea of Galilee. Capernaum served as a military post for the Romans, and it stood along the busy international trade route the Way of the Sea. People from around the world could hear Jesus' message as they traveled this route. The area was home to a variety of people, from religious zealots to pagans, and from devout to secular Jews.

During his ministry, Jesus chose to live in Capernaum, a small town near the Sea of Galilee. Capernaum served as a military post for the Romans, and it stood along the busy international trade route called the Via Maris (Via Mare long e) (Way of the Sea). People from around the world could hear Jesus' message as they traveled this route. The area was home to a variety of people, from religious zealots to pagans, and from devout to secular Jews.

Once a volcanic lake, the Sea of Galilee left large deposits of volcanic rock, or basalt, in the surrounding area. Many people living in Capernaum were tektons (tech can), people who worked with stones. Tekton can be a carpenter also. Jesus was probably a tekton by trade, and his hometown of Capernaum was known for their production of basalt food processing implements.

The town of Capernaum is the location of the record of the centurion who sent a delegation of Jewish elders to Jesus requesting his slave be healed. The elders backed up the centurions request with what statement?

He built us a synagogue , but the centurion was a gentile so how could Jesus justify honoring his request? The temple is for all those who come to worship and honor God.

Jesus has gone up the mountain to pray. The next day He calls His disciples and appoints 12 whom He called, Apostles. The difference between these 12 and the other disciples in , He called these 12 to a specific mission.

Jesus selects His Twelve Why 12?

Jesus selects His Twelve Why 12?

12 Patriarchs 12 Tribes of Israel , here Jesus selects 12 and names them apostles.

What is the mission of Israel?

Bring Good News of Salvation to the World.

Jesus has gone up the mountain to pray. The next day He calls His disciples and appoints 12 whom He called, Apostles. The difference between these 12 and the other disciples in , He called these 12 to a specific mission.

​The Lexham Bible Dictionary as developed: it refers to a person sent out as an authorized agent, either of Jesus or, in the early missionary work, of a distinguished congregation. This may be related to the rabbinic use of “emissary” or “sent one” (שָלִיחַ, shaliach), which refers to someone who is authorized to act on behalf of another and represents the authority of that person.

Jesus selects His Twelve Why 12?

12 Patriarchs 12 Tribes of Israel , here Jesus selects 12 and names them apostles.

An apostle is:

Jonah was a shaliach. a shaliaḥ performs an act of legal significance for the benefit of the sender, as opposed to him or herself. (power of attorney)

Jesus is the chief corner stone. The prophets spoke of Him. The Apostles based upon His teachings and upon His fulfillment of the prophecies uttered by the prophets, spread the word of the Good News, the Salvation to the World. Upon this foundation we teach, learn and act, spreading the word of the Good News, Salvation to the World and Proclaim the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God has power to redeem and to regenerate.

An apostle is:

​The Lexham Bible Dictionary as developed: it refers to a person sent out as an authorized agent, either of Jesus or, in the early missionary work, of a distinguished congregation. This may be related to the rabbinic use of “emissary” or “sent one” (שָלִיחַ, shaliach), which refers to someone who is authorized to act on behalf of another and represents the authority of that person.

Jesus has gone up the mountain to pray. The next day He calls His disciples and appoints 12 whom He called, Apostles. The difference between these 12 and the other disciples in , He called these 12 to a specific mission. At this time He begins to teach them of the Kingdom of God.

Jonah was a shaliach. a shaliaḥ performs an act of legal significance for the benefit of the sender, as opposed to him or herself. (power of attorney)

Jesus has gone up the mountain to pray. The next day He calls His disciples and appoints 12 whom He called, Apostles. The difference between these 12 and the other disciples in , He called these 12 to a specific mission. At this time He begins to teach them of the Kingdom of God.

Jesus is the chief corner stone. The prophets spoke of Him. The Apostles based upon Jesus teachings and upon His fulfillment of the prophecies uttered by the prophets, spread the word of the Good News, the Salvation to the World and the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God has power to redeem and to regenerate.

Listen * Explain * Live

Repent and through this turning around and coming into agreement with what God says and does, you are redeemed and regenerated. You are purchased by the blood of the Lamb. Basically you believe what God says is the only way into the Kingdom of God.

Listen to His words, if you can explain it and you walk it out, you understand it, you own it.

Jesus declaration of beatitudes come, but not until He called for repentance. To enter the Kingdom of God, you must Repent.

Why must you repent before entering the Kingdom of God? . .

Through His teachings, Jesus reveals what the Kingdom of Heaven looks like. The Kingdom in Heaven is the prototype for the Kingdom on earth.

His kingdom does not abolish the law, but builds upon it.

This kingdom does not abolish the law, but builds upon it. Jesus challenges you to go beyond the letter of the law, but He also challenges you to change, conform to the word of God. People are called to become servants, bringing God's love and grace to a hurting world. It builds upon Judaism it does not do away with it nor does it do away with the Tanach. Jesus quotes the Mishnah, the Tanach, Pirke Avot, and the Lxx. Those who taught the Tanach was no longer valid were labeled as heretics in the early centuries. Jesus also revealed that God's kingdom was at war. Though Jesus' death would assure the final victory, he knew that his followers would need to battle evil until his return. Evil is defined in three areas: Ha Satan, Yetzer HaRa, and the ways of the world. But he also knew that, even in the midst of evil, God's kingdom would grow. This is no different than Nehemiah’s battle with Sanballot. How do you defeat Ha Satan?How do you defeat the world?How do you defeat the Yetzer HaRa?How did Jesus defeat them?You act on the Word of God, just like Jesus did.

Jesus challenges you to change, to conform to the word of God, not mans ideas about God. Most of “mans ideas” that do not line up with the Bible are based on a scripture taken out of context or mans attempt to explain things they do not understand.

People are called to become servants, bringing God's love and grace to a hurting world.

It builds upon Judaism it does not do away with it nor does it do away with the Tanach.

Jesus quotes the Mishnah, the Tanach, Pirke Avot, and the Lxx all throughout His teaching and preaching.

Those who teach the Tanach is no longer valid, are labeled as heretics especially in the early centuries.

Jesus also revealed that God's Kingdom was at war.

Though Jesus' death would assure the final victory, he knew that his followers would need to battle evil until his return. Evil is defined in three areas: Ha Satan, your self centered impulses/flesh, and the ways of the world.

What is the mission of Israel?

What is the mission of Israel?

But He also knew that a remnant would not be deceived in the midst of evil, and God's Kingdom would grow. This is no different than Nehemiah’s battle with Sanballot.

How do you defeat Ha Satan?How do you defeat the world?How do you defeat the Yetzer HaRa?How did Jesus defeat them?

You act on the Word of God, just like Jesus did. You do not turn to the left, nor do you turn to the right and when you have done all else, you stand. You do by instinct what you truly believe. Things manifest in this realm but that does not make them true. Only Jesus, the Word is Truth/ Emet. Remember Emet? without God Truth is Death.

What is the mission of Israel?

Bring Good News of Salvation to the World.

The Key phrase in the Sermon on the Mount is: : ‘Do not be like them.’ It alludes to God’s word to Israel: ‘You shall not do as they do.’

What does it mean, “do not be like them”? Like who? How do they act? . .

  in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 

  among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 

The Lord already knows the intent of your heart . In future judgement all your works will stand the test of fire and only what cannot be shaken will remain.

What did Jesus say? I do only what I see my Father do.....

Learn to examine you actions. Search deep inside and look at the intent of your heart.

Better yet, learn to examine your thoughts before you act. Is it in line with the word of God and is my motivation in Love of my brother and in Love with God.

The Lord already knows the intent of your heart . In future judgement all your works will stand the test of fire and only what cannot be shaken will remain.

In the Beatitudes, Jesus begins to expound upon the Kingdom of God and who Kingdom people are and how to recognize them.

In the Beatitudes, Jesus begins to expound upon the Kingdom of God and who Kingdom people are and how to recognize them.

5 When these days were completed, the king gave a banquet lasting seven days for all the people who were present at the citadel in Susa, from the greatest to the least, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace.

1 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.

1 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.

2 He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,

Rabbis and sages in the first century, moved from place to place. If one wanted to study with a rabbi or sage, they must follow him. There were few paved roads in Israel so from mid-April to mid-November (dry season), the ground would develop a very fine dust. As one would follow the Rabbi/Sage, literally they would eat of the dust of his feet. In the Mishnah, it is said “that ones house should be a meeting place for the sages and cover yourselves with the dust of their feet and drink in their words thirstily.” When Jesus said Follow Me, this is what He was referring to, eat the dust of His feet and to drink in His words.In Matthew Jesus says, “Do not be called rabbi.” In that Gospel, He’s only addressed as rabbi by Judas. The authors of the rabbinic traditions did not call themselves rabbis. Their collective term for themselves was Hakamim, the Sages, the “wise ones.” This occurs when it says one rabbi says one thing, but the Sages disagreed. That is, “the Sages” are the united body of rabbis when they agree with each other.What does say?Hear Him= drink in their words thirstily, and both mean to obey. -25What does mean? ,You look in the mirror and your hair is having a bad hair day and you do nothing, you have changed nothing. If you look in the mirror and your hair is having a bad hair day and you comb it you have changed. So it is as you look upon the Word of God.

The Hebrew word for teach is used with the idea of training as well as educating. All learning and teaching is found in the fear of the Lord . (reference of the lawgiver who holds the power of life and death.) To learn means to come to terms with the will and the law of God, to act on His word in His context. We can not run around picking and choosing what we like from the Word of God, it is not a buffet. The picture is that of an oxgoad-a long stick with a pointed end. It is used to encourage an animal to move. In I will make them hear (shema-obey) my words.... The law untempered is harsh, but is in its totality is a picture of the holiness of God.

What do you see in these two verses, , ?SeeingWhen he saw the multitude of people, he went up the mountain, and sat down, and his disciples came unto him. At the Moment of His seeing HNTLuke (6:12) says that he went out into the mountain to pray, Mark (3:13) that he went up and called the twelve. All three purposes are true. Luke adds that after a whole night in prayer and after the choice of the twelve Jesus came down to a level place on the mountain and spoke to the multitudes from Judea to Phoenicia. He praysHe calls, He names the ApostlesHe sees the people and expounds upon the Kingdom of God

There are crowds: Mentioned in they followed from Galilee and the Decapolis (10 towns), Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan. The Hebrew root of the word crowd is to make a loud noise, a roar, a turbulent noise. Same word is used in for Abraham will be a Father of many nations. Maybe as many as followed Moses out of Egypt.He went up to the mountain and sat down: CHRYSOSTOM. He ascended a mountain, first, that He might fulfil the prophecy of Esaias, Get thee up into a mountain; (.) In the first century, the one seated was the most important person in the group. Rabbis would sit, talmidim would stand. Hence sitting was a synonymous term for teaching among the rabbins

Who else went up a mountain?Many scholars think that Matthew here recalls Moses’ revelation on Mount Sinai and his receiving the tablets of Law that form the core of the Sinai covenant. (; , ). law given Through Jesus, God will again speak to Israel just as he did long ago on Mount Sinai. Only the Sermon on the Mount itself will show how Jesus’ gospel of the kingdom is related to the Law of Moses. As with Moses, God spoke to the people down below the mountain. The one greater than Moses ; , has begun his missionand called to summon by name

Disciples came to Him

​ EOB: NTJesus went up into the mountain and called to himself those he wanted and they came to him.He appointed twelve to be with him, so that he might send them out to preachand to have authority to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons. [They were:]

HNTThe English word “disciple” fails to convey the richness of the relationship between a rabbi and his talmidim in the first century C.E. Teachers attracted followers who wholeheartedly gave themselves over to their teachers. The essence of the relationship was one of trust in every area of living, and its goal was to make the talmid like his rabbi in knowledge, wisdom and ethical behavior. Jesus disciples are believed to be in their mid-teens.Gifted students approached a rabbi and asked, "May I follow you?" in effect, saying, "Do I have what it takes to be like you?" The rabbi either accepted the student as a talmid or sent him away to pursue a trade. Jesus broke this pattern when he chose his own talmidim. As he asked his disciples to follow him, they knew without a doubt that their rabbi believed in them.A talmid followed the rabbi everywhere, often without knowing or asking where he was going. He rarely left his rabbi's side for fear that he would miss a teachable moment. And he watched the rabbi's every move, noting how he acted and thought about a variety of situations.Talmidim trusted their rabbi completely. They worked passionately to incorporate the rabbi's actions and words into their lives. The disciples' deepest desire was to follow their rabbi so closely that they would start to think and act like him.When a talmid begins to think and act like their Rabbi, what scripture comes to mind? Jesus' twelve disciples ultimately succeeded in becoming like their rabbi: Their missionary efforts changed the world, and most of them gave their lives in the process. These are the 12 apostles. the wall of the city has 12 foundations upon which the names of the apostles are writtenWe as followers of Jesus are challenged to a radical discipleship regardless of cost. It is not about learning theological knowledge. It is not about being in church every time the doors open. You have to get out of the boat to experience God’s power. You have to listen to His voice as to where you are to go. You have to trust Him. He will call you up the mountain, you will be afraid, you will crumble in the presence of the Almighty God, get out of the boat!. Everyone makes fun of Peter for sinking in the water, but what about the other 11?Jesus truly believes his disciples can become like him, even when we feel tired, fallen, or incapable. The first twelve disciples were ordinary people, but with God's power, they transformed the world as His messengers, they were confirmed and empowered by Him.Our world still needs transformation. It is filled with vanity, and selfishness, and people yearn for something real. They aren't impressed by hypocrites, walk the talk. There is vanity even inside the church. Some works will burn as chaff/stubble. If Christians are willing to demonstrate radical discipleship, the people around us may just want to meet our Rabbi for themselves.How about you: Where is God asking you to walk on water? Will you follow Jesus and step out of the boat?He began to speak Opening his mouth A common idiom that emphasizes the seriousness of His teaching . The intent is to arouse the readers attention and prepare him for what is coming. It is a common phrase in the Bible and in Jewish writings. ; ; , . alludes to A person lives by “every word that comes for the mouth of God” and to teach He is both teacher and Lord, gave his own authoritative interpretation of Moses’ law, issued commandments and expected obedience. He even invites his disciples to assume his ‘yoke’ or submit to his teaching, as they had previously borne the yoke of Torah. , 30The Yoke in Judaism and in Scripture:It is the symbol of service and servitude, and in accordance with the principle that the Jew should be free from servitude to man in order to devote himself to the service of God, the "yoke of the kingdom of man" is contrasted with "the yoke of the kingdom of heaven." In Jewish writings we find: : "Whoever takes upon himself the yoke of the Torah, they remove from him the yoke of government and the yoke of worldly concerns, and whoever breaks off the yoke of the Torah, they place on him the yoke of government and the yoke of worldly concerns" (Avot 3:5). The "yoke of the Torah" is the study of Torah but more so the proclamation of the unity of God by reading the Shema and is called "accepting upon oneself the yoke of the kingdom of heaven," while the acceptance of the fulfillment of the Commandments as a whole, referred to in the second paragraph of the Shema. is called "accepting the yoke of the Commandments." In Avot 6:6 the phrase "bearing the yoke with one's fellow" means "sharing his burdens." What is the Shema? Where is it found? is the basis of Judaism and their foundation and believe in GodDeut 6.4 -9, 11.13-21, -41It is recited twice a day in Jewish Prayer and

Pirkei Avot Ethics of the FathersThe Sermon on the Mount is an ethic for the disciples, but it also applies to the listening people. It is a discourse that proclaims the gospel of the Kingdom to the people. as God spoke to the people through Moses, He now speaks through Jesus. Moses gave the law in the Tanach, Jesus gives the law in the New Covenant. The Sermon on the Mount in context portrays the repentance and the righteousness that belong to the Kingdom of God. It is what Kingdom people, Kingdom life, Kingdom community are when under the gracious rule of God. And what do they look like? Different! Jesus emphasized that his true followers, the citizens of God’s kingdom, were to be entirely different from others. They were not to take their cue from the people around them, but from him, and so prove to be genuine children of their heavenly Father. To me the key text of the Sermon on the Mount is 6:8: ‘Do not be like them.’ It is immediately reminiscent of God’s word to Israel in olden days: ‘You shall not do as they do.’4 It is the same call to be different. And right through the Sermon on the Mount this theme is elaborated. Their character was to be completely distinct from that admired by the world (the beatitudes). They were to shine like lights in the prevailing darkness. Their righteousness was to exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees, both in ethical behaviour and in religious devotion, while their love was to be greater and their ambition nobler than those of their pagan neighbours.How do people of the “world” act? How could all those people hear what Jesus was saying?the location of the Sermon on the Mount is that it was on a mountain near the Lake of Gennesaret and Capernaum, the fishing town on the northern shore of the Lake of Gennesaret. Since a location northeast of the Lake of Gennesaret is likely to have referenced Bethsaida, which is the fishing town near Capernaum but east of it, the location of the Sermon on the Mount is likely to have been northwest of the Lake of Gennesaret.The Lake of Gennesaret is shaped like a bowl and has strong winds that serve as a natural amplifier. A firm voice spoken downwind carries a fair distance. So when Jesus preached on a mountain near the Sea of Galilee at a crowd seated below Him, the wind is likely to have been blowing toward the Sea of Galilee.8. (516) The country also that lies over against this lake hath the same name of Gennesareth; its nature is wonderful as well as its beauty; its soil is so fruitful that all sorts of trees can grow upon it, and the inhabitants accordingly plant all sorts of trees there; for the temper of the air is so well mixed, that it agrees very well with those several sorts, (517) particularly walnuts, which require the coldest air, flourish there in vast plenty; there are palm trees also, which grow best in hot air; fig trees also and olives grown near them, which yet require an air that is more temperate. (518) One may call this place the ambition of nature, where it forces those plants that are naturally enemies to one another to agree together; it is a happy contention of the seasons as if every one of them laid claim to this country; (519) for it not only nourishes different sorts of autumnal fruit beyond men’s expectation, but preserves them a great while; it supplies men with the principal fruits, with grapes and figs continually during ten months of the year,a and the rest of the fruit as they become ripe together, through the whole year; for besides the good temperature of the air, it is also watered from a most fertile fountain. The people of the country call it Capharnaum. Josephus Wars

5:2 Having announced the kingdom of heaven as “at hand,” the King, in , declares the principles of the kingdom. The Sermon on the Mount has a twofold application: (1) Literally to the kingdom. In this sense it gives the divine constitution for the righteous government of the earth. Whenever the kingdom of heaven is established on earth it will be according to that constitution, which may be regarded as an explanation of the word “righteousness” as used by the prophets in describing the kingdom (e.g. , ; ; ). In this sense the Sermon on the Mount is pure law, and transfers the offence from the overt act to the motive (, , , ). Here lies the deeper reason why the Jews rejected the kingdom. They had reduced “righteousness” to mere ceremonialism, and the Old Testament idea of the kingdom to a mere affair of outward splendour and power. They were never rebuked for expecting a visible and powerful kingdom, but the words of the prophets should have prepared them to expect also that only the poor in spirit and the meek could share in it (e.g. ). The seventy-second Psalm, which was universally received by them as a description of the kingdom, was full of this. For these reasons the Sermon on the Mount in its primary application gives neither the privilege nor the duty of the Church. These are found in the Epistles. Under the law of the kingdom, for example, no one may hope for forgiveness who has not first forgiven (, , ). Under grace the Christian is exhorted to forgive because he is already forgiven ().(2) But there is a beautiful moral application to the Christian. It always remains true that the poor in spirit, rather than the proud, are blessed, and those who mourn because of their sins, and who are meek in the consciousness of them, will hunger and thirst after righteousness, and hungering will be filled. The merciful are “blessed,” the pure in heart do “see God.” These principles fundamentally reappear in the teaching of the Epistles.Matthew explicitly indicates that Jesus taught his disciples (5:1–2), but also that the crowds were present (5:1; 7:28–29), implying that he wanted both to hear, calling both to decision (cf. 7:24–27; cf. Guelich 1982: 60).The Sermon on the Mount (chaps. 5–7) is the first of five major blocks of sermonic material that distinctively punctuate Matthew’s narrative (along with chaps. 10; 13; 18; 23–25). These discourses have often been likened to the five books of Torah